I started the VSO process in April 2005 I filled out the paperwork and attended an assessment day in June 2005. The assessment day when I did it was held in the VSO offices in Putney, London. I was part of a group of about 20 people, we were split into two smaller groups and did the usual group thing of introducing ourselves. We then did a couple of group teamwork exercises. There is nothing to worry about at the assessment, it is not about winning or losing, success or failure, more about people skills.
After the group exercises I had a one to one with a returned volunteer, who went through the reality of volunteering to both inform and check that I understood about living away from home and family and the developing world. It is not like being on holiday. Again there is nothing to worry about, but you do need to do your research and think through what being away from home for up to two years can mean.
