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To Volunteer With a Company Or Not?

By Bruce Haxton

To go through a company or not: that is the question, whether it's better to throw on a rucksack and go it alone or book through a company! The tricky thing is there are no easy answers; rather it's a matter of taste and a question of what you want to do with your trip.

First of all it's important to make sure that any company you consider is a responsible travel company that has at its heart a commitment to ethical travel. It's important to build a sustainable form of travel that can benefit everyone. Such is the bad press that mainstream tourism gets; often many companies get tarred with the same brush. In fact there are many out there who act responsibly and have a really positive contribution to make, finding the right one just means making your choice carefully.

If you're volunteering

If you decide to spend your time away volunteering then there are a few advantages to organising it through a company. Firstly the quality and safety of the projects is guaranteed; most good companies only work with projects that do real benefit to the community as the projects were set up by the communities themselves. Secondly you're certain to be safe while you're away as there will normally be some kind of support network to help you should you need it during your trip. Volunteering independently and getting involved with projects yourself may add a little excitement to the plane journey but it is something of a gamble.

If you're teaching English

You can get qualified and find TEFL jobs independently, and one of the joys of teaching abroad is the sense of freedom and adventure it gives you. Websites like tefl.com offer a resource for those who are qualified and looking for work. While it's more of a challenge to do it on your own you can take a large chunk of the risk out of it by using an organisation. If you get qualified with a company they will often include a guaranteed placement at the end of the course. In a competitive market its best to take advantage of their knowledge. Access to contacts all over the world is something new teachers appreciate, at least while they find their feet.

If I use a company will I still get an adventure?

If you arrange volunteering or teaching through a company it won't be like your typical package holiday, but that's why you're doing it! It's true that the company should make sure that the project or school is safe but after that you'll be free to set off and explore. Aside from the pre-departure information and the initial introduction on your arrival you'll probably forget about them altogether unless you have any problems, or remember to send them a postcard! Getting a little inside information on a country actually gives you the tools to have more of an adventure. You'll have the confidence and knowledge to explore further.

Travelling independently

If your travel dreams are more about setting off and seeing the sights than volunteering or teaching then there is less reason to travel through a company. Indeed, there is no reason at all. You can travel much more cheaply by booking flights independently, avoiding package deals and sorting your own food and accommodation out. For truly independent travel all you really need is a good guide book, and we highly recommend the Lonely Planet series. Happy travelling!

I'm totally passionate about travel, it's been my life and work for a good few years! My travel adventures haven't really been about seeing monuments etc but far more about people and getting off the beaten track. Even in a country that has large numbers of tourists you can still find hidden places if you look hard enough, living and working in country gives you such a different perception of it and more of a chance to absorb the local culture. I would like to share my many experiences and offer a little advice if I can to fellow travellers or anyone who is just about to set off on a life changing trip!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Haxton


	To Volunteer With a Company Or Not? By Bruce Haxton To go through a company or not: that is the question, whether it's better to throw on a rucksack and go it alone or book through a company! The tricky thing is there are no easy answers; rather it's a matter of taste and a question of what you want to do with your trip. First of all it's important to make sure that any company you consider is a responsible travel company that has at its heart a commitment to ethical travel. It's important to build a sustainable form of travel that can benefit everyone. Such is the bad press that mainstream tourism gets; often many companies get tarred with the same brush. In fact there are many out there who act responsibly and have a really positive contribution to make, finding the right one just means making your choice carefully. If you're volunteering If you decide to spend your time away volunteering then there are a few advantages to organising it through a company. Firstly the quality and safety of the projects is guaranteed; most good companies only work with projects that do real benefit to the community as the projects were set up by the communities themselves. Secondly you're certain to be safe while you're away as there will normally be some kind of support network to help you should you need it during your trip. Volunteering independently and getting involved with projects yourself may add a little excitement to the plane journey but it is something of a gamble. If you're teaching English You can get qualified and find TEFL jobs independently, and one of the joys of teaching abroad is the sense of freedom and adventure it gives you. Websites like tefl.com offer a resource for those who are qualified and looking for work. While it's more of a challenge to do it on your own you can take a large chunk of the risk out of it by using an organisation. If you get qualified with a company they will often include a guaranteed placement at the end of the course. In a competitive market its best to take advantage of their knowledge. Access to contacts all over the world is something new teachers appreciate, at least while they find their feet. If I use a company will I still get an adventure? If you arrange volunteering or teaching through a company it won't be like your typical package holiday, but that's why you're doing it! It's true that the company should make sure that the project or school is safe but after that you'll be free to set off and explore. Aside from the pre-departure information and the initial introduction on your arrival you'll probably forget about them altogether unless you have any problems, or remember to send them a postcard! Getting a little inside information on a country actually gives you the tools to have more of an adventure. You'll have the confidence and knowledge to explore further. Travelling independently If your travel dreams are more about setting off and seeing the sights than volunteering or teaching then there is less reason to travel through a company. Indeed, there is no reason at all. You can travel much more cheaply by booking flights independently, avoiding package deals and sorting your own food and accommodation out. For truly independent travel all you really need is a good guide book, and we highly recommend the Lonely Planet series. Happy travelling! I'm totally passionate about travel, it's been my life and work for a good few years! My travel adventures haven't really been about seeing monuments etc but far more about people and getting off the beaten track. Even in a country that has large numbers of tourists you can still find hidden places if you look hard enough, living and working in country gives you such a different perception of it and more of a chance to absorb the local culture. I would like to share my many experiences and offer a little advice if I can to fellow travellers or anyone who is just about to set off on a life changing trip! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bruce_Haxton © 2009 EzineArticles.com - All Rights Reserved Worldwide.