This year I have embarked on two separate placements (one of 3 months and one of 9 weeks) doing voluntary overseas aid work. The reasons I embarked on this were that I was bored, still had lots of energy and initiative, love travel, but could not afford to pay for travel. So in doing this work, I have found my previous skills have been put to use, I have learnt lots of new skills, completely refocussed my thinking from internal self-pity to working with those in other countries who really value your contribution. You have the choice of a short few weeks assignment through to a longer 18 month to 2 year stay.
As I am married, and my wife does not understand the need to have a positive, creative life, I have chosen two shorter stays. Both times I have made great friends, learnt lots about myself and how to manage my own mental state, and had lots of support (financial, medical, psychological) from the agencies who posted me. It is a great life but there is some adjustment to take place both pre-posting, during the posting and after arriving back home from living in another culture for a period of time.
I highly recommend the experience, as it opens your eyes to a new world and a new way of thinking about yourself, the life you have in Australia, and how you can use even the most basic skills to help others in countries like Vietnam, Phillipines, Pacific Islands, Nepal etc etc.
