volunteer travel
Volunteer travel trips give something more than just fond memories; tips and recommendations to give back while you Wander.
Why Volunteering Overseas Has Changed My Life
Fresh out of high school, young, adventurous, and ready to take on the world. My rather audacious dreams of just hopping on a plane and saying goodbye to reality and every ounce of familiarity were all coming oh so real. You see, when I first had made the commitment to spend my first year out of high school volunteering overseas, I truly had no idea—I had no idea how much of an impact this would drastically have on my life. I had no idea that there would be such a presence of joy, self-discovery, and empowerment. I was clueless about the impact that would come as a side effect of volunteering. This is the radical story of how I truly discovered who I am, by the act of serving others.
By Sarah Robinson8 years ago in Wander
Volunteering Overseas
So what is VSO? Or Voluntary Services Overseas? Well, it’s exactly what it says on the tin; serving as a volunteer in another overseas from your home country. This kind of volunteering is usually associated with third world countries, but in fact, it can happen anywhere in the world, and I did mine in Japan. And you don’t necessarily need experience or special skills. You can literally volunteer to do anything, work-wise.
By John A. Cole8 years ago in Wander
100 Things You Should Bring When Volunteering in the Amazons
Comfortable and easy drying clothesWaterproof boots for hiking and dirty workAnti-insect spraySomething against the itch if you do get stungSunblockT-shirts with long sleevesT-shirts with short sleevesShortsPantsOlder clothes, which you do not mind getting dirtyPantsuitsA sweater in case it gets coldHoodie for the eveningA dress or skirtCompression socksPills against motion sicknessRaincoatFlashlightPassportAny medicine you might takePills against headaches and/or feverThick socksThin socks or short socksUnderwearBrasSomething to sleep in, which is not too warm or too cold. You will probably be sleeping in a hut with other volunteers, so stay covered up.Proof of your vaccinationsSome projects require a police clearanceA photocopy of your passportA photocopy of your flight tickets and other travel documentsChargers for all your different electronics.A smartphoneHeadsetEarphonesBullet journalPens and pencilsColouring pencils for organizing your notes or drawing when boredNotebookDeodorantMakeupBirth control if neededLip balmFirst aid kitHairbrushShampooConditionerBody washTowelBag to bring on day tripsSmall bagBackpackShoes for running or hikingFlip flops for quick errandsWaterproof jacket, which can keep you warm but also easy to bring with you when taken off.Waterproof capeBathing suit or bikiniDisinfection gelToilet paper. Not all toilets have that if there even is a proper toilet.HandkerchiefsSunglassesToothbrushToothpasteFacial moisturizerHat to protect your head and eyes from the sunWater bottleAfter sun lotions and creamsFull body moisturizerBand-AidsBlister patchiPad or tabletTablet chargerBooks or an e-book readerPads and/or tamponsA adapter for your electronics in case the plugs aren’t the sameVoltage converter can be necessary. Make sure to look this up before you leaveBring cash, but never carry too much on you. There can be thieves and you do not wish to lose all your stuffBelt bag or fanny pack to keep your personal belongings safe and close to your bodyYou can invest in a water to go bottle if you wish to have access to pure drinking water at all times.Packing cubes are great for longer trips and help you organize your suitcase.Bring plastic bags. You can use these to dispose of trash or your dirty clothes. They can also be used to vacuum your clothes, so you have more space in your suitcase.Waterproof bag for electronicsDry shampooNail fileNail clipperMP3-player. It sounds out-dated but it will save your phone quite some powerPower bank. You’ll never know when you need it the most.Driver's license. You probably won’t need it, but it’s an ID and could come in handy if you wish to rent a car.Movies. You can either download some on your phone or bring the disc.Series. You can download a bunch of stuff from Netflix to bring with you offlineKeys to your homeCredit cardISIC (International Student Identity Card) if you have one.A foreign SIM-card can save you a lot of money if you intend to use your phone a lot.Google maps allow you to download maps offline.E-tickets if possible. Just in case you lose the papers.ComputerComputer casePlease do research your possibilities to keep your computer dry if needed. There are a lot of options and you have to find the one, which works for you.This goes on your phone as well. Make sure to keep it dry at all times.Bring a positive attitude and a good mood. Not all volunteer work is fun, but if you stay open minded you will properly meet some great people and experience the most incredible things.
By Cecilie Birkshøj9 years ago in Wander
Never Visit a German Horse Farm in December (Episode 1). Top Story - September 2017.
So I decided to go and work on a German horse farm in December. I had several reasons for doing so — not least of which was the desire to remove myself very thoroughly from all possibility of having to get involved with Christmas that year. I justified the decision very well, I thought. My reasoning was excellent and my resolve was rock solid. Not a single furrowed brow from any of my friends or acquaintances could sway me. I swept all potential obstacles aside and was so determined to escape Christmas that even a strength-sapping cough at the tail end of a two-week cold bug wasn't enough to stop me from embarking on my incredibly well-planned adventure.
By Sarah Jane9 years ago in Wander
Stay Safe with Defenselessness
As so many people and/or nations gear up for battle, denounce “others” as the enemy, and contract with fear, we need to take a deep breath and reflect on our situations from a very different, and much more helpful, point of view. We cannot hear too many times that defensiveness does not make us safe; quite the contrary. Many disciplines remind us that only when we are open and accepting, rather than closed and suspicious, are we truly safe. Long ago my husband and I had an opportunity to put this philosophy to the test, one I will never forget. We were touring several South American countries, including Ecuador. As we had planned our trip (pre-internet), I remembered reading in National Geographic about a tribe of indians that lived only in a small area of Ecuador and nowhere else in the world. Dubbed the Colorado Indians, they were so named because they painted themselves up with red berry juice (Colorado in common usage means “colored red” in Spanish), and since we were from Colorado, it seemed like a great idea to find these name-sake Colorado indians and have a look for ourselves.
By Carol Howe9 years ago in Wander
Changemakers, Please Stand Up
Close to a month ago, I was traveling on a day train from Coimbatore to Chennai. For the longest time, I seem to have cultivated the habit of standing by the edge of the train doors and gazing at the scenes flashing by. That day was no different. As the winds knotted my messy bun ever more, and my eyes danced in a blur of fields, a middle-aged lady tapped on my shoulder.
By Madhumita Prabhakar10 years ago in Wander
