Finding the perfect volunteer abroad company can be difficult because there are a lot out there. There are companies like Worldpackers, Workaway, International Volunteer IQ (IVHQ), and so many more.
After going on three volunteer trips, with two different volunteer abroad companies, I have found the company I LOVE and that is Worldpackers. I have volunteered in Fiji teaching, in Bali doing sea turtle conservation, and in Portugal at a healing home.
I have had so many amazing experiences volunteering around the world I want to share the steps to start volunteering abroad with Worldpackers so you too can have an amazing time travelling around the world.
This post is all about how to volunteer abroad with Worldpackers.
How to Volunteer Abroad With Worldpackers (7 Simple Steps)
1. Research Volunteer Programs and Find the One For You
There are lots of volunteer companies out there and everyone’s perfect volunteer companies may be different. My first two volunteer trips were with a company called International Volunteer IQ. At that time in my life, I was a good fit because it was very organized and as a new traveller it gave me peace of mind BUT it was a decent amount of money to volunteer with this program. That is why I started volunteering with Worldpackers. Worldpackers is a much more affordable option since all you have to pay for is a yearly membership and then you can apply to as many volunteer projects as you wish.
I recommend you do a bit of research and find a volunteer company that is perfect for you and your situation. But if you are like me and are looking to travel on a budget Worldpackers may be the right company for you.
2. Find Volunteer Projects You Want to Do
If you decide to volunteer with Worldpackers you can look at the tons of volunteer projects they offer. They have more than 10 different types of projects you can volunteer your time working on. These volunteer projects include…
- Welcoming Guests (at a hotel or hostel)
- Farming/ Eco Projects
- Building/ Maintenance
- Communication/ Marketing
- Teaching
- Community Work
- Household chores
- Kitchen/ Bar Work
- Entertaining Guests
- Working on Websites
- Arts/ Culture
- Child or Elderly Care
3. Find the Travel Destination You Want to Volunteer At
If there is a destination on your travel bucket list Worldpackers most likely will have a volunteer opportunity there. Worldpackers has projects in over 140 countries around the world so choose your dream travel destination and find a volunteer project there.
4. Become a Worldpackers Member
The prices to start volunteering with Worldpackers are different than some other volunteer companies, they have a yearly membership. This yearly membership is a one-time cost that gives you access to all the volunteer opportunities Worldpackers offers. You can apply to as many volunteer projects and travel all over the world for 12 whole months. There are different Worldpackers Memberships, they have options for solo travellers as well as couples/friends.
Solo Traveller Plans:
- Solo Trips (US $49)
- Solo Pack (US $99)
- Solo Pack Plus (US $129)
- Couples/Friends Trips (US $59)
- Couples/ Friends Pack (US $119)
- Couples/Friends Pack Plus (US $149)
5. Fill Out Your Volunteer Profile
Once you get your Worldpackers Membership you can start filling out your volunteer profile. Your volunteer profile is what volunteer hosts will see about you when you apply for your volunteer projects. Your profile includes information like languages you speak, skills you have, an about me section, and more. I would recommend you fill all these sections out with lots of detail as it gives you a better chance of being accepted for the volunteer projects you apply to.6. Complete Worldpackers Certificates
Once you fill out all the information for your volunteer profile another way to increase your chances of being accepted by the volunteer hosts is completing a variety of Worldpackers certificates. Different certificates you can complete include…- “How to become an outstanding Worldpacker”
- “Eco Certificate for Volunteers: Basic Concepts”
7. Apply to Volunteer Opportunities
Once you are done with all of those steps you get to the best part where you get to start applying to volunteer opportunities around the world. Once you find a destination and project you would love to do you will apply which includes answering some questions the host wants to know about you. Once you answer the questions you will submit them and wait to see if the volunteer hosts will accept your application and ask you to volunteer. You will confirm the dates you are volunteering with your host and then you are ready to volunteer abroad!
p.s. I highly recommend calling or video calling your host to get to know them a bit more before you start volunteering.
That brings us to the end of the steps to take to start volunteering abroad with Worldpackers. Volunteering abroad is a great way to travel the world, save some money, meet amazing people, and learn new things. I am so happy I started volunteering abroad with Worldpackers and I hope you love it as much as I do if you decide to volunteer with them. Hope you have some amazing volunteering trips and safe travels!
