Why Volunteering Abroad is the Best Way to See the World in 2025

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Let’s be honest: I’m sure even you’d agree that the meaning of ‘travel’ has changed manifolds over the last decade. Traveling is no longer about ticking destinations off the bucket list, but it’s now more about meaningful experiences that can leave a positive impact on both the traveler and the places explored.

In 2025, as the focus shifts more towards responsible and immersive journeys, volunteering abroad has emerged as one of the best ways to explore the world while making a difference. Beyond the gorgeous landscapes and the iconic places, volunteering adds meaning to your journey, letting you know the people of the land and do something worthy for them. Not just that, but it also helps you to grow in your personal and professional spheres, as you gain valuable skills.

Here’s why volunteering abroad is the best way to see the world in 2025:

1. Adding a purpose to your travels

A volunteering trip is not like a usual holiday that offers relaxation and adventure, but it’s more like a purposeful journey. Once you sign up for a program and travel – whether it’s teaching underprivileged children, or contributing towards environmental conservation, or empowering women. It’s a trip that’s more than just sightseeing, but rather a journey towards making a positive impact.

In 2025, you can be a part of a meaningful volunteering project abroad and work for global issues like climate change and wildlife conservation, stand up against illiteracy, support the local communities, and make life better for them.

2. Immerse in the local cultures

When we go on a holiday, we don’t usually make any effort to engage with the local communities. However, a volunteer trip will always push us to step out of our comfort zone and immerse ourselves in the local culture. You’ll stay with the locals and work alongside them, learning their traditions, language and lifestyle.

For example, when you join a teaching volunteer program in Vietnam, you not only share your knowledge but also learn how festivals like Tết are celebrated, how the local food is prepared, what are the secrets of flavorful Vietnamese coffee, etc. These cultural experiences are difficult to find until and unless you spend quality time with the people of the land, adding an authentic touch to your journey.

3. Embracing sustainable travel goals

In the current times, when sustainable traveling has become more important than ever, volunteering is a conscious choice to minimize your footprint while making a positive social impact. As a volunteer abroad, you will get to contribute towards local development programs, uplift the underprivileged communities, and also add to their economy.

Volunteering Solutions has meaningful and affordable opportunities across 25+ destinations, working with local organizations to provide maximum support to the communities. When you join a program and travel abroad to volunteer, there will be a local country co-ordinator, who’ll be available 24*7 to assist you and help you at the project site.

4. Volunteering abroad is more affordable than anything else!

Now, this is an important thing to consider. When we plan any international trip, we always tend to consider a budget. While luxury holidays can cost a bomb, people often choose to backpack as well. But think of it this way, a volunteer trip would nearly cost you as much as backpacking, yet you’d have a decent place to stay, a bunch of amazing folks to travel with, a meaningful program to contribute to, and some valuable lessons to learn – sounds great, right?

When you pay to join a program with Volunteering Solutions, your accommodation, meals, program fee, etc is included in it and some of the amount is also directed towards supporting the local communities. So if you’re planning to travel abroad in 2025, then a volunteer trip would be the perfect way to explore the world without making a hole in your pockets!

5. A journey that’ll stay with you forever

I traveled to Kenya in 2019 to volunteer for the childcare program in Nairobi, and it still is the best trip of my life. Needless to say, a volunteering trip will change the way you look at life and it’ll stay with you – FOREVER.

Unlike usual holidays that turn into memories and often fade with time, your experiences from a volunteer trip will stay with you for a lifetime. The lessons you’ll learn, the people you’ll meet, and the impact you make will be a part of your story. And every time you look back, you would know that this journey mattered.

Here are the top 5 destinations where you can volunteer in 2025:

Volunteer in India

India is a country that is there on every traveler’s bucket list, and if you have been thinking of traveling to India in 2025, then how about taking a volunteer trip?

Your volunteer trip to India will not only open the doors to this country but it’ll also welcome you warmly and allow you to know more about the country that no books have told you yet. You’ll get an opportunity to explore and experience the vibrancy of India while volunteering for change. India, being a developing country, still has certain sections of underprivileged people who need a little help to have a better place in society and live a good life. Needless to say, India is one of the most popular volunteering destinations as well.

“The India 2 weeks special program was an incredible experience! All was well organized, the accommodation is really nice and cleaned. The person that lived with us is an incredible chef, guide, driver and special person! He was always at disposition in case of necessity. The organization gave us all the information to be able to reach and perform the activities at the school with children and they are always at disposition in case of any doubts. They also organized for us a beautiful weekend in Jaipur and Agra. I definitely recommend this experience.” – Giorgia B

Volunteer in Thailand

A paradise for backpackers and gap year travelers, Thailand is yet another Asian destination that is highly preferred by volunteers. No matter whether you choose to volunteer with children in Bangkok or feel like working at an elephant care camp in Chiang Mai, you’ll have ample scope to contribute meaningfully, while exploring the ‘Land of Smiles’.

Learn to cook some Pad Thai, go for weekend hikes, visit the beautiful temples, and make the most of your time in Thailand.

“Just wow!! A fantastic well organised trip, with well thought out activities and we were so well looked after by Fighter. Excellent hotels and restaurants, exclusive trips. At all times I felt secure and safe. If I had any queries Fighter sought to answer them. A truly memorable experience- thank you.” – Dawn B

Volunteer in Ireland

Ready to live your Irish dreams? It’s time to take a volunteer trip to Ireland in 2025. Even though it’s a developed country, there are several areas around Cork and Clonmel where marginalized communities are still struggling for a better life. As a volunteer, you’ll get the chance to work alongside local social workers, helping them at charity shops, and community development programs as well as hosting workshops for young adults.

“My time in Ireland was very memorable: I think I changed a lot there and I became more independent and surer of what I am worth. Irish people are all very nice and enjoyable because it changes a lot with other European countries. Moreover, there are such outstanding touristic places in Ireland that deserve to be visited. Finally, volunteering in a charity shop was a very enjoyable work as it was not very hard and it allowed me to talk English a lot to customers or colleagues. All in all, I recommend 100% Ireland as it was for me an amazing experience that I won’t forget.” – Julie

Volunteer in South Africa

South Africa is a land that has too many surprises for all its visitors – no matter in which part of the country you are, you’ll always find the ultimate combo of wildlife, nature, culture, adventure, traditions, and heritage. Whether it’s the vast stretches of golden beaches or the undulating mountains, the thrill of seeing the lions and leopards in the wild, or the chills of skydiving – South Africa has the best of everything to offer you.

And it’ll be an incredible opportunity to offer something back to the underprivileged societies in and around Cape Town. Those who love to spend time amidst nature and wish to work with animals can also choose the wildlife project that’s available in Port Elizabeth. This is the time when you should volunteer across South Africa and make a difference.

“It was amazing work as a volunteer in South Africa because I could see the Big five of Africa working in a reserve. Amso i could lesrn a lot of things about the wildlife and the plants. Even The staff of the reserve worked with a school where you can go and play with the kids. It was one the best experiencies of my life. I would like to do it again!” – Valeria R

Volunteer in Peru

‘The Land of the Incas’ – Peru is a country that has something beautiful to be discovered at every nook and corner. A country that has 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Peru can never fail to mesmerize a traveler.

While the country is developing at its own pace, there are still sections of the Peruvian society where a little help from outside is required. Being a volunteer in Peru, you’ll have the opportunity to live with the host family and learn more about their culture and lifestyle. It’ll also help you to get a grip on your Spanish speaking skills, and if you are interested, you might just also learn how to cook Ceviche.

“The incredible warmth of the children in the Kindergarten in Cusco and the loving welcome of the host family and participation in family life are truly unique! After just 2 weeks, saying goodbye is emotional and very difficult. Getting to know the other volunteers and exploring a foreign country together was a special bonus. Thanks to everyone for an unforgettable time.” – Michele

It’s time to let go of the procrastination and plan for that life-changing trip. To know more about our programs, write to us at [email protected] and our Program Advisors will connect with you.

Also, follow us on Instagram to know more about what our volunteers are up to, and connect with our past volunteers to learn about their experiences.

About The Author

Riyanka

Riyanka is a traveler who is keen on exploring different parts of the world. She’s a travel blogger who’s equally passionate about photography. Her quest is to turn all her journeys into beautiful stories. Being a die-hard ‘mountain-aholic‘, her favorite destinations are all around the Himalayas! She can spend days gazing at the snow-capped mountains, binge on Maggi and lemon-honey-ginger tea, and reading Ruskin Bond books.

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