An avid traveller who's a hard worker, but also wants to live an enjoyable life travelling!
By luck. I found this project through a Google search for Archaeology projects and I decided, as soon as I'd read it, that Projects Abroad would be the company I went with. I was happy enough without searching for other companies offering something similar. I'd never traveled alone, had never done a volunteering project, so I just took a leap of faith.
Thankfully, it turned out amazingly for me!
Everything. I just had to pack my bag and ensure my passport was in date, etc. Projects Abroad did everything for me, which was refreshing. This included food, travel within country, 24hr advice and guidance 7 days a week, travel and medical insurance, my own volunteer advisor, flights, accommodation. As it was only Europe, I didn't need a Visa, but that was the only thing they didn't provide.
Book your own flights. Even if the flight booking option on their website seems a good idea, with any company you'll find it can be much cheaper to book your own flights. It'll be better for you to book the times you want to book too. I only traveled to Romania, but it took the whole day because I got my flights booked for me, when it would have been better to do them myself for more time in country.
I'd be picked up by my supervisor at 7:30 am-ish, we'd get to the dig site for about 8, in which we had breakfast (supplied) at. Around 8:30 am, we commenced digging and stopped for lunch around half 12 (also supplied). We'd dig from about 1:30 until 3:30/4 pm-ish, 3 pm on a Friday, and then our supervisor would take me back to the hotel and we'd then have dinner around 6:30/7 pm-ish before heading to bed and repeating the next day.
Our weekends were our own and I often explored the local town and nearby towns.
Something happening to my family while I was abroad.
I was away for a month which I had never done before, let alone without my family. My grandma was very ill and I was scared she would pass and I wouldn't be there for her. I didn't overcome it, as she did pass away 2/3 days before I was due home. However, after she passed, I was chatting to mum and I realised that it could've happened at any time. If I hadn't been away, maybe she would have lasted longer or maybe she could have passed at the beginning of my month. You just don't know what could happen, but you can't hide away in fear from that.
Life is all about experiences.
Absolutely! Go for it.
The good thing with volunteering abroad (especially with Projects Abroad), you don't need ANY experience to go and volunteer. Even for projects like our medical or business electives, etc., your help is appreciated and the community/Projects Abroad will teach you everything you need to know.
Don't hold back because it'll change you so positively and make an amazing impact on both you and the community you help - whether it be conserving the environment or performing basic health checks on kids. Just do it!