If you are looking for a new experience and love to travel, then volunteering abroad may be right for you! Volunteering abroad allows you to make connections not only with the people you are traveling with, but also with the locals of the country you are visiting. The experience and knowledge you obtain from volunteering abroad is priceless and will follow you throughout your lifetime. If you are interested in volunteering abroad, listed below are some summer volunteer programs you might be interested in. Although you may be unable to take a trip this summer, use this time of social distancing to plan your trip for next summer!
Thailand
In Surin, Bangkok you can give support to communities that are underprivileged by volunteering with children and elephants during a three-week program. You will also have opportunity to cook authentic food and learn about Thailand culture. On the weekends, you can explore local shops and restaurants as well as scattered ancient temples.
Bali
This two-week marine conservation program is hosted in Tianyar, which is a small fishing village in the northern area of Bali. This program allows volunteers to be a part of the effort to restore Tianyar’s coral reef that is currently in poor condition due to the many years of unsustainable fishing practices. You will be able to work with the Indonesian Nature Foundation to build artificial reef structures to house fish and provide a surface for coral to regrow on. Your efforts will help protect and restore the amazing, fragile ecosystems and the livelihood of the villagers of the surrounding area.
Morocco
Rabat, Morocco has one of the lowest literacy rates worldwide. This one-weekvolunteer teaching program will allow you tohelp the children of Morocco increase their knowledge of the English language. On the weekends, you can spend time exploring the city and indulging in this new culture.
Volunteering can be tremendously rewarding and can allow you to experience new cultures outside of the United States. These programs are also great for anyone who may only want to volunteer for a short period of time.
Dr. Barbara Edwards, Princeton internist, practices at Penn Medicine Princeton Health in the Penn Medicine Princeton Medical Center and also serves as Medical Director of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Community Health Center.