Decide why you would like to become a foreign volunteer

Volunteer abroad information and your key values help you determine why you want to become a foreign volunteer. An international volunteer usually stays in less-than-luxury accommodations--most foreign volunteers stay in small lodges, cabins or shared rooms.

I recommend: Both Cross Cultural Solutions and Volunteer Abroad give detailed reasons to volunteer overseas. Read as many foreign volunteer providers' goals as you can to gauge a realistic idea of your goals in comparison with the host organizations.

Decide on a location where you would like to volunteer abroad

In a volunteer abroad directory, you find many locations in need of foreign volunteers. You will notice listings for countries such as Thailand, India, Vietnam and more. You may want to learn more about the countries listed before making your final decision.

I recommend: Global Volunteers and Global Crossroad, volunteer provider websites, provide opportunities for you to volunteer in numerous countries. Both sites will give you an idea of the countries and locations the organizations serve as well as the purpose for each country.

Pick a volunteer abroad provider with the same goals you have

Find volunteer abroad providers that offer information which clearly defines the goals of the organization. Read the "Why Choose Us" pages for a better idea of particular goals; all organizations will differ in some way or another. Before choosing a volunteer abroad provider, contact a representative for further information and discuss your questions.

I recommend: Volunteer HQ and Projects Abroad will both give you detailed information on their goals. Read the information presented and decide whether the companies match your goals.