Travelling Cheap

They say that you can never know what a country is really like unless you’ve lived there for a few months. But moving to a new country is expensive and very difficult. There are so many things for you to take into account when you arrive, so many new rules, sometimes a new language. So what if you could up and leave for 6 months and live in any country you wanted in Europe, with a free flat and a job that would allow you to enjoy your weekends? Well it is possible if you are under 30.

The European Voluntary Service has been around for years and I several of my friends used is to travel abroad, some of them ended up living in the country they volunteered. EVS offers young people the opportunity to volunteer in another country, normally for a period of six to twelve months. A wide variety of placements can be found in the social, cultural, environmental and sports sector. Shorter placements of three weeks to six months are available to young people with fewer opportunities or special needs.

The general principles of the programme are that voluntary activities should take place in another country, be non-profit making, unpaid and not involve job-substitution, they should last for a specified period of time (maximum twelve months), and each project should be planned, implemented and followed up as a partnership between a volunteer, their Sending and Host Organisations.

The placements available are many and the areas in which you can volunteer even more, and they are not just limited to European countries. Apparently, certain neighbouring countries in the Mediterranean and the Middle East are also valid destinations.

For more information, why not visit the British Council’s page on volunteering. So go, live abroad, experience a country, and help those around you.

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