Rescue programs for wildlife in Africa, teaching in remote monasteries, and similar opportunities fit the profiles of digital nomads and adventure travelers who seek purposeful experiences.
Animal care:
In Africa, rescue programs for wildlife (like those at the Big Cat Rescue Station) fit the profiles of digital nomads and adventure travelers who seek purposeful experiences.
What animal conservation adventures empower hands-on experience
How to immerse yourself in community development projects that enable you to experience cultural exchange
The top environmental sustainability missions where you can make a difference, despite the very remote nature of some projects
Ways you can start making a difference at home in the very short time leading up to your departure
How to ensure the timing, location, and nature of your perfect volunteer abroad experience matches well with your skills and interests.
It’s not just that those programs abroad look great on a résumé (though they do); it’s that they actually seem to change a person’s outlook and perspective on life. Why?
Because they allow you to walk side by side with a local person and see what their world is really like; they let you experience, in a real way, project management in a totally different context; they afford you chances to make friends in a way that builds a global network. And also, maybe this is just my take: I think some of us travelers who go abroad and volunteer also tend to just be nicer people. And then we come home not as naive as we were before and not quite as entitled; we come home transformed.
African Wildlife Orphanage: Assist in the rehabilitation of lions, hyenas, and other orphaned wildlife.
Elephant Care in Thailand: Work closely with the gentle giants of Thailand while feeding, bathing, and tracking them in their natural habitat in Chiang Mai.
Belize Marine Conservation: Dive into the restoration of Belize's barrier reef and aid in the conservation of marine life.
Reef Research in Australia: Join Australian marine biologists as they conduct underwater research in the Great Barrier Reef, examining how to protect one of the world's largest coral systems.
Turtle Sanctuary in Costa Rica: Participate in the conservation of sea turtles by working with a team to trap, track, and release sea turtles along the Pacific coast.
As you plan these adventures, pack smart by using sunblock safe for reefs and water bottles that can be reused to cut down on plastic waste.
Volunteering abroad is such a fantastic opportunity—much more than sitting in front of textbooks or PowerPoint slides. During my overseas outreach trips, I've learned an enormous amount about global health issues and persistently underfunded aspects of healthcare. And I've done it while sweating, laughing, and crying alongside the people I've worked with. Those are moments to remember and try to capture in my current daily life as a healthcare professional. Here are seven community outreach initiatives I've had the privilege of working with—those experiences are hard to encapsulate in words.
Paper bead jewelry with artisans in Uganda: 22stars helps women war survivors create beautiful art so they can re-make their lives in a safe and sustainable way.
Medical support at a rural clinic in Costa Rica: I volunteered with a group of fourth-year medical students at the Costa Rican Institute of Integral Health. We delivered healthcare to folks living in persistently underfunded and poorly staffed rural clinics.
Veterinary outreach in Africa: I worked with the organization Hollis Heart and the student group Veterinary Medical Assistance Team (VMAT) to help treat local livestock and wildlife.
Teaching English in a Buddhist monastery in Nepal: I spent a month sharing my language skills and learning to meditate. My humbling and partially voyeuristic experience there has prompted me to rethink how I understand and practice meditation.
Literacy in Sri Lanka: My small-group workshops on reading and writing were part of a far larger effort to turn around historically low levels of literacy in that gorgeous island nation.
A feeding initiative for the homeless in Lisbon, Portugal: I helped coordinate a meal distribution program for those who are living in primitive conditions in the city.
Clean water and sustainable agricultural projects in Cambodia: These initiatives are far larger than any of the individual
Abroad environmental volunteer programs have you getting your hands dirty—for good reason.
Reforestation in Sri Lanka: Planting native trees and restoring the lush rainforests.
Nepal: Developing local recycling initiatives in tandem with the monsoon season and after.
Bali: Mangrove restoration; kayaking through swamps and making nursery saplings thrive.
Australia: Coral reef monitoring; using snorkel surveys to track the health of the reef.
Philippines: Community beach cleanup campaigns on turquoise shores.
Research the project's goals and your role.
Confirm coverage, checks, and local go-aheads.
Pack green gear and essentials.
Making a contribution doesn’t demand an airplane ticket. Gain some serious good karma before you take off for distant shores:
Pick up trash at your local beach or park: It’s not as fun as a luau; on the other hand, it could be weekly light workouts for you and your friends.
Help feed the hungry in your town: Work with a local shelter or soup kitchen.
Befriend an older American: Your local nursing home likely welcomes volunteers.
Present a skill-sharing workshop: Your community center needs teachers for everything from job search strategies to English as a second language.
You’ve learned about the best places to volunteer abroad—be it a wildlife sanctuary, a community center, or a local reforestation effort. Each provides its own, unique opportunity to engage meaningfully with the local environment and community. At digitalnomad.coach, we help you sift through the many options and select the one that aligns best with your talents, availability, and travel vibe. Want to take the plunge and sign up for that once-in-a-lifetime experience?
