The Do's and Don'ts of Voluntouring

102 The Do's and Don'ts of Voluntouring

It is the start of a new year. To me, that means new plans, new travels, and new experiences. A clean slate. One of my favorite things to think on when the new year hits is TRAVEL. If you are a follower, you probably could have guessed that. ;)

WHERE TO? This is a question I hear, and get asked quite a bit. It is no secret that my favorite type of travel is solo. You can check out my 5 Reasons You Should Travel Alone At Least Once In Your Life episode to hear why, so I won't go into it again.

My other favorite inclusion of traveling alone, is working abroad. Volunteering for something that may be different from anything you have experienced before. This subject has been getting a lot of flak lately. So I wanted to put my two cents in, talk about why I love it, and also give some tips if you are thinking of joining a project, or are already on one right now.

In my mind, Voluntouring is an opportunity to gain new perspective, try a new task, acquire experience in something and meet new people from different cultures. The various projects I have wired on have been extremely rewarding for me. They have helped point my path to wherever I am headed. Where am I headed? Who knows?? As they say "Life is about the journey, not the destination", and I am loving this ride.

These projects I go to are just that, a journey for me personally. I love to think I am changing the world with them, but I probably am not. Truthfully, you may not be there long enough to really make a massive impact, BUT what you are helping with, even for short time may be bigger than you think.

Maybe you are helping a small business that needed the extra hands to make it through that week. That bathroom you helped build could enrich someone's day-to- day life. Those artifacts you found that will educate people for years to come.

All of these things matter. The point is, choose a project for the right reasons. Choose it for yourself to have an enriching experience. Show up, put in the work, don't be a doosh.<- Technical term.

Do's and Don'ts to Voluntouring

Don'ts-

Don't pay an arm and a leg-  There are a lot of companies out that that are making BANK off of this concept. It is a new trend. When I started back in 2004, I found my first one on page 15 of the internet, and I had to translate it. There wasn't much going on in the way of volunteering, and I probably paid $300 for a month of rooms and board. Since then the prices have sky rocketed, so be wary of projects that have that high price tag. For example, if you are looking to set sail and save some turtles. Don't pay over $1,500 for it. Believe me, you can find a better experience somewhere else, and not break your bank account.

Don't pack like a diva- Please guys, you have heard me talk about the benefits of minimal packing. Do not show up to these places with 8 large bags. Nobody will care what you look like, I promise. If you are showing up to get a date, you are showing up for the wrong reasons. Plus, I am sure you look just fine. If you are working on an overseas trip, their idea of space is very different than ours. Meaning, they may not have much of it, and prefer that you don't have a ton of stuff with you. Relax, travel lightly, don't be that "Bag lady" or bag man. That being said, if you need medications, have some sort of ailment, of course this does not apply. Just use good judgement in what you bring with you. There is an extra tip I talk about on the podcast for this episode! Check it out!

Don't explore at night alone without letting folks from the project know- I am a worrier, I can't help it. I know I love to travel alone, and I try to spare my family and friends as much worry as I can (Usually by not telling them what I am up to until I come home lol) When you are part of a group,