Volunteer Abroad

[speg]

Does anyone have any experience/suggestions with volunteering abroad? Specifically, Europe.

I am planning to travel to Europe for anywhere to 6 weeks to 6 months. I'm hoping to do the whole backpacking thing, but would also like to do something like volunteer work. Just wondering if anyone has done anything like this before or knows someone who has.

 

[zinfamous]

what kind of volunteer work? like picking grapes in France or Italy?

 

[speg]

Originally posted by: zinfamous
what kind of volunteer work? like picking grapes in France or Italy?

Hmm, France is my main draw - so that would be cool

Last year I did conservation work in Australia/New Zealand and it was great. However I'd like to do something more to do with people in need. Like building homes or something. I really want do some work in Africa eventually, but Europe seems like a safer place to start.

 

[MoPHo]

Can't remember the name of the program but you can help clean the coast of Iceland. Just sleep on the coast at night with the other people in the program and clean during the day.

 

[Andrew1990]

Well, you can put on a cape and mask and protect the innocent Europeans from the Evil and Dangerous Communist?

 

[zinfamous]

Originally posted by: MoPHo
Can't remember the name of the program but you can help clean the coast of Iceland. Just sleep on the coast at night with the other people in the program and clean during the day.

And Iceland being very isolated like they are, there was this "rumored" program involving a government-encouraged policy for Icelandic women to mate with as many non-Icelandic males as possible.

That is some pretty fine volunteer work helping people, if you ask me

 

[arrfep]

Never used, but heard good things about Volunteers For Peace. You basically pay like $250 to go on a volunteer vacation, but it usually covers room and board and in return you do whatever the work is. Lots of stuff to choose from.