After you relocate to a city, one where you have to start from scratch, volunteering can be an effective way to make new connections and utilise professional skills. It may even help you find a new sense of purpose.
Entry level roles
Volunteering is a general term for a vast number of roles in the world of charity. At its most basic form, volunteering for expat partners might mean lending a hand at a fundraising event, perhaps at an international school. “That kind of volunteering can be a good ‘landing pad’ activity for expat partners. You will get to meet new people in the community while contributing some of your time to a good cause,” says Christina Themar, a Hong Kong based coach. “But finding a more substantial volunteering role – perhaps with an NGO or another charitable organisation – can bring many more benefits.”
Build networks
“For example, you will have an opportunity to learn about the people and culture of your host country. It can be very fulfilling when you are using your skills-based competencies and contributing to your new community at a deeper level. You will get to tap into the energy of the place, which in turn will motivate you to further explore new opportunities, whether they are in the NGO sector, or elsewhere,” says Christina.
Professional exploration
“When you feel like you are at a crossroads, and unsure of your next step, volunteering can also be a way to learn new things and ignite new passions. If you have, for example, stepped away from a corporate career, it can be very exciting to step into a new field and build a new network that will open you up to other possibilities for your career.”
Finding a new purpose
“It’s always a shock to find yourself in a new city and then suddenly feel like you have lost your sense of purpose. You start to wonder who you are and what you are doing. The good thing about volunteering is that the role will be flexible. There’s less pressure on you. So if this is something that interests you, I say be brave and seek out a cause that really resonates with you. If you are unsure on where to start, seek advice from a coach, or someone in the NGO sector, to identify and target organisations that share your values.”
This article was originally published for the thousands of expat partners that Global Connection supports around the globe. It is reproduced here in its original form.
