Volunteering with the International Citizen Service

I went with VSO and yeah we were the last group to go before the office shut down over there. A real shame but it's down to VSO's funding. I found the ICS program through an advert on the radio i think, researched online, applied then got assigned to Tajikistan after a successful interview day. The overall experience was fantastic. It's changed me so much and has really made me more confident, sociable and clearer about life. I stayed with a local family in Tajikistan and Tajiks are sooo friendly. In fact, i think the majority of Asian cultures are amazing in terms of hospitality. The guys on my team were alright, had a few problems but nothing big. Would definitely recommend this program if you have the opportunity to do it

Hi, I have a few questions! When you were volunteering did you feel like your help was contributing to improve the issue of poverty, did you feel like you were making a positive change or rather an extra pair of hands? Thank you

Awesome - that helps a lot, thank you so much! Definitely helps as regard to the assessment day, I'll make sure to have done my research

Sorry I have a couple more things to ask if you don't mind!

I do speak Spanish yeah, think it's a requirement for team leaders to Bolivia but not sure. What sort of things did you find to be an issue when you were in Bolivia? How long were you there for? I do think I'm fairly organised so that should help a little bit. What kind of ages were the team leaders in your group? Sorry I know that some of those are pretty open-ended questions; just any thoughts you have would be much appreciated!

Thanks so much.

That's an interesting question. It's difficult to say for all ICS programs but i can let you know about my experience. So we were partnered with a business and the project was 'helping marginalized women'. What confused me and the rest of my team was the fact that i was partnered with a business that was already quite successful- the woman running it had a 4x4 and was definitely NOT in poverty. When we addressed this issue with the head of VSO TJK and the staff he simply explained due to the lack of communication and tight deadline between London and TJK office they had to pick a business and had not done efficient research. They apologized. Outside of placements, we did do a few 'community action days' where we went to a school and talked about entrepreneurship and starting businesses. We also held a job fair event where we organized businesses and students to come together and discuss employment opportunities. The whole experience was amazing, but poverty is such a complex and long term issue that can't be solved in a 3 month placement. We passed on some soft skills, and these take months and years to see real benefit. Hard skills such as digging wells and building schools will have a much quicker impact, but locals can do this themselves not some 18 y/old westerner on their gap year. I've met other ICS volunteers and they had a different experiences to me but everyone had a great time and changed their lives for the good.

Hi guys, I'm set to go out to Cambodia with VSO ICS in February, I'm in the fundraising process currently. If anyone has any questions don't hesitate to ask! The assessment day is a lot less scary than you'd think and is actually quite fun. Just be yourself and be friendly and you'll be fine! Cor898 yes, if VSO has asked you to an assessment day you will have been assigned to them. Unfortunately ICS cannot guarantee you get any of your preferences as you are assigned depeding on the needs of the charities. Good luck!

Just to confirm that ICS are no longer operating in Bolivia due to security concerns.

Hey, I might want to do something similar to you but my placement is in September. Could you let me know how things went for you in regards to seperating your flight home? Thanks

Yo, curious to know what exactly ended up happening.

On their FAQs it said that you had to return back with the group you went with.

Hey guys, I applied a while ago but didn't put any preferences down. I've been placed with Lattitude and waiting to hear back about the details for the selection event. Has anyone here volunteered with this organisation? and any tips about what the selection event entails? Cheers