Every Share Helps!

Editor's Note: Today's article is brought to you by Brittany Edwardes, our newest member of the Volunteer Global team. Welcome, Brittany!

While volunteering abroad, many of our programs provide housing on-site. However, if you're looking for alternate options, there are so many ways to go! Finding housing can be a tough process, especially with smaller programs or self-created trips. However, do not despair! Here are a few tips on finding a great place to stay while you volunteer abroad.

Depending on the type of experience that you are hoping to gain, there are different types of housing to consider. You might simply be looking for a place to crash after your grueling days at work or you might want to stay somewhere that will actually add to your cultural experience as you volunteer. Remember, it is important to better your own life as much as you are working to improve others and a cultural living experience might be the perfect way.

Hostels/Guesthouses

Hostels can be an awesome and cheap option both for volunteer groups and for individuals. For groups, hostels have the added benefit of often having discounts for groups booking together or at least allowing groups to stay together in rooms. When booking a hostel, it is a great idea to check out an organization like hostelbookers.com as you will be able to view many options at once from the comfort of your computer. It is not such a great idea to wait until you arrive- as many of the top hostels listed in guidebooks will likely sell out for the night by noon. Hostels can also be an amazing opportunity to meet other young and interested people.

If you are limiting your trip to a single country, it is a great idea to check if there is a hostels association or a hostels union, such as the Youth Hostel Association in New Zealand or VIP backpacking card, which has hostels around the world.

Guesthouses differ from hostels in that you often have your own room, which can give you the privacy that you'll probably be dying for by the end of your trip. Guesthouses also have the added benefit of a lively atmosphere of backpackers and other volunteers, but are usually a little bit more expensive than hostels. The difference might be worth having your own shower after a long day outside though, so definitely look into it.

University Housing

For specialty research volunteering or else groups coordinated through a school or research institution, it may be a great idea to look into housing at local universities. Living in local university dorms also gives you the opportunities to make valuable connections with students from all over the world while also usually having the commodities of a cafeteria and students to help you out with the basic questions.

Securing university housing can be a little tricky- the best way may be to contact the university itself or else its university programs coordinator and see if they offer any options for summer travelers, as the university might not have many English-speaking staff. Be sure to mention that you are a student doing research locally and they'll likely be happy to help you out. It is also helpful to have a faculty connection, so try and see if any of your school's faculty has a relationship with any of the schools in the area.

Religious Institutions

Housing within churches or convents can be excellent opportunities for both religious sponsored trips and non-religious trips. When looking for religious housing, first note the type of religions that are prevalent in the area and then go from there. For instance, if you were volunteering in Italy, many churches and convents allow travelers to stay and many even offer a meal as part of the fee. Generally, staying in a convent is cheaper than staying in a traditional hostel or guest house. However, there may be a few strict rules such as early curfews and modest dress that you will need to follow. While some convents require a connection with your own local Catholic diocese, many allow travelers to book housing online. It is also good to know that monasteries and convents come in all forms: don't always expect an aged castle with chanting monks- these places can be amazingly busy and modern and great for the busy life of a volunteer! One good website that helps volunteers find monasteries in Italy is www.monasterystays.com and includes reviews, photos, and plenty of people willing to help facilitate the language gap.

While staying in monasteries is mostly limited to Europe, there may chances in other parts of the world if you simply do a little bit of digging. However, it is good to know that Asian monasteries typically only serve housing to someone who is there to practice intense meditation, which is usually not ideal for the busy days of a volunteer.

Home Stay

Finally, home stay is always an excellent option for your housing while volunteering abroad. Home stay allows you to meet locals, absorb the local culture, and enjoy the comforts of home. Home stays can also begin a wonderful relationship with a host family that you may choose to continue for many years. Many volunteer programs include the option to do a home stay, but if not, then you should definitely ask your point of contact about it. A typical home stay usually includes a private room, one or two meals a day, and sometimes even laundry. While the fee paid to a host family for a home stay should be decided on a personal basis, it is always a good idea to ask your volunteer point of contact for a good price since you will have little knowledge about the local value of currency.

If you are having trouble arranging for a home stay through your program, you might want to try a website such as Couchsurfing.org. While this is typically for stays under a week, there are many messages boards filled with people who are eager to help travelers and may have ideas to help you find a home stay. However, it is ideal to have someone who someone you know, such as your program coordinator, can vouch for. 

When looking for housing, there is plenty to consider, but never forget to be safe, have fun, and choose a housing that will be an asset to your life as a volunteer and as a traveler. Safe travels!