Volunteering and Travel Abroad
A volunteering experience abroad has been something on my bucket list for ages. Unfortunately it took me quite a while to finally being able to sort something out. First of all because the internet is full of volunteering opportunities around the World. But that somehow cost more than a fancy stay in some richer countries.
Why you should try volunteering abroad
Here are the main reasons why you should not miss out the chance to try it out, if you have the time:
first and likely most obvious one, you can offer your help and skills to people who need it
it gives you a taste of the real local life and traditions, as you will likely be living and working with local people
many places are usually located in most remote areas and villages, giving you an even deeper experience
you can learn, more than how you could imagine: a new language, way of life, skills.. from cooking traditional food to growing funny veggies
it allows you to extend your stays pretty much endlessly without worrying about the expenses – again, if you have the time
you will meet a lot of new friends. Among other volunteers and travellers, and the local people as well.
it is cheap. And you can use the money saved on food and accommodation for more Adventures!
Depending of your main guiding reason, a Volunteering experience could be trip-saving in many different scenarios:
WHEN TRAVELLING IN POORER COUNTRIES: To be helpful for the local people, and learn more about their life.
WHEN TRAVELLING IN RICH (and expensive) COUNTRIES: To enable you to afford it without too much worrying. In some places even the most basic meals and sleeping places are just too expensive! Especially if you have been to Asia recently. Or simply are a broken backpacker willing to explore the whole Planet
PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE: to grow and learn something new!
And without worrying too much about not having enough time for your practice, as you will usually have to work at your place for a few hours every day (4 on average). Leaving plenty of space for the fun!
Even if you are a student, or are willing to spend some time in a place where you can practice a particular activity, like yoga, skiing, surfing or painting. You will find the perfect opportunity for you.
Where to spot the best volunteering opportunities
Workaway and similar websites
For me, time to trying out some volunteering finally came when I found out about a website called Workaway. A sort of social network where people can offer and get any kind of volunteering opportunity in pretty much any country. From teaching languages and skills, to helping out in building or gardening projects, to hostel work for accommodation and so much more! And guess what? It is free! Well, except for a registration fee of less than 40 euros per year. But it is definitely nothing compared to the many expensive tours.
And, just to stay on the math, it will be quickly paid back by the money saved on accommodation
A cool thing about Workaway is that, other than choosing the country and time period, you can select the and type of help. Between gardening, building, teaching, art projects, cleaning, childcare, animal care, hospitality and so on.
You can write on the search bar a keyword corresponding to a kind of activity you would like to practice (like skiing). And see what comes out! Hosts usually like to carefully describe the good stuff in and around their place. Or if they have something they would like to teach their helpers.
You can also choose the type of stay, between families, hostels, farms, schools, boats, NGO, communities and more.
I need to mention some other similar valid alternatives. Like Helpx or Worldpackers.
But Workaway is the only one I have tried so far.
WWOOFing
Another website I have been willing to try out for ages (and hope I’ll soon do it) is WWOOF. Acronym for for World Wide Opportunities in Organic Farm.
As you can guess, it offers plenty of farmstays and volunteering possibilities in organic farms in many countries around the World. Again, where other than getting food and accommodation, you can work to learn something new. About farming, breeding animals and growing and harvesting any kind of veggie. Other than, hopefully, living in harmony with the nature around.
Again all you have to pay is an yearly membership. The only downside here is that, while the opportunities are worldwide, they basically have a specific website for every country. Meaning you will have to sign up and pay a different fee for any country you are willing to visit.
How do the websites work
In pretty much all cases you need to be registered only for actually get in touch with the hosts. Which means you can previously have access to the whole database of opportunities, hosts and their availability. Plan your trip, choosing website and selecting some options, and then sign up where it seems better to you!
Just remember to check if they actually need someone in your chosen time period, and if their eventual minimum length of the stay fits your plans. And try to also spot some valid alternatives, as sometimes your first choice can be unavailable for some reasons. Or the host might took longer than expected to answer you.
However the website also shows you their last log in and the usual reply time. Other than their ratings and reviews. So it shouldn’t be a big issue.
Find the perfect Volunteering opportunity
I am always pretty much overwhelmed by the variety of options to choose from. Among the most interesting opportunities I’ve found browsing around the websites, there are:
Learning about Planting and gardening
From permaculture projects to how to grow any sort of plant species, cook it and enjoying the most genuine foods you can possibly imagine
Helping out in activities-related hostels.
For example those offering Yoga and surfing lessons close to a nice ocean spot. Either working in hospitality, and getting the chance to practice your favourite activity in the freetime. Or even also teaching it, if you already have good skills to share
Cuttle and feed the dogs in an Husky farm
in Scandinavia or Greenland. While experiencing the dark nordic winter and, hopefully, see some great nothern lights. Even better if living with a local family
Many of my friends when I was working in Lapland did it after the end of the working season, even if in slightly touristic places
Ranches and farms
Other than huskies, if you are an animal lover you will find any kind of farming opportunities:
- Graze sheeps and cows around the fields of pretty much every country of the planet. From the european Alps to the valleys of New Zealand or Mongolia, just to name a few.
- Breed and ride horses around the never ending grasslands of Australia and the US.
- And even work and get in touch with Alpacas, Reindeer, Elephants and other very peculiar species.
Just make sure your chosen project is actually helping the animals, and not harming them.
Teaching English in south american countries
Like Guatemala, Mexico or Perù. I did something similar in Sri Lanka. but in my opinion those countries are more interesting because they also offer a good chance to learn and practice a way more useful language: Spanish! And if you are lucky also enjoy some colorful cities and great outdoor adventures in the freetime
Take part to a conservation project
for endangered species and the natural environment. Like protecting the corals or helping the baby turtles to reach the sea from the shore. Another unmissable point on my list.
But the variety of cool stuff is pretty much endless.
I’ve seen things like guiding trekkers on a Volcano-hiking in Costa Rica. Following a video maker on his next adventurous roadtrip. And joining a circus company on one of their tour – even performing some juggling or acrobatic, if you are able to.
Obviously the more fun and interesting the experience (or the location) is, the more you need to be lucky and farseeing to reserve your spot ahead. As the places can run out very quickly, and generally are very limited.
There is even something for Lazy Travellers
Most of my travels are all about the experiences, and I do my best to sort out the most fun and fairly challenging stuff. Either working, volunteering or just travelling in the wildest possible way.
But if instead you are just planning to chill out in a foreign country, maybe while learning the local language. Or save money on accommodation while studying or looking for a job. You can easily find many house, pet or babysitting options. And very easy hostel jobs.
Other than Au pairing, my probably most valuable Volunteering experience ha probably been teaching English in a rural area of Sri Lanka. You can Jump here to read more, if You’d like to
IN CONCLUSION, whatever you are most passionate or curious about. Or whichever country you are willing to visit in the deepest and genuine way without blowing away all your money, I am pretty sure you will find the perfect opportunity for your Travel plans!
Thank you for taking the time to read this post!
Feel free to leave a comment below or share it with your friends, if you liked it. I would really appreciate it 🙂
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