Have you ever heard of a mission, service, or volunteer trip? If so, have you considered taking the awesome opportunity to go on one? Volunteer trips are essentially the act of going to a different part of the world to experience it, the culture of the people who live there, and to service the people in any way possible. The duration of a trip can be anywhere from a few weeks to a few months, but a lot of amazing things can happen on one, no matter how long or short it is.
“My dad had been to Indonesia when I was younger for missions, and he came back with so many stories and pictures. It really made me want to go, too,” sophomore Victoria Cho said. She went on a service trip to Indonesia in July 2024. Her trip was mainly centered on community development and faith-based.
“I’ve gone on two mission trips so far, both being in the Dominican Republic these past two summers. I went with a group of students from my youth group at the church I attend,” sophomore Eden Wondimu said, whose trips were also faith-based.
There are many different types of volunteer trips to choose from, including community development, environmental service, health care, agricultural, human rights advocacy as well as faith-based volunteer trips. The choice of which type to go on heavily depends on the volunteer’s strengths and comfortability levels.
For example, if they are not squeamish and interested in the medical field, a health care volunteer trip would be great for them. If they know they’re emotionally strong, a human rights advocacy or community development trip would suit them well. If they can withstand extreme temperatures and care deeply about the environment, they would probably enjoy environmental volunteer trips in places in the world experiencing natural crises or acute pollution.
However, no matter the kind of trip, there is always an opportunity to form meaningful relationships, have a visible impact on another part of the world, and have an enlightening experience.
“I was just really looking forward to meeting the people and being able to worship with them. I love working with kids and the majority of our mission was to be praising and dancing with them; I was really looking forward to that, too,” Cho said.
Going on this trip, Cho was able to reconnect with nature, encounter many new people and nourish her spiritual life.
“I’ve decided to go on these missions because I think it’s a wonderful opportunity to aid people not only in their physical or literal needs, but also their spiritual needs. I love being able to share the gospel by serving in the mission field,” she said. “When we held a VBS at several churches, the children who attended were so eager to participate. Seeing their joy was really inspiring.”
Of course, a volunteer trip isn’t without challenges. Some volunteer trips can be a bit physically demanding, as well as emotionally demanding if working with people who have experienced tragic events like natural disasters, severe injuries or the loss of a loved one. There are also things like language barriers to consider, especially if doing a community development trip.
“My advice for students going on their first volunteer trip is to do your best in everything you can, and get to know the people around you; they really become your support system. It was really difficult in some moments, but it was also one of the most fun and rewarding experiences I’ve ever had,” Cho said.
“If I had advice to give for mission trips, it would be not to let any language barrier or cultural unfamiliarity shy you away because you can overcome all of them, given the chance,” Wondimu said.
If you are considering going on a volunteer trip this summer, there are lots of assets you can use! Go to www.goabroad.com, www.volunteerhq.org and www.travelforteens.com for places to go, tips for your trip and travel arrangements. You can also check in with a faith-based organization to ask if they are doing any mission trips you would like to be a part of.
