Part of traveling is giving back to the communities we learn so much from. Volunteering while you are traveling or traveling with the purpose of volunteering is a great way to be a responsible traveler and give something back to people around the world. As a traveler, you take so much from the places you visit that giving back some of your time is the least you can do.
Volunteering is a unique and different way to learn about the culture of a country. You’ll get to learn about critical issues and problems facing a country and how they deal with it. It will give you an understanding of what problems a country prioritize. Volunteering gives you a new perspective on many of the crucial issues we often here so abstractly about in the media. You can learn about environmental issues by volunteering with elephants in Thailand. You can learn about orphanages and child poverty by volunteering in Africa or Cambodia. You can learn about health issues by volunteering in medical clinics around the world. Learn about education by being a teacher around the world. Or help with disaster relief when it occurs. The possibilities are endless.
Generally, volunteering overseas is pretty easy. It simply requires contacting the right aid and volunteer agencies and setting up a schedule to come over and volunteer. Sometimes, especially in Southeast Asia, it’s even easier- you can simply show up and offer your services. One mistake I often see potential volunteers often make when trying to volunteer overseas is that they often sign up with agencies like I-to-I or Cross Cultural Solutions. These companies charge you a lot of money to send you overseas, which they usually keep most of the money for “administrative fees.” Moreover, you usually have to pay for room, board, and your flights on top of the money you gave them. I’m not saying these organizations are deceitful but why would you pay someone to let you do something for free? Paying to volunteer just doesn’t make sense.
The places you would go to volunteer with would take you if you just walked up. People who need volunteers don’t turn them away. I’d rather give my money to them directly then hand it over to some company who is going to take a “fee”. You can find a million organizations around the world who will let you volunteer without ever paying them anything. They want your time and are more than happy to have you there helping out. In most cases, you’ll still have to get yourself there at your own expense and pay for living costs but you would have to do that anyways. Take the money you would give to these agencies and hand it directly to the people.
The best and biggest example of a volunteer agency in the US is the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is a government organization that sends people around the world to do development work in third world countries. After you complete the application and interview process, they will ship you off to volunteer in some exotic country that really needs your help. And you don’t pay anything. In fact, they pay you. If you complete your two year contract, you can get a portion of your school loans paid off and recieve a few thousand dollars.
In Thailand, there are elephant conservation organizations up north that will take you. In Cambodia, orphanages will have you as long as you will stay. Friends of mine volunteer their nursing skills in Haiti and Africa. A fellow digital nomad volunteers her time with the group, HODR, whenever she is needed. And none of these places ask for money to be a volunteer. There is no fee involved. These places need the help and will not turn you away.If you want donate money and volunteer, go directly to the volunteer organizations themselves not through third party businesses.
Volunteering is a great way to take time out from your sightseeing and partying to give back to the communities, countries, and greater world that has given you so much on your travels. One of the excuses people give about why they don’t volunteer because they never feel like they have time. However, while traveling you have plenty of time. You’ll find plenty of time and opportunities to volunteer while you are overseas and it’s something I hope you consider deeply.
If you are looking to volunteer abroad, here are some websites and organizations that can help you in your search and place you in spots around the globe:
Volunteering Overseas
Volunteering is a unique and different way to learn about the culture of a country. You’ll get to learn about critical issues and problems facing a country and how they deal with it. It will give you an understanding of what problems a country prioritize. Volunteering gives you a new perspective on many of the crucial issues we often here so abstractly about in the media. You can learn about environmental issues by volunteering with elephants in Thailand. You can learn about orphanages and child poverty by volunteering in Africa or Cambodia. You can learn about health issues by volunteering in medical clinics around the world. Learn about education by being a teacher around the world. Or help with disaster relief when it occurs. The possibilities are endless.
Generally, volunteering overseas is pretty easy. It simply requires contacting the right aid and volunteer agencies and setting up a schedule to come over and volunteer. Sometimes, especially in Southeast Asia, it’s even easier- you can simply show up and offer your services. One mistake I often see potential volunteers often make when trying to volunteer overseas is that they often sign up with agencies like I-to-I or Cross Cultural Solutions. These companies charge you a lot of money to send you overseas, which they usually keep most of the money for “administrative fees.” Moreover, you usually have to pay for room, board, and your flights on top of the money you gave them. I’m not saying these organizations are deceitful but why would you pay someone to let you do something for free? Paying to volunteer just doesn’t make sense.
The places you would go to volunteer with would take you if you just walked up. People who need volunteers don’t turn them away. I’d rather give my money to them directly then hand it over to some company who is going to take a “fee”. You can find a million organizations around the world who will let you volunteer without ever paying them anything. They want your time and are more than happy to have you there helping out. In most cases, you’ll still have to get yourself there at your own expense and pay for living costs but you would have to do that anyways. Take the money you would give to these agencies and hand it directly to the people.
The best and biggest example of a volunteer agency in the US is the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps is a government organization that sends people around the world to do development work in third world countries. After you complete the application and interview process, they will ship you off to volunteer in some exotic country that really needs your help. And you don’t pay anything. In fact, they pay you. If you complete your two year contract, you can get a portion of your school loans paid off and recieve a few thousand dollars.
In Thailand, there are elephant conservation organizations up north that will take you. In Cambodia, orphanages will have you as long as you will stay. Friends of mine volunteer their nursing skills in Haiti and Africa. A fellow digital nomad volunteers her time with the group, HODR, whenever she is needed. And none of these places ask for money to be a volunteer. There is no fee involved. These places need the help and will not turn you away.If you want donate money and volunteer, go directly to the volunteer organizations themselves not through third party businesses.
Volunteering is a great way to take time out from your sightseeing and partying to give back to the communities, countries, and greater world that has given you so much on your travels. One of the excuses people give about why they don’t volunteer because they never feel like they have time. However, while traveling you have plenty of time. You’ll find plenty of time and opportunities to volunteer while you are overseas and it’s something I hope you consider deeply.
If you are looking to volunteer abroad, here are some websites and organizations that can help you in your search and place you in spots around the globe:
Hands on Disaster Response
Peace Corps
Teachers Without Borders
Volunteer Match
Idealist