Volunteering. You’ve heard the word before — but have you ever really stopped to think about what it means? What it can bring, not only to the people being helped, but also to the person giving their time?
All around the world, people volunteer in different ways, for different causes and reasons. For me, volunteering has been a constant thread throughout my life — either local, or abroad, either spontaneous, or intentional.
In this article, I’ll share what volunteering really looks like, my own experiences, the benefits it can bring, and how to find a volunteering opportunity that truly fits you. I hope it gives you a new perspective — or maybe the little push you need to give it a try.
What is volunteering?
Volunteering means giving your time and energy freely to support a cause, a community, or individuals — usually without financial compensation. It’s about choosing to help, simply because you want to.
It can take many forms. Volunteering might be a one-time action, a weekly commitment, or something you do for several weeks or months. Sometimes volunteers receive accommodation or meals, especially when volunteering abroad, but the main motivation isn’t money — it’s the experience and the impact.
You can volunteer in many ways: distributing food to people in need, helping in community gardens, cleaning beaches, assisting in hostels or farms, or offering skills like writing, design, teaching, or event planning.
There’s usually no long-term contract or obligation. You decide when, where, and how you want to help. It’s flexible, personal, and accessible — and that’s exactly what makes it so powerful.
Who Are the Hosts or Organizations?
Volunteering can take many forms, and so can the hosts or organizations that need help. Hosts can be NGOs, nonprofits, associations, eco-projects, social enterprises, hostels, or even families needing support with daily life, farming, or hospitality.
You might teach English, help with sustainability projects, assist travelers, or support local communities. The opportunities are incredibly diverse — and adaptable to your interests and values.
10 Eye-Opening Benefits of Volunteering
Before diving into the benefits, it’s worth remembering that volunteering exists because people and communities all over the world genuinely need support — whether it’s food, education, care, or simple human connection. Helping others is always the core of volunteering; everything else is a meaningful bonus.
1️⃣ Be Selfless & Make a Difference – Helping others without expecting anything in return is one of the most rewarding feelings. Even small acts can have a huge impact, and you’ll realize how much of a difference you can make in someone’s life.
2️⃣ Be Part of Something Bigger – Volunteering connects you with a community of like-minded people working toward a shared goal. Whether it’s helping a local cause or a global movement, you’re contributing to something meaningful.
3️⃣ Learn New Skills – Volunteering challenges you to develop new skills—whether it’s teamwork, leadership, communication, or something more specific like event planning, cooking, or teaching. It’s an incredible learning experience.
4️⃣ Expand Your Connections & Meet Incredible People – You’ll meet people from all walks of life—fellow volunteers, community leaders, and even those you’re helping. Some of these connections might turn into friendships, professional contacts, or even travel buddies!
5️⃣ Boost Your Mental & Physical Health – Studies show that volunteering can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It gives you a sense of purpose and fulfillment while keeping you active and engaged.
6️⃣ Gain Confidence & Independence – Stepping into unfamiliar situations and contributing to something bigger helps build self-confidence, adaptability, and problem-solving skills. You’ll become more comfortable facing new challenges.
7️⃣ See the World from a New Perspective – Volunteering opens your eyes to different realities and lifestyles. It challenges your assumptions and makes you appreciate what you have while understanding the struggles of others.
8️⃣ Enhance Your Resume & Career Opportunities – Volunteering stands out on a resume. It proves you’re proactive, adaptable, and skilled in teamwork. It might even lead you to new job opportunities!
9️⃣ Discover Your Passions – Not sure what you love? Volunteering allows you to explore different areas—maybe you’ll fall in love with teaching, sustainability, animal welfare, or social work.
🔟 Have Fun & Create Unforgettable Memories – Volunteering isn’t just about giving back—it’s about having fun, enjoying new experiences, and making lifelong memories. Some of the best moments happen in unexpected ways.
🎁 Bonus: Travel the World Through Volunteering – Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to travel affordably while giving back. You can stay in hostels, farms, or eco-projects for free in exchange for work. It’s a unique and immersive way to explore the world!
Where and How to Find Volunteering Opportunities?
Volunteering Websites & Platforms
There are so many platforms out there!
Here are two platforms I’ve personally used: Workaway and Worldpackers.
Both require a €50 yearly fee, but they offer access to thousands of opportunities worldwide and organizations can also reach out to you. It’s a great investment if you’re traveling long-term or on a budget.
There is also the renowned WWOOF. An organization specialized in organic farms. The fee depends on the location on the farm.
Otherwise, there are organizations where you pay for a structured volunteering package, covering accommodation, meals, support and many more things.
GoAbroad
Impactrip
Volunteerworld
Freepackers
Global Work and Travel
Finally, a simple Google search can reveal countless options and it’s for free! Contacting directly the company/organization might be faster.
Additionally, you might check with your local city hall what are the options in your town.
Tips for Finding the Right Volunteering Opportunity
1️⃣ Take your time creating your profile—be authentic, upload travel pictures, showcase your personality and experiences, write a nice resume.
2️⃣ Think about the cause that interests you—food waste, ecology, hospitality, human rights, etc. How can you help? What could you learn? What motivates you—personally, professionally, or spiritually?
3️⃣ When reaching out to organizations, be clear about your intentions (why you want to join them, for how long etc…) and ask questions about hours, shifts, and benefits.
4️⃣ If you don’t get a reply, send a follow-up! Show that you’re genuinely interested and feel free to suggest a call. So many people are applying out there!
5️⃣ Check reviews, social media, and contact past volunteers for insights.
6️⃣ Don’t rush into the first opportunity you find—compare options to see what fits best.
7️⃣ Be flexible, but if you have specific requests (preference of shifts, dates, accommodation, etc) don’t hesitate to ask.
8️⃣ If your plans change, make sure to inform the organization as soon as possible. Being respectful and transparent allows them to find another volunteer quickly and keeps things fair for everyone.
9️⃣ Trust your gut. If something feels right, go for it! the same works if you dont feel it, feels forced and you dont get excited dont force yourself.
🔟 Once you start—be mindful, humble, kind, do the work, and most importantly, enjoy the experience!
There is no major commitment, but be responsible. You can always try once and decide then if you want to keep going or not.
My volunteering journey
Over the years, I’ve volunteered in very different contexts — from social causes and food distribution to farms and hostels abroad. Some experiences were about helping people in need, while others helped me learn new skills or explore paths I’m curious about (like hospitality). All of them shaped me in different ways.
I’ve always been drawn to volunteering that either supports people in need or helps me develop skills aligned with the life I want to build — especially around community, travel, and hospitality. Volunteering has shaped my values, my confidence, and the way I see the world. And as a bonus: you can make amazing new friends.
Animal Rights Campaign – PETA | France, 2006
With a friend, we collected 500 signatures against the Canadian seal hunt. We chose a cause through the PETA website and went out into the streets of my hometown to gather signatures and send them to the Canadian government.
Food Distribution – Romaaltruista | Italy, 2016
Once a week, during the summer, we distributed food and drinks to homeless people around the city of Rome. A simple but powerful experience of human connection.
Farm Work – Eco Park Chitwan | Nepal, 2018
I helped with gardening and community work for a week, such as cleaning the municipal park. It was my first experience of slow living in the Nepali countryside, spending time with locals and discovering daily village life.
Event Planning – BCD Travel | Spain, 2018–2021
Alongside a colleague, I organized company events within the travel agency where I worked full-time. Events included Christmas parties, dinners, cocktail workshops, and boat parties. I developed strong skills in coordination, teamwork, and leadership.
Food Server – Taste Before You Waste | Netherlands, 2023–2024
I volunteered weekly as a food server for 1.5 year, helping prepare and serve meals made entirely from rescued food. Beyond reducing food waste, it was a beautiful community experience where I built long-term friendships.
Hostel Volunteering – Home Lisbon Hostel | Portugal, 2024
I helped with breakfast and dinner shifts and assisted guests daily for two months. This experience made me fall in love with hospitality and shared living.
Farm Work – Sunrise Farm | Nepal, 2025
For five weeks, I lived with a Nepali family and experienced deep cultural immersion. I helped cook breakfast and dinner, attended free yoga classes, and felt truly part of a family. Simple, grounding, and deeply fulfilling.
Hostel & Coliving – Kasbari Coliving | Morocco, 2025
For two months, I worked in a hostel doing cleaning, laundry, bed-making, guest assistance, and check-ins. Life was slow by the ocean, with a strong sense of belonging, international connections, and a beautiful mix of local and global community.
Final thoughts
As you can see, volunteering comes in so many different forms: it can be a few hours per week in your city, or a 2 months experience on the other side of the world.
It’s not just about giving your time—it’s about learning, growing, and experiencing new things. Every one of these experiences has shaped me in some way, and I wouldn’t trade them for anything.
I can’t imagine my life without it, and I truly believe the world would be a better place if more people got involved. If you’re thinking about volunteering—just go for it, just give it a try! You never know how much it could change your life. 😊
And you? If you had the chance to give back, for which cause would you like to do volunteering?
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