Voluntourism has become a buzzword of late. As people see more and more of the world, they feel the need to give back something they have gained so much from. When we think of volunteering abroad we often think that we would need to spend a couple of months in an isolated place on the African continent. This is not so. Although you will need to put away some time, it need not be longer that you would normally spend on your holiday.

These days most people find a volunteer placement through an agency, which operates pretty much the same as a

Volunteering for travel

travel agency. Agencies have all sort of volunteer placements on their books, from working at an elephant reserve in Thailand to building dams in Africa. The will advise you on the best choice for you and can advise you on what to expect, which can be reassuring to the would-be volunteer heading into unknown territory.

Many people are surprised when they learn they have to pay to be a volunteer, and often quite sizable amounts. Whilst a percentage of this will go to the agency, some of it will also go to the charity or NGO you will be working (you should always ask the agency just how much) and very often airfares and other costs such as vaccinations will be on top of the fee. Of course can only assure so much and volunteers abroad should leave their cultural baggage at home and arrive at their new destination with an open mind. A valuable resource to living and volunteering abroad is: www.transitionsabroad.com.