Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

So, VSO then

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

    So, VSO then

    With the intention of doing something useful with my life, I've been exploring the idea of applying to spend a year or so doing VSO. I'm closing in on a decision though obviously there are a lot of factors to consider, including relationship (supportive), family (resigned to me), finance (I'm sure it'll all work out fine) and work (yet to be consulted, but I fancy a change...).

    Anyone got any experience of it, or opinions as to whether it actually makes any difference? My feelings are that it does, as it focuses on building local capacity in core infrastructure/services rather than dispensing bounty, but I may have missed something.

    All input appreciated.

    #2
    So, VSO then

    Amor's your man for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.

    Comment


      #3
      So, VSO then

      Comment


        #4
        So, VSO then

        ChrisJ wrote:
        Anyone got any experience of it, or opinions as to whether it actually makes any difference?
        You can be sure it'll make a difference to you. That's as good a reason as any. And I'm sure there are dozens more.

        Comment


          #5
          So, VSO then

          I did it 20 years ago: two years in Guyana. Best decision I ever made, changed my life to this day.

          Suggestions:

          Chose the role carefully, you might not like their first suggestion and they may not know the ins and outs of your industry. I was posted with a hydraulic engineer who knew all about pumps and pistons, but nothing about sea defences.

          If you get picked and head out, try to avoid socialising with other volunteers all the time. You've got a chance in a lifetime so spending it getting pissed with other volunteers is a bit of a lost opportunity. They also tend to get quite cliquey and complain a lot.

          Once in country don't expect VSO to do much more that be an employment agency. They are not social workers nor are they responsible for the ordinary problems you face at work.

          Do everything you can to see the country,take your anti-malarials (malaria does kill), don't drink and drive just cos there's no police, boil water and stay healthy.

          Comment


            #6
            So, VSO then

            Thanks chaps, keep them coming.

            I'm in primary education by the way, so I'm guessing the main issues would be language and cultural.

            (I can play the drums if the Vancouver SO is hiring.)

            Comment


              #7
              So, VSO then

              They may ask you to do teacher training instead of actual teaching.

              They'll want evidence of resourcefulness - how to teach with few materials, etc. Generally they will give you language training if it is needed.

              Comment


                #8
                So, VSO then

                Not done VSO myself but I what Banana Banana says about spending time away from the volunteers as well as the ex-pats, they can be a terrible bore and are obviously in the second stage of culture shock when everything is shite and the native people are all ..... well you can guess the rest.

                Going abroad was the best thing I ever did and I am sure that a good VSO placement will be the same for you.

                Good luck.

                Comment


                  #9
                  So, VSO then

                  Thanks all, wise words.

                  I think as I've been a deputy head for a dozen years and an assistant head before that, I'm likely, should I take the plunge and then be accepted, to be in a training or advisory role rather than classroom teaching.

                  I rather like the idea of being well away from the ex-pat community. Some of my eldest's English friends in NZ drove me potty with their whinging. To add to this a couple of them broke with the whining to tell me how they'd left the UK because they were fed up with.... immigrants. You never hear English spoken in Asda these days, you know. Mind, I never heard a lot of Maori from them. But I digress...

                  The big issue with the decision is that I'll not see much of my wife for over a year. Although we've been together for over 20 years, have travelled separately from time-to time in the last few years and are well beyond the needing to call each other at lunchtime phase, it feels like a long time to be apart.

                  Comment

                  Working...
                  X