It can be intimidating if you’re new to volunteering abroad (or need to reassure your parents). Here are a few tips for your first Workaway that I’m sure will give you the confidence to go for it and have one of the best adventures of your life.
Doing a volunteer exchange gives you an amazing opportunity to combine budget traveling with getting to know new, international people and meanwhile living like a local does. But at the same time, it is not the classic, relaxing vacation: you have to be adaptable, positive, and self-motivated. So here are the pros and cons of travelling this way!
Travel is about fun and relaxation... but it also comes with leaving your comfort zone, which can be challenging! That's why it’s essential to take care of our mental health when we're on the road, the same way we would at home.
As Nelson Mandela reminds us, “If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart.” But how does one go about learning a new language while travelling, exactly?
Let’s face it, these days it seems like we’re filling out online profiles for everything. From dating apps to career networks, it can be a bit overwhelming to find one more way to describe yourself. However, your Workaway profile can be different and we’re here to help! Follow our best tips for how to create a unique profile that will unlock countless opportunities. Adventure awaits!
Have you re-packed and re-packed your backpack, trying to squeeze one last item inside? Have you ever found yourself dazed staring at the travel aisle with all of the gear wondering what you’ll actually NEED? Well, we’re sort of experts on this and have a guide of things to pack on your Workaway trip to make it easier (Your shoulders will thank us)!
Brendon and Karson are a young travelling couple from the heart of the United States who both grew up in small towns with families who never dreamed of traveling anywhere beyond the U.S. So how did their families react when they decided to quit their jobs and adventure around the world for an entire year? They share their perspective on defying expectations and having experiences that last a lifetime.
Travelling is all about reinventing and change of routine and lifestyle, so yes, travelling is going to be a bit more challenging when you have certain dietary restrictions, food allergies OR when you are simply a picky eater, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t or shouldn’t visit countries where people have eating habits vastly different from yours. In fact what you may lose in choice you could gain in quality of experience.
Throughout my travel adventures, I learned a lot. But I always credit my first solo trip for giving me the courage to follow my dreams. I want to pass some of that courage on to you, too. Here’s what I’ve learned and advice I wish somebody told me before my first solo trip.
Let’s face it- there’s something romantic and almost nostalgic about being poor. Think about all of the crazy adventures that begin by trying to save a little cash. Penny pinching may not sound glamorous, but the memories made while travelling on a shoestring budget will definitely be worth retelling. If you’re not convinced, here are 8 ways travelling on a budget can improve your trip and definitely earn you some backpacker badges of honour.
Will you answer the call? Will you say yes to adventure? Will you dive head first into the deep waters of discovery? Here are six ways you can answer YES and take a risk while traveling. Read on if you’re ready to throw caution to the wind and learn to soar!
I was in my mid twenties, living in a hip part of the city in a comfortable, one bedroom apartment with a backyard and a front porch. I had a respectable job – one that paid well and helped others. I was right on track, doing everything I was supposed to be doing. Yet, I had a growing sense of emptiness, an unshakable anxiety that told me there was more to life than this.
A while ago we introduced you to Workawayers of the month, Shahnaz & Francois, a husband-and-wife duo who volunteered their way around the globe. Adventures like theirs aren’t just gonna become memories that will last a lifetime, but are also the best way to learn. And luckily for us, Shahnaz is willing to pass on some of the wisdom she has accumulated on her travels.
This month, we talk with Juan who helps run a guest house in Ecuador on a remote beach in Santa Marianita. Drawing on his experience hosting over 100 Workaway volunteers (!), he shared valuable wisdom and his compassion for helping others. We’re already imagining the beautiful breeze coming off the waves and know you’ll be wanting to book a flight ASAP!
There’s no doubt that travelling can be good for the mind, body, and soul. We don’t have to convince you of its many personal benefits, but is it as good for the environment? Not always. The good news is that there are many ways to practice sustainable travel. With intention and a little preparation, following even a few of these steps can go a long way in helping preserve the treasures we seek around the world.
The prospect of international travel with kids may seem a bit daunting — especially when they’re still very young — but let us reassure you that you don’t have to give up your nomadic lifestyle as a parent. Travelling with kids in tow just means that you’ve got to plan your trips a little differently! Read these useful advice and hacks on how to make your kids’ travel experience as satisfying and memorable as your own.
Is it better to stay home rather than participate in voluntourism? Was I making a positive impact by volunteering abroad? Or was I simply hurting the very people I was trying to help? Was my presence an act of neo-colonialism?
When we decided to embark on a 15-month-long Workaway adventure in Southeast Asia, the first concrete decision we made was to travel with nothing but our hand luggage. the swift transit from the gate to your destination and vice versa, the freedom that comes with the ability to pack up your entire life within minutes, wandering around in sweltering temperatures without too much hassle… Not to mention the money we would save on flights!
In the beginning I was very insecure and almost anxious but soon I simply fell in love with this miraculous, mesmerizing, beautiful country. I thought I might feel limited, as I just cannot wear whatever I want like at home or I cannot move freely because of being a girl, especially as a solo female traveller, but this turned out to be just wrong…
Before even embarking on the experience, a host needs to be prepared mentally and practically for a visitor – it’s not always easy sharing your space or adapting to someone else’s. Here we’ve got a 10 point step-by-step guide to help you get the most of out of your experience as a host…
While travelling alone, I began wondering, what was the difference between rational and irrational fear? How do you overcome fear and step outside of your comfort zone?
Should I even be taking this chicken bus alone? What if I got robbed? What was I getting myself into? The list of things you should be afraid of goes on…
“I adore how networks like Workaway allow us to find mutually-beneficial relationships, which allow us to thrive creatively and culturally. Of course it saves travellers money, and it also allows them to really get immersed in the lifestyle of another culture, rather than just peering in at it from the outside!”
