Volunteer travel
Photo: Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Volunteer travel, also called voluntourism, mixes recreational travel with humanitarian work. In addition to connecting the traveller more closely with the culture they've chosen to visit, volunteer travel is also intended to provide a benefit to that culture that outlasts the trip.
UnderstandVolunteering while travelling is a great way to make a difference, but it's not just about giving.
Be waryWhile there are lots of entirely legitimate volunteer projects, there are also numerous scams specifically targeting volunteer travellers, and many volunteer placements come with a catch.
Types of volunteeringMany organizations send both qualified and non-qualified workers abroad as volunteers, with low salary, just compensation for expenses or even having you pay for participating in their programs.
CopeMany volunteer jobs are in the 'third world'; see Travel in developing countries.
Other ways to helpVolunteer work is one way to do something helpful while travelling. See Working abroad and Teaching English for some of the others. Our article on begging also has a discussion of other ways to help.
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Volunteer travel" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Andrzej Otrębski, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons