Blog Archives

A Day Of Giving Back In Finger Lakes, New York.

The idea of volunteering your time and giving back to the local area you are visiting is a central ethos to the Community Foundation of Elmira – Corning and the Finger Lakes, and this is something that I was privileged to experience for myself during my own visit to New York State. 

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Volunteering

12 Questions You Should Ask Before Volunteering Abroad.

Volunteering on your gap year can be an amazing and genuinely noble thing, but not all volunteering experiences are created equal, and with unethical voluntourism opportunities getting harder to spot, you need to know what questions to ask before you volunteer. 

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Volunteering

10 Reasons Independent Sustainable Travel Should Be The New Normal.

Responsible and sustainable tourism is becoming increasingly accepted as the gold standard in travel, and independent travellers are starting to question traditional tourism and demand more responsible practices instead. Here are ten reasons why that momentum should not only continue, but become the new normal.

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Responsible Travel

Should You Pay To Volunteer On Your Gap Year?

Should you pay to volunteer on your gap year? You are planning your gap year and want to give something back while you travel the world, you want to volunteer. You are already giving up your time and skill, you want to help someone and do something good! That is a good thing, right? But they are asking you to pay? What the hell is that about? Should backpackers pay to volunteer on their gap year or is it all a con?

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Volunteering

The Dark Truth About Orphanage Volunteering.

Orphanage volunteering has become a serious international child protection issue in recent years despite being a popular staple of the gap year and voluntourism industries. Here is why every backpacker should avoid the orphanage volunteering traps on their gap year.

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Responsible Travel

The Big Voluntourism Lie.

The gap year voluntourism industry is hardly a pinnacle of ethical, responsible tourism at the best of times, but now their dirty little secret is about to be exposed, and the lie they have been telling travellers for a long time will be laid bare. 

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Responsible Travel

What Type Of Volunteer Are You?

Are you a voluntourist or a volunteer? Many travellers dreaming of giving back on their gap year don’t even realise there is a difference, but there is, and it is a very important one,

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Volunteering

How Backpacking And Volunteering Can Help Your Career.

Volunteering on your gap year can actually be a huge boost to your CV, if you spin it right. Here’s how you can make your gap year benefit your career.

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Volunteering

Spotlight On BAWA, Volunteering In Bali.

BAWA in Bali is a non profit organisation dedicated to helping the dogs of cats in Bali, and volunteering your time and resources to help is a great way to give back on your gap year.

Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in Volunteering

Hi, I'm Michael! I'm a former nurse turned published author and world travelling professional adventurer! I have spent over twenty years travelling over 100 countries and I want to inspire you to do the same! Want to know more about me? Just click here!

Get notified about all the latest travel tips, advice and inspiration as well as amazing competitions and exclusive discounts! Don\'t worry we will never send you spam or unwanted mail.

Join 18.3K other subscribers
Copyright notice.

© Bemused Backpacker and the gecko logo is owned and copyrighted by Michael Huxley 2023. Unless stated, all blog and website content is owned and copyrighted by Michael Huxley 2023.

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from Michael Huxley is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Michael Huxley and Bemused Backpacker with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.

Protected by Copyscape DMCA Copyright Detector