Many people dream about using their skills and experience to make a difference somewhere in the world after retirement. Maybe you've spent decades as a teacher, nurse, engineer, accountant, project manager, healthcare professional, entrepreneur, or skilled tradesperson. And now you're asking yourself: "Could I use my experience to help others abroad?" If that's you, welcome! Volunteering abroad after 60 can be incredibly rewarding, but let's be honest; it comes with different questions and concerns than it does for a 20-year-old backpacker. You may be wondering: ✈️ Which volunteer organizations are trustworthy and genuinely need my skills? 👨‍👩‍👧 How will I cope with being far away from my children, grandchildren, family, and friends? 💰 What are the financial implications? Can I afford it? What costs should I expect? 🏥 What about healthcare, insurance, and practical arrangements? 🤝 Will my skills actually be useful, or am I more of a burden than a help? 🌎 How do I find a meaningful placement instead of simply traveling without a plan? The reality is that volunteering abroad later in life is different. You often have more responsibilities, more commitments, and more people who care about your safety and well-being. But you also bring something incredibly valuable: ✨ Decades of experience. ✨ Professional expertise. ✨ Life wisdom. ✨ Problem-solving skills. ✨ Mentorship. Many organizations desperately need these qualities! This community is a place where experienced professionals, retirees, and aspiring volunteers can connect, ask questions, share opportunities, and learn from each other's journeys. 👇 I'd love to know: What skills or experience would you love to share with a community somewhere in the world? And what's your biggest question or concern about volunteering abroad at this stage of life?

Hi all, Today I want to share a little teaser of something that I am working on. When you volunteer abroad, you always go through some or all phases of culture shock, depending a little bit on how similar or less similar the new culture is to your own. I am working on a more transformational module to upload to the Classroom soon. But here is a little guide to start with. Have a look and see if you recognise things, maybe from a current volunteer position or a previous adventure abroad. Would love to read comments below; it can help me shape the content of the new module about Culture Shock. Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!

Let’s get to know each other! Drop a comment below > share where you are in the world, what you wish to find or contribute in this community & if you are a (soon to be) volunteer, a parent or a former volunteer! Then navigate to the Classroom and try out any of the resources and follow along as we grow this community together. Feel free to share your thoughts or experiences in any of the topic groups! Cheers Rosalien