Volunteering

A collection of guides and stories about traveling the world through volunteering, cultural exchange, and human connection.

After quitting my job in 2024, I turned to volunteering to make my savings last longer. But it opened up a whole new way of seeing the world—and my place in it.

I’ve lived in yurt villages in Alaska, helped run hostels in Turkey, and supported Bedouin camps in Jordan. In exchange for a few hours of help each day, I received far more than free food and accommodation. I gained friendships, local insight, and a deeper understanding of what it means to belong—even if only for a while.

This page brings together those stories, reflections, and honest, practical advice for anyone curious about volunteering and work exchange. You’ll find everything you need to start your own journey.

Volunteering Guides

Woman walking barefoot on red sand dunes in Wadi Rum, Jordan, leaving a trail of footprints under a clear blue sky.

How to Travel the World for Free by Volunteering Abroad

Traveler hugging a horse while volunteering at a farm—an example of experiences found through Workaway alternatives.

What Is Work Exchange and How Does It Really Work?

A woman in a light green jacket and blue gloves cleaning a bathroom toilet with a spray bottle, leaning over near a shower curtain. A printed sign with cleaning instructions is visible on the tiled wall

What I Wish I Knew Before My First Workaway

Two dogs on a leash during a morning walk in the Arizona desert as part of a Workaway volunteer routine.

10 Best Workaway Alternatives for Volunteering

Traveling solo through Worldpackers - standing on a rock overlooking a vast red sand desert with sparse vegetation and dramatic rock formations under a clear blue sky, capturing a sense of solitude and wonder.

Worldpackers Review from a First-Time Volunteer

Me in a pink top and white skirt stands among a group of camels, gently touching one, with towering red rock cliffs rising behind her in a desert landscape.

Is Worldpackers Safe? Read This Before You Volunteer

Free Resources

VOLUNTEERING ESSENTIALS

Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links—that means that at no extra cost to you, I earn a small commission if you book through these links, and that helps me keep this blog running. See our Disclosure Policy for more information.

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