Let’s not kid ourselves. We live our lives thinking about giving up everything and going to an island paradise or a faraway place. We save a lot of money to buy plane tickets, but we forget that we have to spend a significant percentage of our budget on accommodation, especially on long trips, but…
Would you believe me if I told you that you could travel without paying for accommodation by volunteering?
When I heard about a collaborative exchange, it seemed too good to be true, but I had the feeling that it was worth a try. And I tell you from experience: it has been one of the best decisions I have made so far.
It’s normal to have doubts, after all, it is a new way of travelling, but don’t worry, when you finish reading this article it will be much easier for you to take the first step. You contribute your skills, and in return, you receive free accommodation, meals and even some discounts on organised activities in the location of your choice.
Some hosts need a hand in the kitchen or with the cleaning. Hosts are looking for painters, photographers, musicians or party promoters, and there are NGOs you can help by teaching languages, doing community work or ecological activities. It’s all advantages! You choose the period during which you would like to collaborate, as long as you take into account the minimum and maximum time of each position and the availability of the host to receive you.
Advantages and disadvantages of volunteering
If you want, Working in a hostel in exchange for room and board in big cities is the main advantage of this new way of travelling.
Rents are expensive, and living in the centre is a privilege that very few can afford. Collaborative exchange offers positions in the best neighbourhoods of the city, travellers’ favourites.
The only downside is that when you feel at home, you will have to return to your country because your experience will have ended. But don’t worry, we always go back to the places where we have been happy.
During your working hours, you meet people from all over the world and at the end of your shift or during your days off you can go out with them to explore the city. You can also learn and practice languages or acquire new skills. You can extend your trip By working in exchange for room and board. As long as you like and enjoy doing whatever you feel like doing at any given time.
So now you know, travelling without paying for accommodation by volunteering is possible!
I know you’ll visit fantastic places and find bars or eating houses where you’ll be the only foreigner. When you feel like visiting museums, being in contact with nature or staying in your room reading, watching a movie or sleeping, after all, the hostel will become your second home and the staff and some travellers, a new family.
