International volunteering

[hokie13]

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Hi all,

I was just wondering if any of you have experiences with volunteering abroad that you really enjoyed. I would love to hear about them and where you found these opportunities since I am really interested in going on a medical mission trip in the future.

Also, Peace Corps has been a dream of mine since high school. I don't know if anyone has been or not. I was just wondering... if I go, would I be able to obtain my LORs from professors/doctors before I leave in Interfolio? I'm worried that if I peaced out for 2 years I'd come back and people may leave the area, etc. and it would be hard to contact them for a LOR.

 

[YiSheng]

I don't know enough about international volunteering to comment about them, but I would definitely suggest to get your profs letters in before you leave. They will forget you very soon after you are done with their classes. Ask them to write the letter when you are still fresh in their mind and store it in Interfolio. If the recommenders are still around and responding to your contacts when you returned, you could just ask them to update your letter with the new awesome experience.

 

[deleted398564]

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[hokie13]

Thanks so much for your reply!!🙂 I am super jealous of both your trips. I would really like to go on a longer one during next Christmas break or something like that, but I'm wondering if it's hard to find those opportunities without some kind of in. Also, out of curiosity, did picking VCOM have anything to do with your interest in international volunteering? I am meeting with one of the staff members of VCOM soon and hopefully he'll have some advice on international trips. I wonder if I could even pop in on one with the VCOM people. Congrats on the VCOM acceptance and I am sure you will love it and Blacksburg!!

 

[deleted398564]

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[ziprasidone1]

I volunteered at an orphanage for two weeks (not medically related) through IVHQ a few summers ago and absolutely loved it

 

[hokie13]

I volunteered at an orphanage for two weeks (not medically related) through IVHQ a few summers ago and absolutely loved it

Oh that's awesome! Where did you go??

 

[hokie13]

Awesome!! Hmmmm I think I know where you go then😛 I'm not particularly religious but that won't stop me from going on a mission trip! Have you had a chance to go anywhere besides Africa? That's interesting that they go mostly to South and Cetral America... I kind of like that because I am a Spanish minor. But yeah, I'll be meeting with this guy from VCOM whenever I get back from break so hopefully he'll have some words of wisdom. If not I will definitely message you since you seem to have some experience. Maybe you can even give me some tips on how to finance a trip like this🙂 Also, what kind of negative things influenced your decision about the Peace Corps? I've heard a few things too. I wonder if there are any other long term programs to go with. Some people have told me Doctors Without Borders but I'm sure you need more training than what I have to do that.

Thanks so much!!

No problem, I definitely feel lucky to have been able to go on them. Meeting with VCOM's people is a great idea! Yeah, their missions emphasis was a huge reason I chose VCOM. During school I can do an international rotation and I think that graduating from a place like that will give me a great base and plenty of networking options when getting into international missions. I also really liked blacksburg which i'm sure you know judging from your username! Right now most of their work is in South and Central America, but I've read they are going to start working in Africa as well. You can definitely find a trip, and I think right now you talking to the VCOM person is a great plan. If that doesn't work for you, PM me on here and I will seriously help you out. I go to a large christian school near you (hint hint) and know a lot of people who could help you, and there are always missions agencies coming through campus looking for students that want to go overseas. Good luck!

 

[ziprasidone1]

Oh that's awesome! Where did you go??

Costa Rica

 

[deleted398564]

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