Why Voluntourism is the Best Way to Travel
I made my first solo trip abroad in 2018. My destination was the Himalayan Mountain range that bordered India and China. I had prearranged accommodations through a volunteer organization called LHA. I went online, explored destinations I had dreamed of visiting, and then looked up volunteer opportunities around and near my destination. It came together easily and I never considered it dangerous or had any fears of traveling to India alone. I was gone 5 months and cried all the way home. I made deep connections with the Tibetan community, made lifelong friendships, and was humbled by the appreciation for donating my time to teach ESL. I vowed to return, which I did in 2022 for 6 months, doing another volunteer project.
I unwittingly took 2 voluntourism trips, and they both had profound health and spiritual effects on me. Discovering different places by exploring villages and meeting the local population exposes you to cultures and traditions far removed from the experience of a regular tour group. I stayed with a Tibetan family on my 1st visit in 2018, arranged by LHA. I saw the world through their eyes, ate their food, celebrated their holidays, and learned their culture and traditions. It had an everlasting effect on my viewpoint of the world and myself.
I unwittingly took 2 voluntourism trips, and they both had profound health and spiritual effects on me. Discovering different places by exploring villages and meeting the local population exposes you to cultures and traditions far removed from the experience of a regular tour group. I stayed with a Tibetan family on my 1st visit in 2018, arranged by LHA. I saw the world through their eyes, ate their food, celebrated their holidays, and learned their culture and traditions. It had an everlasting effect on my viewpoint of the world and myself.
Both volunteers and hosts benefit from voluntourism. It opens both to a cultural exchange experience that enriches the understanding of global citizenship. It’s a way of learning about the world by putting value on natural resources, or conservation areas by increasing awareness to protect vulnerable areas and wildlife.
I shared how I chose my trips. If seeing the world or traveling to a bucket list destination seems daunting, voluntourism may be the answer. It is a chance to pair sightseeing with giving back and making a difference. Look for locales you’ve always wanted to visit or look for projects that impact local communities. Look for causes dear to your heart or a group with which you feel a kindred spirit. Look for projects or opportunities with minimal training or skill sets.
Look for ethical opportunities. Pick a destination you only dreamed about and work on conservation or construction projects, asking for IT, writing, or design help. Look for NGOs or other organizations that provide services to communities and do not harm vulnerable local populations or resources.
Some volunteer opportunities are better suited for long-term volunteer commitments, such as healthcare, teaching, or childcare. Unless you have a specialized skill set, short-term volunteering in these situations will not offer the stability and consistency needed for these community projects.
The following are some short-term ethical voluntourism project examples:
-Animal rescue - help rehabilitate rescued animals to be ready for rehoming or return to the wild-Conservation projects- endangered species or ecosystems like sea turtles or Amazon rainforest-Building projects - help with construction or clean up to strengthen communities with projects like classrooms, houses, and toilets or other needs -Data collection with conservation groups- help collect data needed to aid conservation groups with tracking, collecting, and recording data-Public health projects - help with water projects or aid with outreach projects with supplies to areas with limited resources
Well-established volunteer agencies, such as NGOs, offer volunteer opportunities. These organizations offer training, services, and amenities first-time volunteers might prefer. I recommend checking out Volunteer Forever. They have a list of the top ten volunteer projects and organizations for 2024 and are a great place to start.
-Animal rescue - help rehabilitate rescued animals to be ready for rehoming or return to the wild-Conservation projects- endangered species or ecosystems like sea turtles or Amazon rainforest-Building projects - help with construction or clean up to strengthen communities with projects like classrooms, houses, and toilets or other needs -Data collection with conservation groups- help collect data needed to aid conservation groups with tracking, collecting, and recording data-Public health projects - help with water projects or aid with outreach projects with supplies to areas with limited resources
Well-established volunteer agencies, such as NGOs, offer volunteer opportunities. These organizations offer training, services, and amenities first-time volunteers might prefer. I recommend checking out Volunteer Forever. They have a list of the top ten volunteer projects and organizations for 2024 and are a great place to start.
Places, ideas for travel abroad and volunteering
-Safari in South Africa and then volunteer with wildlife
-Learn to surf in Costa Rica and then volunteer to save sea turtles-Trek in Nepal and then volunteer for homeless animals.
-Travel the Amazon and then volunteer to preserve it
.-Sail the Galapagos Islands and then protect them
If you are not enticed by the idea of traveling abroad,, how about destinations domestically? You can still pick a dream location in the US, like the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park, Niagara Falls, Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, Zion National Park, Key West, Acadia National Park, Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Big Sur. Lake Tahoe. Any of these locations offers volunteer opportunities. I highly recommend going to Volunteer.gov for a complete list of opportunities, from projects to seasonal opportunities. Just filter it by location and check out the possibilities.
Whether choosing to volunteer abroad or at home, the benefits to health and wellness are the same. There are physical and mental benefits to staying active which keeps us moving and increases our brain activity. It makes us happier and more positive when we build connections with others and focus our energy on other's needs. Volunteering gives and offers a support system and builds a sense of meaning and purpose, adding value to our lives. We boost our brain power by meeting new people, learning new things, and opening ourselves to other cultures and traditions.
If you love to travel, love to volunteer, and want to combine them, then voluntourism may be for you. I encourage everyone to plan one trip around visiting a destination on their bucket list and make it a trip with benefits, for yourself and others.