Volunteering overseas?

[Acura]

Hey all, I'm looking to spend a month during the upcoming summer abroad in a 3rd world country, my main concerns are:

 

1) What organization is best to do this with (which one you'd personally recommend)

2) If you've done it yourself - how did you find the experience?

3) How much money i'll need to save up

4) And anything else I should look out for

 

Your help is greatly appreciated and sorry if this has been posted before, just direct me to the correct thread. Happy holidays and thanks again

[future_doc]

Why not volunteer within our aboriginal communities here in Canada.

[rmorelan]

lol maybe people want to volunteer somewhere other than a drug-infested dunghole, who are you to insinuate that those who want to do volunteering in a foreign country ought to be morally ashamed of themselves.

 

That probably wasn't the implication

 

It is a legitimate question - for admission to a Canadian medical school what would have more weight do you think? These sorts of questions get batted around a lot.

 

I did a mix of these sorts of things - I did a number of weeks through a school's field course for credit which revolved around malaria prevention in Tanzania. It was well run and interesting - plus it was an actual credit for my degree (1.0 credits).

[jojoluvsu2]

lol maybe people want to volunteer somewhere other than a drug-infested dunghole, who are you to insinuate that those who want to do volunteering in a foreign country ought to be morally ashamed of themselves.

 

I hate to say it but a lot of 3rd world countries (at least in the impoverished parts) are drug-infested dungholes (to use your term exactly). I did volunteer work in an orphanage in Kenya where everyone over the age of 12 was high on inhalents.

 

I think that volunteering in needy communities within Canada will look a lot better on an application, our communities here need just as much help as other areas, you wont have to spend as much money and you will get a much better understanding of some of the medical challenges in these remote communities.

 

Volunteering abroad also has its benefits and in no way implies that the person has less morality than someone who chooses to stay here.

[future_doc]

I think that volunteering in needy communities within Canada will look a lot better on an application, our communities here need just as much help as other areas, you wont have to spend as much money and you will get a much better understanding of some of the medical challenges in these remote communities.

 

Volunteering abroad also has its benefits and in no way implies that the person has less morality than someone who chooses to stay here.

 

Money was raised as a concern by the OP. Canada gives more bang for the buck. And as you say, the OP would obtain a better understanding with a Canadian context.

[lost__in__space]

lol maybe people want to volunteer somewhere other than a drug-infested dunghole, who are you to insinuate that those who want to do volunteering in a foreign country ought to be morally ashamed of themselves.

 

LOL, you should say that exact phrase in a medical school interview

[lost__in__space]

I volunteered with this organization and it was great. It was safe, educational, worthwhile and fun.

 

http://www.outreach360.org/home/

[thelastguyin]

Money was raised as a concern by the OP. Canada gives more bang for the buck. And as you say, the OP would obtain a better understanding with a Canadian context.

 

How would one go about volunteering at aboriginal communities? Sounds interesting.

[Acura]

I hate to say it but a lot of 3rd world countries (at least in the impoverished parts) are drug-infested dungholes (to use your term exactly). I did volunteer work in an orphanage in Kenya where everyone over the age of 12 was high on inhalents.

 

I think that volunteering in needy communities within Canada will look a lot better on an application, our communities here need just as much help as other areas, you wont have to spend as much money and you will get a much better understanding of some of the medical challenges in these remote communities.

 

Volunteering abroad also has its benefits and in no way implies that the person has less morality than someone who chooses to stay here.

 

That sounds cool, do you know of any organized efforts in the GTA that work in needy communities that are looking for potential volunteers?

[Birdy]

How would one go about volunteering at aboriginal communities? Sounds interesting.

 

Contact band councils, perhaps, or get in touch with local Aboriginal-oriented organizations. In the Ottawa area, the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health comes to mind and the Odawa Friendship Centre (places my family was involved with, just as examples. They do make a big difference in the lives of the community.) There are likely organizations like that in most cities, as off-res aboriginal communities face their own challenges. They may be able to refer you to on-reserve centres or programs that may be seeking volunteers.

 

Edit: My husband suggested contacting the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.

[future_doc]

How would one go about volunteering at aboriginal communities? Sounds interesting.

 

Fantastic! You got your answer.

[rmorelan]

Contact band councils, perhaps, or get in touch with local Aboriginal-oriented organizations. In the Ottawa area, the Wabano Centre for Aboriginal Health comes to mind and the Odawa Friendship Centre (places my family was involved with, just as examples. They do make a big difference in the lives of the community.) There are likely organizations like that in most cities, as off-res aboriginal communities face their own challenges. They may be able to refer you to on-reserve centres or programs that may be seeking volunteers.

 

Edit: My husband suggested contacting the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples.

 

often medical schools have a club as well that volunteer that probably could give you some pointers as well