Travel With Purpose
Do you love to travel? Why not volunteer while traveling and become immersed in the community? Traveling with purpose and volunteering offers you an opportunity for self-discovery and international experience.
Here are ten reasons why volunteer travel should be on your bucket list.
It's Good for Your Health
An increasing amount of research has shown the mental-health benefits of volunteer work. Especially in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, helping others seems more important than ever. And the effects are felt in multiple ways.
Helping others gives a sense of purpose, positive emotion and higher confidence levels. People who volunteer feel greater satisfaction with their lives and consider their health generally better.
You'll Gain Real-World Experience
Volunteer work, both practical volunteering in the field and through virtual volunteering programs, gives you insight into real-world contexts and helps you gain hands-on experience. And there are so many opportunities to choose from. You could get involved in wildlife conservation research, lead sports sessions with kids, or conduct underwater coral reef surveys.
You'll Make an Impact
You have the chance to contribute to the kind of community and world you want to live in, either by volunteering abroad or from your own home. Whichever cause you choose to support, you’ll have the opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself and assist in for-good work across the globe. This could include making an impact in women’s empowerment, wildlife or marine conservation, or community development.
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You’ll Contribute to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, the United Nations (UN) announced its agenda for sustainable development over the next 15 years. There are 17 goals that can be contributed towards through sustainable and responsible volunteering programs. Volunteering gives you the chance to be a part of addressing some of the world’s biggest challenges and play an active role in the global community.
You'll Contribute to a Cause You Believe in
There are so many opportunities to get involved. Start volunteering towards a cause you care about most. Share your love for animals, teaching, or public health by building on impactful programs.
You'll Travel Responsibly
Volunteering abroad with a responsible volunteer organisation allows you to travel with a purpose. It makes it possible for you to reduce your social and ecological footprint by taking part in activities that are ethical and sustainable. Always keep in mind that you’re there to contribute to impactful initiatives, and you can’t do that if the needs of the community aren’t being met.
You Can Learn a New Language
Learning a new language boosts brain power. It also develops your ability to multitask. You will better understand the culture and history, and be able to engage meaningfully with local communities. Find an organisation that works with local community members. This exposure will expand your worldview.
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You'll Experience More
Travelling to another country is a major reason many volunteers go abroad. If you travel responsibly, you can gain the most memorable experiences of your life, while making a positive impact. You can visit sought-after sites, meet new people, and return home with a host of new experiences and memories.
You'll be Inspired
You can use volunteering to get out of an old routine and figure out what your next steps will be when you return home. You might come up with a plan to build on the development of your own community, or discover a new life calling.
You'll Have Fun
Volunteering is a job, but it’s also fun! It’s a way to meet new people, embrace cultural traditions and encounter new places. During volunteer travel, you can spend a weekend island-hopping in Thailand, climbing Table Mountain in South Africa, or white-river rafting in Costa Rica. The choices are endless.
Combining this with all the other great reasons to volunteer, makes for an unforgettable experience that’ll stay with you for the rest of your life.
There are many organisations out there that offer volunteer travel programs. Make sure you do thorough research before applying for one.
Check out International Volunteer HQ and GVI. Both offer an abundance of volunteer programs in numerous countries.
Are you ready to get out into the world and contribute to impactful programs? Share your volunteer travel experience in the comments section. We would love to hear more!
