Volunteering with Global Brigades can be incredibly meaningful, but there is more to the experience than what happens on the ground during the Brigade itself.
Before a Brigade, volunteers engage in fundraising, cultural learning, and team-building to make sure they’re informed and aligned with the goals of that Brigade. Packing prep includes gathering the right documents and medical clearances to ensure a safe trip.
After a Brigade, the focus shifts to reflecting on the experience and advocating for others to consider volunteering to make an impact of their own. This process of preparation and follow-up deepens the impact of the work and strengthens our organization’s commitment to sustainable development.
Before Travel
Participants engage in thorough preparation before a Brigade. Responsibilities vary depending on whether you’re a Chapter Leader or participant. Generally, you’ll spend the weeks ahead of your Brigade fundraising, learning, and gathering everything you need for a successful trip.
Global Medical Brigades is the largest student-led movement for global health.
Preparation
Preparation for a Brigade is multi-faceted, but it typically starts with fundraising. When volunteers participate, their Donation Goal covers their airfare, ground transportation, food, lodging, and emergency insurance. (Goal totals vary by Brigade.)
Raised funds also support programming costs on Brigades, including staff support, interpreters, and medical supplies on the ground. Limited scholarships are available to help Chapter Leaders and volunteers meet Donation Goals.
While raising money sounds challenging, there are so many tools at a volunteer’s disposal to get the word out about the important work you’re doing.
You can use social media, approach local businesses about matching donations, or host local events that raise funds. Most importantly, remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing if you meet challenges along the way. Every contribution matters.
Mental, emotional, and cultural readiness is also important before each Brigade. Some of this will happen as part of Chapter team meetings, but you’ll want to spend some time learning about the culture, language, and social issues relevant to the country you’re visiting.
Prepare mentally by reflecting on your intentions and impact to align with the mission of Global Brigades. Participation should never feel self-serving but rather an opportunity to empower partner communities.
If you find yourself leaning toward that “hero” mindset, don’t look at it as a personal flaw. You’ve recognized it and can now address it before your Brigade. You may even be able to help others in a similar mindset.
Chapter Team Building
Brigades aren’t a solo venture; building team connections starts well before you get on the plane. Brigades are organized by Global Brigade Chapters worldwide. You can start your own or join a Brigade with an existing Chapter on your campus.
No matter your role, building strong connections with your Chapter is essential. Team meetings provide opportunities to collaborate on fundraising, learn about partner countries, and discuss goals. This fosters a sense of teamwork and allows members to form genuine relationships.
Pre-Brigade activities like cultural workshops, team-building exercises, or community service projects can help create a sense of unity, trust, and shared purpose. You can also partner with other groups on campus that share a similar interest in sustainable global development.
This is a time for learning, too. Chapter Leaders can host language lessons, educational briefings on the state of global public health, and sessions on the development work of Global Brigades. If you have questions about your upcoming experience, this is the time to ask them.
Establishing these connections and opportunities to gather early enhances the possibilities of the Brigade and enriches the overall experience for all participants.
Packing and Supplies
Give yourself plenty of time to secure the necessary documentation, including passports, visas, and vaccinations, to comply with travel requirements on each Brigade. You’ll have plenty of guidance around additional packing lists, but don’t wait until the last minute to get started.
What’s on your packing list will depend on your program, but you’ll want to pack light. Expect to dress for comfort but in a way that represents Global Brigades abroad. If you take any prescription medications, make sure to refill those ahead of your trip.
If you’re participating in Medical or Dental Brigades, your Chapter will also be tasked with collecting a list of health supplies and additional donations ahead of your Brigade. The Program Associate assigned to your Brigade will give Chapters a specific inventory sheet.
During Your Brigade
Your responsibilities during your Brigade will vary by program, but generally, you’ll be collaborating with program staff and community members to address identified needs. Depending on the program, this includes global healthcare on Medical Brigades, clean water, or business education.
Itineraries are structured around these activities with opportunities for cultural exchange. Your time on a Brigade will go quickly. Documenting your experience in some way will allow you to reflect on your Brigade when it’s time to head back home.
After You Get Back
Post-Brigade volunteers are encouraged to digest their experiences, share their stories thoughtfully, and apply new perspectives in their daily lives. This allows volunteers to carry their experiences with them as they set off on a path of global citizenship.
Post-Brigade Reflection
Your Brigade experience isn’t complete until you’ve reflected on everything you saw, learned, and experienced abroad. Return to your journal or photos that you took during your experience. Think about the stories you’ll carry with you and how you can share them with others thoughtfully.
We also offer volunteers a more structured approach to life post-brigade with our Global Brigades' Post-Brigade Curriculum. This curriculum includes guided reflections, group discussions, and personal challenges that engage volunteers in meaningful conversations.
It’s also important to think critically about topics like sustainability, cultural differences, and the ethics of volunteering abroad. How did your experience inform your opinions in those areas? Challenge your assumptions and think about how you can foster change closer to home.
Stay Connected
One of the most impactful ways to expand your Brigade experience is by staying connected with other volunteers. The bonds you’ve formed with your team are unique and built on shared challenges and personal growth.
Reconnect with fellow volunteers through meetups or group chats if you don’t live near them to support one another in processing the experience. You’re all alumni in a group that relies on continued involvement to support lasting change.
You should also stay connected with Global Brigades. Stay up-to-date with activities at your local Chapter, or consider starting one of your own. Expand your global perspective by signing up for another Brigade in a new partner community.
The work we do in-country in places like Guatemala, Honduras, Panama, Greece, Belize, and Ghana is sustainable because of the support of our student volunteers.
Encourage Others to Get Involved
After a Brigade, local Chapters can shift their focus to reflection and continued engagement. Chapters often recruit new members, organize Post-Brigade events, and prepare for future initiatives, ensuring ongoing support for Global Brigades’ mission of sustainable development.
A Chapter thrives when its members share their experiences, encouraging peers to participate in future Brigades. This can be as simple as sharing about your experience on social media with a call to action to learn more or come to you with questions. Just do so with purpose.
At Global Brigades, we suggest following the three Cs before posting online: consent, content, and caption. You should never post someone’s likeness online without their permission, and the content should be presented in a culturally sensitive way.
Your caption should avoid stereotypes. Highlight sustainability over short-term goals on Brigades to drive home the point that the mission of Global Brigades is lasting change.
Post-Brigade events, such as info sessions, panel discussions, or photo exhibits, allow volunteers to share the impact of their work with their campus locally.
Even after you’re back from a Brigade, you can still play an important role in making sure our work can continue to create a sustainable impact. In this way, Chapters become powerful forces for global change, connecting our partner communities with a worldwide movement.
Join a Brigade Chapter and Help Create Change
Joining a Brigade has a real impact on transforming the lives of those in our partner communities. By becoming part of our movement, you’ll also gain invaluable experience and perspective in the areas of global health, essential infrastructure, and sustainable development.
Help us support lasting change and partner with the work being done on the ground. Join a Brigade!
