How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas

by Joseph Collins, Stefano DeZerega, Zahara Heckscher

A comprehensive guide for Americans who want to volunteer overseas provides case studies, worksheets, and helpful advice designed to help readers find the right program in various regions around the world, as well as a listing of more than one hundred volunteer organizations, financial guidelines, and tips on how to become an effective volunteer. Original.

Genres: Travel

496 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2001

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

The most helpful section of the book is a listing/description of numerous volunteer agencies that seems helpful in zeroing in on which might be appropriate for the individual reader. The first section, about what to expect outside of the US, is probably most helpful to younger readers or those that haven't traveled much. It's from 2001--I haven't checked yet if the information on the agencies is still accurate, but it should be a good starting point because they list all the websites. One annoying (to me) feature was the authors' insistence on rating the politics of the agencies based on their own political viewpoint, which is anti-globalism and anti-US foreign policy. But it seems they gave pretty objective discussion of even the agencies with whom they disagreed on politics.

[Nancy Rapkoch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is worth reading for anyone considering overseas volunteering. There was insightful information on volunteer agencies, what to bring, what to expect, culture shock, and health and safety recommendations. I appreciated a broad spectrum of stories and experiences from all over the world. I'm traveling to Cameroon next month with Engineers Without Borders, so I guess when I get back I will know how helpful the information really is.

[Elyssa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful guide of what to expect when volunteering overseas and a comprehensive list of agencies to explore based on location, length of service, etc. The book is slightly outdated and would benefit from being updated.

[Cherie · Rating 3 out of 5]

B

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I got a good idea on what there is to do overseas and got me excited about volunteering.