Choosing volunteer assignments carefully and making advanced preparations are well worth the effort. Try to ensure before you go that the assignment will be safe and productive. People on-site and recent returnees are your best sources of information. The following considerations can help you decide whether you and the assignment are right for each other.
Travel clinics can provide the necessary prescriptions, vaccinations, and advice.
For example, in some Muslim societies it is offensive to use the left hand for gesturing or for men to shake hands with unfamiliar women. With planning and a little research, one can avoid or improve assignments which might otherwise be unsafe, unproductive, unrewarding, or overly demanding.