Category: how-to

farm volunteers sit around a table preparing food

Volunteer abroad on the cheap

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I spoke with Justine Trubey after she got back from 3 months of volunteering in Cambodia. Intrigued, I decided to look into how you can volunteer abroad on the cheap.

Many programs charge participants a hefty fee to be a volunteer abroad. But not all of them! So save your money and check out the volunteer abroad opportunities below. With most of them, you’ll still need to pay for your travel, insurance, and incidentals. But at the very least, your housing (and often your meals) will be covered.

Perks and responsibilities vary widely. So before you make a commitment, be sure to read the fine print and get answers to your specific questions.

Moving Worlds connects volunteers with organizations around the world. Organizations are looking for a wide range of skill sets include accounting, architecture, brand design, business strategy,  public relations, engineering, conservation, and more.
Bonus points: You’ll get to use your professional skills to make a difference. Moving Worlds offers training and support to help ensure that you’re able to make an impact and solve real problems during your time as a volunteer.

HelpX lists organic farms, home stays, lodges, hostels and even sailboats where short-term volunteers exchange usually 4 hours/day of work for room and board.
Note: You can browse the listings, but you must become a HelpX member before you can apply.

Peace Corps has no age limit. So if you’re a U.S. citizen and considering changing careers, retiring, or making a change, why not consider the Peace Corps?
Bonus points: Your service can last from three months to two years. You can choose the country you want to serve in. You can serve with your spouse or partner.

United Nations Volunteers Program
Though most are 6- to 12-month appointments, there are also short-term opportunities for qualified volunteers who provide technical expertise, knowledge and resource management, and other specific skills to support the work of nonprofit development organizations worldwide.
Bonus points: Living allowance, settlement and resettlement grants, travel and insurance are provided, depending on the type of appointment.

International Executive Service Corps (IESC) seeks mid-career and retired volunteers to provide businesses in developing countries with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive. Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
Bonus points: They’re also looking for experienced people to serve as paid consultants.

Canadian Executive Service Organization (CESO) seeks senior-level professionals from the public and private sector to volunteer and share their skills and expertise to empower others. Must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Bonus points: International assignments cover flights, room and board, per diem, insurance, and vaccinations.

Help Stay
Find opportunities at farms, retreat centers, hostels, surf lodges, vineyards, ranches, and schools worldwide, where you can exchange a few hours of work for accommodation and food.
Bonus points: Want to make craft beer in Ecuador? Want to volunteer at a ski lodge in Japan?

WWOOF connects organic farmers with volunteers who exchange 4-6 hours of work per day for room and board.
Bonus points: The length of your stay at the farm is negotiated between you and your host.

Workaway is a community that enables you to volunteer around 5 hours a day in exchange for room and board from a few days to a few months.

Related Resources

Can’t fall asleep? Try this

We’ve all had those nights when we just can’t fall asleep. Whether you’re going through a breakup, living through a pandemic, or have a big decision to make, sometimes your mind won’t stop churning.

Here are some tips to help when you can’t fall asleep.

Just admit it

Tossing and turning in bed isn’t going to make you sleepier. It’s usually better to face the fact that you’re not falling asleep and just turn on the light. Be gentle with yourself. See if any of these solutions might help.

Drink something warm (or cool, if it’s summer)

Make yourself a mug of herbal tea that includes camomile and mint, two herbs with calming effects. Or drink a glass of water. Don’t rush.

Pick up a book

Not a magazine. Not your phone. An actual book, made of paper. For bedtime, it’s best to choose a book where not much happens. I love a good 19th-century novel as much for the soporific effects as for the insights into human behavior.

Do something boring and quiet

Folding tea towels, watering the plants, knitting, flossing your teeth — all of these human activities are delightfully boring. Which would you rather do, fold the laundry or be sound asleep? Maybe you can trick yourself by being so boring that sleep starts to look like a fascinating diversion.

Do a gentle stretching routine

Unroll your yoga mat or lie on the carpet and give yourself a delicious stretch. Nothing to strenuous. Just see where you’re body feels a bit creaky, and stretch those muscles.

Find some background sounds

If your thoughts are racing a mile a minute, you’ll need to escape them long enough to get some rest. One way is to cover up the chatter with soothing sounds. Here are some good options:

White noise: this can be the classic soft hiss, crickets chirping, water gurgling. You can get this from a white noise machine or an app like Insight Timer.

Music: Something instrumental, or any music that calms you.
Not recommended: Break-up music that makes you cry.

Talk: Listen to a boring soothing book on CD, download some podcasts where the conversation is mellow.
Not recommended: Contentious talk radio.

Tip: Get some soft earbuds so you can lay down comfortably while listening.

Do Yoga Nidra or a guided meditation

With guided meditation and Yoga Nidra, the instructor gently directs you through the relaxation process. You can download a meditation podcast or find a calming meditation on an app such as Insight Timer.

Ways to Prepare Yourself for a Good Night’s Sleep

Get some exercise during the day

Try yoga, running, swimming, or a brisk walk. Anything that floats your boat.

Establish a bedtime routine

If possible, start your routine around the same time every night. Your routine could go something like this:

  1. pick out tomorrow’s clothes
  2. take a bath or wash your beautiful face
  3. make some herbal tea; maybe do some breakfast prep while waiting for the water to boil
  4. get into bed with your tea and a good (but not too good?) book
  5. lights out by [fill in the blank] o’clock.

Get some bodywork or energy work

Many modalities of body work and energy work can relieve tension and help you sleep better:

  • massage
  • Reiki
  • acupuncture
  • sound baths

Tip: Ask friends and co-workers for recommendations for local practitioners.

Desperate for sleep?

When you absolutely, positively must get some real sleep, ask your doc for a prescription for sleeping pills. But keep those as a last resort because: side effects.