If you resolved to support sustainable travel in the new year, I have great news. Workaway is an organization geared toward travelers who want to give back to the communities and places they visit. They facilitate sustainable, culturally immersive volunteer opportunities for individual travelers, couples, families, and groups throughout the world. Workaway facilitates free room and board for travelers in exchange for part-time volunteer work on self-selected projects at their destination of choice.
Free Room and Board for Travelers — By Word of Mouth Only
Workaway does not advertise. Instead, they’ve relied on word-of-mouth to attract hosts and volunteers for the past 20 years. I heard about them from a friend, did some research, and really liked what I found— so I signed up while writing this article! They must be doing a lot of things right… the Workaway website now boasts 50,000+ volunteer opportunities for travelers in more than 180 countries.
Worldwide Volunteer Opportunities for Travelers
With just a few clicks, I found invitations to teach English in Vietnam, protect sea turtles in Costa Rica (see related blog post), and work at an eco-lodge in Brazil. You can restore historic buildings in Belgium, regenerate soil in Italy, and raise sheep in the Faroe Islands. Why not care for racehorses in Jordan or learn boatbuilding in Greece?
Prefer to expand a library in Uganda or build a school in Ghana? Maybe a reforestation project in New Zealand is more your thing? And if the Below Deck series instilled in you a lust for yachting, go ahead— sign up to crew a sailing vessel.
Workaway also has opportunities for housesitting, sharing your social media savvy with a start-up, and working for a charity. Traditional cultural exchanges and homestays are available, too. Honestly, I was astounded by the number of experiences available with free room and board for travelers.
Workaway – Volunteer Commitment
Hosts provide free room and board for travelers in exchange for about five volunteer hours per day, with a maximum of 25 hours each week. The minimum length of stay varies, but a quick test revealed that stays of 1-3 weeks had the highest number of listings. Still, there were more than 2,000 opportunities for visits lasting less than a week. And you can even list yourself as available for last-minute opportunities wherever you happen to be traveling, domestically or internationally.
Workaway – Eligibility Requirements
You must be at least eighteen to create a profile at the Workaway website after paying the annual membership fee. (The current cost in the USA is $49. It’s about the same in other countries.) Couples and single parents can include their minor children on their profile and travel as a group.
Incidentally, there’s no maximum age— Workaway notes that experienced workers are highly valued by hosts.
Your profile includes the usual personal details, languages spoken, and a photo. And you’ll indicate whether you’re willing to learn or teach a language. Volunteers also list their intended travel destination(s) and descriptions of the skills and types of help they can offer potential hosts. Company staff will even help you craft the perfect profile.
Workaway – Connecting with Hosts
Workaway staff manually review completed profiles and verify each volunteer’s (and host’s) identity. Once approved, Workawayers can browse the site for volunteer opportunities and then contact the hosts directly to apply. Hosts may reach out to volunteers as well.
Each volunteer opportunity for travelers is described in detail and includes the minimum length of stay and available dates. Hosts will list the number of volunteers needed and whether families can be accommodated. Solo travelers may voluntarily link their profiles to volunteer in pairs or groups.
Note that Workaway merely facilitates the introductions. All communication, travel arrangements, etc. remain the responsibility of the volunteers and hosts.
Workaway – Finding the Right Volunteer Opportunity for Travelers
The website has a robust search engine with every conceivable type of filter. It’s a cinch to zero in on the right match for you or your family/group. Past volunteers post candid reviews of each experience to aid your selection. The platform underscores the importance of clear, advance communication between hosts and volunteers about which skills are needed and offered and what conditions will be like.
Hosts provide feedback to Workaway about each volunteer. On request, Workaway will use that input to provide a letter of reference that volunteers can give to prospective employers.
Final Thoughts
Remember— you are responsible for your own travel arrangements, including travel insurance and any required visa.
Attack website has a FAQ section and a blog to familiarize you further with the process. You can direct any remaining questions to their staff via the website.
What better way to kick off 2024 than with culturally immersive, sustainable travel that offers free room and board for travelers— and the chance to help other people and our planet?!
Special thanks to Scott S. for the tip about Workaway!
