Volunteering is known as a philanthropic act because it is through this that an individual can offer his or her skill and services for the benefit of another, without seeking anything in return. Often times, volunteering not only benefits the recipient of the act or service but also the volunteer. In Norway, there are several volunteering opportunities that are open to both the locals in the community, as well as to the foreigners.
Dugnad
Being a volunteer provides you with a certain sense of higher purpose, and this is alongside the experience of being able to travel the world. This is regarded as social volunteering, wherein individuals aim to make an impact on the society by offering their time, talent, and treasure, without expecting to gain anything in return, other than the experience. In Norway, voluntary work is described by the word dugnad’, which is of utmost importance in the community. The word comes from a Norse virtuous woman, which means help or good deed. While the volunteer days are unpaid, it is beneficial to the participants since they are often part of the community. For instance, a family father who helps set up a playground in the housing team will be able to enjoy the sight of their very happy children afterward.
Application Process
If you intend to volunteer in Norway, the initial step that you have to take is to craft up your CV. Your CV will serve as a basis for the community that you intend to serve. They will gain ample insight into where your skills will be maximized and the area where you can be of much help. They will also have an idea of whether you are new in social voluntarism or you are already a seasoned expert in this field.
Once you have your CV ready, the next step is to find a structured volunteer placement where you can live and help for a certain period of time. More often than not, you will be working with people who share the same passion as you do, and in a sustainable environment such as Oslo. Most of the volunteering programs are organized in groups, such that even if you apply on your own, there is a great chance that you will meet several other people upon your arrival in the community.
Reasons to Volunteer in NorwayApart from the friendly locals, Norway is bountiful with stunning scenery that will render all your efforts in helping out all worth it in the end. There are also several pleasant cities in the country that you can explore in your spare time. As a bonus, you might even get the chance to witness the Northern Lights.
There are several countries, including Norway, which are open to volunteers, not only from their local community but from foreign aid as well. This is because dugnad is regarded as one of the most important aspects of the Norwegian community. As such, keep in mind that volunteering is a benevolent act that is much more essential in this day and age where financial and social gain should only come as secondary.
I’m a 20-something stay-at-home mother and wife. I have an amazing husband, a beautiful daughter, two loving dogs, and a lazy cat. I wouldn’t change my life for anything! I love to read, listen to music, cook and blog!
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