What It’s Like Volunteering Abroad After Retirement

There are two things that a lot of retirees say they want from life. The first is freedom. They want to be able to do all the things they couldn’t do when they were working. At the top of that list for most people? Traveling. 

What’s the other thing that most retirees want? They want to find a new purpose in life.

This makes a lot of sense. After all, for the last 30 or 40 years, your life purpose has been defined by your career. Your job title was probably one of the first things you mentioned when introducing yourself to someone new. Your life goals and your career goals were wrapped up in one. You probably identified strongly with your job. According to Steven Vallas, a professor of sociology at Northeastern University, work is the main way that many people prove their worth. 

Once you stop working, even if you chose to retire, your sense of self changes. That leaves you looking for a new purpose.

A way that retirees can accomplish both goals at once? By volunteering abroad after retirement! 

What Does It Mean to Volunteer Abroad?

Volunteering abroad is exactly what it sounds like. You head to a different country and help an organization that needs it. Sometimes it’s a larger organization and sometimes it’s a smaller group. 

Don’t worry, you don’t need to find a group on your own. There are many specific organizations set up that are designed for older travelers who want to help out abroad. One of the most popular is an organization called Projects Abroad. For over 30 years, this organization has worked to help people become international volunteers. It started as a way for young people to contribute to communities abroad, but there are now specific “Grown-Up Specials” that focus on volunteers aged 50 and over. 

Another option is International Volunteer HQ. Since 2007, this group has helped people help organizations around the world. They have a specific Senior Volunteers Abroad program that’s aimed at retirees and older adults. 

Go Overseas is worth a look as well. They list volunteer abroad opportunities, but they don’t have specific programs for seniors and retirees. That said, it can still be worth looking into as there are many programs available for people of all ages. 

The way many of these programs work is that there is a cost to participate. However, in many cases, it’s significantly less than if you were traveling to the region as a tourist. 

What Can You Do?

There’s a common idea that volunteering, and especially volunteering abroad, is an experience that’s exclusively for younger people. While, yes, it’s still common for people in their early 20s to take time off school to help out an international organization, you don’t have to be a college kid on a gap year to participate in this rewarding experience. 

There are so many opportunities available to you. You could work at a school in Ghana, teach soccer in South Africa, help treat animals at a farm in Tanzania, help restore buildings in Spain, teach English in Thailand, or help maintain homes in England. The variety is incredible, so you’re bound to find something that suits your skills, your interests, and the area of the world you’d like to stay.

Most of the time, you don’t need prior volunteer experience to participate. Many volunteers are doing this for the first time, and they’re welcomed with open arms. Volunteer organizations love having new people join them!

What’s It Really Like?

Your volunteer experience will depend greatly on what you choose to do and where you choose to do it. However, in most cases, airport pick-up and drop-off are provided by the volunteer organization. They’ll also handle all your accommodations and meals. 

There are different accommodation options, depending on where you’re staying and the work you’re doing. In some cases, you’ll find yourself living in a local hostel or in dorm rooms. In other cases, you might be in a rented house with other volunteers. In some volunteering trips you might be living with a local family. 

You’ll probably be living in close quarters or at least nearby other volunteers. In a lot of cases, you’ll be with other people who are similar in age, especially if you choose to volunteer with an organization that focuses specifically on older adults. However, there are also groups that allow you to work alongside people of all ages and experience levels. 

One thing to note is that you don’t have to spend months abroad if you don’t want to. Most of the time, you can choose how long you’d like to stay. Yes, some opportunities are longer term, but you can opt for volunteering trips that are as short as a week or two if you’d like.

Training and support are also provided by the organization. They’ll also help you get access to any medical care you need if you’re injured or come down with an illness. 

However, know that each volunteer group is different, so it’s worth looking into it with more detail before you agree to anything. 

Your day-to-day life will depend on what you choose to do and where you choose to volunteer, but one common aspect is the feeling of achievement. Actually visiting an area and helping with your own two hands is so much different than donating to a charity. Every day you’ll get to see how your actions help others. Plus, you’ll get to experience a new culture in a way you wouldn’t be able to see if you were just a regular tourist. 

Why Volunteer Abroad?

There’s a lot of good reasons to volunteer abroad. The first is finding purpose in the world. There’s something truly special about helping a good cause and truly making a difference. Many volunteering roles let you see exactly how your efforts are helping others. You’ll see how a community benefits from improved medical care, for example, or watch children learn in a school you helped establish. These meaningful experiences can’t be duplicated through standard travel. 

It’s also very rewarding to share your skills and expertise. This is one of the main differences of volunteering when you’re older. When you volunteer as a young person, you’re providing youthful exuberance and energy. When you do the same in your retirement years, you’re able to pass on a lifetime of knowledge. 

Another great reason to volunteer is that you’ll be spending more time interacting with others. This includes like-minded volunteers as well as those living in the country you’re visiting. Forming strong social connections is a strong part of healthy aging. There are considerable benefits to having social contacts in your life, including increase cognitive ability. However, having more social connections can also help improve your physical health. Seniors who are lonely or socially isolated face increased risks of high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity, and immune system issues.

You’ll probably make some very strong friendships while volunteering, both with fellow volunteers as well as with those in the host country. It’s truly and incredible way to expand your social circle. 

Volunteering also helps your physical health as it keeps you moving. No matter what you’re doing or how you’re spending your time, being up and active is great for your body and your mind. 

How to Get Started

If you’d like to start volunteering abroad, the first step is to think about what you’d like to do and where you’d like to do it. It’s similar to deciding to take a vacation. Where in the world would you like to travel? Once you have the destination in mind, look at volunteer organizations that serve that area.

Then think about what you’d like to do.  If you have specific skills (either life skills or professional experience), this can be a great place to start. For instance, veterinarians, doctors, nurses, dentists, and other health professionals are always needed. Teachers, lawyers, and other professional experience is always in demand as well.