Volunteering abroad as a way to travel the world
Do you want to not only travel, but also contribute to the improvement of the planet? That way! Read on and find out what additional opportunities open up for those who combine travel with volunteer experience. Volunteering abroad is another way to travel the world.
Hello again! Once again, let's talk about travel, but how else, because long-distance roads and unexplored countries are so beckoning!
Traveling these days can be done in different ways: by buying a package tour, participating in some kind of expedition, or by public transport around cities and towns, or going on a business trip. And now let's talk about volunteering as a way to see the world (and, if possible, to show yourself, as they used to say in the old days).
Is the game worth the candle? Benefits of volunteering
Why is it worth talking about this way of knowing the world? Does it have any advantages? According to the volunteer travelers themselves, the benefits of volunteering are obvious.
Material
Volunteer work, as a rule, involves free accommodation and meals. As a result, trips abroad are cheaper. If all your life you have wanted to visit, for example, Italy, where prices are quite high, you can pay for dolce vita with all possible help.
If you search carefully, you can find projects that also pay for the travel expenses of participants. Here is a dream in general - all that remains is to catch and saddle!
public benefit
It's so nice to realize that by cleaning the coast of a river or sea from debris, you are helping the planet, and not just sunbathing on an exotic beach!
Cultural and spiritual
(By the way, they are called most often)
A volunteer, wherever he is, is not an idle tourist consuming prepackaged experiences, but an active participant in local events, immersed in the environment. Or, as in Maxim Gorky, not a passerby, but a PASSING PERSON - “to some extent, an active person and not only receiving the impressions of being, but also consciously creating something definite.”
By participating in the project, a volunteer gains invaluable experience of interacting with people who share common interests or, on the contrary, who are completely different, in fact, both are equally useful.
In addition, you can acquire various skills that accelerate your self-development to the extreme mark of the speedometer: these are various songs, dances, psychological and esoteric techniques, public speaking, improving foreign languages, and so on in an overwhelming variety.
Well, and, of course, the cultural program (museums, fortresses or local holidays), planned as a bonus to your stay in the camp (if you went according to the program), has not been canceled.
These are the advantages that not just a traveler gets, but a real volunteer!
As for the minuses, this is the need to work (although if you have chosen the right project, work will only be a joy for you) and attachment to one place during the declared period (but there are options here too).
Separating the wheat from the chaff or how to find a suitable project?
Of course, not every type of volunteer activity involves travel. Moreover, if you search for “volunteer organizations of the city” in a search engine, the first to open to you are social organizations that are not related to tourism in any way: societies for helping socially vulnerable groups of the population, animals, nature, etc.
What to do if the soul is already asking for travel, and local organizations are ready to offer you, as a maximum, to go to the nearest park to hang birdhouses?
You can search for projects in several ways - depending on what you still want and how much time you are willing to spend searching. Let's describe briefly.
Extremely dependent, but the most organized way
In large cities, there are volunteer organizations that provide intermediary services to find projects and help in collecting documents for a trip to the camp.
Getting under the wing of such an organization (its reliability, of course, must be checked by word of mouth), you get a ready base of working (usually international) camps with a developed cultural program, a fun party (my advice to you is to choose a camp where more volunteers are needed, - a higher chance of finding comrades of interest) and a diverse field of activity.
An example from life: I myself volunteered in Estonia in 2010 - I communicated with local kids in English, or rather, in some semblance of it, but this is so, by the way. The project was not the most successful, because there was a lot of work (6 hours a day, while usually 4), a lot of preparation and responsibility, and the cultural program is quite small: one day of visiting all the museums of Tallinn, days together with the wards in the fortress Rakvere and an afternoon with them in the local museum village. But it’s a sin to complain, since she signed up for pedagogy herself!
Our team of volunteers. Estonia.
In material terms, all expenses (including obtaining a visa and the road to Moscow to obtain it, tickets Nizhny Novgorod - Moscow - Tallinn and back, buying gifts for relatives and paying a participation fee) amounted to 26,000 rubles. It was probably easier to visit Estonia, bypassing the pedagogical path. But, of course, the impressions would not be the same.
My friend Julia has been involved in many projects, the first (and most memorable) was in France, where an international team, under the auspices of the restoration of the old Parc naturel regional de la Haute Vallee de Chevreuse park in the Cernay suburb, peeled the moss on the bridge for three hours a day, and the rest of the time I climbed around the neighborhood, went to Paris and arranged various themed evenings.
Three weeks of wonderful pastime cost Yulia 20 thousand rubles - these are the costs of a visa, registration fee, round trip and cream perfumes. The rest was provided by the host organization.
“Nothing warms the soul so much as memories of joint nightly gatherings with the guys around the fire, days of cultural exchange, new friends, broken hearts ... Oh yes, crazy parties ... Especially the farewell party. In fact, the first project, it is the first in the heart, ”that is what Yulia writes about her trip.
Both of us traveled from the Nizhny Novgorod organization " Sphere”, about which they learned from friends. We paid the entry fee (at the moment it is 6500 rubles), chose the camp, wrote a motivation letter, received confirmation of participation and, with the help of the kind "spherist girls", began to collect documents for a visa and prepare for the trip.
House of volunteers in France, where Julia lived
Volunteer team in France
What assistance is provided by the sending organization to which you transfer your hard-earned money? Yes, very different. For example, I didn’t have a computer or the Internet then, so I was allowed to sit in the office and, slowly looking for Latin characters on the keyboard, send a motivation letter. They advised on the best way to get to the desired country, what to take into account upon arrival, which visa is easier to get, etc. They can also cheer you up - everything is at your discretion.
For those who want to hang out in an organized way, I will briefly describe the types of volunteer projects.
Types of volunteer projects
Workcamp or work camp - the simplest type of projects with minimal responsibility and competitive selection, the maximum amount of free time and the complete absence of any compensation.
Such a project lasts from 10 days to 3 weeks and can take place in almost any country in the world. The volunteer, in addition to the participation fee, pays for the journey to the camp and back and visa costs (if a visa is required to enter the country).
The host organization provides accommodation, meals and a cultural program. The conditions for future work (the number of working hours per day, the availability of days off, the comfort of the home or the need to take a tent with you, the number and quality of cultural, educational and leisure activities, etc.) can be found in the detailed description of the project, which is contained in the database.
What is convenient, the choice of camp can be carried out according to several criteria:
- type of activity (environmental or pedagogical orientation, assistance in organizing festivals, etc.);
- country (by the way, some African and Asian countries have an additional fee);
- camp dates.
You can read more about this type of project here. here.
International camps are the best option for students: most of them gather participants from 18 to 30 (the upper threshold is not limited). But there are also special programs for schoolchildren, teenagers go on their own to projects like TEEN, and children under 14 go with their parents to FAMILY CAMP.
As a rule, camps take place in the summer during student holidays, and appear in the base in February - March. Then you need to apply to participate. But, if you didn’t have time to do it in the spring, you can “grab” a last-minute vacancy in the summer, and even at a discount. And you can not snatch.
Workcamp is also possible in Russia. Those who want to improve their English without leaving their homeland pay half the registration fee and work in the virgin lands in a foreign team. But the list of Russian camps is rather small.
MTV/LTV- medium-term (from 2 to 6 months) and long-term (from 6 to 12 months) projects involving assistance in various fields in different countries of the world. As in a short-term camp, the volunteer pays the registration fee, visa (if necessary) and round-trip travel.
An important point: the presence of a letter of confirmation from the host organization does not guarantee that you will receive a visa. So, my friend was refused the US consulate, probably, they considered her unworthy to take care of local elderly people.
In some countries (mainly the USA and Great Britain) pocket money is provided for the participant. As you may have guessed, the competitive selection for these vacancies is significant. In other countries, if you please, live on your own savings or find a part-time job (officially, of course, you can’t get a job, but you can either). In states that are poorer, a volunteer may incur additional expenses for financing his activities. All conditions must be read in advance and very carefully.
It is difficult to say what criteria the employees of the host organization are guided by when choosing volunteers. But you can take a chance and apply, especially since the registration fee is paid after you have been approved. As a rule, a volunteer works 5-6 hours a day with a five-day work week and has a vacation. See more here.
If the project involves several participants, you will also have the opportunity to put together an inseparable team of friends. But no one, except for yourself, organizes such a bright program as in workcamp.
My friend Julia, who has 4 volunteer projects under her belt, is currently caring for the elderly in the UK. It is difficult to call it work, since all the necessary operations are carried out using special equipment - rather, Yulia simply communicates with grandparents and their relatives, while practicing her English.
For the joy of communication, Julia has 75 pounds per week, monthly compensation for intracity and intercity travel and vacation. And she lives in a separate room in an old cozy house in Canterbury.
EVS projects- the most tidbit for a freebie lover, because there is no registration fee for participation in them, and visa costs and travel are fully covered (if you didn’t oversell and didn’t exceed the limit). There are two buts: you can eat such a piece strictly up to 30 years and only once in your life (if you took part first in a short-term and then in a long-term project, then two are possible). But remember, the competition is rather big.
EVS programs (there are several varieties, including paid training) are held only in the European Union and also include various activities with a total duration of up to 12 months (30 - 35 hours per week). More written here.
By the way, in order to take part in EVS, it is not at all necessary to be “attached” to the sending organization in your city. You search for vacancies yourself. But, if you have previously taken part in volunteer camps (which will undoubtedly be a big plus), the organization's employees will write you a letter of recommendation and help with advice.
So, as you can see, the choice is quite large. And, if you know the feeling of fear and self-doubt, you can call on experienced volunteer specialists to help you.
More independent, but less organized way
If you don’t want to pay for the services of an intermediary, but want to know in advance what awaits you upon arrival at the place of your volunteer work (hey, who can know everything in advance?! Of course, everything is relative!), You can turn to a proven international resource like workaway. Basically, volunteering of this kind is practiced abroad, but you can find something similar in Russia.
Unlike international youth camps, here are, so to speak, private traders - ordinary people who need help. In return, they are ready to offer you accommodation and meals, but you will organize a cultural program in the form of walks to the nearest river or volcano yourself. There will be no parties here either, unless, of course, your host throws a plentiful feast with throat singing and folk dances.
And now I will give a little tip on resources:
- workaway.info
You can get acquainted with the offers of those who need your help for free, and access to contacts opens after registration (29 dollars per year for 1 person and 38 for a couple). - helpx.net
Registration is free, but you need to pay a two-year subscription for €19, $26 or £17 to access host contact details.
And for dessert, how to become a volunteer abroad for free.
- workingtraveler.com
Registration and use is free. You can log in through Facebook or VKontakte in a matter of seconds.
On these resources, you can search for hospitable hosts by region or by keyword, which is very convenient (for example, 5689 hosts were found for the query “garden” on Helpx, and 1436 for “children”).
I recommend that you carefully read everything that is written about the owner, and discuss as many details as possible before meeting with him, so that there are no unpleasant surprises. Moreover, the manner of writing can tell a lot about a person, even if you use Google translator. By the way, those who went, in the reviews, mention the property of some hosts to take their words back at the last moment. Also, you can just not get along with the characters. Therefore, it makes sense to stock up on backup offers.
If you don’t enjoy working for your uncle at all, and you really don’t mind lying in a hammock in an exotic garden, we recommend housesitting - looking after the house or its four-legged / feathered inhabitants. Looking after the house does not always mean passive wallowing under the purr of a lazy owner's cat. You may have to run daily five-kilometer runs with a restless kurtshaar or bathe piglets. Everything, as always, is individual. See interesting options here:
- housecarers.com
The principle is the same: watch as much as you like, but contact the hosts only after paid registration ($50 per year). - trustedhousesitters.com
The subscription costs $9.92 per month.
I myself have not used these resources, so, unfortunately, I cannot describe my experience. My friend Arthur found a host through Workaway. He was pleased with his experience (building a barn for English-speaking Spaniards) and recommends the site to everyone. According to Arthur, he will not have to work for the owners for more than 4 hours a day, and in general he has not heard about the exploitation of the labor force with the help of Workaway.
He did not have any photographs from Spain, but some of his photographs will be later.
Very independent, but not always organized way
Volunteering can occur where it was not intended. This is how my friend traveler Ilya began his journey. He just sat down at the computer and began to look for organizations with which he would be interested in working, and which, in his opinion, might need him. One of the organizations in need was a stable in the Ryazan region, the owner of which had previously invited volunteers, but did not even dream of its current popularity.
The essence of such a search is to determine the desired direction for yourself and offer your free (for housing and feeding, of course!) Help right and left. At the same time, you can contact structures that are already attracting volunteers (for example, according to the experience of Ilya, various reserves or committees of festivals), or knock with this idea on doors that are still closed.
The advantage of this method is the ability to discuss the essence and conditions of work directly with the host, which means making adjustments and slightly influencing the process.
Since Ilya turned the search for volunteer vacancies into a system, it would not hurt to briefly describe his experience.
After spending 1.5 months in the stable, the young man realized that he also needed a human company, and sat down on the Internet. I decided to continue the ecological theme by working in nature reserves and came across the site Russian Geographical Society, which at that time organized the Kyzyl-Kuragino expedition, the purpose of which was to explore the territory of the future railway from Tyva to the Krasnoyarsk Territory for the maintenance of archaeological values. The flight to Abakan was paid for, and the entrance fee was not implied. Ilya could not help but take advantage of this chance.
Volunteer column in Kyzyl
Unfortunately, not so long ago ended the last season of this expedition, which the young man remembers with great pleasure. But a sufficient number of companies remain in Russia, including those with an environmental focus, where there will always be work for volunteers.
While working on the article, I wrote to the Russian Geographical Society, and they kindly confirmed that they would have volunteer travel projects in the summer. It is difficult to say in advance, but look in winter or early spring here.
And also the established Moscow organization " Chipmunk”provides those who wish the opportunity to combine relaxation and helping nature in various reserves (in 2016 these were Bashkiria, Ergaki and Taganay). The living conditions of the volunteers are far from palace, but very close to natural. Participation involves the payment of an entrance fee. By the way, you can also get into the international camp through the Chipmunks, and the fee will be less than in the Nizhny Novgorod Sphere.
But Ilya strongly does not recommend the "Great Baikal Trail" due to the huge contributions and the long working day.
You can search for vacancies in the reserves through GREEN BOARD. Some time before the start of the camp (from 5 days to several months), information about new environmental projects is posted on the site.
After mastering the environmental theme, Ilya decided to immerse himself in the esoteric and, of course, found suitable projects for himself. He really liked the Sea of the Forest festival, which takes place in various places, including in the Crimea (and who doesn’t like the opportunity to bask in the sun?!) about their talents from the stage, which will serve them in the future. Ilya also advises those who are interested in esotericism and sea bathing to visit the festival " Kwammanga» near Anapa.
According to Ilya, the most useful place to find projects is VKontakte group "Goodsurfing", where vacancies are posted in Russia and beyond, and you can also find interesting internships. Since February-March, a lot of orders from various projects and reserves have been added there. Projects meet with contributions and without (now the recruitment of volunteers in the Tbilisi hostel with accommodation and two meals a day is open). But, as a rule, the absence of a contribution implies the absence of compensation for travel and even food, which Ilya, as an experienced person, does not recommend.
If you are close to a more serious topic, you are eager to participate in forums and disputes, Ilya recommends visiting the page of the organization " Rosmolodezh» and find your project in the mass of proposals. Creative people will like Tauris", and those who want to try themselves or learn something new in politics, economics, journalism, apply for " Territory of meanings”, there for young people under 30 there are projects of interest. Who is older in age, but not in soul, may be asked to join the organizing team. Future teachers are waiting for Baltic Artek", and those who are not indifferent to the Far East -" Iturup". In addition to these, there are smaller forums, register on the portals, study the information and apply at least for everything at once.
“For me, volunteering is good because there is no “seller-buyer” relationship and the opportunity to choose an occupation to your liking,” Ilya comments on his love for volunteering.
From myself I will add that you can knock on the door to various mountain or sports clubs. Who knows, maybe in exchange for help in peeling potatoes they will offer you a place in a kayak? At least this spring he invited me to work and relax mountain club "Edelweiss"(Karachay-Cherkessia).
The most independent, but the most unpredictable way
This is a search for volunteers directly on the spot. You are traveling, say, somewhere in Abkhazia and suddenly decide that you want to stay here longer, but there is no money for food. But here on your way there is a tangerine plantation, and you agree that you will work here for housing and food. And work hard. And in vain, by the way! After all, you could get money for this. But this is already a slightly different amount of work.
It is this method that Arthur uses, for whom volunteering is an opportunity to immerse himself in an unfamiliar environment. At the same time, it is not at all necessary that the environment should be foreign, because there are many amazingly interesting places in Russia. Arthur is delighted with literally every experience. The latter was in Kalmykia, where the traveler worked in salt mining.
Salt lake in Tuva
Volunteer camp in Tuva
As Arthur says, his main rule is not to stay anywhere for more than a month, because otherwise the feeling of travel is lost. Often I really wanted to break the rule and the owners persuaded, but the iron will and craving for wandering outweighed, and the volunteer said goodbye to new friends and left. At the same time, each time he was offered money, and in case of refusal, they put it in his pocket. Apparently, the owners perceived the man as a gift from heaven.
I tried to stay in this way for a few days in Sighnaghi - a beautiful tourist town in Kakheti (Georgia). I walked inside the fortress walls, enjoyed the spring and saw a man planting flowers. I always really liked gardening, but there was little money, so I asked him if I could stay here overnight for help with the housework. He surprisingly refused. But everything has its own logic: when I returned to Tbilisi a few hours later, I met a man who changed the vector of my life. Thanks to both!
As you can see, the path of a volunteer opens up a wide horizon not only for travel, but also for a real immersion in a reality that is still alien. Someone, once stepping on it, is unable to stop, others learn useful lessons or apply the experience gained in work (even the direction of work is changed - I know such cases), while others remember the fun days in the camp as the best time in their lives .
Whichever option you choose, I wish you only positive emotions and interesting trips!