Think Volunteer Academy

Follow the courses that are of interest to you and obtain your unique certificate.

• Basics: The basic module is suitable for every traveller, student and volunteer who wants to travel prepared. You learn about yourself, different cultures, how to deal with dilemmas and how to get the best out of an internship or volunteer work abroad.
• Working with children: This module is suitable as a supplement to the basics for travelers, students and volunteers who will work with vulnerable children abroad. You can think of street children or educate children.
• Special target groups: This module is suitable when a traveler, student or volunteer will work with more specialized target groups. Think of people with a disability, addiction or psychiatric disorder.
• Animals and environment: This module is suitable when a traveler, student or volunteer is committed to the environment, nature or wildlife. Think of a wildlife rescue center, a nature reserve or the restoration of the jungle.
• Optional: Additional courses can be selected here. Examples are various language lessons or social entrepreneurship.

The courses you will deal with depend on the purpose of your trip. Do you want to volunteer with children? Then you will be offered the courses on working with children. Do you want to backpack and be aware of sustainability? Then the most interesting lessons about sustainable traveling will be shared with you. Do you want to do an internship abroad and do you want to know more about the culture? Our offer ensures that you can prepare well.

The lesson materials are supported by educational professional videos shot worldwide in which the locals speak. The local people are the experts about their own country, culture, nature, etc. This way you can get to know the country of your destination in the best way possible!

When you complete individual modules, follow coaching (if applicable) and follow the entire preparation process that applies to your situation, you will be rewarded by means of our valuable certificates. These certificates look great on your CV. Foreign experiences are very interesting and very educational!

The goal of coaching is to stimulate a sustainable and positive impact during your journey. Especially for the coaching component, Think Volunteer has conducted a research that resulted in a coaching method to guarantee quality and reliability. See it here: the results

Also see the video below!

Coaching is available for any form of travel, but not mandatory for everyone. Coaching is mandatory if you are going to work with vulnerable target groups. In this way, a positive and sustainable impact can be better guaranteed, whereby the local vulnerable target groups are protected.

You will be linked to an expert coach, on which you can fall back on during your experience abroad. This coach will help you with:

• the successful completion of the preparation process
• the proper execution of the preparation courses
• scheduling the necessary evaluation moments (if applicable)
• scheduling supervision conversations in groups in which important cases are shared (if applicable)
• issuing the official certificates

During your trip, at least one before, during and after evaluation will be scheduled (if coaching applies to your situation). On the basis of research is this the minimum you need to consciously deliver a positive and sustainable impact. The following topics will be discussed in more detail during these discussions:

• the local project you are committed to
• the local vulnerable target groups for which you are committed
• ambiguities and solutions
• connection with the project and the target group
• goals
• personal development
• preparation, reflection and evaluation

Optional: Personal development route and extra coaching is possible if you have an interest in this.

To get the most out of your experience abroad and to learn as much as possible, the Think Volunteer Academy gives you the opportunity to 'connect' with other projects, participants, organizations, coaches, supervisors worldwide!

On the platform, but also the accompanying app, you will find all information, courses, teaching materials and the certificates obtained. In addition, the platform and the app provide access to the forum and a chat function.

The forum on the platform is a place where ideas and insights can be exchanged with projects, participants and organizations. You will also find great blogs, stories, tips and tops.

With the chat function you can maintain contact with your coach, school, volunteer work place, but also other students and volunteers who are going on a trip or have been on a trip. You have the opportunity to ask questions and ask for help via the chat.

In addition to your personal coach, you can always fall back on one of the employees or (former/other) travelers/students/volunteers on the platform via the forum or the chat function. You have the opportunity to ask questions and share experiences.