Volunteering and Internship Abroad: How to Have a Unique and Rewarding Experience?

Volunteering and internships abroad are two exciting avenues for anyone wishing to discover other cultures, acquire new skills and give meaning to their personal and professional projects. Whether you are a student, recent graduate or simply in search of adventure and solidarity, going abroad will provide you with a rewarding experience, both personally and professionally.

In this article, we will explore the differences between volunteering and internships abroad, look at the advantages of each experience, then give you the keys to properly prepare for your departure and make the most of your stay. Ready to set off on an unforgettable adventure? Read on!

Table of Contents

1. What is volunteering abroad?
2. What is an internship abroad?
3. Volunteering and internship abroad: what are the differences?
4. Benefits of volunteering and internships abroad
5. Choosing the right program: how to do it?
6. Preparing to leave: checklist and practical advice
7. Afterwards: highlighting your experience and staying involved
8. Inspiring testimonials
9. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
10. Key points to remember
11. Conclusion

1. What is volunteering abroad?

Volunteering abroad (or international volunteering) involves committing, generally on a non‑profit basis, to a solidarity, development or humanitarian mission. Fields of action are varied: education, health, environmental protection, social aid, construction, etc. The idea is to provide local support and actively participate in a project that benefits the community.

The different forms of volunteering

• Associative volunteering: missions offered by NGOs, foundations or international associations.
• International Civic Service: a supervised program that allows young people (between 16 and 25 in France) to take part in public‑interest missions abroad.
• International solidarity volunteering (VSI): a specific contract under French law for humanitarian or development missions.

2. What is an internship abroad?

An internship abroad is above all a professional experience. It is part of a training program (school, university) and allows you to gain hands‑on experience in a specific field. In general, the intern is supervised by a mentor within the host company or organization and must validate their skills through a report or evaluation.

The different types of internships abroad

• Compulsory internship: an integral part of a school or university curriculum.
• Voluntary internship: outside a curriculum, it can be organized directly with a company or through a specialized organization such as Globalong.
• End‑of‑study internship: generally longer and may lead to a first job if the organization is satisfied with the intern.

3. Volunteering and internship abroad: what are the differences?

Although both involve going abroad, volunteering and internships have some key distinctions:

1. Main objective
   • Volunteering: solidarity‑driven and altruistic commitment (volunteering, humanitarian mission, eco‑volunteering).
   • Internship: professional learning and skill validation as part of studies or career development.
2. Remuneration
   • Volunteering: little or no allowance, the mission is often non‑paid.
   • Internship: variable compensation depending on the country, sometimes mandatory depending on duration and regulations.
3. Status and legal framework
   • Volunteering: depends on the host organization, may require a specific visa.
   • Internship: often governed by a tripartite agreement (school, intern, company) and legislation specific to each country.
4. Daily activities
   • Volunteering: field missions, community actions, awareness‑raising, on‑site training.
   • Internship: job‑related tasks (communication, marketing, management, engineering, etc.), concrete projects supervised by a mentor.

Comparison table: volunteering vs. internship

4. Benefits of volunteering and internships abroad

Volunteering abroad

• Cultural immersion: live alongside local populations and discover their daily life.
• Positive impact: provide tangible help and contribute to a sustainable development project.
• Human values: get involved, broaden your worldview, develop empathy and solidarity.
• International network: connect with volunteers and professionals from around the world.

Internship abroad

• Professional development: gain experience in a specific field and boost your CV.
• Language learning: improve your skills in the host country’s language.
• Career opportunities: obtain better job prospects, or even a permanent position.
• Valued degree: strengthen your academic path and earn credits (ECTS) within higher‑education studies.

5. Choosing the right program: how to do it?

1. Define your objectives: before choosing a volunteering program or internship, clearly identify your motivations (learning a language, supporting a cause, earning a degree, etc.).
2. Select the destination: consider language, climate, culture and safety conditions.
3. Compare organizations: look at reputation, costs, support (before, during and after the mission) and testimonials from past participants.
4. Check the legal framework: visa, internship agreement, insurance, mandatory vaccines… Consult the relevant authorities.
5. Plan your budget: registration fees, airfare, accommodation, transport, etc. Costs vary by country and duration of stay.

Tip: Globalong offers personalized support to help you find the destination and mission that suit you best.

Lucie Correia

2024-10-17

La communication avec Globalong est super, personnes très présentes pour les bénévoles et étudiants partant avec cette association. Elles répondent à toutes nos questions et sont très accessibles au téléphone.

Raïssa Frisch

2024-10-14

J’ai déjà eu l’opportunité de réaliser deux projets humanitaires avec l’association Globalong. Je ne peux que la recommander, car j’ai toujours bénéficié d’un excellent accompagnement, aussi bien avant que pendant le voyage. On ne vous laisse pas vous débrouiller seuls, bien au contraire, vous êtes très bien encadrés pour accomplir toutes les démarches dans les délais. Au-delà du suivi, les expériences humanitaires proposées par Globalong ne peuvent que transformer votre vie de manière positive. Elles vous apportent une richesse humaine inestimable.

Tara Turan

2024-10-14

Une des meilleures associations que j’ai pu faire ! Une organisation et un suivi vraiment parfait, c’est avec grand plaisir que je referai un projet avec eux.

Repiquet Julie

2024-10-13

Très bon accompagnement de la part de Globalong, du premier jour avec toutes mes interrogations, jusqu'au départ dans quelques jours. Le dossier transmis après validation de la mission est plus que complet, les webmaster très intéressantes et permettent de décharger mentalement ce genre de préparation, tout est prévu il n'y a plus qu'à suivre ! Merci à Florence de répondre à toutes mes questions avec gentillesse et bienveillance, cela m'a permis de passer le cap! Maintenant, il n'y a plus qu'à 😀

Marine Guilhamat

2024-10-09

Très belle association qui offre un cadre super sécurisant et permet de s’investir dans des projets qui ont du sens. Merci à l’équipe Globalong pour votre disponibilité, gentillesse et accompagnement !

Laura Mercier

2024-10-08

Mon départ approche, je pars dans une semaine, et depuis le début de mon inscription je suis très satisfaite du suivi effectué par l’association. Ils sont très disponibles et répondent rapidement à l’ensemble des questions. Je suis très contente de partir faire cette mission humanitaire encadrée par cette association. Je recommande vraiment.

Anouk Rzkt

2024-10-02

Globalong est l'association parfaite. L'équipe offre un véritable accompagnement rythmé par beaucoup de conseils et d'écoute. Le site est très bien fait avec des dossiers complets allant des sujets très pratiques a d'autres plus théoriques (tels que le choc culturel par exemple). Je recommande vivement et remercie sincèrement toute l'équipe pour leur gentillesse et investissement !

Évaluation Google : 4.8 sur 5, Basée sur 240 avis

6. Preparing to leave: checklist and practical advice

• Passport and visa: check your passport’s validity date and the necessary procedures.
• Health insurance: take out insurance covering illness, hospitalization, repatriation and possibly international civil liability.
• Vaccinations: check mandatory or recommended vaccinations in the host country.
• Accommodation: if the organization does not provide housing, look for a solution (flatshare, host family, student residence).
• Monthly budget: calculate your expenses (housing, food, transport, leisure) and allow a margin for unexpected costs.
• Language training: take language courses before departure or on site to facilitate integration and communication.

7. Afterwards: highlighting your experience and staying involved

Showcase your experience on your CV

• Emphasize your adaptability: your ability to integrate into a different environment.
• Highlight your intercultural skills: communication, teamwork, project management, leadership.
• Mention your achievements: if you led or contributed to a specific project, detail the concrete results.

Stay engaged after your return

• Keep in touch: stay connected with people you met on site (social networks, emails).
• Share your experience: write an article, give testimonials on your blog or the organization’s, talk about it around you.
• Continue supporting the cause: even from a distance, you can provide financial support or volunteer online for the organization.
• Consider another stay: a successful first experience may make you want to go back for another volunteering mission or an even more ambitious internship.

8. Inspiring testimonials

Alice’s testimonial (volunteer in Africa)
“Going on a humanitarian mission allowed me to discover an incredibly rich culture while being useful. I worked in a school where I helped teach English. The children were very motivated and I felt my presence made a difference.”

Marie’s testimonial
“I completed my end‑of‑study internship abroad. Beyond professional skills, I also perfected my English and discovered a very dynamic work environment. I even received a job offer at the end of my internship!”

9. FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

To make things easier and quickly answer the main questions, here is a concise FAQ:

Q1: Do I need to be fluent in the country’s language before leaving?

While it makes communication easier, it is not always essential. Many organizations accept beginners or offer on‑site language training. An intermediate level in English (the international language) is, however, often required.

Q2: Can I do a short‑term volunteering mission (1 – 2 weeks)?

Yes, there are short missions called introductory or discovery missions. However, the longer the mission, the greater the local impact and the more immersive the experience.

Q3: What budget should I plan for volunteering or an internship abroad?

The budget mainly depends on the destination, duration and type of mission. It includes travel costs, accommodation, food, insurance and sometimes a contribution to the organization’s expenses. A financing plan or seeking scholarships can be helpful.

Q4: Can I earn ECTS credits with volunteering?

Generally, ECTS credits are linked to an internship within a university curriculum. However, some universities recognize associative or humanitarian engagement, provided specific criteria are met. Check with your institution.

Q5: How can I best promote this experience to future employers?

Emphasize language skills, intercultural competencies, adaptability and teamwork. Employers greatly value these qualities.

10. Key points to remember

• Different objectives: volunteering focuses on solidarity engagement, whereas internships focus on professional experience.
• Added value for the CV: recruiters appreciate international profiles for language proficiency and adaptability.
• Thorough preparation: visa, insurance, budget, accommodation… Anticipate all practical aspects to enjoy a stress‑free experience.
• Personal and professional impact: you develop not only technical skills (in the case of an internship) but also valuable soft skills: empathy, intercultural communication, autonomy.
• Sustainable commitment: continue the adventure after your return by sharing your experience or supporting the organization remotely.

11. Conclusion

Volunteering and internships abroad are two exciting ways to discover the world, acquire new skills and grow personally. Whether you choose to engage with a local community as a volunteer or gain expertise through a professional internship, each option has its own advantages and specificities.

To succeed, define your objectives, choose the most suitable destination and carefully prepare for your departure. Then, make the most of your stay to open up to new horizons and develop skills that will make a difference in the job market. Finally, remember to highlight this experience and maintain your international connections to extend the benefits of your stay well beyond your return.

You now have all the keys in hand to make your dream of exploration, engagement and professional growth come true. All that’s left is to take the plunge and live this extraordinary adventure!