Leisure
Whether you're looking to travel for just a few days or a few months, planning is still an essential part of the process. Plans are necessary, but, really, you never want anything to go exactly according to plan. You need to leave room for the little adventures and opportunities that come up along the way! Leisure travel is great because you’re set to no one’s schedule but your own. In order to make the most of your experience, you’ll definitely want to
volunteer
When it’s done right, traveling as part of a volunteer project is a win-win situation for everyone involved, with the caveat being when it’s done right.
While “voluntourism”, entering another community as a short term volunteer, can get a bad rep, as long as you vet the program you’re going through and that you erase any notion of a “savior” complex, your experience can be something that’s enriching for everyone. What exactly do I mean by that? I just mean that you need to understand why you’re entering a specific community, and recognize that you can’t go in knowing everything about the community, the issue, or the way their society works. You are a guest to their way of life, a contributor to the economy while you’re there, and a collaborator in an effort to alleviate a problem. Know that the problems you may be going to fight are bigger than just you, and while your help is important, it is part of a larger effort. On the flip side, you also need to understand why you have chosen a volunteer project over simply visiting a country for leisure. Make sure that while you’re there, you’re truly involved in the work you’re meant to be doing, and that trips around the country, nights out, and mingling with locals is to be done with respect to the commitment you’re fulfilling as a volunteer.
Here are a few links to groups that I believe offer responsible international volunteer opportunities:
Global Volunteer Initiative: This is an international network of volunteer opportunities that aligns projects with the UN Sustainable Development Goals for 2020. They have been operating for over 20 years and now have 250 running initiatives around the world. You can become part of the network of 15,000+ volunteers.
AIESEC: The largest youth-run organization in the world, this entirely volunteer-led organization operates in 122 countries and boasts a 75 year history. On their website you can find thousands of volunteer opportunities across dozens of fields and interests. Projects as are open to anyone between 18-30, and they range in length from 4 to 12 weeks.
work
SCHOOL
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The easiest time to take part in long-term travel is while you’re a student. Whether that be as a European student traveling through ERASMUS, or as an American student in a study abroad program, you will never have the chance to explore another country so closely. Student visas are so much easier to obtain the work visas or permits, and Europe in particular has incredible discounts for students. The same goes if you’re thinking about taking the big step of attending university or graduate studies abroad. In addition to your student visa, you’re also likely to get a work visa allowing you part-time work and internship eligibility. This is life changing if you’re really set on making the move abroad permanent.