Why is it a good idea to volunteer as a university student?

At Volunteer The Hague, we see that many international students experience real fulfilment in volunteering in the local community. It gives them a sense of connection to their new city and a life beyond their campus bubble. Many also recognise that it makes them more competitive when applying for a graduate programme, a part-time jobs in The Hague, or for their first job in the Netherlands after graduating, than students who only have a degree to show.  

Local volunteering experience and Dutch professional references make a difference. It shows initiative and character to give some of their spare time towards improving society. Volunteering also lets them join a new team and do work with real-world impact, a welcome contrast to group projects done for a grade.

This month, PEP Den Haag's two volunteer programmes Volunteer The Hague and Den Haag Doet were invited to run a stand at a special event at the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Leiden called 'Students and Society Fair.'

Photography credits: Leiden University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

In addition to their campus in Leiden, this university has a campus in The Hague with many international and Dutch students who could use our free online volunteer vacancy platforms. Students could talk to organisations that had open volunteer opportunities and faculty members could discuss potential research projects about the causes they are supporting through their services. Students who stopped at our stand used our online talent scan to see which kind of roles would suit them.

Photography credits: Leiden University, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences

Attending the fair granted us the unique chance to interview Francien Bouhuys, Coordinator and Policy advisor Career Service Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences at The University of Leiden who is an advocate of volunteering for the students of her university. 

Photography credits: Leiden University

When asked to contrast international students and Dutch students' approaches to volunteering, she notes that her team sees “that international students are often very interested in volunteering. Many of them are also more familiar with it than Dutch students, because civic engagement or ‘community service’ is often already part of the (university) culture in their home countries.” She adds: ”Volunteering is a great way for them to gain practical experience, develop new skills (including language skills), build a network, and strengthen their position on the job market in a new country.”

She comments that much of this also applies to Dutch students, although they are sometimes less aware of how valuable volunteering can be for their personal and professional development. She concludes that '”They tend to be more familiar with (extra)curricular activities such as internships, part-time jobs, student associations, and board positions.That is why we believe it is important to bring students and civil society organisations closer together, for example through this Students & Society Fair.”

Leiden University states on their website that ”volunteers can be mentors, buddies, coaches, activity leaders, supervisors, client support assistants, team managers, committee members, fundraisers, communications assistants, marketing assistants, museum staff, coordinators, hosts/hostesses, readers (for people with reading disabilities), maintenance assistants.”

These are indeed the most common roles organisations advertise but Volunteer The Hague also often offers more surprising roles with The Hague being the International City of Peace and Justice. 

Curious about what opportunities there are? Join us at our Mix and Match Volunteer Job Fair on Saturday, 28 November at the Social Hub The Hague for vacancies that won't be posted on our online platform. There you can talk to representatives of 30 non-profit organisations in person from 11.00 till 15.30. The Mayor of The Hague will open the fair and you will also be able to attend interesting presentations by four experts on how to be an active resident and feel at home in The Hague.

Can't attend the fair? Check out our vacancies online today!