Volunteer Abroad for Free

Free volunteer abroad programs are the best way to experience meaningful travel opportunities when you are on a budget...

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Cheap Volunteering Abroad

Are you excited about volunteering until you see the price tag? We hear you. Volunteering doesn’t only require an investment of your time, it can also cost a fair amount of money. Although the money is invested in the program to support their activities, not all volunteers are able to fund this cost. Luckily, there are organizations that have kept volunteering affordable. This allows eager volunteers who are on a budget to work their magic abroad and help out those in need. Help the local community or volunteer for a conservation program, there are several options for volunteers on a budget or who want to volunteer abroad for free.

At Volunteer World, we believe that volunteering should be accessible to everyone. Joining a volunteer organization can add up price-wise making it seem like volunteering is reserved for those who can afford it. Nothing is less true. There are a large number of organizations out there that will go easy on your wallet. Continue reading to find answers to 2 major questions: how to volunteer abroad for free and where to volunteer abroad for free. Join a meaningful cause and help local communities or the environment without breaking the bank.

🤑 How to Volunteer Overseas for Free

Volunteering abroad for free is possible. There are programs that don’t require fee. Take into account the location of your volunteer program, however, because travel costs are always separate. To keep the cost of your volunteer adventure low, it will be important to keep an eye on how you will organize your trip. Opt to volunteer close to home to keep travel expenses low or select destinations that are cheap to get to. If you’re excited about volunteering and don’t mind roughing it for a bit, you will definitely find free or very affordable volunteer projects to join and make a difference.

Keep in mind that certain programs that are free don’t include any accommodation. You will need to arrange this yourself which in some cases may turn out to be more expensive than paying the volunteer organization a low fee while they provide you with accommodation. Be sure you take into account the whole picture.

👍🏽 Pros and Cons of Free Volunteer Programs

At Volunteer World, we believe that everyone can find a volunteer project that they like. If you’re on a tight budget and are on the fench whether volunteering is for you, take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros

  • The opportunity to volunteer abroad and contribute to a meaningful cause by helping a community in need or preserving the environment.
  • You will be able to volunteer together with others who have similar values.
  • Volunteer projects that are budget friendly usually have the right priorities. There’s little chance there’s any corruption at play. They simply want you to dedicate your time to the program.
  • This is the ideal opportunity to meet and connect with other like-minded individuals and the locals.

Cons

  • You may not have access to all volunteer programs this way because not every program is as budget friendly.
  • Depending on the location of the program, the travel costs may make the volunteer experience a lot more pricey.

Depending on what you would like to do, get in touch with the organization and see whether they will accept you as a candidate. It’s a matter of connecting with the program and checking whether there is a match between the requirements of the organization and your skills. Organizations are always looking for enthusiastic volunteers who are eager to help out. Volunteer and teach English for free, join a free mission trip if you’re limited in time or volunteer abroad for free with animals.

By volunteering your time, effort, and skills, you are helping volunteer organizations reach their goals to support the community. With limited to no financial costs, you can make a meaningful difference in the world and enjoy the wonderful benefits volunteering brings with it.

There are more and more projects dedicated to improving the circumstances of those less fortunate and taking action to reverse the damage done to the environment. All these organizations need help. Check out affordable programs where you can make a difference without losing lots of money.

Will you be making a difference?
Money is absolutely not a requirement to make a meaningful difference. The most important aspect of a volunteer program is the cultural interchange and social contact between the volunteer and the locals. You will carry this experience with you forever and it may be the start to many more volunteer initiatives to come. Give volunteering abroad, whether it’s free or on a budget, a try and see how it can change your life. It will be an experience no money can buy.

Is volunteering in developing countries condescending?
Some claim that volunteering portrays a message that communities are unable to solve problems on their own. The goal of volunteer projects should always be to empower local communities and give them the support they need to take their future into their own hands. It’s important to join a reputable organization that understands the needs of the community and is dedicated to helping the community progress. Take a very good look at the different budget-friendly volunteer programs, read the reviews, ask questions and select a program that inspires you.

🤔 What Kind of Free Volunteer Programs are There?

There are several opportunities to volunteer abroad for free or a very affordable price. It essentially comes down to where you want to go and the type of project. High school students who want to volunteer abroad for free may take into account their passions or their future studies. College students can volunteer abroad for free and combine it with an internship. There are over 300 projects under 150 USD per week, in the following categories:

  • Animal conservation center or wildlife sanctuary
  • Agricultural or farm work
  • Cultural immersion programs
  • Environmental conservation
  • Humanitarian work
  • Community Service
  • Child Care
  • Teaching
  • Health care

There are several volunteer opportunities that won’t break the bank. Your passion and skills will determine where your international volunteer adventure will take you.

💡 Good to Know When Choosing a Free Volunteer Program

Because there are plenty of affordable and free programs to choose from, the most important aspect of choosing a great program is that you do enough research on the different volunteer organizations and try to answer the following questions:

  1. What does the organization stand for?
  2. What is their objective and how are they trying to achieve it?
  3. How are the funds they receive spent?
  4. How do you think you will contribute?
  5. What do you think the effect of your volunteer work will be?

Legitimate Volunteer Organizations

Read about the organization and ask previous volunteers about their experience. There are wonderful organizations that are doing very responsible work which you can be part of. If you don’t have a lot to spend, take into account the travel costs and choose a program closer to home.

Child protection policy

Be especially careful when you volunteer for projects with children. Do your due diligence prior to signing up. There are projects out there that are doing more harm than good by taking advantage of the volunteer industry and exploiting local families. We have attempted to screen these organizations but you make the final call. Choose your program wisely and you will be in for an incredible experience and supporting a meaningful cause.

🌍 Best Places to Volunteer Abroad for Free

When you’re on a budget, it’s important to take into account what things will cost during your trip. In most cases, you’ll still need to pay for food at times and you may want to travel around.

Asia is probably your cheapest option when it comes to travel and accommodation. Africa is also a low budget destination although it may be a bit more expensive in travel expenses. This is your chance to explore some of the world’s most exotic destinations and contribute to conservation or humanitarian support. Volunteers who don’t want to travel too far can also apply for opportunities closer to home. European volunteers can lookout for opportunities to volunteer abroad for free in Europe. Take into account your health and level of physical fitness and choose a volunteer project where you can participate comfortably.

🎁 5 Benefits of Volunteering Abroad for free

Not many drawbacks come to mind when you think of volunteering overseas for free. It’s almost always associated with feelings of positivity. A volunteer project allows people to get out of their usual environment and open up to new experiences. If you’re conscious about not spending too much money, join one of the free or affordable volunteer programs abroad and support the local community. Let’s take a closer look at some of the benefits:

  1. Valuable Learning Opportunities


    Choosing to volunteer abroad will open up a new world. Whether you volunteer in Africa, North or South America, Asia or Europe, you will learn about the country and culture and interact with the local community. This will lead to a deeper understanding of its people and culture. Learn new skills and witness the opportunities that will unfold because of this international experience. Have fun and meet others that share similar values and a love for adventure.

  2. Meet new people


    You will meet other volunteers and travelers during your trip who share your interests and connect with like-minded fellow volunteers and locals. This will be a wonderful opportunity to build meaningful relationships and allow cultural interchange to unfold.

  3. New Experiences


    This is a brilliant way to expand your perspective on life. Issues that seemed like huge problems before, may seem trivial after your volunteer experience. New life experiences make you stronger and will empower you for the future. Rest assured that future study and job opportunities will take into account this practical international experience.

  4. Health Improvements


    Traveling and volunteering are two ingredients that practically guarantee happiness. Research has proven that traveling is beneficial because it puts people in a completely different environment which forces them to use different parts of the brain. On top of that, supporting a meaningful cause will give you a sense a purpose which is a major happiness influencer. All this doesn’t have to be expensive! Volunteer with other volunteers and see how valuable this experience can be.

  5. Travel


    This is your chance to explore and discover some of the most interesting places the world has to offer. Discover the rawness of Africa, the laidback ways of Asia, or the pristine nature of America. This is your chance to travel and contribute to a meaningful cause. What are you waiting for? Get out your luggage and start packing for this international adventure abroad!

🚀 How Do I Volunteer Abroad for Free?

You’ve decided you want to volunteer abroad in a budget-friendly manner but you’re not quite sure where to start? First of all, have a look at the different programs under the free volunteering category. Pick a few that have caught your attention. Consider the travel costs that are required for your trip because this can get expensive when you’re keeping an eye on the budget.

Once you’ve done that, let’s take a look at the first 3 steps which will send you on your way to volunteering abroad:

  1. Check whether there’s a match between you and the project by looking at their requirements.
  2. Take a look at the location of the program and decide whether it would be a place you are excited to go to.
  3. Get in touch with the organization and see whether your expectations and schedules match up.

Once this is sorted, let’s take a look at the practical steps:

Insurance (Health & travel)

We recommend getting both health and travel insurance. In fact, this is even a requirement for all volunteer programs abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person to find out if an insurance plan is already in place for volunteers.

Visa, Passport, and Documentation

Once you know your destination, take the following 3 steps before setting off on your life-changing adventure!

  1. Look into the visa requirements for the country you will volunteer in
  2. Make sure everyone has valid passports considering the requirements of the host country
  3. Make sure you prepare the correct documents to fulfill the visa application

That’s it! You’re ready to volunteer abroad! Get ready for a life-changing international experience that will have an incredible impact on those in need as well as yourself. The world is waiting for volunteers with a heart in the right place. It’s priceless!