Swiss programm in Solothurn:)

I think every day many people doing volunteer work. You could ask me how it is possible. The answer is very simple. When you are helping blinded people cross the street, or helping to your colleague with important project despite of your working day is over, or just presented one more smile to somebody for free. This is how i understand volunteering. If you still don’t know how to became a volunteer there are 10 simple steps, that helps you realize your wish.

1. Check yourself

Before your participation in a volunteer program you should know, are you ready for this? Make your opinion about be or not to be is not so complicated, as it could seems on first sight. Just spend a little bit time on our blog, read the stories of another volunteers, feel the spirit of volunteering and ideas that bring it is inside. After that you can decide is it for you or not.

2. Choose country

If you do not hesitate anymore, that is perfect time to start finding country. At this moment, you could find different volunteer opportunities around the world, so feel free to choose what you want. If it is your first experience as a volunteer, I recommend you choose programs close to your country, or place where you have friends. In addition, you could find more information about volunteer opportunities and countries where to volunteer on our blog.

3. Select volunteer program

The third step is choosing few volunteer projects which most interesting for you.
I recommending 3-5 projects, and probably in one of them will be free place.
Lists with new programs updating every year and you could check this list on special web sites or reading our annotation about different programs on our blog. One more thing that I want to say is much better be the first than the last.

4. Volunteer application form

It is one of the most interesting and important moments in all process – filling volunteer application form. Just imagine that you are PR manager, and your head client is you! Seat in comfortable chair and start writing about yourself, describe yourself as much interesting as you can, skills, abilities, hobbies all what accomplish with the main topic of the program and I convinced that you form will have much more points in compare with another candidatures!

5. Volunteer organization

As soon as all information collected on the scene appears new actor. This is a volunteer organization. First, you have to make offer with them, and after this, you will send information about projects you have chosen and your application form. Volunteer organization provides you with necessary information and represents your interests abroad. They also received invitation abroad and give it to you for the embassy.

6. Embassy and visa

As soon as your volunteer, organization confirmed your candidature for a volunteer program. You can start collecting essential documents for embassy. Do you need to go in embassy or not depends, where you live. If you are citizen of EU or USA probably, you do not need a visa.

7. Tickets, bags, gifts

My congratulations with a new chapter in your life. Now you could start your preparation for the trip. I think it is “sweet trouble”. However, do not lose you head! Prepare all stuff before. Read info sheet about volunteer program again and have a look at the special remark sometimes you could find interesting things here. Now when all you clothes, sleeping bags, sunglasses and sun creams packed in big heavy bag the last thing that you have to do is buy gifts for your future friends. Sometimes in the camp your relationship developing in more than just friend’s so in that case do not forget special “weapon”.

8. Last instruction

Usually they come in your mailbox in last moment before your departure. Here you could find useful info about where is a volunteers meeting point and in what time. If you will be late, location of volunteer program, be ready to find camp themselves.

9. Enjoy your time

Good luck and i wish you a safety trip! And don’t forget send your amazing report how you spend your time and get special prize.

10. P.S.

When you will came back from volunteer program you can proudly say that you are real volunteer!