Stepping beyond the borders of your comfort zone and interacting with diverse cultures can be a life-changing experience. You might think that “change your life” are too big words. But from my own experience, it’s nothing else but true. In our past articles we talk about how you can develop yourself while volunteering abroad and about Lea’s experience as an exchange participant. Today, it’s time to talk about how a Global Volunteer experience can shape your perspective on life.

But before we start, let me explain you what Global Volunteer is and how you can become one of them. Global Volunteer is a 6 weeks program in which you can bring an impact into the world, by working for one of the 16 Sustainable Development Goals. You can teach kids English, learn about sustainability and climate change, play with pets in animal centers and the list can continue. One of the program’s highlights is the opportunity to explore a new country and connect with people from around the world. There are many more things to say about those opportunities, so you can check our page for more details.

For me, Global Volunteer meant learning things about global issues, discovering Turkish culture and cuisine, visit amazing places, but the most important, creating friendships with people who lives thousands of km away.

Cultural Immersion and Perspective Shifts

One of the most impactful aspects of global volunteering is the opportunity to immerse yourself in different cultures. As you interact with local people, you gain a deeper understanding of their traditions, values, and way of life. Through cultural immersion, you may reevaluate your priorities and values. Witnessing people living with fewer material goods can make you reflect on what truly matters in life. This reevaluation can lead to personal growth and a more fulfilling life.

Personal Growth and Self-Discovery

Leaving your comfort zone can be scary, but those are the moments in which the real personal growth occurs. Volunteering abroad pushes you to adapt, overcome challenges, find solutions for different situations and discover strengths you may not have realized you had. With personal growth you also build self-awareness and confidence. The change appears in the moment in which you start saying yes to those opportunities. Besides personal growth you get a lot of cool stories to tell to your friends, because I promise you, every day is different when you volunteer abroad.

Communication Skills

Before leaving abroad as a volunteer, I was thinking that my communication skills are great and there aren’t many things to improve. But there were. Not speaking the same first language with someone you have to work with is difficult, but not impossible. The good part is that you will improve your English and most probably you will learn many words in other languages too. Navigating language barriers and learning to connect with people from diverse backgrounds brings a huge impact to your communication skills.

Building Lifelong Connections

The relationships created during your journey are often some of the most lasting and meaningful ones. You will meet volunteers like you, who share the same passion for making a positive impact. You become a part of a global network, full of open-minded people. If you don’t believe me, let me tell you that next month I am going to another continent to meet my exchange friends.

Creating Lasting Impact

The impact of this program is not limited to the duration of your work. Sustainable projects, skills improvement and information acquired ensure that your efforts continue to help people after the project ends. The skills gained not only enhance your interactions abroad but also help in your personal and professional life back home. After you return, you can spread awareness about the topic of your work and implement the action plan in your community.

Global Volunteering is a transformative journey that has the potential to change your life in many ways. When you decide to enroll on this journey, you not only make a difference in the lives of others but also discover a sense of purpose within yourself. 

Now, it’s time to write your own story. Go on our website and choose the opportunity that suits you best. Dare to step out, explore, and volunteer globally, and I promise your life will never be the same again.