KNOW BEFORE YOU GO

Once you've made your decision about where and how to volunteer, and you've found your specific "job-to-be," you'll want to prepare yourself for the trip.

Most important of all is the responsibility to EDUCATE YOURSELF about the country and its culture, its language, and its laws. Several good sites can give you a basic foundation. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) site http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/country is a good example. Read local newspapers from the country online or at your library to familiarize yourself with the current local and national issues. Understand the political climate. Learn about other groups who work in the area. Email or write to local groups that might interest you for another viewpoint and to make local connections early on. Seek out people at home who have traveled or lived in the country. If you're going with an organization, ask for contacts of others who have done "your job" in the same country.

With some of this knowledge in hand, you'll not only be more likely to understand what you see and hear, but you'll be better able to interact with locals and avoid asking culturally ignorant questions. Read up on social taboos. Know not to point your feet directly at someone in Thailand or nod your head to mean "yes" in Russia. Those actions won't make you very popular with the locals. The Lonely Planet guides often have excellent sections on cultural practices, which may include a list of recommended books to read.

Another preparation is to join SERVAS, an international travelers' association, started by the Quakers decades before the Internet began. (www.servas.org) You can request a catalog for a specific country and find people with similar interests to yours. Write or call them and try to arrange a visit while in country. You may get an alternative point of view about the local issues from your host.

Taking responsibility for your health and safety should be part of ethical traveling and volunteering. As a volunteer, the last thing you want is to become a burden on your host country. Check out sites like the US Center for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) or the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (www.iamat.org). Both offer risk advisories, the geographic distribution of diseases, and required immunizations. And make sure you allow enough time BEFORE your trip departure date to complete the required immunizations. Some may take 2-3 weeks. At www.who.int.en, you can read what the World Health Organization has to say about specific health issues, the crime rate, and what medical services may be available in country.

For travel safety warnings, check out the US Department of State site at www.travel.state.gov/travel-warnings. To get another country's perspective, www.voyage.gc.ca/dest will give you the point of view of the Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs Travel Information and Advisory reports. For the Australian perspective, look at www.smartraveller.gov.au. The UK's site is www.fco.gov.uk.

Doing your homework is not only a way to help you avoid some unpleasant experiences, but it's also an ethical way to travel.

©Boomerswithoutborders 2007