When they talk about “free travel” and volunteering abroad, many people think it’s a joke, and yes, they are right.
Many people want to take advantage of the situation and scam. That’s why I like to say it’s almost free because you’re always going to need some of your money anyway.
But if volunteers are willing to help you travel, believe me, there ARE, and I will show you what they are.
Multiple volunteering programs work globally, and life is too short not to take advantage of it, right?
Many people don’t get involved because they are afraid, prefer to stay in the known, because they don’t trust, but don’t worry, there are many serious organizations. Sometimes some additional requirements are needed, like a cover letter or CV. In this case, It’d be handy to use an online paper writing service to prepare all additional materials as well.
Now, let’s get to the point and to the question that many people ask.
How to volunteer?
Many volunteer programs support young and not-so-young people to fulfill their dreams and goals of traveling in exchange for activities that contribute to the community, for example, teaching. You should be clear about the requirements, how long it will last and what expenses you incur.
Here are the best options for volunteering:
UN Volunteers
Join the thousands of volunteers who every year leave for periods of 6 to 12 months to somewhere in the world that needs them.
Characteristics:
You require a degree in legal areas, communication, information technology, etc.
All persons over 25 years of age may participate.
Type of program: volunteering.
Duration: 6 to 12 months
The cool thing: the ability to change the world with other crazy people like you.
Includes: support for mobility, housing, paid travel, life insurance, medical expenses, and other coverage.
One World 365
Imagine taking care of elephants in Africa, living with an Amazon tribe, taking care of sled dogs in Canada.
Some organizations already have everything ready for you to live the experience. However, the bad point is that here you do have to pay for some things.
Characteristics:
No academic certificate is required.
All people with a desire to travel can participate.
Type of program: ecological, cultural and social.
Duration: 2 – 4 weeks up to one year.
They have everything ready to go as a volunteer or to go to work.
Includes: Consult each program, as it has particular conditions.
CIEE
Do you enjoy teaching? Are you good at a subject?
You can change someone’s life by sharing your knowledge. Many countries are looking for certified English teachers and offer them an opportunity to work, and you can take advantage of summer vacations to travel.
Characteristics:
They require academic certificates
Many of them have no age limit
Type of program: tuition
Duration: 2 -4 weeks to one year
What’s great: you can earn some money while you work
Included: Check local calls for applications
Tip: Before giving personal information, check the agreement’s validity with the Embassy of the country where you want to go.
Au Pair World
Au pair is a French word used to name the person temporarily hosted by a family for auxiliary work, such as babysitting. They usually live with the host family as a member and receive a small stipend and free board and lodging; in most cases, they are students.
It is a great experience since the Babysitter programs are the most economical and the best paid in which you do not spend food and lodging.
In addition to this, you are given a monthly allowance for your expenses so that you do not incur any expenses during your stay abroad, and it is the same in all countries.
If you make a good connection with your family, you will receive much more. In addition, it gives you the facility to be able to go to university to study.
Sea Turtles
It is a generic name for the thousands of small groups that help endangered sea turtles. Most groups are based on one or two beaches where turtles nest, places where there is a risk of over-exploitation of these animals. The groups appreciate the volunteer work, even if it is just for one night.
Some organizations offer weekend tours whose cost increases as the rooms’ luxury increases, charging hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
However, if you provide your room and board, most groups working on behalf of sea turtles accept volunteers.
In tropical beach areas, you can look for such groups at the local tourist office. This way, you will be helping some species of turtles to stop being at risk of extinction.
The Conservation Volunteers: TCV
From short-term volunteer placements in Australia, New Zealand, and other international destinations, you will be working in groups to protect habitats and promote eco-tourism.
Volunteer opportunities that include room and board typically cost A$40 per night for short stays and from A$208 per week for longer projects.
Accommodation can be either in a campsite or in very simple cabins, in the style of prefabricated houses.
TCV (The Conservation Volunteers) – a British-based organization – offers programs for European citizens ranging from free day trips to expensive week-long “international conservation vacations”.
HelpX
On this site you’ll find hosts all over the world looking for a little home help, whether it’s on the farm or in the garden, working on schools or religious projects, building houses or community centers, or just helping a family get the kids to school.
While the site requires a membership fee to access host details, you are offered a home and food in exchange for your work once you find someone to stay with.
Workaway
Workaway is an online platform similar to the previous one, which currently operates in 155 countries and has almost 30,000 hosts.
It works by matching local people with travelers and, like HelpX, requires registration and a $29 annual fee.
The profile must be complete if you want to be chosen as a volunteer for a specific offer.
One of the most positive things about these platforms is that they have a referral system, where volunteers can write their impressions, tell their experience, and rate the hosts, so if someone has had a bad experience in one of the jobs, you can know about it.
Working Traveller
You have options for volunteering and paid jobs around the world. You can find opportunities by filtering your skills, when you want to start, and which country you want to go to.
Registration is free. Once a host offers you to volunteer, you will pay a fee of 10 euros per year to communicate with them.
EVS
The European Voluntary Service is a program of the European Union that is included in the Erasmus+ program and allows young people between 18 and 30 years old to volunteer in any country of the European Union and a few others (here you can see the complete list), with a duration of between 2 and 10 months.
There are no requirements to participate in this program other than being European and being in the age range 18-30. As for living expenses, the program covers flights, accommodation, food and gives you pocket money for possible transportation and personal expenses.
In return, you will have to work as a volunteer in the project you have previously decided, ranging from helping in an association with children with functional diversity to being in charge of an association’s communication.
The volunteer options are very diverse, and there are many in each country. In addition, the organization you go with is obliged to provide you with classes in the language spoken in the country so that the immersion can be much more significant.
You have to be clear that here we talk about associations, so your work will always be focused on that area.
I know other programs allow you to travel and volunteer worldwide, but I only give you the ones I know, and I can attest that they are serious.
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