This articles asks the questions “If you are interested in volunteering internationally, what are the ethical considerations you should be aware of? Which questions can you ask to better ensure that your actions and any financial contribution are aligned with your values and expectations?” The article defines volunteering, voluntourism and other key terms, describing the potential benefits to both volunteer and host community. The article also describes volunteering pitfalls, including the causes and negative outcomes associated with international volunteering, and highlights a video explaining the good and bad community impacts of volunteering. The article concludes with questions to ask before volunteering and a list of additional resources on volunteering and voluntourism.
