I love Idealist.org for its plentiful international opportunities and am seriously considering applying to do some volunteer work abroad next year. For example, working with orphan children in Peru is one volunteer listing I'm interested in. Has anyone had a personal experience using Idealist.org for this purpose? Specifically, what to look for when choosing a listing? What additional questions to ask? How to make sure you get this exact experience you're signing up for?
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I haven't used idealist for that, although I've applied for a few jobs that way. Watch internship descriptions. The smaller and more frantic the organization is for help, often the less time they've had for working out exactly what they need, who they need and what they can provide. That doesn't make new, small groups bad; just raw. If you need lots of structure, either for yourself or as a resume/job boost, I'd go with a well-established group that's very specific. Absolutely ask to talk to others who've been interns. Once you've drained them dry, including asking, "What else can you tell me that I didn't think to ask?" and "What surprised you the most?" ask them for contact information for an intern or worker who had a tough experience. If you're going to another country, you want to be prepared for everything.
