Teen volunteer opportunities abroad can be the most profoundly enriching experiences in a young person’s life.  The combination of service to others, cultural experience, and exploration encourages personal growth that can positively, permanently shape your future.  Don’t just look for teen summer service program locations you’re interested in; although an interesting location is important, it shouldn’t be the only criterion.  After all, summer exploration is just one facet of the experience. Asking the right questions will help you choose a program that’s a fit for you.  Here are some key questions to get you started.

1.  Do you want to really get your hands dirty?
If doing physically challenging, hands-on work is important to you, look for teen opportunities abroad that include actual construction work as well as non-construction service.  All VISIONS Service Adventures programs include construction AND other opportunities that will challenge you both physically and mentally.

2.  Do you want to experience the culture in your host country?
Look for a program where you’ll work alongside, mix and mingle with, the local people regularly. You’ll have a more authentic experience if you are working with community members in addition to your peers and leaders in the program. You should also have opportunities for teen culture immersion by dining with residents, relaxing with them, and attending local events such as festivals, ceremonies, and more.

3.  Do you want to see concrete results?
VISIONS Service Adventures structures every one of our teen travel adventures abroad so that team members have the satisfaction of seeing the impact of their work by the end of their stay.  Projects are completed or nearly completed when you leave, giving you a very real sense of accomplishment not found with many other volunteer opportunities abroad. Because we are anchored in the community, we can take on hefty projects that are more challenging if not rewarding.

4.  Do you want to practice a foreign language?
There are a variety of teen summer language immersion programs offered by various organizations.  Not all of them are service oriented; some focus on adventure, others on cultural pursuits.  VISIONS Service Adventures offers teen volunteer opportunities abroad that seamlessly blend intensive service with cultural and adventure opportunities in a total language immersion environment.  In our language immersion programs, all leaders speak the appropriate language (either Spanish or French) fluently. They gently nudge and challenge participants to speak with local community members in their language as often as possible. Pushing yourself to overcome a shyness to converse in the local language is the most natural and effective way to become fluent.

5. Finally, ask organizations you are considering what the mission and goals are for the program, and what are the practical ways that the program ensures these goals are met.  What are the standard protocols in place, day to day, to ensure the health and safety or participants.
VISIONS offers fantastic travel opportunities abroad for teens who desire to serve and who have a heart for adventurous and interesting exploration. Learn more about our many international opportunities today.