Before leaving for your volunteering adventure, you probably have ideas, assumptions, and questions about the country where you’ll be volunteering. Some may turn out to be true, others may surprise you. Recording a short voice note now helps you capture your expectations and first thoughts.
What you will need:
- A phone or device with a voice recording app
- A quiet space where you feel comfortable speaking freely
Instructions:
- Find a private spot where you won’t be interrupted.
- Open your voice recorder and speak for 2–3 minutes using the prompts below.
- Don’t try to sound “right” - just speak honestly, as if you’re leaving a message for your future self.
- Save and label the recording (such as, “Volunteering Reflection – Before Departure”).
- Plan to listen to it back midway through your project.
Prompts:
- What do I know about this country, and what do I think I know?
- What cultural differences might I struggle with?
- How do I usually respond when something feels ‘weird’ or unfamiliar?
- What am I most excited about right now? What makes me nervous?
This voice note captures your starting point. When you listen to it later in the project, notice what has changed in your understanding, expectations, and emotional tone. Pay attention not only to what you said, but how you said it - your confidence, hesitation, excitement, or doubts.
You may choose to record a second voice note after listening, responding to your earlier self and reflecting on how your experience has reshaped your perspective. Together, these recordings can help you clearly see your learning journey over time.