5 reasons to do volunteer work in Dublin

Have you thought about doing volunteer work and improving your English at the same time? Here at SEDA, we have a volunteer program in partnership with Serve the City, a social organisation that provides services to families in vulnerable situations.

For over two years, our program shows that volunteer work can be a great way to make friends! 🙂

You also learn English – faster than in the classroom and, of course, you’re making a fantastic contribution to the local community.

For exchange students, volunteer work is an opportunity to interact and be part of the Irish society. While out volunteering, our students get to know neighbourhoods that tourists would hardly visit, talk to native Dubliners and understand the needs of others, so check out these 5 reasons to do volunteer work in Dublin and join us! : D

You get to know the Irish culture

Volunteering projects usually include students from different countries working together with Irish people. The work always aims to help people in vulnerable situations. The actions range from gardening, cleaning, painting houses, building and preparing simple meals for people who, for some reason, have become socially isolated.

“Over the past five years, Ireland has experienced a period of economic recession and social work now has an even greater importance because the number of people in need has increased. In addition, many of the Irish and foreign nationals living here have lost track of what it is to care for others, what is society. Volunteer work is to never forget that,” says Alan McElwee, Director of Serve the City Ireland.

Awaken the passion for language

The best recipe to learn a language is to find a reason for wanting to study it. Volunteering awakens in students the desire to want to communicate, to learn more about the Irish people, their customs and daily habits. Discovering peculiarities of culture, students find the interest to learn the language quickly.

Expand your vocabulary

Most programs offered by NGOs often have some application criteria, such as Intermediate or higher level of English. But here at SEDA, any student can participate in a volunteering project – no matter what their level. Even those who have just arrived in Ireland and have difficulty communicating can join the team! People help each other and many students find volunteering a great and fun way to learn new vocabulary.

Boost your CV

Volunteer work is considered important by many companies. Combining your study abroad experience with volunteering is a great way to boost your CV and get ahead other candidates in a race for jobs – whether in your native country or abroad. Currently, Serve the City has volunteers from companies like Google, Facebook, eBay and PayPal. Students who participate in our activities gain a school reference letter.

Transforms your study abroad experience

Studying abroad results in memories for a lifetime. Celina Ramos, who worked as a nurse in Minas Gerais, Brazil, has always been involved in volunteer work. The Brazilian chose Ireland to study English, and in the first days of attending her English class at SEDA, she discovered that she could continue helping people, despite her limited command of the language. Celina was part of a gardening team that helped a Dublin lady and her daughter to keep the home garden tidy, removing weeds, debris and tree branches.

“It was an amazing experience. People from other countries helped us understand what we were supposed to do, explained the words we didn’t know. It was a fun activity, which helped to expand my vocabulary. But the best was seeing the gratitude of that family, the joy of that lady,” recalls the student who is motivated to continue volunteering.

SEDA College organises volunteering groups in Dublin once a month. If you would like to take part contact me on: [email protected]