Preparation for your placement

We’re committed to helping you prepare as fully as possible for your role. Training takes place both before your departure and after your arrival in-country. Pre-departure training covers everything from an introduction to working in international development to ensuring your health and safety while away. Where possible we try to schedule courses over weekends at VSO’s training centre in the UK. Some courses do run on weekdays.

Where possible you’ll fly out in a group, with other volunteers who are starting jobs in the same country. When you arrive, you’ll have some language and cultural awareness training before you start your job. This can last from a few days to three months, depending on the importance of the local language in your role.