FrugalMonkey Discount Travel News

Tag: volunteer

  • Volunteer Tourism: Doing Good While Traveling on the Cheap

    Why do you travel? It’s an interesting question that I ponder from time to time. Is it the thrill of the unknown? Is it the “escape” from my daily life that I find so appealing?

    Perhaps it’s the opportunity to try new cuisines? Whenever I ask myself these questions, I always come back to a strong, resounding reason: I travel to meaningfully connect to a place, a culture, or specific people. I know that I am not alone in this. There are many alternative travel philosophies that embrace this concept, one of which is volunteer tourism. Volunteer tourism consists of spending part or all of one’s travel time engaging in some sort of volunteer work. I know people who go on volunteer trips themselves (without the support of an organization), but most volunteer tourism is done through specific organizations or companies that have the contacts and resources to accomplish what needs to be accomplished. If volunteer tourism appeals to you, there are some important things to consider before embarking on your volunteer trip. 1. Ask yourself what issues you care about (water safety, HIV prevention, child safety, women’s health, ecological issues, etc.). It’s good to have several interests, this way it will be easier for you to find an organization that shares your goals and values (see step 3). [caption id="attachment_5206" align="alignright" width="210" caption="A volunteer run food and health center in Niger. Engaging in volunteer tourism is a great way to meaningfully connect to people, places and cultures. "][/caption] 2. Decide approximately how much of your vacation you want to dedicate to volunteerism (there are many ways to combine volunteer travel with more traditional vacation scenarios). 3. Decide approximately how much you can spend on your volunteer trip. Prices for volunteer trips range from free (if the entire project is subsidized by a supporting organization) to expensive (certain trips require you not only to cover your airfare and lodging, but also kick in extra funds for resources for the people/community you’ll be helping). Because of this wide range, it’s important to have a budget in mind before researching various trips. 4. If you don’t want to travel alone, identify other people who might be interested in embarking on this adventure with you. It’s fun to engage in volunteer travel with like-minded individuals. If none of your friends feel like going with you, don’t worry. You’ll meet plenty of wonderful people along the way. 5. Research various organizations that share your goals and values. It is important to do more than just a web search; actually speaking with people who have traveled with this organization will give you a better idea of the reality of the work they do. It is also important to remain aware of the fact that there are a lot of volunteer travel organizations that are 1) flat out scams or 2) do not respect local cultures and customs and therefore do more harm than good. This is why it is crucial to do plenty of research before committing to a certain organization’s trip. 6. Prepare for your life to be forever changed by the things you see, do and feel during your volunteer tourism experience. Open yourself to new opportunities and the possibility to change others’ lives and experience change in your own life in the process. Here are some places to begin researching your volunteer travel experience: Rotary International- http://www.rotary.org VolunTourism International- http://www.voluntourism.org/ Off the Radar- http://www.travelofftheradar.com/ Transitions Abroad- http://www.transitionsabroad.com/ Idealist- http://www.idealist.org/ Volunteer: A Traveler’s Guide (Lonely Planet, 2010)

  • Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai, Thailand Treats Animals with Respect

    Chiang Mai is the largest city in Northern Thailand, so it’s hard to believe that once this mountainous location was only accessible by river or elephants.


    Today transport’s a lot easier. All the major domestic airlines, including Thai Airways and Air Asia, fly between Bangkok and Chiang Mai several times each day. Buses and trains also travel from the capital regularly. Yet the elephants’ importance to the area, known as the Rose of the North, remains.

    Since their services are no longer required for transport, the elephants of Chiang Mai lead a pampered existence at the Elephant Nature Park. Nestled around 60 kilometers from the city center, the park provides a sanctuary for these magnificent creatures.

    The park is the brainchild of Sangduen Chailert. Her special bond with elephants began when her grandfather, a traditional Thai healer, received a baby elephant from a grateful patient. Sangduen became firm friends with the latest member of the family and the rest, as they say, is history. After graduating from Chiang Mai University she moved into the elephant tourism. There she discovered the abuse and neglect the animals suffered once they became useless to trekking firms. She was determined to develop a place where elephants would be loved throughout their days. When the Elephant Nature Park opened its doors in 1995, that dream became a reality.

    elephantThe park’s work is vital in a modern Thailand where just 2000 elephants live in the wild. The park is home to more than 30 rescue elephants, ranging in age from infants to the elderly and abused. It is open to day visitors and overnight guests, who can watch the animals grazing, playing, and communicating as they do in the wild. There are no circus tricks or elephant rides here. Instead tourists enjoy a less artificial experience, bathing the animals and feeding them treats.

    One-day visits to the park cost $125 for adults and $75 for children, including transfers from Chiang Mai. For a reduced rate, you can enjoy a seven-, 14-, or 28-day volunteer experience. Around $70 a day buys you daily contact with the elephants and all meals. The park is not-for-profit, so all money raised directly supports the elephants and their upkeep.

  • Consider A Travel Job

    It’s no big secret that international and even domestic travel can be expensive. For this reason it can be difficult to afford the expensive flights and months without work while traveling.


    However, there are several job opportunities, specifically for summer but also year round, that are perfect for satisfying your travel bug and making some money in the process. Check it out!

    Working Abroad is appealing to some people who like the idea of a working vacation – and travel. Working abroad can take on many different forms. For example, some people travel while teaching English, while others pick up a job doing something more transient like working for a cruise ship. Whatever your travel desires, there is surely a way to make something more out of your trip with a working abroad job. FrugalMonkey’s entire section on working abroad includes information on different working abroad type jobs, as well as information on volunteering, and working in remote locations like resorts. For more information on working abroad during a summer or even for an entire year, take a look at some of our exciting opportunities.

    Travel Jobs
    Summer is a great time to take advantage of travel jobs. Because the tourism industry booms so much during the nicer weather, resorts, lodges and even tourism related industries require a larger staff in order to deal with the influx of summer travelers. A great way to earn some money during a summer but also enjoy traveling is to work for a resort.  Working for a resort allows you to live in some of the most gorgeous locations in the world, while making money. This could mean lifeguarding for a beach resort in Mexico, or giving hiking and backpacking tours for a lodge in one of America’s beautiful National Parks. The jobs are endless and allow you to live in an exciting new place, while you’re making money. Consider a resort job for your summer, but don’t wait too long. Jobs such as these go quick, so applying early is key!

    Another way to make money while you’re traveling is to find work in the cruise ship industry. Working on a cruise ship is one of the best ways to make money and travel. Because so many of your living expenses are taken care of when you work on a cruise ship, and because you get to work longer hours, you can end up saving thousands of dollars over the course of just a few months.


    The work is hard but also enjoyable. Additionally, you can enjoy travel all over the globe by working on one of the many cruise ships that sails through the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska and other exciting places. FrugalMonkey’s entire section on cruise ship jobs is a great place to begin your search.

    Volunteers
    Another great way to enjoy travel but boost your resume is through volunteering. Volunteering while you travel is an amazing experience. Often times it involves speaking another language, helping non-profit organizations and of course, traveling. Being a volunteer is a great experience to have on any resume in addition to college applications. Learn more about becoming a volunteer while you travel through FrugalMonkey’s section on volunteer jobs. There are more than just a few ways to enjoy your traveling experience and we’ll show you how!

    Keep an eye out each week for more information about travel jobs, or see what travel jobs are available now through our Travel Jobs, job board.

  • Volunteer Vacations Abroad

    While some people consider a vacation as a time to sit back and relax, others are using their vacation time to give back. Going on a volunteer vacation is an excellent way to see the world in a non-traditional way. Volunteer vacations are being set up all over the world through charity and volunteer organizations as a way for people to get involved when they travel abroad. Eco-vacations, or city volunteering are two popular ways to volunteer while you’re studying, working, traveling, living or vacationing abroad. College students find this an excellent way to get in volunteer hours while others see it as simply a way to give back. Go on a non-traditional vacation and put in some volunteer hours!


  • Work Abroad

    There are a lot of people interested in working abroad but don’t know where to start looking for information.


    FrugalMonkey has an entire section on working abroad in order to give travelers and students the right start into one of the most exciting endeavors they are likely to experience.

    Working abroad isn’t the easiest transition by any means. It requires, by definition, living in a different country (away from family and friends), working in an atmosphere you don’t know and aren’t accustomed to and many times involves speaking a language you aren’t comfortable with. On top of this, working abroad often times means leaving a job you already have, a college you love attending and the comforts of home. You might be asking yourself why people even choose to work abroad if it means undergoing all of these difficult transitions. The answer is simple: people choose to work and live abroad because it gives them experiences, memories and work tools that are impossible to gain through any other course of life. Most people often find that while the initial transition involves a difficult adjustment, living abroad turns into one of the best experiences of your life. Travel, studying, working and living as an expatriate is something only a small number of people experience and is undoubtedly something 100% of those people label as invaluable. So how do you get started initiating this amazing life change? FrugalMonkey has a great deal of info pointing you in the right direction. Read on!

    Working abroad usually encompasses more than just jobs you can acquire overseas, but it also includes volunteering abroad as well. FrugalMonkey has a wealth of information on how to procure volunteer jobs abroad where you can earn college credits or satisfy graduate school requirements. Additionally you can find out how to fulfill your desire to help others and learn a new language while doing so. Volunteering is an excellent way to experience your time abroad. It provides you with an amazing experience while exposing you to aspects of life abroad you would otherwise never see. It’s a popular and important consideration when thinking about traveling or living abroad.

    Aside from volunteering a lot of students choose to switch roles with their college professors and teach English abroad. Teaching English is a popular job for expatriates of all ages. The countries of South America and Asia are extremely popular for travelers who want to teach English. Native speakers in these continents are eager to learn English and there are many venues in which native English-speakers can procure jobs teaching.


    It is important to research the certificates and ways in which to do so while you’re living abroad, but with the popularity of English-teaching programs, finding a job teaching English usually doesn’t take very long at all. It is a great job to have while working abroad, a great way to make friends and a wonderful way to earn money and prolong your stay.

    If volunteering or teaching English doesn’t strike your fancy then consider some of the more non-traditional jobs that will allow you to work abroad. You can always be cavalier and move to a foreign country without already having a job. Using venues such as Craigslist of job finders, there are certain to be a handful of jobs perfect for your liking. Or, FrugalMonkey suggests looking into cruise ship jobs or resort jobs. Living abroad temporarily or during a high tourist season in jobs such as these means that you can work, have your accommodations paid for and earn extra money all while experiencing life overseas. With so many options to consider, you should feel excited about the experiences awaiting you in your new job abroad! Good luck!

  • How to Find Volunteer Work

    A lot of people choose to volunteer when working or living abroad. It helps build resumes, develops valuable experience and is the chance to volunteer when you would otherwise not have the time. But finding volunteer work can be difficult if you don’t know where to look. FrugalMonkey’s entire section on volunteering abroad has information on volunteering vacations, how to use volunteering to build your resume and has information on how to find volunteer work. One of the best ways to find volunteer work is use a placement agency. Many volunteer placement agencies can get you volunteer work that will provide: college credit, pay or offer accommodations. It is the fastest and most efficient way to procure volunteer work abroad and is an excellent way to make sure the volunteer work fulfills your goals as a volunteer. Read more now!


  • Interested In Volunteering Abroad?

    Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to improve your resume, meet friends, learn a language and to engage in new experiences. FRUGALMONKEY has an entire section about volunteering abroad. In some cases volunteers need visas and work permits in order to gain college credit or to even be allowed in the country. Additionally, many programs require that you pay for volunteer hours, while others are free. There is a lot of information to sift through when thinking about volunteering in a foreign country.  Check out FRUGALMONKEY’s entire section on volunteering while you live abroad and how to arrange an entire trip based off your desire to volunteer. Information on government programs, volunteer agencies as well as work permits will help you gain a better sense of about the volunteering you are looking for.


  • Take The Time To Volunteer

    People live abroad for varying reasons: to see the world, learn a new language, expose themselves to a new culture and to simply enjoy different experiences. FrugalMonkey’s entire section on volunteering abroad is a great place to learn about the many opportunities there are in volunteering while you travel. Volunteering can expose you to areas of the country you are visiting that you would otherwise never see. It’s a great place to practice a new language and it also gives you the opportunity to improve your resume. Graduate schools and colleges are always looking for volunteer experience – so think about enhancing your travel plans by volunteering!