On course to completing my first year at University I had been looking for volunteer opportunities, searching through various potential programmes… until I came across this incredible, unmissable opportunity.
Without hesitation, I made my application to International Citizen Service (ICS) towards the end of March and awaited for a reply for this chance to spend my summer abroad doing something productive and useful (!). I was initially rejected, with no placement opportunities for my available dates, but just a few days later I got a call from Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) suggesting there may be some openings for a summer placement.
Following from the telephone call I was then invited to an assessment day on the 8th of April in Kingston (London). I travelled down from Birmingham for my first step towards going on this experience. The day consisted of various team based activities to assess the following:
- Positive and Realistic Commitment
- Working with Others
- Commitment to Learning
- Sensitivity to the Needs of Others
- Flexibility and Adaptability
- Practical Problem Solving Ability
- Self Assurance
I then had a 45 minute interview, followed by a presentation to end the day. It was an insightful and informative, yet tiresome day, but made all the more better by the wonderful people I had met on the day.
As the day drew to a close and I made my way back to Birmingham, it was now just a waiting game to find out if I had passed the assessment criteria and find out where and when I could potentially be going…
Hussein in Kenya with VSO 