We travel to relax. We travel to explore. We travel to experience other cultures. We travel to escape our lives even if just for a brief moment in time. Now, imagine doing all of that while changing the lives of others for the better at the same time; making a difference. Contributing to the culture and community you are visiting instead of just taking from it. It may seem like a novel concept, but more and more socially minded travelers are using their time off in search of more than just a beach or a posh resort. Immersive experiences that connect you with the place, the people and best of all, do good.
Most people would love the opportunity to experience such a trip but don’t know how to go about it. So, in the interest of humanity and travelers everywhere, we have scoured the globe and found the five best “voluntourism” experiences. There are a variety of companies that offer volunteer travel programs, but we have honed the list to two of the leaders in the field:
- Global Vision International — a leader in voluntourism travel offering immersive experiences in more than a dozen countries ranging from two weeks to six months in the fields of conservation, education and empowerment to name a few.
- Earthwatch Institute — a non-profit whose trips are mostly centered on wildlife protection, ocean health, climate change and archaeology.
Both share the goal of positively impacting a local community while creating an incredible travel experience.
These trips of a lifetime include tracking wild animals in Africa to study migration patterns, working with under privileged children in third world countries, empowering communities of young women to achieve more, teaching English to students, studying and protecting marine life while receiving dive verification and so on. (Check out GVI’s Instagram to get an idea of what the trips look like.) Moreover, all of these opportunities are appropriate for travelers of all ages ranging from high school students to retirees. Plus, these trips are great fodder for your new voluntourism blog.
Volunteer with Buddhist Novice Monks in Laos
GVI’s volunteer programs are dedicated to creating long-term benefits in local communities while providing participants a different viewpoint of a destination and community. For starters, Laos’ancient city of Luang Prabang is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, an idyllic setting at the meeting of the Nam Khan and Mekong rivers to establish peace and serenity.
The main purpose of the trip is to teach English to Buddhist novice monks; improving the quality of their education and enabling them to access more employment opportunities and bring a higher value of life for their families.
In spare time, volunteers can visit local sites such as the beautiful waterfalls, Buddhist temples and monasteries, not to mention taking in the breath-taking mountains.
Volunteer to Protect Tigers and Elephants in India
In India, tigers and elephants are protected from humans as long as they’re inside a nature reserve. However, many have ventured beyond the boundaries of the reserves, crossing through forest patches and local villages on their way to reach nearby forested areas. As they pass through these areas, known as “corridors,” they often come into conflict with humans and their livestock, and are killed or captured.
On this trip, you can work with both locals and researchers to assess the perceptions and needs of the local communities, as well as try new strategies to foster empathy towards these animals, decrease animal abuse, and reduce crop damage. Both elephants and tigers are nearing extinction because of humans, so here’s your chance to help reverse this trend.
Volunteer on Childcare Projects in Mexico
These trips are certainly different from your spring break trip to Mexico. Working along side renown charity Save the Children, GVI program volunteers can enjoy the Caribbean Sea town of Playa del Carmen while working with underprivileged children at what is surely the nicest day care facility in all of Mexico.
Help little ones learn to read, teach them how to play your favorite game on the playground, help create a safe, comfortable learning environment for those that deserve a chance at a brighter future.
Don’t worry, it’s not all work and no play. There is plenty of time to enjoy Playa’s white sand beaches, dive along the mesoamerican barrier reef or visit nearby ruins.
Climate Change and Caterpillars in Costa Rica
Earthwatch brings together scientific research while providing a sustainable environment. On this Earthwatch Expedition, you’ll search the forests of Costa Rica for caterpillars and take specimens to the lab for state-of-the-art chemical analysis and observation. Volunteers in Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí (that’s in Heredia Province, in-between Rio Sarapiquí and Rio Puerto Viejo) can explore many cacao plantations and have opportunities to see wildlife — including ocelots and jaguars!
Not to mention, you’re driving distance from Playa Limon on the east coast, Tamarindo on the west coast (a great place to learn how to surf), and the capital of San Jose to take in the big city sights and sounds for a day and a half. On the project, hike for caterpillars, see how they interact with other species, and ultimately, help preserve biodiversity.
Earthwatch also offers climate change and critters trips in the Borneo and Ecuadorian rainforests, and in the Arctic.
Community Development Expedition in Fiji
One word: Fiji. GVI Volunteers will be set up amidst the luscious forests and mountainous backdrop of the Dawasamu District on the east coast of Viti Levu Island; the largest island in the Republic of Fiji.
Included in the activities, participant volunteers will facilitate the construction and installation of rainwater harvesting systems and build vegetable gardens to grow the agricultural structure and help local communities increase their income.
When not working, swim in fresh water waterfalls, enjoy miles of white, soft sand beach and explore colorful coral reefs. Sounds like paradise!
Doing Good on Non-Voluntourism Trips
Don’t want to do a dedicated voluntourism trip? You can still volunteer for a day or two while on vacation. Just look up the local animal shelter or school and ask them if there’s anything you can do to help while you’re in the area.
Want more? Check out these 10 ways to make a positive impact while on vacation.
Have you had a volunteerism experience? Would you? Tell us in the comments below!
Omg. I cannot never forget my year at the Maldives. I got tanned like crazy and saved a lot of turtles. I am a sucker for turtles, and in all sea creatures. 😀
I’m traveling All The Time… soooo if I’ll be in a place for more than 2 days, I always look up the local animal shelters and go play with the animals. Sounds like nothing, but so many of the animals are super attention starved, and a little love goes a long way to making them happier and more socialized/adoptable.
That’s really a great thing to do 😉 Where are you traveling?
Voluntourism, Love the word… Love the concept even more.
Work and Vacation together.. How exciting!! I’ve always been a wildlife lover. I had no idea about such tourism before i read this article. Thank you for such a great piece of information. I would go insane with joy if I could volunteer to protect Tigers and Elephants in India. Im so gonna find out all about it and apply as soon as I can.
Voluntourism is a great experience if you would like to travel and help make a difference in people’s lives globally. I really like the voluntourism trip in Fiji, because you help the local community harvest produce and source clean water. I definitely would like to go once I’m done with graduate school!
I’ve always wanted to do a voluntourism trip. These look like great ideas! If you really want to make a big difference in the world, also try eating less meat. Check this out: http://www.cowspiracy.com (amazing film – fun and interesting to watch).
Voluntourism is a nicely coined term, no doubt about that. And working in Fiji sounds like working in Paradise. But what kind of help can a person without suitable qualifications offer to any of these endeavors? To teach a language, protect wildlife (even if it’s just caterpillars) and participate in construction work one must have appropriate training and knowledge, don’t you think? Volunteering should leave some noticeable impact and it can be done without spending money overpriced travel trips.
What a cool idea! Never thought of doing a vacation like this, but now I’m totally intrigued. I can always spend time on the beach wasting away, but this sounds like a lot more interesting. Very useful, thanks!!
I’ve read a lot of travel stories/volunteering. All of them talked about how enlightening it was and how it changed them as a person. It’s like seeing the world in a whole new light. I would like to try as well. Thanks for the links!
The one with tigers and elephants looks like it’d be an incredible experience. I did a trip where I taught English at a school in Ecuador when I was in college, and it was a fantastic experience. I’d love to do another voluntourism trip. Thanks for the suggestions!
I just checked out GVI’s Instagram – these trips look like a LOT of fun!