01 Oct 2019

Volunteering is hands down one of the best ways to experience a new country and do something worthwhile at the same time. If you're looking for an adventure, skip the tourist queues and nice hotels and do something that really makes a difference (and lets you experience a whole new way of life). Here's five good reasons why you should volunteer overseas.

1. You'll experience the country as a local

Trust me, being a volunteer is way better than being a regular tourist. Not only do you get to experience the country as a local, you also have the opportunity to contribute to the lives of those around you.

As a volunteer teaching English to Buddhist monks in Nepal, I lived in a monastery with monks, ate with them, and talked with them every day. They told me all about their hopes, dreams, experiences. Best of all – they taught me their peaceful religion. It was an experience money couldn't buy. In my free time I explored Kathmandu with other volunteers, attended ceremonies and festivals and ate delicious momos.

As a volunteer, you'll even have the benefit of friendly locals to show you their favourite places and explain their unique culture - something you just wouldn't find as a tourist.

2. You'll make heaps of mates

You won't be the only volunteer out there - the awesome people you'll be working alongside are likely to be pretty down to earth people. After all, you're all far from home, likely in a developing country, wanting to help others. Pretty special, right? When you're working together and overcoming difficult and uncomfortable situations (like teaching a class of excited kids), you form a mateship that lasts forever. It's a great way to meet young people from all over the world and learn about their different customs and lives.

3. It will make you a stronger (and happier) person

My favourite quote of all time is a simple truism. "Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage". The only way to truly live is to go out of your comfort zone and try something completely new. You'll be really proud you did something worthwhile at the end of it all. You'll learn to embrace the unknown and chill out in stressful situations.

Buddhist philosophy is all about letting go, not only of your comforts (like your bed, or real toilets), but also your beliefs and way of life. Volunteering lets you live this philosophy. Put simply, you become tougher and more accepting. Getting on a plane alone or teaching a class of eager kids might be intimidating, but its something you'll never regret - and it might change your life too.

4. You'll leave with a more mature perspective

The first thing I noticed about Nepal was the poverty. The next thing I noticed was that everyone was way, way happier than I was. Their secret: appreciating what they have.

By volunteering, you're not only immersed in the culture of a different country, you experience a whole new way of life. You begin to realise how lucky we are back home, and how much time we waste on things that don't matter. Being so far from home lets you reflect clearly on what you want out of life. Plus, as a volunteer you're always out of your comfort zone. This means opening up to new experiences is way easier, and with each difficult thing you accomplish you appreciate life more and more.

5. You'll have heaps of stories to tell

You'll never forget your experience volunteering. It's not a comfortable holiday in a fancy hotel. There will be times when you are uncomfortable, afraid, and homesick, but this only makes the experiences more worthwhile. Are you up for the challenge? While you're doing something you know is worthwhile, no amount of discomfort can ruin your mood. Whether it's wild taxi rides through chaotic Kathmandu streets, trekking through the beautiful Himalayan Hills, wandering through bustling markets, attending prayer ceremonies, teaching eager monk children, or interacting with locals, you'll remember volunteer life forever. 

Keen to try if for yourself? Suss out what volunteering programs we have on offer. 

Words & photos by Isaac Irons