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10 Amazing Volunteer Opportunities With Free Travel

matador.org — Many ask for donations or fees to cover costs, others operate as profitable businesses but the list below is just a few that cost little or nothing to become involved and help out.

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  • magicjohnson, on 07/03/2008, -0/+20great list, especially something to check out if you're a college student who is looking for an interesting opportunity to explore, help and learn on someone else's budget
    • carlrey0216, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1I actually was looking through this stuff right now, I did my homework for the one for costa rica since it seemed real appealing to me and something i'd be interested in yet it seems you have to fork out around 1,700(for those that say "show proof" or "it didn't say so on the website" well, I researched other websites and places, if you need the links, message me and i'll gladly pass them on)... Unless I misread something...The one for sudan is truly awesome but it interferes with the college semester =(...If anyone does find anything though, please post for us to see, Thanks alot! I really want to do something like this, it's just im a college kid which means 1- I have the summers only(I don't want to take semesters off) 2-I have a college kid budget haha
  • aghman, on 07/03/2008, -0/+10Volunteering is a great way to get to see the world and meet people. It's also one of the best ways to get a sense for local culture, as you're smack dab in the middle of it.
  • ankeshk, on 07/03/2008, -0/+10This is a very good list. One more opportunity is getting a job with a decent sized travel agency. They usually need people to go out with tours. You do have to be a good trouble shooter though - or you'll be stuck behind a computer at the travel agency.

    And if you love beaches, get a job with a cruise company.
  • pinkpackrat, on 07/03/2008, -2/+8great opportunities here!
  • MacBookForMe, on 07/03/2008, -1/+4Very good resource about volunteering worldwide
  • novoare, on 07/03/2008, -0/+3Nice list of volunteer opportunities around the world, with some surprising organizations you probably didn't know about before.
  • macballer30, on 07/03/2008, -0/+5I wish I saw this list 10 years ago when I had the time. Good stuff, great photos too.
  • davidmiller72, on 07/03/2008, -0/+3I can speak first-hand for volunteering on the Appalachian Trail: if you like being in the woods and working with cool people, this might be the most fun you've ever had.
  • lucy22, on 07/03/2008, -0/+3This is a very humanitarian way to see other cultures and travel too. If you want to see the world with little money and like helping others, I think this is a great opportunity.
  • HuskyPuzzle, on 07/03/2008, -2/+2Volunteering in the 3rd world has become a huge business. A lot of people buy the ***** that they need to PAY $1000/week for volunteer "opportunities" but there are actually tons of great organizations like these that would welcome you with open arms for free.
  • geotraveler, on 07/03/2008, -2/+2excellent list and very informative.
  • P8triot1, on 07/03/2008, -2/+3Good list.
  • Sheri123, on 07/03/2008, -2/+3Thanks for the information. Nice list.
  • Omek, on 07/03/2008, -1/+6Thanks for the list. I'm always looking for good volunteer opportunities.
  • FURIOUSgeorge24, on 07/03/2008, -0/+10All of these are good reasons for me to quit my job today.
  • juliebubb, on 07/03/2008, -0/+2Wish I had the money to head off and volunteer!
  • Fizban140, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1What about the military? Tons of opportunity for travel, just as an example my friend has been in four years and bee to Texas, Louisiana, Japan and Turkey.
  • sockpuppets, on 07/04/2008, -1/+4Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Foreign Legion, Peace Corps.... There's 4 others?
    • Oxygen, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2I was gonna say,

      The United States Armed forces are the biggest voluntary organizations in the world. And yet, no mention of them.

      :P
    • yacks, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1they mentioned the peace corps.
    • quaxon, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2Yea, id rather travel without the prerequisite of killing innocent people.
  • bodegit, on 07/04/2008, -1/+3Oh these are some nice opportunities to volunt--BITTER BEER FACE!
  • tristan55555, on 07/04/2008, -0/+4For Canadians, don't forget to check out Canada World Youth - http://www.cwy-jcm.org/en

    I spent 3 months volunteering in Canada and 3 months in Sri Lanka and it cost me absolutely nothing, they invest around $18,000 per participant and it was an amazing experience.. check it out.
  • Barackalypse, on 07/04/2008, -0/+4Or avoid the malaria and dengue fever and help out some people in your own city. Give back to the country that made your cushy life possible.
  • ThatDustyGuy, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1After looking around the sites I guess there's really no international programs where a teenager could get involved in.
  • xDynaBlade, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1Last year I traveled to Gulfport, Mississippi with 20 others and helped rebuild houses in the surrounding area. It was the most rewarding experience of my life, you guys should seriously go do it.
  • CrushThemTorg, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1Wait ... is that last one about becoming a kibbutzim? Dibs on going to the Negev!
  • miatafan, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1I would also like to mention Engineers without Borders. www.ewb-usa.org/
  • spacerobot, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2I'm going to be joining the Peace Corps next January, and I'm very excited. I had no idea there were so many other options though! This is great information.
    • longlukey, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2thats very admirable


      do you stay in one place for the 27 months r do you travel all around the world?
      • spacerobot, on 07/07/2008, -0/+1you go to the region you'll be working in and have a three month training session, then they send you off to your specific country/area for the other 24 months.
  • MdmMimi, on 07/04/2008, -4/+0Thanx for the infos n links!
    You guys are very good.. wish i can quit my job n do something like this..

    Cheers!
    http://cheap-airlines-flight.blogspot.com/
  • GovernmentSp00k, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1Some great ideas in the article. I didn't realize there are so many possibilities available. Another reminder of the sorely needed vacation I've been meaning to book but never get around to! I have done volunteer work in the past with the Red Cross assisting victims of hurricane Katrina. It was a very rewarding and inspiring experience. It does something to your spirit to bring a smile to someone's face and make them happy.
  • mirzmaster, on 07/04/2008, -0/+1If you have not heard of Humanity First, you should check them out as well: http://www.humanityfirst.org/. Recently they’ve sent volunteers to the disaster afflicted regions of China and Burma.

    What I appreciate most about Humanity First is their commitment to ensuring that the maximum amount of their donations go to the people that actually need help. There are no salaries or big-budget advertising campaigns to be found here.
  • ffttoteof, on 07/04/2008, -0/+2No Geek Corps?

    http://www.geekcorps.org/
  • deva14, on 07/04/2008, -0/+0I can vouch for helpx.net - a friend (a girl who couchsurfed with me awhile back, actually - we've kept in touch) landed a sweet gig in a Scottish hostel, volunteering with room and board provided, so no British work visa needed.

    And I had no idea there were opportunities to teach English in Sudan! I'd love to give that one a try.
  • slogan, on 07/05/2008, -0/+1I WWOOFed in Italy for a month; it was an awesome experience. I send with some wonderful people and learned so much about the Italian culture. I worked a vineyard for two weeks and hazelnut grove for two more weeks. Stayed for free somewhere that would cost $750 per week.

    I would recommend WWOOF for another who is not afraid of doing some hard work.
  • longlocks, on 07/06/2008, -0/+0You don't have to be a college student to explore or get one of these opportunities. I am sure that they also need seasoned professionals as volunteers.
  • Josephine365, on 07/10/2008, -0/+0If all expenses are paid for and you just sitting your but on that lame couch everyday, then this is the way to go. At least you'll be kept busy all the time.
    Josephine | http://www.xtremeadventures.co.za
  • marcvanopstal, on 07/30/2008, -0/+0http://www.12visitme.com is great too!
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