People always send me questions about volunteering abroad. In addition to telling them about what we’re doing in Bangkok, I stress two points: 1) Be Prepared by educating yourself about what you’re getting into and 2) Get Connected with people who have been to the places you’re going or are doing what you want to do. That’s why I’ve been so enthused to share The Underground Guide to International Volunteering. I’ve spent a while going through it and it touches all topics I get quizzed on so often.

Why should I? Where should I go? Should I pay? Why is it expensive? Where does the money go? Which companies would you recommend? Do I need a visa?

Now those answers are in one organized place.

“The aim for this guide is to answer your questions, instill you with confidence, and make you excited to head off on a volunteering project abroad.” -Kirsty

My favorite part of the guide? The interviews. The guide is packed full of people from all over who have participated in giving their time volunteering. I’m featured in the section on building your own volunteer experience, but it’s encouraging to hear about what others were doing in places so distant and interesting. They offer insightful looks into the challenges and the rewards of what you may encounter when you set out on your adventure.

I found the guide packed full of helpful content and it’s obvious the amount of hard work Kirsty did to put the book together. I mentioned a few weeks ago that part of Kirsty’s goal is to use the e-guide to fundraise for Hands on Disaster Response and to help fund her post-earthquake return to volunteering in devastated Haiti. You can get a copy of the guide with a donation of $14. So if you’re curious about volunteering or know someone who is, I highly recommend it and the money goes right back into inspiring the powerful stories you’ll read about.

Get more on this topic. Listen in this Sunday 5pm EST to hear more about my experiences volunteering abroad. I’ll be interviewed by Megan Schiebe of Global Humanitarian Discussions. If you don’t catch it live you can still follow the link to hear the recording later.

~Dwight