Volunteering has become, over the past few years, a super-popular and economical way to travel when you don’t have a huge budget.
The principle is simple: you work a few hours during the day for the organization/accommodation/association, etc., and in exchange you get room & food (most of the time).
It’s a great option if you want to discover a place but don’t want to rush. Because there’s often a minimum commitment (1, 2 weeks or even 1 month) to avoid too much turnover. And that’s why I love to volunteer. Because it allows you to be in the area for several days or weeks and enjoy it at a slower rhythm. You become semi-local, get to know cool places that a three-day stay wouldn’t allow. You also build stronger ties with both volunteers & hosts.
In short, it’s a great opportunity for slow traveling !
In this article, I’m going to reveal the tips I used to volunteer in New Zealand and Montenegro & how it went.
1. HOW TO FIND A VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY
3 main ideas come to mind if you want to volunteer : contact each place that inspires you directly, use an app or find opportunities in Facebook groups.
I found my two volunteering opportunities through the first solution. Since I wanted to volunteer at hostels, I first gathered a list of accomodations on Booking.com and Hostelworld.com, found their emails, and reached out to introduce myself and explain my motivations for volunteering. Some responded, others didn’t or already had the necessary staff. But the more you contact, the more likely you are to be accepted. Ideally, though, you should be careful not to ask to volunteer in hostels rated 5/10 because you’ll be dealing more with guest complaints than with activities.
The second, and better-known option, is to use a third-party organization. And if you backpack on a budget, you’re probably familiar with them: Workaway & Worldpackers are the two organizations that allow you to create a profile and search for volunteers in the areas that interest you. And the cool thing about these websites/mobile apps is that they offer a huge range of opportunities: volunteering in accommodation but also with families, in ecological projects, in schools, in associations, etc. You’ve got huge possibilities in any country in the world. Hosts specify their requirements in detail: the profile they need, hours per day, days off, what’s offered in exchange, how to reach them, and when volunteering is possible. It’s more convenient than reaching out to hostels individually, an it offers a range of unique experiences. But this opportunity does come at a cost:
- For Workaway it’s US$ 59 for an individual account and US$ 69 for a couple account each year.
- For Worldpackers annual subscription starts at US$ 49 for budget solo-travelers.
Although there’s a fee, the annual subscription includes insurance in case of problems with hosts and supports the growth of new volunteer options. It can pay for itself under a week! And if you’re joining Workaway, here’s a promo code to get $10 off.
A third way to volunteer is through Facebook groups. There are several groups connecting volunteers and hosts, either by country or globally—a quick search will show you all the groups. You can answer to ads (though there might be competition) or create your own post introducing yourself, with photos, your reasons for volunteering, and details on where and when you’re available. Hosts who match your vibe & timing can contact you directly!
Another option could be word of mouth or random encounters. When I traveled around New Zealand, I met someone at a campsite growing organic avocados (huge and super tasty!) in his hometown. He proposed me to help him and his wife, though I already had other commitments.
2. WHAT TO EXPECT WHEN VOLUNTEERING
The tasks when volunteering can vary from cleaning, babysitting and kitchen help to renovating houses, sailing on a boat, being a waitress or taking care of animals on a farm. It’s really diverse and allows you to try things you wouldn’t necessarily do at home, be open to different perspectives, and meet some amazing people.
Volunteering isn’t a job, so, except in special cases, you won’t be working 8-hour days. The idea is to also explore your surroundings, and you can’t do that if you’re working all the time. Typically, volunteer hours range from 2 to 4 hours, with one or two days off, in exchange for accommodation and possibly meals or activities. If a host asks you to work 6 hours for just a bed, leave. It’s not normal.
Nevertheless, if you’re working with communities, children, or animals, longer hours might be necessary, but it’s your choice. Just be sure not to work more than 4 hours in places like hotels unless you’re paid for the extra hours or it’s a super expensive city and you have everything provided (I think about NY). Anything more could be considered hidden labor, and that’s illegal.
3. MY VOLUNTEERING EXPERIENCE
I volunteered in two hostels.
During my time in Auckland, New Zealand, we were two working together to make the beds & clean the common areas. There were two of us working together. It was a great experience with a friendly atmosphere, and although the manager was a bit distant at first, he turned out to be really nice by the end. Our hours were typically in the morning, starting after check-out around 10 or 11 a.m., and finishing in the early afternoon. We worked 10 hours a week, with one or two days off, in exchange for a bed in the dormitory (shared with other travelers). Since there were students and many people on working holiday visas, there wasn’t much turnover in the room, so we all got to know each other a bit. We also had the chance to earn extra pocket money if we worked more than 10 hours. For instance, if we mopped the floor or washed the dishes in the evening, we could count the extra time (e.g., 15 minutes or 30 minutes) towards our 10-hour total and earn 18 NZD per additional hour in cash. However, it’s important to note that this volunteer work requires a Working Holiday Visa, as otherwise, it would be considered illegal labor. I stayed at this hostel for two weeks, and it was a very positive experience. It allowed me to take care of my paperwork without the stress of running out of money, since accommodation in Auckland, even in hostels, can be quite expensive.
The volunteering in Kotor, Montenegro, was similar. We made the beds and cleaned kitchen & bathrooms. The pace was a bit faster, with 4 hours of work a day, 6 out of 7 days a week. The hours were divided into shifts: either from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for check-outs, or 2 hours in the morning followed by another 2 hours in the evening around 7 p.m. to clean the bathrooms after guests. The work was a bit more physically demanding than in Auckland because of the longer hours. However, in return, we were accommodated in the staff apartment, which offered more privacy, had free dinner (with a barbecue every evening in summer), and free participation in all activities, like the boat party and the sunset BBQ in a fortress overlooking Kotor. The activities alone made the 4-hour daily shift worthwhile. I stayed for 10 days because the rhythm of working 6 days a week and making beds felt intense, and I had already explored most of Kotor.
4. MY OPINION ON VOLUNTEERING
Don’t let anyone pressure you into doing more than what you agreed upon. Always trust your instincts. Facebook groups are full of stories from volunteers who’ve had negative and unexpected experiences with their hosts. If you’re in a situation where dialogue isn’t possible, leave! That’s why it’s important to always have some spare money for emergencies. These groups can offer support, and if you’re on a tight budget, you might find emergency couchsurfing options. Never stay in a situation that doesn’t feel right—it’s not worth the risk. There’s always a way out.
I’ve personally never had any bad volunteering experiences. I loved it because it gave me the chance to enjoy slower travel and discover places like Auckland and Kotor Bay – I even wrote an article about the must-see spots around Auckland – Volunteering in these places means meeting lots of young backpackers who share your vibe, and I’ve always had the pleasure of working with great people.
If you come across this article, then it’s your sign to volunteer abroad!
By the way, I also had the opportunity to volunteer with baby kangaroos in Australia, but that’s a story for another post. Stay tuned!