What Type of Volunteer Work Should I Do?

Volunteer work is a great way to give back to the community and make a positive impact on the world. One popular way to get involved is through volunteer tourism, also known as "voluntourism."

With so many types of volunteer work out there, you’re sure to find an opportunity that fits your interests.

Voluntourism involves traveling to another country to volunteer for a certain period of time, usually a few weeks or months. There are many different types of volunteer tourism, so there’s definitely something for everyone!

The first thing to remember is that volunteering abroad is not a way to enjoy cushioned tourist luxuries or beef up your Instagram feed. When deciding to travel abroad to volunteer, you must be willing to put in more than you gain. The goal is to contribute positively to the cause that you have chosen—and to leave the destination better than when you arrived.

So if you’re ready for a meaningful, enlightening, and life-changing experience, read on to find out more about the many different types of volunteer work!

6 popular types of volunteer work abroad

There are many different types of volunteer tourism to choose from, each with its own unique set of challenges and rewards. So if you’re asking yourself, what type of volunteer work should I do?, here are a few common types of volunteer work to consider:

1. Community Development

Great if you…

• …are physically strong and fit.
• …like getting down (and potentially dirty!) with hands-on experience.
• …enjoy toughing it out in rural areas.

This type of volunteer work focuses on helping local communities improve their living conditions and quality of life. This can include building homes, schools, and other infrastructure, as well as providing education and health services.

Community development volunteer work allows volunteers to make a tangible impact on a community by improving the living conditions and quality of life of its members. Such types of voluntourism opportunities can be physically demanding but also very rewarding.

• Popular types of community development projects: Community Centers, Economic Development
• Best places for community development volunteering: Zambia, Cambodia, Peru, India
• Recommended program: Volunteer Abroad in Peru - United Planet - 1-12 weeks

2. Environment

Great if you…

• …prefer plants and animals over people.
• …are passionate about creating a safer environment for future generations.
• …can withstand extreme temperatures.

Environmental volunteering involves protecting and preserving the natural environment. This can include planting trees, protecting endangered species, and working to combat climate change. Environmental conservation volunteer work allows volunteers to make a difference in preserving the natural resources of a country and its biodiversity.

Get up close and personal with amazing creatures as part of your volunteer project.

This can also include working to protect and care for animals in shelters, wildlife rehabilitation centers, or on conservation projects. Environmental volunteering work can come with challenges, but it also gives volunteers the opportunity to work in beautiful and remote locations.

• Popular types of environment projects: Animal Welfare, Conservation
• Best places for environmental volunteering: Brazil, Ecuador, Seychelles, Tanzania
• Recommended program: Giant Tortoise Breeding Center Volunteer in Galapagos

3. Health Care

Great if you…

• …want to pursue a career in the medical field.
• …aren’t squeamish.
• …can work well under pressure.

When you volunteer in health care, you’ll do work that involves providing medical care and support to people in need. This can include working in hospitals, clinics, or community health centers, as well as providing health education and awareness programs.

Medical and health care volunteer work allows volunteers to make a difference in the lives of people in need of medical attention. Although it may be one of the more popular types of voluntourism, it can be emotionally and physically demanding. However, it also gives volunteers the opportunity to make a real difference in people's lives.

• Popular types of health care projects: Health Education, Public Health
• Best places for health care volunteering: Zambia, Philippines, Mexico, India
• Recommended program: Healthcare & Medical Volunteering in Livingstone, Zambia

4. Childcare

Great if you…

• …are a kid at heart!
• …want to pursue a career that involves children and education.
• …have an open and extroverted personality.

Childcare volunteering may be the right fit for you if working with children and providing education like basic English classes sounds rewarding. Volunteer opportunities can include teaching in schools, working in orphanages, and providing support for children living in poverty.

Childcare and education volunteer work allows volunteers to make a difference in the lives of children by providing them with education and support. Though you’ll contend with challenges that come with all volunteer opportunities, you’ll have the chance to make a real difference in the lives of children.

• Popular types of childcare projects: Street Children, Education
• Best places for childcare volunteering: Morocco, South Africa, India, Kenya
• Recommended program: Volunteer Teaching in Cape Town, South Africa

5. Agriculture

Volunteering abroad can give you an introduction to sustainable farming techniques.

Great if you…

• …have a passion for sustainability.
• …want to potentially live off the grid one day!
• …are willing to get down and dirty.

This type of volunteer work involves working to promote sustainable agriculture and farming practices in local communities. This can include working with local farmers, providing training on sustainable farming techniques, and promoting organic farming.

Conservation agriculture volunteer work allows volunteers to make a difference in the environment and local communities by promoting sustainable agriculture and farming practices. The physical demands of agriculture can make these volunteer opportunities challenging, but it also gives volunteers the opportunity to learn about sustainable farming practices and contribute to helping the environment.

• Popular types of agriculture projects: Organic Farming, Tree Planting
• Best places for agriculture volunteering: Ecuador, Uganda, Japan, Costa Rica
• Recommended program: Japan - Otaki Village Agriculture

6. Human Rights

Great if you…

• …enjoy rallying yourself and others around a cause.
• …have a determined can-do spirit and don't get knocked down easily.
• …are mentally and emotionally strong.

This is the type of volunteer work for you if you want to work to promote and protect human rights in local settings. Volunteering can include working with human rights organizations, providing legal support, and promoting awareness of human rights and women’s rights issues.

Human rights and advocacy volunteer work allows volunteers to make a difference in local communities. As with any volunteer work, you’ll face unique challenges, but you’ll also learn about human rights issues and contribute to their promotion and protection.

• Popular types of human rights projects: Women’s Empowerment, Legal Aide
• Best places for human rights volunteering: India, Palestine, Tanzania, Zambia
• Recommended program: Women Empowerment in India

An important note about volunteering abroad

We know you want to document your time abroad, but make sure you respect the local community and culture.

Cultural sensitivity is of utmost importance should you choose to volunteer in underserved countries. Now that you have a better idea of your answer to the question, what type of volunteer work should I do?, here are a few things to keep in mind to ensure that you’re fulfilling your time volunteering respectfully:

• Remember that people in your host community are not props for your Instagram photos: Forcing people into group photos or taking pictures and videos of them and uploading them without their consent is disrespectful.
• Be accepting of other perspectives: You are likely coming in with the best intentions, but the ways you want to help might not fit with the everyday lives of people there. An example is pushing children in your host community to do English homework. While you may feel it’s important for children to do homework every day and practice, their day-to-day lives might not allow for it. They might have other responsibilities like caring for their land and families. Do as much as you can with the time you have, but manage your expectations.
• Respect local customs: Especially if you’re planning to work in remote areas, you may encounter norms that feel strange or uncomfortable for you. You can always politely decline to participate, but it’s not your place to make or suggest changes to the way of life that people have been living for many generations. For example, declining to eat meat when you’re a vegetarian is perfectly acceptable, but lecturing the locals on why eating meat is wrong is definitely a big no-no.
• Let local people be the guide to your volunteering work: Seek instructions and guidance from local people on how you can best serve your time in their communities. They may have a lot of experience guiding people through different types of volunteer work. While you are welcome to give suggestions, allowing local people to take the lead on how to help should always be the goal.

Get matched with 5 volunteer programs for FREE

Voluntourism opportunities are abundant—which one is right for you?

Consider the right volunteer opportunity with intention and respect, then get out there and make a difference.

There are various types of voluntourism available, and when considering volunteering abroad, it is important to take the time to research different options and choose a program that aligns with your skills, interests, and goals. Additionally, you should ensure that the organization you are working with is reputable and committed to making a positive impact. Remember that volunteering abroad is an opportunity to make a difference and gain new perspectives, learn new skills, and make new friends.