Top 5 Things Organizations Wish Volunteers Knew

Photo: Lance Cheung

"I wish I had started to learn the language earlier.” “I wish I had packed more toilet paper.” “I wish that I had done more research about my destination country.” It's easy to find out what volunteers wish they knew before they went overseas. But did you ever wonder what the staff of volunteer-sending organizations wish you knew?

Regardless of whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-timer, here’s the top five things that volunteer-sending organizations wish volunteers knew.

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31 is the Loneliest Number

Tasman National Park

“So, how do you like Sydney?”

This single question has plagued all my social interactions for the last three months. It’s intended as a social nicety—a way of propelling conversation between near-strangers forward. I appreciate it and I know what I’m supposed to respond—but it’s become an increasingly difficult question to answer. 

The truth is that I’m struggling.

I’m lonely and isolated. I’m frustrated. I cry a lot.