September 28, 2004 -- Learning about other cultures and experiencing the world's diversity first hand are the essence of international travel. Nowhere is that more true than with a volunteer vacation.
The rewards of volunteering for an international program are immeasurable. You will have the opportunity to immerse yourself in a community, meet local people and share their lives for the period of your stay and most importantly make a meaningful contribution to the long-term growth and development of that community.
Although you must pay to participate in these volunteer programs, as an added incentive, all fees, including your airfare, are generally tax-deductible for U.S. taxpayers. These fees will likely include all ground transportation (airfares are always additional), accommodation and meals. Excursions, cultural activities and fieldtrips may also be included. It is important to do you research as there are a number of organizations with different missions and agendas, from religious or social justice to educational or environmental, so it is best to find one that matches your personal views and desired outcomes. Read on for our picks.
Global Volunteers (800/487-1074; www.globalvolunteers.org) offers a wide selection of potential volunteer vacations ranging in commitment from one week, although a two-week placement is often the minimum with programs occurring throughout the year.
Their expansive network covers volunteer opportunities in 19 countries on six continents with activities including teaching, environmental projects, healthcare, village construction, legal services and childcare.
From the Cook Islands to Tanzania, Ukraine to China and everywhere in between, Global Volunteers can ensure that you are placed in a community where you can bring the most benefit.
During your free time, volunteers are encouraged to visit historic and cultural sites usually located nearby and locals often play host to escort you around their cities and regional areas. Costs for these programs vary depending on location and length of stay but in general expect to pay a minimum of $2,000 for a two-week commitment. Students are given a discount of approximately 10%.
These fees support the community's ongoing development programs as well as your meals, lodging, local transportation, project expenses, emergency medical insurance, administrative costs, and the services of a trained team leader. The service program fee does not cover free-time expenses, or your airfare to the host community. A $350 deposit is required with your application with the balance due 75 days before your scheduled arrival date. Although most major credit cards are accepted, payment by check is preferred to save the organization the high commission costs.
For the environmentally and socially conscious traveler, Earthwatch (800/776-188; www.earthwatch.org) volunteer expeditions allow you to select a project by time of year, geographic location, or scientific field of study. These fields include archaeology, biodiversity, conservation, cultural diversity, endangered ecosystems, global change, oceans and world health. One-week minimum time commitments are required.
With 130 expeditions offered in 47 countries worldwide, Earthwatch should have a program that suits your needs and interests.
Earthwatch offers its members up to 10% discount on all program fees and students who are members receive a 20% discount. Here is just a sampling of some of their newer expeditions on offer:
- Brazil's Marine Mammals: Monitoring dolphins to support responsible eco-tourism development. Ten-day programs run January 15-25 and February 19-March1, 2005. Cost is $1,995 (airfare is additional).
- Australia Burning: A research study to determine the effects of fire on native animals in order to improve biodiversity conservation. One-week programs runNovember 15-22, 2004, January 9-16 and February 6-13, 2005. Cost is $1,595 plus airfare.
- Florida's Endangered Sea Turtles: A conservation project. One-week programs run October 14-22, 2004, March16-24 and April 20-28 and May 15-23, 2005. Cost is $2,195 plus airfare.
Habitat for Humanity (229/ 924-6935 # 2549; www.habitat.org) is an exceptional way to give back through volunteerism, with the construction of homes and communal buildings in deserving communities. Their Global Village international trips have programs running mainly through the northern hemisphere's winter months (November-March). For the coming season, Habitat is currently planning 24 international trips to Africa, the Pacific, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Cost estimates per person for African destinations are $1,300-$1,700, for Asia/Pacific and South America $1,100-$1,800 and Central America/Caribbean $1,100-$1,400 (airfares are additional). These programs vary in length from seven days to 20 days depending on location.
Examples include:
- Ethiopia: This 12-day program runs from January 14-27, 2005 and costs approximately $1,500, which includes lodging, food, ground transportation, cultural tours, traveler's medical insurance, orientation materials and a donation to Habitat Ethiopia.
- Samoa: This 13-day program extends from November 17 to December 1 for around $1,300 including the same as above.
- Ecuador: A 15-day program held February 4- 20, 2005. It includes eight days of building and local cultural activities, two days of R&R and one day of travel. Approximate cost is $1,200.
Cross Cultural Solutions (800/380-4777; www.crossculturalsolutions.org) is another organization that arranges volunteer programs from two to twelve weeks duration in the following countries: Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Peru, Russia, Tanzania and Thailand. Fees are a flat rate of $2,279 for two-week programs plus an extra $259 for each additional week.
Alternative Sources or Volunteer Programs
If you have a particular field of interest, for example geology or archaeology, exciting volunteer vacation opportunities can often be found by contacting your local museum or university. Many cultural and educational institutions conduct annual expeditions and surveys, predominantly over the summer season. You may be able to volunteer without having specific skills, however the time obligation required may be a lot longer than two weeks so be prepared to commit. Likewise your church or religious institution may have affiliations with international aid associations and programs offering more spiritual charitable vacation options, mainly in third world countries and developing nations.
Have you use your vacation time to contribute to the well-being of your fellow global citizens? We'd want to read your story. Simply go our Message Boards and click ADD DISCUSSION to share your experience.