By Franz Rodriguez-Gualdrón, Development Volunteer team July 2024
Volunteering abroad is more than just checking off the "doing good" box—it’s a crash course in life, growth, and sometimes, the ultimate "what am I even doing here?" moment. Here's a sneak peek into several things a Colombian volunteer in the UK is learning, and that hopefully will stick around long after, whether working, travelling, or crushing life goals!
1. The political: "Recycling, upcycling…learning?" ♻️
Living and studying in the UK have been the opportunity to open my eyes to the subtleties of global politics and social responsibility. From an "obsession" with second-hand shops and recycling to grassroots activism, I have gained a deeper understanding of how small actions create big social changes. I have also seen firsthand how governments and policies can actually work to improve (or ruin) lives. We (citizens of the world) have more in common than you might have expected. (and we can talk about it in another post).
Be the change you want to see in the world, they said. Well, from organising a recycling drive, a carnival or a workshop in your neighborhood or lobbying for more inclusive social policies, there are opportunities to achieve it.
2. The Personal: "Adaptability is my new superpower" 🦸♀️🦸♂️
When I left Colombia’s familiar streets, and comfort zone for the unpredictable mix of weather, culture, tasks and activities, I learned that adaptability is the name of the game. From sharing common areas with different people around the world (good luck understanding all those accents) to getting used to living in a completely new environment, you’ll challenge yourself in ways that push your limits. Whether it's learning to cook without your abuela's recipes or figuring out how to thrive in community living, you'll discover that you’re way more flexible and resourceful than you ever thought.
Life throws curveballs, especially when is less expected and being adaptable means, you can think on your feet, solve problems creatively, and thrive no matter what situation you’re in. Plus, you’ll be ready to tackle any challenge when you're in a different country (continent) -or at less I hope it will be like that.
3. The Social: "Living in a community: It's like family, but louder" 🏠👫
Volunteering you’ll likely be sharing space with people from all over the world, each bringing their own experiences, backgrounds, customs, food preferences, and yes, weird sleeping habits. Living in a community teaches you to collaborate, compromise, and, let’s be real, sometimes just deal with other people's quirks. Whether it's sharing silly songs, or catching phrases -“thank you for the foooood”- balancing different personalities, or learning to respect boundaries in tight spaces, this experience will sharpen your interpersonal skills like nothing else. Spoiler: you might even learn lifelong experiences or learn some slang that’ll make you feel like a local (Are you alright? cheers, mate!).
4. The Mental: "Stepping out of your comfort zone: One awkward moment at a time" 🧗♂️🚪
Living and volunteering abroad is all about embracing the uncomfortable. Whether it’s speaking English 24/7 (and I´m really struggling with it) or figuring out how to make friends in a place where everyone is younger (sometimes also older) or has a unique and different perspective of life, will constantly pushing yourself. It’s challenging—but in the best way possible. Each moment, conflict, lesson learned, or awkward conversation helps you grow. By the end, you'll realize that stepping out of your comfort zone is where the real magic happens.
Being able to confidently face the unknown is a skill that will stick with you forever. Whether you're facing challenges doing things that you are not used to or diving into an entirely different responsibility, the ability to tackle challenges head-on will be your secret weapon.
While volunteering in the UK opens doors to learning new things, it’s also a two-way street. Colombians have a wealth of experiences that the world can learn from. From our unique approach to getting things done to our perspective on global issues like sustainability, anti-corruption, or peace building, we bring valuable knowledge to the table—and it's about time we share it! Here I was able to realize why my Colombian experience matters and how it can inspire change in any corner of the globe. (we will talk about it later).
Finally, I have to say that volunteering isn’t just about helping others—it’s about helping yourself grow. You’ll develop skills that will stick with you for life, from adapting to any situation to thriving in a community and learning to embrace discomfort. These lessons will make you a stronger, more resilient, and compassionate leader. So, go ahead and take the leap—it might just be the best decision of your life.
Bonus Tip: Don’t be surprised if you come back home with a weird obsession with porridge. The UK does that to people. 😉🥣