Applying to volunteer on a gap year can be a really inspirational and life changing experience where you can learn about good causes, make a positive impact, do something rewarding and meet inspiration people.
But if you have been researching options you might have seen that programs can be really expensive, some even costing thousands of dollars for just a few weeks of ‘volunteering’.
Are you wondering how is it even justifiable to charge such extortionate fees for ‘voluntary work’? Or if it is even possible to participate without having to pay? Or are there are there any ways to reduce the cost?
If you would like to volunteer, but don’t have a big budget, or aren’t keen to pay, don’t panic. There are lots of volunteering opportunities all around the world which are totally free or very cheap, some even pay you or cover all your expenses.
Why Volunteer Abroad
• Learn more about good causes and work being done around the world
• Be more than just a tourist and make a lasting impact
• Cultural immersion, get to know a new country and culture by actually living there
• Do something meaningful
• Develop new skills
• Meet inspiring people and make friends for life
Popular Volunteering Programs
• Health and medicine
• Childcare
• Community work
• Voluntary English teaching
• Animals
• Environmental conservation
Why Pay to Volunteer
Paying to volunteer? This doesn’t make sense we hear you say. Well, some companies do charge fees to volunteer abroad, and here we will explain why.
You can find volunteer projects which are completely free, but some companies especially international agencies provide volunteering programs might require you to pay a fee to join. This fee usually includes placements, pre-departure information, transfers, accommodation, meals, training and in-country support.
Some local organisations do not have governmental funding so also charge fees or encourage participants to fundraise. They use money raised from volunteer fees to cover administrative costs, staffing, food supplies and other initiatives to help worthwhile causes.
Consider this, these organisations are usually operate through fundraising and are run on shoestring budgets so they can’t afford to pay for international volunteers flights, accommodation, meals etc – the cost would be too much.
Tips How to Find Free & Low Cost Volunteer Work Abroad
If you are not keen to pay a fee to volunteer view our tops tips how to find free volunteer opportunities below.
1. Avoid International Sending Agencies
Most international travel and volunteer agencies are run for profit, and have costs including staff and offices, and need to charge a fee to keep operating. Sometimes the fees involved can be staggeringly high, like thousands, just for a few weeks participation.
If you apply direct to the local organisation the price can be much lower. Sometimes though you might be required to pay for transport, accommodation and meals yourself – so check and compare to structured trips with an upfront fee to see if this will actually work out cheaper.
2. Volunteer Locally
Ask yourself, do you really need to go overseas to give back? Could you actually stay locally to where you live and help worthwhile causes.
The chances are there are lots of companies and charities offering the chance to help local to where you live and we guarantee most will be grateful of the interest. Okay, this might not be as exotic as volunteering with elephants on a gap year in Thailand for example, but still, it won’t cost you anything.
Another option is to volunteer abroad, but choose a country close to where you live. Avoiding travelling half way around the world will really reduce your outgoings in terms of flights.
3. Get a Bursary or Scholarship
Some organisations offer help towards the cost of a program, usually you need to apply and give reasons why you need the funding and what positive impact it will make. There is help available in countries like the USA and the UK.
4. Become Skilled
If you aren’t trained or working in a skilled industry you will usually need to apply for general non-skilled roles. Thousands of people apply for these types of positions every year and you will usually find these might require a fee to participate.
You can though find free or even paid jobs abroad, especially if you have a specific skill. For example if you work in an industry like healthcare, veterinary, IT, marketing or business. Some organisations also offer internships which are a great way to gain work experience and help good causes and usually there aren’t fees.
5. Get TEFL Certified
A TEFL course is a recognised certification helping you to teach English abroad. If you are keen to volunteer and help children or educational efforts, you could take a TEFL Course and get qualified to teach English in places like Asia, Africa and the Middle East. Companies hire English teachers all over the world, and a lot even pay high salaries! If you are new to this idea, view our guide to the best online TEFL certifications to take.
6. Work for a Humanitarian Organisation
Apply to an international humanitarian aid organisation and you can dedicate a time to helping overseas, which could turn into a lifetime job/career.
7. Work for a Volunteer / Gap Year / Travel Agency
There are hundreds of gap year companies located around the world offering amazing trips. If you get an office job working for a company, usually they send you on a program to experience what it is life!
8. Become a Tour Guide
A lot of gap year tour operators offer trips to hundreds of destinations and some include activities like voluntary work in the itinerary. By being employed by a travel company, you will get to participate without having to spend anything.
Best Free Volunteer Abroad Programs & Organisations
One World 365
Are you looking to search and compared volunteer opportunities? One World 365 is the ultimate directory website where you can easily search and compare volunteer programs and organisations in 100+ countries.
Peace Corps
If you’re an American citizen, Peace Corps is one of the most well known fully-funded government organisations which have been offering life changing trips for decades. Peace Corps send volunteers to over 60 countries with the main mission of creating world peace and friendship.
To serve with the Peace Corps, you must be a college graduate or a specialist in a certain area of work with skills to offer. The Peace Corps have projects in health, agriculture, environment, community economic development, education, and youth development.
It is also essential for volunteers to participate in pre-service training, and often in-service training. Volunteers must be 18 years old and a US citizen.
VSO
Volunteer Services Overseas (VSO) are a UK organisation offering professional volunteering placements in Africa and Asia in the following industries: medical and healthcare, teaching and education, business and IT, engineering and technical, agriculture, social work and much more.
VSO is a long term commitment requiring 3-5 months of training. Placements can last up to 12 months. VSO pay for training, living allowance, accommodation, medical insurance, return travel, work visas, and any possible immunisations.
International Citizen Service
A UK government-funded programme led by VSO. The programme’s placements are offered to volunteers (aged 18-25) and to team leaders (aged 23-35) and are located in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
European Voluntary Service
A fully funded by the EU commission, EVS offers volunteering placements, mainly in Europe, for 17-30 year old EU residents, for up to 12 months.
European Solidarity Corps
Another initiative funded by the EU commission, set up to help communities and people around Europe. You must be 18-30 years old to apply.
UN Volunteers
To be a UN volunteer abroad, you must match the fixed requirements they have set out for all potential candidates. Potential volunteers must register their interest along with a detailed profile stating their skills and qualifications.
The UN assignments can run from six months to one year but can be extended for two years. According to their profile and skills, volunteers may then be chosen by UN agencies around the world. Volunteers are given an allowance to allow them to maintain a secure standard of living in the country of their assignment.
WWOOF
WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) allows you to find volunteer opportunities on organic farms.
Help Stay & Workaway
These websites offer the chance to find free volunteer opportunities locally usually with families or on farms.
Moving Worlds
If you are a professional, Moving World can help you find skilled placements around the world.
Volunteering abroad really is an amazing experience where you can help inspirational organisations and get to immerse yourself in a new country and culture, all whilst expanding your knowledge and horizons. Hopefully our tips will help you to arrange an affordable volunteer trip which doesn’t end up costing a fortune!