Volunteering Abroad: A Cost-Effective Way to Travel and Give Back

Many of us relish travelling the world and discovering new cultures. Travel mostly comes with a hefty price tag, but there is a way around that. If you enjoy helping others and thrive from new experiences, volunteering abroad can be a fantastic way to do everything at once… And save a small fortune on travel expenses.

This guide gives you the details on how to volunteer abroad. We look at the benefits of volunteering abroad, the costs involved, and the different ways to find volunteering opportunities — whether the trip is organised through an agency or by yourself on a volunteering platform.

Beyond the usual tourist experience, volunteering abroad can let you experience the cultures of a foreign country while giving back to the community you spend time in. It is one of the most enriching ways to travel, offering not only personal and professional growth but also allowing you to live like a local in a foreign place.

The Appeal of Volunteering Abroad

The beauty of volunteering abroad is that you give your time and get to take in a culture. It can be a transformative journey with a blend of cultural experiences and the satisfaction of making positive changes. Best of all, you’re not a tourist, but instead one of the locals.

Volunteering abroad can be a cost-effective means of travel. Organised volunteer programmes with an agency come with costs, but they are typically far less than the cost of a holiday. Programmes normally provide you with accommodation, meals, and local transportation, as part of the fee.

How to Find Volunteer Opportunities: Organised versus DIY

Selecting the right volunteer opportunity is important for having a fulfilling, impactful and enjoyable experience. Research is your greatest ally. Read online reviews and talk with friends and family. To start, you have two options: A company can organise the trip for you, or you can do it yourself.

The Organised Volunteer Experience

Opting for an organised volunteer experience involves paying a company to do the hard work. This is an excellent choice for people concerned about safety, are under 18, or lack travel experience.

However, convenience comes at a cost, and depending on the chosen trip, expenses can reach the thousands. That said, it will likely be cheaper than a holiday overseas. The major benefit of using a company is the security and support system that comes with it.

There is an exception for New Zealanders. Volunteer Service Abroad (VSA) is a government-supported organisation for professionals. VSA organises the work, funds flights, visas, insurance, and accommodation, and even provides a living allowance while on assignment.

The VSA programme is less about experiencing the culture and more about sharing your professional skills with VSA’s partners, which range from central government organisations to the local church. The roles vary widely. Three listed at the time of writing are Mushroom Cultivation & Production Trainer, Workshop Recycling Adviser, and Medical Doctor.

Organised Volunteering Experiences

• Volunteer Service Abroad
• International Volunteer HQ
• Projects Abroad
• AFS New Zealand (For high school students)

Do It Yourself (DIY)

A DIY approach lets you take charge of your volunteering journey. There are plenty of online platforms that work, such as Airbnb for volunteers. You select your desired country and then search for volunteering options. This is far cheaper than going through a company. It usually costs about $30 to sign up to a platform for a year.

A classic DIY approach is joining Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF). Affectionately known as “woofers”, volunteers have access to a map of organic farmers where they can volunteer in exchange for food and accommodation.

For those not interested in farming, Workaway offers a broader range of roles, from teaching in schools to sailing adventures. The DIY route provides flexibility and a wide range of volunteering roles. Sometimes the hosts ask you to pay to cover the cost of food or accommodation, this usually ranges from $5 to $20. Others may even pay you for the work.

Platforms for Finding Volunteering Opportunities:

• WWOOF (Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms): Connects volunteers with organic farmers for cultural and educational exchanges.
• ‍Workaway: Offers many opportunities, from teaching to sailing, connecting volunteers with hosts worldwide.
• UN Volunteers: Offers opportunities to work with United Nations agencies on projects worldwide.

Researching Affordable Destinations

The country you want to volunteer in will significantly change the cost of volunteering abroad. Some regions and countries offer a lower cost of living, making them more budget-friendly for volunteers. Thailand, for instance, is known for affordable food and accommodation. On the other hand, Australia has conservation projects in breathtaking locations, but it does come with an Australian price tag.

Learn more:

• Travel mistakes that will blow your budget
• Travel hacks to unlock the world

Tips for Budgeting and Fundraising

Travelling overseas in this way requires good budgeting, as you’re not getting paid while you’re doing this! So, besides programme costs, volunteers usually aim to minimise spending during their volunteering stint. This includes finding cheap flights through websites like Skyscanner, packing light, and making the most of public transportation.

Treat the trip as an opportunity to rethink one's lifestyle. Download a budget app and ensure you have enough money for the trip. Make sure to keep some money aside in case something goes wrong, and you need money fast.

And don’t forget to plan for your life back home. Many will still have to cover accommodation costs, utilities and other bills. If you rent, subleasing or moving out of your flat might be the best option if you are away for over a month.

And don’t forget about scholarships and grants. There are grants for everything if you can search for them. The platform givME is a fantastic resource for finding scholarships in New Zealand. You can access the website for free at your local library, school, or university. Crowdfunding is another option— Why not throw a house party and sell tickets?

Matching Skills and Interests to Projects

A key to a rewarding volunteering experience is aligning the chosen programme with your skills and interests. Whether it's teaching, healthcare, environmental conservation, or community development, volunteers will have a better time and maximise their impact by choosing projects that match their skills and passions.

Volunteers versus Donations

There is a longstanding debate about whether it’s better to volunteer or donate to a cause. We think it’s a bit of a silly debate. Both things are beneficial, and one isn’t better than the other. Donating to a good cause is a great way to support an organisation or a cause you support. Volunteering supports a community, but it also brings together people from different backgrounds.

Volunteering or donating aren’t mutually exclusive, either, you can do both!

The Bottom Line: Give Back and Travel by Volunteering Aboard

Volunteering abroad is a cost-effective, fun, and meaningful way to travel and give to others. Volunteers get to take part in meaningful projects, build cross-cultural connections, and create lasting memories.

So, what are you waiting for? Explore the opportunities out there and find a project that suits you. Next month, you might be volunteering at an elephant sanctuary or in the Amazon jungle.