Maybe you’ve finally booked that dream volunteer vacation to an exotic country. Before you can start connecting with people and making a difference, though, there are a few important things to do — and packing is one of them! You’ve got to account for a myriad of factors like climate, personal comfort, and your daily activities. Gah! Sounds … Continued
Volunteer vacations are a unique way to experience the world. For some people, they might lack some of the luxuries of more traditional vacations, like swan-shaped towels and beach-side cocktail service. But for others, volunteer vacations are the perfect type of cultural experience that opens your eyes to new places and people. Though volunteer vacations aren’t for everyone, one thing’s certain: they can leave an impression that … Continued
Are you pondering that overseas volunteer vacation with excitement? Who can blame you? We sure can’t! Once you start checking out voluntourism companies, it can be tempting to choose one with a packed itinerary that has you hopping from one point to another. Though traditional travel is about seeing as much as you can, you should be wary of … Continued
So you wanna go on a volunteer vacation? Awesome. Now all you have to do is decide where — which is no small task when you’ve got the whole world at your fingertips! From Africa to Asia to Latin America, opportunities abound to learn about a new culture while giving back. Since we know deciding where to … Continued
Costa Rica is a nature-lover’s dream come true, not to mention one of the most bio-diverse countries on the planet. The Central American ecotourism hotspot offers more than its fair share of natural wonders for adventurous travelers to explore. From the remote rivers of Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge (near the Nicaragua border) to the mystical cloudforests of Monteverde, from the wildlife-rich … Continued
There’s no doubt about it: volunteering abroad changes you. If you’re a frequent reader of this blog, you’ve probably read why we think volunteer vacations are worth doing and paying for. But truthfully, it’s the intangible benefits that levy the heaviest impact. Volunteering ignites an empathy and sensitivity to others that you may not have experienced before. … Continued
A fantastic example of what you’d actually be *doing* on a volunteer vacation. Learn how + why we’re building bottle clinics in the Dominican Republic.
Meet John. He’s in his late 60s and traveled to the Soviet Union on a cultural exchange program when he was in college. As he grew into adulthood, the vivid memories from that trip stayed with him. When he was in his 40s, the Iron Curtain quickly fell and Russia entered a period of rapid … Continued
Want to volunteer abroad, but wondering why you have to pay to do it? In this post, we explain the reasons behind this sometimes confusing concept.