DO YOU HAVE THE RIGHT ATTITUDE?

Question 1: Are you prepared to learn as much as possible about your host country and its society?

If you want to learn about a new country and its society, you need to approach this task in various ways. It's not enough to simply travel there and expect everything to be self-explanatory. Relying solely on the information provided by World Unite is also insufficient.

Before you arrive in your host country, you should gather as much information as possible about it. Read recent news about the country on the internet, watch films, and read books about topics that interest you in relation to the country. If possible, engage in conversations with individuals who have a perspective different from the limited tourist viewpoint.

Once you're in your host country, read local newspapers, attend local events, and converse with locals. Having a basic knowledge of the issues that matter to the country will make it easier to initiate conversations with locals, allowing you to gain invaluable firsthand opinions that you might never have encountered if you weren't proactive and didn't have a strong desire to learn.

Question 2: Are you prepared to be a learner and a guest?

Many volunteers, when asked about their reasons for volunteering, state that they want to "help" and "give something." In essence, this is not a bad motivation, but it can turn negative in case of volunteering in the so-called developing countries if expressed in a way that implies volunteers feel superior, believing that, as part of the developed world, they know "how to do things right." This attitude may disregard the customs and existing knowledge at their destination. In most cases, however, it holds true that interns and volunteers learn more from their hosts than their hosts learn from them.

It's also essential to recognize that pure altruism is rarely the sole reason for volunteering. Other motivations may include finding excitement in experiencing a foreign culture, learning new things, meeting new people, or temporarily living a life vastly different from their everyday life. If we view our time abroad as a blend of giving and receiving, we perceive the people we interact with not merely as recipients of our altruism who should be thankful but as individuals from whom we can gain knowledge. The best volunteers are those who believe they have just as much, if not more, to learn as they have to give.

Question 3: Are you capable of performing the (volunteer) job you are applying for?

Be honest when assessing the skills you intend to offer and select a position that suits your aptitude. If you want to teach in a school in your host country but have never done so in your home country, consider whether you are prepared for this role. We're not saying you can't learn new skills during your time abroad, but it may be prudent to prepare as thoroughly as possible if you lack experience. For instance, if you plan to teach, you could try teaching a group of children in your home country before traveling abroad.

Before your trip, gather all available information about your prospective work and ask us questions to gain a realistic understanding of your responsibilities. Take a moment to reflect on your expectations for your work and time with the host society. Many volunteers become frustrated because they cannot solve significant global problems. Therefore, align your expectations with your capabilities. A significant part of your work will involve building relationships with other people and learning from their culture.

Question 4: Are you prepared to work professionally?

In the autumn of 2006, the forum "Tourism Concern" held round table discussions about the genuine benefits of volunteering in so-called developing countries. They discovered a significant number of volunteers who viewed their stay abroad as an alternative form of vacation and behaved accordingly. They would arrive late for work, lack motivation, miss workdays without apparent reasons, or even show up intoxicated. Such behavior is unacceptable because it jeopardizes the goals and success of the projects and organizations, our positive relationships with them, and the reputation of our Western society as a whole. The same applies if you are participating in an internship or a Working Holiday job that we arrange for you. Unprofessional behavior by participants we place in these positions can harm the positive relationships we have with employers who are open to hosting interns or hiring Working Holiday participants, and it might lead them to reconsider accepting foreign interns or employees.

Question 5: Are you prepared to be flexible?

When you travel to another country to volunteer, intern or do a Working Holiday job, you have chosen to embark on something "different" from your usual life at home. Therefore, you should expect that some things may be "different". This includes different work methods, different working hours, different communication styles, planning procedures, organizational approaches, and ways of living together. It also entails a different approach to managing projects and different expectations regarding project outcomes. You should be capable of adapting to these differences.

Keep in mind that there can be substantial differences in mentality between the people of your country and those in the country where you intend to travel. Be prepared to answer their questions, spend time with them, and establish relationships based on understanding rather than assumptions.

Try to understand what motivates the people around you in their work, and set some goals for yourself that contribute to the project or organization's benefit. Propose these goals to them, and if they agree, proactively work toward achieving them while remaining flexible enough to adjust if the situation demands it. Avoid setting unrealistically high expectations for what you can accomplish.

Even if you believe you have the best ideas and knowledge for the situation at hand, understand that your solutions might work in your home country but not necessarily in the place you are doing your volunteer work, internship or Working Holiday job in, whether it's Africa, Asia or Latin America. It takes time to truly grasp the challenges and issues locals face, so it's essential to be sensitive to the ideas and feelings of the people you're working with, without giving them the impression that only you know the best course of action. This doesn't mean your ideas aren't good or correct; it means you should adapt your approach to the local way of doing things. Here, your fixed values are not the focus; instead, it's about achieving something for the benefit of your project. To do this, you must be prepared to listen, understand, and adjust your behavior (see this video by Ernesto Sirolli). Be cautious about criticizing what you observe too hastily. Acquiring a basic knowledge of the local language is an invaluable advantage.

Question 6: Are you prepared to take responsibility for your own health and safety?

When you are away from home for an extended period, you must be ready to assume responsibility for your own health, both mentally and physically. At World Unite!, we cannot predict every specific situation, and you will need to make decisions that may impact your safety and well-being. We will provide you with information about healthcare and safety, recommend vaccinations, and help you find a local doctor. Additionally, we expect you to have appropriate travel health insurance. Our whole operations, including the projects and accommodations we select are designed to minimize safety and health risks. Ultimately, however, a significant portion of your safety and health is influenced by your own behavior.

Please be aware that we maintain a "zero tolerance" policy on drug use. If you consume substances that are illegal in your host country, you will be immediately removed from our programs.

Question 7: Are you prepared to be an ambassador of international understanding?

If you join one of our programs abroad, you are in a privileged position to gain firsthand knowledge about your host country. We encourage you to share your newfound knowledge with as many people as possible, thus becoming an ambassador of international understanding. We are pleased to see former participants sharing their insights through blogs, social media, or local newspapers, speaking at events, or establishing long-term relationships with the organizations where they completed their volunteer or internship placements. We are also committed to supporting you even after your time abroad so that you can reach more people and raise awareness about your cause.

Question 8: Are you willing to support sustainability?

We place great importance on sustainability. We have a dedicated page that introduces many of our sustainability initiatives. However, the success of our sustainability efforts depends significantly on you as well. For example, when we separate waste in our accommodations, such as for composting organic food scraps, it would be desirable if you support us by correctly sorting the waste, or when we offer biodegradable soaps in our Mother Nature Camps for showers (where the shower wastewater is used for garden irrigation), it would be appreciated if you don't use other shower gels and shampoos.