Imran, a 51-year-old accountant from Birmingham, is locked in a family dispute over his 19-year-old daughter's request for £4,500 to join a summer volunteering programme in Costa Rica. The daughter, who is entering her second year at university, argues the trip will “look amazing” on her CV. Her mother has already agreed to pay her share and expects Imran to cover half. Imran, who already pays voluntary child maintenance, phone bills, car insurance, and most course costs, is questioning whether the expense is justified.
The father's concerns
Imran's daughter receives a maintenance loan, works part-time at a café, and recently returned from a holiday in Ibiza. He told consumer champion Sarah Davidson: “When I pointed out that flying to Costa Rica to work for free does not sound essential, she accused me of caring more about money than her future.” His ex-wife insists he can afford it and warns that denying the opportunity could damage their relationship.
Imran's question to Metro's consumer champion was whether he is being a miser or whether it is reasonable to expect a 19-year-old with a part-time job to contribute to such a trip herself.
Expert response
Davidson's answer is clear: “Imran, you are not a miser for asking whether a £4,500 unpaid work placement is worth the money.” She points out that “jetting off to Costa Rica to the tune of almost five grand sounds a lot like a very expensive holiday with some 'worthy' activities tagged on.” However, she advises against dismissing the idea outright, noting that the National Careers Service says volunteering can help people test out careers, gain experience, and develop skills such as communication, organisation, and leadership.
Davidson suggests a practical approach: ask the daughter to bring full programme information, including safeguarding arrangements, accommodation, flights, insurance, and a detailed budget. She also recommends checking what the university careers service thinks of the programme and looking for funding from the university, department, external bursaries, or a relevant professional body.
Alternative options and financial stake
The consumer champion advises the daughter to research two alternative programmes, one closer to home, comparing costs and benefits. If the research is diligent and the father is comfortable, he could offer a contribution rather than a full yes or no. Davidson suggests: “That might mean offering to pay for the programme itself while she covers her flight and spending money – the exact division is less important than the principle that she has some financial stake in the choice.”
She adds that the daughter should be able to explain what she will do each day, how it connects with her degree or career ambitions, and whether she will leave with a reference or evidence of skills gained. Davidson concludes: “Her argument is that volunteering will help her learn valuable skills for work. Learning how to secure the budget from you to do it is, perhaps, an even more valuable skill.”
Volunteering is indeed valuable to Britain – government estimates published last year suggest formal volunteering in England generated £25 billion of economic and social value in 2021–22. But the market in costly overseas “experiences” is booming, and this case highlights the tension between genuine altruism and expensive CV-building trips.
