What you need to know about a gap year volunteering: tips for the best experience

A gap year volunteering experience, as the name suggests, involves taking a break or 'gap' from your regular life. This might be after high school, during college, or even in mid-career. But instead of simply relaxing or traveling for leisure's sake alone, you choose to spend this time making a positive impact on communities around the world, which also leads to personal growth.

The beauty of a gap year volunteering lies in its flexibility and diversity. You can opt to teach English in Thailand, helping out a family-run "hosteria" in Ecuador, live with a local family in Madrid -a great way to learn Spanish-, and so much more.

These experiences are facilitated by platforms such as Worldpackers which ensure safety and quality for both volunteers and hosts alike. And yes, unlike traditional volunteerism where you give your time locally without any significant change of scenery; here you're getting involved directly at the heart of various cultures across different continents.

Suggested reading: 7 amazing gap year ideas with Worldpackers and How to take a gap year and gain career experience.

Is gap year volunteering the best choice for you?

Taking a gap year to volunteer abroad is an opportunity like no other. But why should you consider it?

Gaining global perspectives

The chance to become involved in dissimilar cultures, dialects, and lifestyles is one of the chief advantages of offering service overseas during your gap year. Gaining a new outlook on global affairs is something that can't be acquired from textbooks or lectures, but instead through taking the time to immerse yourself in different cultures while volunteering abroad during your gap year.

Besides getting an up-close look at various traditions, customs, and societal norms, you'll also have opportunities for cross-cultural exchanges with locals. These interactions enrich understanding about diversity which fosters tolerance and empathy - invaluable traits in today's interconnected world.

Skill development & career enhancement

Volunteering lets you acquire new skills or hone existing ones. From teaching English as a second language (TESL) to project management skills gained through community work initiatives – these experiences give valuable insights into fields that may pique career interests.

Employers appreciate candidates who've taken productive gap years, especially if they include international volunteering stints because it demonstrates initiative, adaptability plus resilience under challenging circumstances.

Learn how to include (and leverage) travel on your resume and how to effectively use your volunteer experience on resume.

Making real impact

Apart from personal growth elements linked with volunteering overseas are genuine chances for making positive impacts.

As a volunteer, you'll help support communities in need and local projects - be it through teaching in schools around the world, assisting with sustainable permaculture projects or contributing towards NGO efforts.

Savings on travel costs

Been dreaming about traveling but your budget's holding you back? Volunteering during a gap year could be the ticket. All Worldpackers' hosts give free accommodation in return for your help, plus some also include meals and other perks like access to activities and workshops given by them.

This means that you can travel for cheap while doing a positive impact, meeting a lot of like-minded people and gaining new skills. 

The article "Should I take a gap year? Pros and cons to consider" will help you make the decision.

The best programs for a gap year volunteering

Worldpackers offers some of the most exciting and enriching gap year volunteer programs around the world.

This platform connects you with hosts around the world who need help. In exchange for your assistance, they provide free accommodation and often meals too. But it's not just about getting a place to stay; it’s also an opportunity to learn new skills, having a deep cultural immersion, and contribute positively towards communities.

• Step 1

To start looking for opportunities that match your interests and abilities on Worldpackers, you first create a free profile detailing what you can offer, your travel plans, as well as what type of experiences are appealing to you.

• Step 2

Once done, search through thousands of listings using filters like location or activity type. You'll find a lot of useful information about each position to help you make a decision, such as reviews from other volunteers, duties involved, what they offer in return for your help, pictures of the place, and so on. You can also get in touch with volunteers who have been in that particular place to ask them more about their experience.

• Step 3

Once you find a position that resonates with your aspirations - apply. The application process is straightforward: first you need to get verified in order to contact the host of the program, then write an introductory message explaining why this project is right up your alley, your desires and aspirations, and finally wait for their response. You could be packing bags before you know it.

Within Worldpackers there are three main types of volunteer programs:

Eco programs

Do you love being in nature, digging up the ground, and reaping what you sow? How about working on an organic farm or eco village and learning all about how they're run? 

If you are looking to have more contact with nature and get a new perspective on our relationship with the environment, we recommend looking for volunteering opportunities with an environmental focus. In some cases, you’ll need to have some previous experience in farming or gardening, but most places offer to train their volunteers in these areas.

Many of these places work with permaculture and practice spirituality, offering meditation, yoga, and other similar mindful activities.

Some examples of eco programs that you could apply for right now, are:

• Experience Alaska like a local while volunteering at this organic farm in Matanuska Valley.
• Become part of a self-sufficient farm in Sweden surrounded by beautiful nature and lot of animals.
• Learn about organic farming while enjoying a vivid community life in Lower Saxony, Germany.
  
• Experience the magic of Chiloe Island in Southern Chile by living in a family farm with organic production.
• Help and enjoy with a family living sustainably in the nature of Northern Thailand.
  

Check out all the eco programs available.

Social impact

With social volunteering, not only will you have the chance to meet and help many people, but you’ll also be surrounded by their cultures and customs.

As conscious travelers, we can use our skills and resources to good use by helping out with NGOs, schools, animal shelters, and other social projects around the world.

To unlock the power of social impact, it's essential to become mission-driven. This means focusing on creating positive change that aligns with your values and passions. Start by identifying causes that resonate with you.

This projects may be part of your gap year volunteering:

• In this non-profit school in Mexico City are willing to learn about your country and culture. For sure you will also learn a lot about them!
• Organize environmental and social related activities to children from a rural school in India.
  
• Teach games and sports in Tanzania.
  
• Help an animal sanctuary for rescued cats and dogs in La Gomera, one of the beautiful Canary Islands, Spain.
• Become part of the family in an NGO in Transylvania, Romania that functions as a home for children. 
  

Check out all the social impact volunteering positions.

Work exchange

Although all the volunteering positions are also a work-exchange deal, as you exchange your time and abilities for accommodation, in this case we refer mainly to activities in the hospitality industry.

From hostels in busy tourist destinations to quiet rural guesthouses or campings surrounded by nature, there are thousands of possibilities. You will learn from the industry, save money on accommodation, and have fun meeting a lot of people -both volunteers and guests from around the world.

Common duties include receiving and attending to guests, housekeeping tasks, tour guiding, kitchen hand, party promoting, bartending, general maintenance, social media and photography, and more.

• Live your experience in Denver while helping in a top rated hostel.
  
• Hostel in San Francisco is looking for volunteers to help in reception and housekeeping tasks. 
• Live in a meditation center and hotel in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico while helping out in their kitchen.
• Discover lovely Connemara, Ireland by helping in a BnB.
• Help to run a hostel on the top of a hill near Budapest, Hungary.

There are many more work-exchange programs to choose from.

How to make the most of your gap year volunteering

Gap year volunteering is a golden opportunity, but it needs more than just showing up. To gain the utmost from this experience, you should be actively involved in numerous ways.

Immerse yourself in local culture

The first step? Dive headfirst into local culture. It's like plunging into an ocean – exciting and slightly scary.

Becoming part of the community allows you not only to learn about their customs and traditions but also provides an enriching personal growth journey. So go ahead - try that exotic food, learn at least the basics of the local language or dialect, participate in traditional festivals, or simply chat with locals at a neighborhood café.

Show cultural sensitivity

A crucial part of immersing yourself is practicing cultural sensitivity, because let’s face it: stepping on toes isn’t fun for anyone involved. Be respectful towards others' beliefs and traditions even if they are different from yours. 

Here's a guide about why you should travel like a local and this one about 5 actionable ways to live like a local while traveling that will help you.

Show commitment & responsibility

Moving forward, remember that although gap year volunteering comes with its share of adventures, there’s still work involved too. You’re expected not just as a tourist but as someone who contributes meaningfully toward project goals.

This might mean getting hands dirty during reforestation efforts or spending late nights planning educational activities for kids—it varies based on where you volunteer—but commitment always remains constant.

Balance work and leisure

While being committed is crucial, it’s also important to strike a balance between work and leisure. Remember the age-old saying about all work and no play? Well, they were right.

Don't forget to explore local sights, make new friends or even take up a hobby. After all, gap year volunteering isn’t just about giving—it’s equally about receiving enriching experiences that transform you.

Recommended reading: How to balance working and traveling the world and The real importance of work-life balance.

Did you like these ideas? Subscribe to the Worldpackers Community for free and start saving your favorite volunteer positions until you are ready to get verified.