Volunteer Abroad with SLV.Global!

Sometimes getting the desired experience in your field can be a little bit tricky. I know that as a psychology student this is something I have definitely struggled with! If you're a psychology student like me or are looking to get into psychology but the limited amount of options are steering you away, keep reading.


Over the summer between my first and second year at UEA I learned about SLV.Global. SLV.Global is a volunteer organisation that provides psychology students and graduates from around the world the incredible opportunity to gain practical experience in the mental health sector. These placements not only provide you with valuable experiences but does so while being immersed in a new and exciting culture. Depending on what exactly you're looking for, I can guarantee SLV.Global will have something for you. Travel to India to learn about clinical and ancient psychology over two weeks and get a greater understanding of mental health treatment and how cultural and environmental factors can influence the approach to treatment. If you're looking for a more practical experience, you can head to either Bali or Sri Lanka for a tailored placement based on your education level and previous experience.

I personally went to Sri Lanka and did SLV.Global's 5-week foundation placement. Over these 5-weeks the cultural immersion was unlike anything I had previously experienced. We lived with a local family and got to indulge in traditional home-cooked meals during the weekdays - the perfect way to end a long day. Living like a local has never been a truer saying, we took the buses like the locals, ate the spice-filled food and loved every minute.

The weekdays were dedicated to a variety of hands-on projects which were always exciting because no day was ever the same. You can expect practical experience with clinical settings such as focusing on particular skills like short-term memory for individuals at varying stages of recovery. English for development is another type of project you may find yourself working at, and these as you may have already guessed focus on providing individuals with the tools they need to have better career prospects and increased confidence. This might seem simple to us, but is something those you work with appreciate and really enjoy taking part in. I've saved my personal favourite for last, the special education activity support projects were some that I enjoyed the most. These projects really put your theoretical knowledge of developmental psychology to the test, bringing what you've learned in the classroom to real life situations. It is a challenging project, I won't lie, but it is one of the most rewarding. The progress you can see week-to-week is incredible and motivates you to keep pushing even when things don't go exactly to plan.

Now, the weekdays are dedicated to working at projects, but the weekends, volunteers are free to do what they want. You might think this comes across as daunting, but don't worry! The first weekend you're in the country you have the thrilling jungle weekend, jam-packed with lots of activities to bring you closer to those you live and work with. From the second weekend onwards, the Island is your oyster. You can go to the incredible beaches for a little water fun, or head up to the mountains and do some of the most exciting hikes. I know that in the end I wish I'd stayed longer, there is just an abundance of things to do!

If you've got any questions at all, then don't hesitate to get in touch with someone of the SLV.Global team. UEA has two student ambassadors that are always available to answer any of your questions. You can also contact me: carolineaurlund@outlook.com and check out my ambassador profile