19. Volunteering Abroad: Why Intentions Are Never Enough

Have you ever acted on an impulse, hoping to make a difference, but ended up questioning whether your actions did more harm than good? In this deeply personal episode of the Global Health Pursuit, I unpack my experiences from a service trip to India with International Volunteer Headquarters (IVHQ). As a naive grad student, I was drawn to the allure of immersing myself in the culture of my ancestors and giving back. Yet, years later, I find myself reflecting on my actions, wondering if my short-term volunteering stint brought more disruption than aid to the local community.

I'll share with you the harsh reality of my time teaching at a slum school in India, and the bonds I formed with children, only to leave abruptly, causing potential harm to their mental health. With hindsight, I've grown to understand how such volunteering can inadvertently harm local communities by displacing qualified local teachers. This candid conversation will challenge your perceptions of service trips and volunteering, and raise questions about their authenticity and effectiveness. This is not only my journey of learning and understanding but a cautionary tale about the complexities of volunteering and the unintended impact it might leave behind.

Check out the shownotes to learn more!

Related episode:

• 18. A Crash Course In Evidence Based Public Health

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