New South Wales
Northern Territory
Queensland
South Australia
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
North Island
South Island

8 reasons to travel with a conscience

Hannah Sayer
June 20, 2017

Travelling is awesome we all know that. But what makes it EVEN better, is giving something back to the country you're falling in love with. Whether it's working with animals or teaching children, travelling with a conscience strengthens your skills, gives you a deeper understanding of your destination, helps those in need and oh yeah, it's great fun! So if you're thinking of giving something back to our incredible planet then look no further...

1. EXPLORE THE LOCAL SIDE

local children in asia
Just look at those smiles!

Choose a company that loves locals! You’ll get to see a side of the country that is often overlooked, and you’ll be safe in the knowledge that you’re having a positive effect on the community. Living locally gives you a different view of the people and their country, your chosen company should be integrated into local life and have the community's well-being as their priority.

2. IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH

Social Cycles in Cambodia
Social Cycles Cambodia

Choosing a trip like SocialCycle across Cambodia has health benefits straight from the word go! You'll burn calories riding a bike and feel more relaxed. Studies have found that when you focus on helping others your stress levels start to decrease, your immune system is strengthened and your overall sense of life satisfaction increases. Get buns of steel while helping others?! Sign me up!

3. GAIN NEW SKILLS

maps
Like being able to actually read a map.

You will deal with a mix of personalities, all while adjusting to life outside of your comfort zone. This all adds up and helps to improve your teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and people skills. And well, who doesn’t want to learn something new?!

4. RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL

volunteer with children
Awww

The two most important questions to ask yourself before choosing a trip are... what benefits will the local community see? And will the organisation I choose respect the local culture?
Always keep in mind that you are there to make a difference and you can’t do that if the needs of the community aren’t being met. Including a charity in your adventure allows you to travel responsibly and gives your trip more of a purpose.

5. FOOD!

Asian food
Looks good enough to eat!

We’re big on finding delicious food and tasty treats over here at Backpacker Deals! A lot of volunteering organisations encourage home stays or know the best places in town to keep your taste buds satisfied. You'll be dreaming about your new found delicacies long after your trip has ended. YUM!

6. MAKE A DIFFERENCE

elephant conservation
Help save these beautiful creatures.

Get up close and see first hand the difference you could make to a community or animal's wellbeing! Form strong relationships that will have a lasting effect, not only on your life but on those you've chosen to donate your time too. No matter the size of the donation or type of volunteering, your actions are guaranteed to have an impact on someone’s or something's life.

7. LEARN THE LINGO

volunteer children
So many happy faces!

SO you may not become fluent in a couple of weeks, but learning the basics is fun and will open up your chosen country even more. Boost that brainpower and challenge yourself to learn a new phrase every day. Automatic bonus points are given if you can use the basics such as please, thank you and hello. Suck at languages? The locals will love you for trying. A warm smile and laughter is an international language after all!

8. IT’S FUN!


It goes without saying that it is not something to be taken lightly, having respect for your chosen country and community is of utmost importance. But hey! That doesn’t mean that you can’t have some fun along the way right?! You may find your new BFF or try something you would never do in everyday life!

There you have it! Travelling with a conscience doesn't make your trip any less fun, infact it makes it that little bit more awesome. From animal conservation to helping rural village communities there really is something for everyone. Why not get your thinking cap on and give volunteering a go?

AUTHOR PROFILE
Hannah Sayer

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Posts

6 easy ways to find Wi-Fi on the road

Booking a hotel, googling restaurants near you or even just checking in with friends on Facebook… these things are easy when you’re at home, but when you’re travelling the world without an internet connection they can get a whole lot harder. Luckily, we've researched some ways to help you find free Wi-Fi wherever you go. […]

7 tips to help you travel on the cheap

Pssssstttt let us tell you a secret. Booking a holiday doesn't always have to blow the bank! Sure, flights, hotels and travel insurance can seem like they're eating away at your holiday savings before you've even left, but there're some sneaky ways to make sure you still have plenty of cash to enjoy the adventure […]

5 travel resolutions to make in 2018

Five travel resolutions that you NEED to make this year. 1. A 'staycation' doesn't count Sorry but it doesn't. Get out of your comfort zone and leave the familiar behind. Travel somewhere new and completely far a field, otherwise it will be too late and you've spent another year in the same place. Besides, anyone […]

7 DIY dishes you can prepare anywhere

Cooking when you’re travelling and have access to limited tools doesn't have to be all Mi Goreng noodles and instant soups! Here are some yummy DIY dishes that you can whip up anywhere, whether you have a kettle, microwave or a hostel stove. 1. Banh Mi/Loaded Sandwiches These are great in any country, given that […]

Top 10 destinations for solo travellers

Booked that overseas ticket for one and wondering where to head first? Take a look at these awesome places that have all the friendly people, delicious food and incredible experiences to make your solo trip one to remember.  1. Spain There are soooo many places from where you can take good pictures of Barcelona that […]

Top 10 Travel Bloggers to Follow in 2018

Need a little travel inspiration? Too many travel blogs to choose from? That's where we come in! We've found the top 10 travel bloggers to follow in 2018. Give them a read and get ready for wanderlust overload. 1. Backpacker Banter Originating from Devon in the UK, Chris is a surfer, photographer, ocean lover and […]

Social Media

Accepted Payments

Members of

chevron-down