Volunteering Abroad: Why You Should or Shouldn’t Do It

Volunteering abroad is one of those amazing, once-in-a-lifetime and life-changing experiences, right?

Well, it can be but it’s not quite that simple, to be honest. There is a lot to be said for but also against volunteering abroad.

To start with the negatives: are we eliminating local job opportunities by volunteering abroad?

Are Western businesses profiting from us paying to volunteer abroad? Has volunteering abroad become something mainly 18-year-olds with wealthy parents paying for it do to delay going to university?

But then there is the good side: it IS a unique experience. You WILL get to do something that feels good and meaningful even if it is not exactly as good and meaningful as you first expected…

I have volunteered in several countries all over the world. And unfortunately, many organizations I volunteered with did not live up to the (high) expectations I had of the good they could do.

The organizations are often underfunded, they work with staff and volunteers who don’t receive enough training and they have to deal with the fact that money doesn’t always go to where it should.

Nonetheless, I cherish my experiences volunteering abroad.

I felt useful (to some extent), I learned new skills, and I felt much more part of the local community than I would have felt had I just been a tourist in that country.

But Do I Recommend Volunteering Abroad?

Yes, personally I do. Although I would advise doing some research before you sign up for anything.

How to Volunteer Abroad & Find a Good Project

Look for online reviews from previous volunteers to get a more honest picture of what the experience will be like.

Try to volunteer directly with the local non-profit organization instead of going through a commercial business in a Western country.

As much as those commercial businesses will try to convince you that you need them, you DON’T! You are perfectly capable of buying your own plane ticket and travel insurance and you don’t need an expensive “briefing” to prepare you for your volunteer experience.

By far the best way to find meaningful volunteer work is to travel to the country first and then ask around locally. This may not be for everyone, I understand that, but if you do find yourself in a foreign country with some free time, just ask your ho(s)tel staff, local friends you have made, etc., whether they can help you find volunteer opportunities.

This way you are sure to avoid hefty recruitment fees and are not supporting the industry that makes money off people wanting to do something meaningful.

Thankfully these days with all the Facebook groups and forums you can find so much information about which volunteer work is actually worth your time.

So use them! Join travel-related Facebook groups or groups for expats in the country you want to visit. Ask a question there about volunteer projects and you’ll surely get many useful tips. 

My Volunteer Experiences and Recommendations:

1. Marine Conservation in the Maldives With Biosphere Expeditions

I recently joined a week-long marine conservation expedition in the Maldives with Biosphere Expeditions, where I became a certified Reef Check EcoDiver and helped collect reef-health data alongside a great group of volunteers.

We lived on a boat for a week, did two survey dives per day, entered our findings, and saw how our work connected to over a decade of monitoring on those very dive sites.

That’s it in short, but if you’re interested in this type of volunteering, I’ve written a detailed review of my experience here.

Would I Recommend This Volunteer Project?

Yes, absolutely.

This volunteer project offers a rare chance to combine scuba diving, real science, and travel in a stunning setting, and I found it deeply rewarding.

The only downside perhaps is that the volunteer project is only a week long. Further down this article I’ll describe two other marine conservation projects I joined that are longer.

2. Wildlife Conservation in Malawi, Africa, With Biosphere Expeditions

Now this was a unique one! I spent two weeks in a remote safari camp in Malawi, Africa to help collect data on elephants and hippos.

What an experience!

I’ve written a detailed article about what this volunteer project does and what your role as a volunteer would be if you join this project.

But in short: you live in a rustic camp inside a nature reserve where elephants and baboons come to visit almost daily. Your main tasks are to go out into the reserve to collect data on all the elephants and hippos you encounter. And you’ll collect some elephant dung along the way… but you’ll have to read my detailed review for more information about that!

Would I Recommend This Volunteer Project?

Yes, if you’re ok with the risks.

This was my second time volunteering with Biosphere Expeditions. I loved their volunteer project in the Azores, which you can read about below. The project in Malawi was a little more chaotic, but you’re still contributing to a meaningful project and the experience is unique!

But, from mosquitoes and flies carrying potentially life-threatening diseases to venomous spiders, snakes, and scorpions, there are some risks to be aware of.

The sight of elephants roaming around in front of the camp and hippos popping their heads out of the water as you’re walking past might make these small risks worth it though!

If volunteering with elephants in Africa is on your bucket list, in my review I try to be very honest about the positives and the negatives.

3. Volunteering With Whales in the Azores

The first time I joined Biosphere Expeditions was with a whale and dolphin conservation project in the Azores.

The aim of this volunteer program is to collect data on specific types of whales and dolphins to gain more knowledge of their behavior and migration patterns.

As a volunteer it means going out on a boat almost every day trying to spot whales and dolphins.

The volunteer program is based in Horta, my favorite town in the Azores.

I’ve written a detailed review of this volunteer experience. The review shares everything you need to know about what you would do as a volunteer, where you’d live, etc.

Would I Recommend This Volunteer Work?

Yes

It’s a very well-run volunteer project. Every day you have a different task on the boat relating to the research that’s been carried out. This means you’ll learn different things and get a good understanding of the work done here.

Plus, you get to spend time in the Azores which I think are a unique destination well worth visiting.

With only 10 days this is the shortest volunteer project I’ve done, which also makes it more accessible to people who can’t take too much time away from their normal lives to volunteer. 

But again, read my review for more information.

4. Marine Conservation Volunteer with Marine Conservation Philippines

This is a scuba diving volunteer project in the Philippines, run by Marine Conservation Philippines (MCP).

The idea of this project is very similar to the one I went on previously in the Bahamas, which I describe below. Both use volunteers to survey local reefs to gather data about the state of marine life.

Because my experience in the Bahamas was far from ideal I was hesitant to join MCP, to be honest. But, it turned out to be a legitimate NGO that is well run and is really making a difference.

And, as a volunteer you receive great training – both scuba diving training and survey training.

I wrote a separate review about volunteering in the Philippines with MCP though, so I will keep it brief here.

MCP is located on Negros Island, just south of the city of Dumaguete. You can join MCP as a certified scuba diver or as someone who has never been diving before. 

Would I Recommend This Volunteer Work?

Absolutely!

If you are looking for where to volunteer abroad then I can highly recommend going to the Philippines to join MCP!

Whatever your level of scuba diving and knowledge of marine conservation, this project is a great way to become a better scuba diver and learn a lot about marine conservation.

MCP works closely with the community and the local government to make sure that the work they do actually helps local people and helps protect and improve marine life.

But again, I wrote a detailed review about volunteering with MCP so please check that out for further information.

5. Marine Research Volunteer with Gapforce in the Bahamas

I flew to the Bahamas to spend four weeks on a tropical island scuba diving every day. Or so I thought.

I went through a commercial organization, Gapforce, and I had my doubts…

For over US$ 2000 I got to spend a month sleeping on a wooden plank for a bed, sharing two flushing toilets between 23 people, taking only cold showers, and eating rice and beans most days.

Additionally, because we only had one small boat that could hold just 12 people and couldn’t be taken out on days the water was even the slightest bit choppy I did only 12 instead of the expected 40+ dives.

But the experience as a whole wasn’t a bad one.

I got to live on a tropical, remote beach for four weeks. For four weeks I knew no stress because there was nothing to do on this island. And other than cooking a few meals and showing up for my sporadic dives I had no responsibilities.

The goal of this project is to gather data about the number and size of fish found off the coast plus the number and quality of different types of coral and of different types of algae.

I was assigned fish surveys. So, in the four weeks I was there I had to memorize the names of a large number of different fish that frequent these waters, to then take surveys to collect data.

Out of 23 volunteers, I was the only volunteer who managed to log data within four weeks. There are different reasons for that and both certain volunteers and the organization as a whole are to blame here.

But since I joined the program with the idea of all of us contributing something to the marine conservation efforts undertaken here, I found this very disappointing.

Would I Recommend This Volunteer Work?

No

Absolutely not. I am sure there are cheaper ways to spend four weeks on a quiet beach under better circumstances and with more opportunities to go diving.

As mentioned before, it wasn’t all negative. But looking at how much money every volunteer has to pay and how little money seems to be available locally to run the project, it is easy to see where a large part of the money ends up.

But, with a bar on-site and the beach in front of your door, it is definitely not a punishment to spend a few weeks at this project.

One final thing to keep in mind: this project attracts mainly younger volunteers, between 18 to 21, and might, therefore, be less suitable for older volunteers.

Note: this volunteer project doesn’t exist anymore, but Gapforce still runs volunteer projects in other destinations.

6. Coral Reef Conservation with Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve in Israel

Israel had been on my bucket list for a while so when I found out about a volunteering option in the south of Israel I decided to just go for it, even though something told me the project itself might not be the most exciting one.

My gut feeling was right.

They placed me, together with one other volunteer, in a basic hostel in touristy Eilat. Every day we took the bus to the Eilat Coral Beach Nature Reserve which is a protected stretch of beach where tourists can spend the day at a fee.

As volunteers we spent most of our time cleaning the beach, cleaning buoys, or just hanging around with the local staff because there wasn’t a whole lot to do…

Now don’t get me wrong, I think it’s great that this nature reserve exists because you can see an incredible difference between the state of the coral reef in front of this beach and the one in front of the beach right next to it which is packed with hotels and restaurants and not protected.

And this is where I learned how important it is never to take seashells from the beach!

But the organization simply didn’t seem to have much work for volunteers. And, since they do have money coming in every day from a large number of tourists I feel they can sustain themselves and don’t really need volunteers.

We might actually be taking up jobs that locals could be paid to do.

But, I am happy this volunteer project made me go to Israel and experience it the way I did.

I booked this volunteer work through GoEco, a commercial organization offering volunteer projects all over the world (was that the mistake I made?).

GoEco planned a meet & greet in Jerusalem. The local staff member I met there turned out to be a very friendly guy, very passionate about his country. He spent time with us in Jerusalem, traveled with us to Eilat, and showed us a different volunteer project in the desert.

Thanks to him and the people I met through him I feel I got to experience the real Israel and had numerous very interesting conversations about everything that’s going on in and around Israel.

Would I Recommend This Volunteer Work?

Probably not

My overall experience in Israel was very worthwhile. And it would probably have been less interesting if I hadn’t signed up for the volunteer project because then I wouldn’t have met that one great staff member and all the other local people through him…

But the project itself wasn’t worth it. And the fact that I had to pay a lot for it because I had to go through a commercial organization makes me want to say no.

I often get asked for my review of GoEco, since they are a large volunteer organization. After this experience, I can’t recommend them and feel they are more about making money than about making sure they offer good volunteer projects.

So, if you visit Israel you might want to look for a local, more impactful organization to volunteer with.

For more information: eilat.city & goeco.org 

7. Studying the Dolphin Population with Mauritius Marine Conservation Society in Mauritius

This time I was looking for a tropical escape from winter in Northern Europe.

The Mauritius Marine Conservation Society (MMCS) was, at the time I volunteered, studying the large dolphin population around the island and the (negative) effects of tourism on their behavior and numbers.

For me as a volunteer that meant getting on a boat early every morning to meet the dolphins who were normally easy to find not far off the coast. Tens and sometimes over a hundred spinner dolphins would swim around our boat, entertaining us with their agile jumps.

An absolutely amazing experience!

Unfortunately, a dozen or more boats filled with tourists normally showed up soon after we had reached the dolphins. And that is where our work started: we monitored the behavior of the boats, the captains, and the tourists.

Additionally, and most importantly, we monitored how all of this affected the dolphins.

Over time MMCS hopes to gather enough data to pressure the government into regulating the dolphin tours and boat behavior in general.

Although in my few weeks volunteering here I only contributed to this research a tiny bit, I absolutely loved it!

I had the opportunity to swim with hundreds of dolphins in their natural habitat, and to get out on a boat first thing every morning, off the coast of an island with stunning natural beauty.

And most importantly I learned a lot about the negative effects tourism can have and the need to protect and respect nature.

Also Read: What is Ecotourism and How to Be a More Sustainable Traveler

Would I Recommend This Volunteer Work?

Yes

Absolutely! Although it’s not the cheapest volunteering abroad option, I really loved the experience and feel it’s well worth it.

As with many non-profit organizations, both funding and attracting qualified staff seemed to be an issue. I therefore definitely had my remarks on how this organization could have been much more effective, but they do a lot of good nonetheless.

Mauritius is also an island well worth exploring. Public transport isn’t bad and accommodation ranges from basic and very affordable to extremely luxurious. There is definitely something there for every budget and every type of traveler!

Also Read: What is Mauritius Really Like? Interview About Living in Mauritius

Note: Unfortunately MMCS has recently stopped working with volunteers.

8. Teaching English with Door Step School in India

While looking for a new experience abroad I found a traineeship in India.

The traineeship turned out to be a somewhat boring 9 to 5 office job in a modern office building in Pune, one of India’s largest cities. But, as part of the traineeship, I had to spend a few weeks teaching English to children aged 4 to 10 at the Door Step School project.

Now, anyone who knows me knows that I would never choose to work with children in any capacity so the idea of having to work with kids who don’t even share a language with me was in all honestly somewhat frightening.

But, I don’t think I have ever been this grateful to have been made to do something I didn’t want to do!

“Door Step School provides education and support to the often-forgotten children of pavement dwellers, slum dwellers, construction site families, and many other underprivileged families.

Many of these children are not enrolled in school and have limited access to books and a place to study. Additionally, many children drop out of school to work or care for younger children.

With neither support nor resources at home, some children also suffer from very low learning levels.

We are trying to bridge this gap by bringing education to the “Door Step” of these underprivileged children.”– source: doorstepschool.org

I chose to teach at a school located on the edge of a small slum.

The whole school was barely anything more than four brick walls and a tin roof with even chairs being too much of a luxury. Within days I fell in love with all of my students. Honestly.

They were so kind, enthusiastic, and eager to learn.

I wonder what has become of them. That skinny boy that looked sick all the time, or that one really bright girl. I don’t think they remember me anymore but I will never forget them.

Those weeks volunteering in a slum, a slum I got to leave at the end of every day, but the slum they and their parents called home… it was eye-opening and humbling to be there and experience the way they live their lives.

Would I Recommend This Volunteer Work?

Yes

Their funding seems limited considering how many schools and kids they want to help so be prepared for basic conditions. But the volunteering experience is well worth it both for the kids and for your own personal growth.

The Door Step School is located both in Mumbai and Pune and offers numerous programs. So there are a wide range of ways to volunteer, including less hands-on ones.

For more information: doorstepschool.org

Also Read:

• Why You Should Travel to Kerala, Even if You Don’t Think You’ll Like India
• An Insider’s Guide to What to See & Do in Delhi, Beyond the Obvious

9. Wildlife Animal Protection with ARCAS in Guatemala

I was only 17 when I decided to plan a solo trip to Guatemala to learn Spanish and volunteer abroad.

ARCAS was one of the few organizations in Guatemala at that time that had short-term volunteering opportunities so in all honesty that’s the main reason why I picked them.

The ARCAS Rescue Center is located in a tropical forest on the shores of Lake Petén Itza and not far from the famous Mayan ruins of Tikal (which makes it easy to combine volunteering with a visit to Tikal).

“ARCAS was founded in 1989 in order to help combat the illegal wildlife trade in the Petén region.

Its first act was to establish the Wild Animal Rescue Center, a direct response to the fact that although the Guatemalan government was beginning to comply with the CITES treaty by confiscating trafficked wildlife, there was no adequate facility to treat and rehabilitate these animals.

Under a cooperative agreement with the Guatemalan government, ARCAS is recognized as the official destination for all confiscated wildlife taken from smugglers in the Mayan Biosphere Reserve.

Since 1990, ARCAS has rescued between 300 to 600 endangered species per year of more than 40 different species.” – source: arcasguatemala.org

I love what ARCAS does and by volunteering with them you do actually contribute to making a difference.

They have a varying number of confiscated animals at any given time, ranging from parrots to monkeys and jaguars, which they treat and try to get back into the wild.

I spent most of my time there taking care of spider monkeys which I learned are adorable, clever, and very cheeky!

My tasks didn’t go much further than cleaning and feeding so don’t expect volunteer work to be majorly complicated or educational, especially if you are only there for a short time.

Nonetheless, you are part of something good and will learn a lot just from being there and helping with whatever needs doing.

Accommodation and food were, and I am sure still are, very basic so that is something to keep in mind.

Would I Recommend This Volunteer Work?

Yes

It has been many years since I volunteered here so I can’t say anything about how they currently operate but when I was there I really felt I was (a very small) part of something good.

ARCAS charged only a small fee for food and housing and because you pay them directly you know the money at least goes to the organization itself (admittedly I don’t know much about how they spend it) and not to some commercial organization recruiting volunteers.

They have opened additional locations in Guatemala City and Hawaii that might be worth checking out as well.

For more information: arcasguatemala.org

Thinking about visiting Guatemala? Check out the Best Places to Visit in Guatemala

Should You Volunteer Abroad?

I have always felt that working or volunteering in a foreign country gives you a much better understanding of what the country is truly like.

It really doesn’t compare with spending a vacation somewhere.

While working or volunteering you might have less time to visit all the sights but in return, you get to experience a small part of “real life” in the country you chose to go to.

Also Read: Why Living Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience

So yes, for that alone I would recommend volunteering abroad. It broadens your horizon, opens your eyes to how other people live and, if you pick the right organization, you get to contribute to making the world a little bit better.

But please do pick the right organization! Try to make sure your money ends up with a non-profit or the local community and if possible gather information about whether you would take up local jobs by volunteering.

But if you’ve been asking yourself “should I volunteer abroad?” then the answer is yes!

Have You Volunteered Abroad?

Please share your experiences in the comments below!

Would you recommend the organization you volunteered with or should we avoid them? I would love to know!

Also Read:

• What is Ecotourism & How Can You Become a More Sustainable Traveler
• Why You Shouldn’t Take Shells From the Beach or Buy Them as Souvenirs

 

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