The next problem we face is trying to find a
suitable placement. There are two approaches we can adopt. The first is to
use a company that will provide you with a pre-arranged placement, usually
these are through organisations or schools that they know well and use time
and time again. The other method is to try and arrange the placement
ourselves by establishing relationships with overseas NGOs & charities.
Needless to say, the first option is by far the easiest. The only drawback
by using the first option is that inevitably, the company who organises your
placement, will charge for their services.
If you do decide to use a commercial organisation,
then an important question to ask is: Where does my
money go? If you pay a company, say for example, £800 to arrange your
placement overseas, who gets the money? Does the charity you will be
working for get any of the money? Or does the commercial company that
arranged your placement keep all the money. Are you getting value for
money? Do you get travel insurance included, do you get any training
before you leave? Do you get help with your visas, vaccinations etc. These
are all things to think about.
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