Volun-tour-ing
There are so many reasons to travel: seeing a world that’s different from your own, trying new and unique foods, taking a break from the day-to-day work grind…the list is long, but have you thought of volunteering abroad? There’s many ways you can give time and energy to the world around you. Volunteering abroad is also a great way to experience a place through a more local lens, as it challenges you to be present as more than just a tourist. You get the chance to do good work and meet people you may not otherwise have crossed paths with. It could be a humbling and memorable experience.
Peace Corps and Americorps
The Peace Corps is a U.S. federal agency that offers a challenging, fulfilling service opportunity for volunteers to experience cultural immersion in a local community to take on pressing local issues. The mission of the Peace Corps is to promote mutual cross-cultural understanding as well as provide skills to countries that express interest. Peace Corps volunteer positions are typically a 2-year-long commitment, with a variety of projects and issues across the globe, depending on volunteer interests and skills, as well as global priorities. Americorps is a government agency that focuses on domestic projects and issues across the nation, including education, health, environmental, and economic aid in a variety of communities. These positions are typically 10-12 months long and can be impactful to communities across the U.S.
Volunteer Programs
From Asia to Africa to South America, there are hundreds of volunteer programs to choose from that focus on different missions and fit different travel styles and preferences. If you’re taking a career break and are interested in sustainability, you could become a Forest Conservation Volunteer in Barcelona. Or, if you’re more interested in supporting youth education, apply to help childcare centers around Kathmandu. The opportunities are endless and many organizations make it easy to find the perfect program for you. Here are few to get you started:
Homestays/Workstays
For an even more immersive experience while making a positive impact, consider joining programs and communities that connect you with hosts and other travelers around the world. In exchange for helping a host in a selected country, you are given food and accommodation as well as the opportunity to discover new cultures, develop new skills, and travel like a local. Communities like HelpStay, Workaway, and Worldpackers offer this kind of travel experience in more than 100 countries with hundreds of projects and causes to take part in.
University Programs
If you are attending college/university, go to the Study Abroad office and ask about programs that are suitable for you! The advisors should be able to help point you in the right direction. In addition, pay attention–you might find some information in unexpected places (i.e. public library, local recreation center, word of mouth, etc.).
Searching for Suitable Programs
Voluntourism has grown immensely in popularity over the years, and there is now a wide range of programs catering to different skill sets, types of volunteer work, budgets, and travel styles. With the rise of programs also inevitably comes a rise in risk of companies that take advantage of your goodwill, as well as programs that may be doing more harm than good to the communities they claim to be serving. Traveling responsibly requires due diligence. Think about why you want to go to a particular destination, what skill sets you are able to share, and the time and energy you can commit. Be realistic with yourself. When researching programs, look into the program’s history, what they have achieved, and what their projected plans are. At the core, a good program should center around immersion and education, prioritizing forging connections and relationships with the local community.
Read about the personal experiences of Lotus Magazine co-founders Alyssa Chiang and Alexis Constantino on volunteering abroad!
Teaching in Taiwan
Alyssa Chiang
Volunteering with the Overseas Community Affairs Council of Taiwan as an English teacher was an invaluable experience. The program consisted of a weeklong training followed by two weeks of teaching in a rural community. Expenses outside of the flight were covered by the program. The connections formed over two weeks of time shared with the local students are long-lasting, and the lessons I learned will be cherished for my lifetime. I learned that the most impactful moments of volunteering were shaped not by the lesson plans or classroom activities, but by the snippets of conversation in between, when we shared about our own worlds things a lesson could never teach. Read more on my experience in our Sept/Oct 2022 issue!
Medical Mission Trip in the Philippines
Alexis Constantino
A few years ago, I joined Sustainable Asia through Medicine and Education (SAME) on a 1-week medical mission and service trip to the Philippines as a volunteer to help provide free healthcare in underprivileged districts of Manila. Food, accommodation, and transportation were covered by SAME while flight expenses were at a personal cost. As someone who had an interest in the medical field while in college, I learned how to administer basic vitals to patients for the first time, witnessed surgical practices, and made connections with the locals and fellow volunteers. Throughout this trip, I was able to see and feel the impact SAME and its volunteers were able to make on a community so I hope I can join another medical mission or a similar volunteer program again in the future.
Discover other ways for giving back to our community and loved ones in our latest issue!
