Volunteer Global

I’m sure if you’re reading this blog post, you’ve heard of volunteer vacations or voluntourism. But have you noticed that these titles often get lumped in with others like adventure tours, study abroad, cultural immersion, and other travel buzzwords?

Let’s take a look at the difference between the more commonly used terms.

Volunteer vacation or voluntourism

These are short-term programs that last as long as a standard vacation, often cost about the same, and incorporate a service project to allow you to give back to your host community. This can include planting trees, repairing damaged trails, constructing a house, painting a community center, and more.

Long-term service

These are volunteer service programs that last six months or longer. Many are free of charge, and may provide a small stipend for your work. Projects usually focus on education, business development, and agriculture.

Philanthropic travel

This term often is used interchangeably with “volunteer vacation,” but for the sake of clarity, I’d like to draw a distinction. The way I understand philanthropic travel is a standard vacation that includes a monetary donation to one’s host community or to a charity. For example, you might stay on a beach and make a donation to a local group that supports disadvantaged children – you might even tour their facilities or meet their coordinators. However, since you’re not volunteering with the organization (such as educating the children, rather than playing with them), this would be classified as a philanthropic, and not a volunteer, trip.

Gap year/career break

This is exactly how it sounds: It’s time off to travel, explore, learn, and yes – even volunteer if you choose. Gap years often are taken between high school and college, between college and career, and in mid-career. These may be for a period of reflection, further educational or job training, or simply for the sake of travel and exploration.

More about gap year and career break can be found at Briefcase to Backpack's website and at Career Break Secrets' website.

Service learning

Service learning combines a community volunteering activity, plus an educational component for the participant. These usually are set up through specialized study abroad programs. For example, one might focus on low-income housing, in which the student assists with a construction project; speaks with project managers, low-income individuals, and government officials; and then reflects in the classroom on how to improve the program, funding, and more.

More about service learning can be found at the National Youth Leadership Council's website.

Study abroad

Study abroad does not always include a volunteer program, though excursions and cultural immersion play a part in the experience. Study abroad with a volunteer component falls under service learning.

Cultural immersion

This can be described as almost a learning vacation – the individual may stay with a host family or in community housing, while participating in cultural activities, eating local food, and observing host country customs. These may or may not include a volunteering aspect, but community service is not the priority.

Adventure tour

Adventure tours are high impact activities that may incorporate things like zip lining, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, and more. As with cultural immersion, community service is not the priority.

Got anything to add to the list? Any more insight on these terms? Add your comment below!