question from a reader (pt.4)
So, random question as part of my research - do you (or anyone) know of any great international travel volunteer opportunities? I’d only have 2, possibly 3, weeks. Total costs for the trip would need to be under $2500. And I’m hoping that it would also include meeting a diverse, interesting group of people and experiencing some of the culture and geography of wherever I am.- Sarah
I almost did this two years ago but had to cancel my trip at the last minute. I did my research, though, and it seems like it would have been an amazing experience: http://www.vaughantown.com/EnglishNew/indexenglish.asp
Try this:
http://www.responsibletravel.com/TripSearch/Volunteer%20travel/ActivityCategory100011.htm
or:
http://www.globalvolunteers.org/index.html
Good luck Sarah!
I haven’t done it myself, but I’ve heard great things about Earthwatch (http://www.earthwatch.org/). You’d get to do some really interesting things. Prices vary, but you get to contribute to the costs of the expedition.
this is where i go ME! ME! ME! like that annoying kid in the classroom with all the answers who you just want to step on.
but here they are:
http://www.goabroad.com/
http://www.greengeckoproject.org/flex/the_green_gecko_project_volunteering/123/1
http://www.globalteer.org/
http://responsibletravel.com/
ps i havent done ANY volunteer travelling yet. like most other things in my life right now, it remains on the to-do list.
Hey, question for the first poster: What kind of research did you do on this organization? I checked out the link and it seems almost too good to be true. Is it legit?
Thanks for all the great leads - can’t wait to explore!
Hey Sar, I’m from Spain and this guys (Vaughan) are serious. They’re very successful and they’re growing rapidly. The English lessons they offer are pretty expensive, but they’re supposed to be really good.
This program, Vaughan Town, is pretty expensive too; each student gets to pay 1500 euros for a week in Vaughan Town. The thing is, from what I see, the anglos participating get free accommodation and nothing else, right? The program demands full-time commitment from the anglos, after all, they’re supposed to give conversation to the Spanish students at all times.
I’m a bit late to this, but there’s something else you might want to check out.
I don’t know what kind of opportunity you’re looking for, but you might also consider WWOOF — World-Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms. It’s an international network of farmers who offer room and board in exchange for labor.
There are farms around the world, and you can stay as little as a week or two. There’s a modest fee to join that country’s network (about $20 or so), and you’d have to pay to get yourself there, but it’s free otherwise.
It’s a great way to meet locals and, perhaps, other travelers. More info at http://www.wwoof.org/