For your next vacation, we hope you will consider the volunteer opportunities that await you.  In our experience, there truly is no better way to engage with communities and unfamiliar lands than to actively participate in a local initiative as you vacation abroad. 

Volunteer abroad and enjoy a more authentic cultural experience that offers unique opportunities for personal and professional growth.  One can explore different interests, work with diverse groups, learn new skills and enhance one´s knowledge of self, others and the world at large. The benefits are extensive and both communities and volunteers have much to gain from the practice of volunteerism.

There are thousands of projects currently underway in support of the key issues being faced regionally.  The key is gaining access to the local organizations and background information you require to decide where your skills and interests fit best. 

Having been in your shoes, we understand how difficult it can be to find this information and we understand that cost can sometimes be an issue.  We at Mindful Traveler believe it is vital that everyone have access to these volunteer abroad opportunities, so we have taken the liberty of assembling a volunteer abroad directory of local organizations, key contacts, profiles and criteria that cater to the price-conscious, independent traveler.  All you have to do is check it out!  Once you have your shortlist of organizations you would like to approach, the only thing that separates you from an enriching volunteer vacation is a simple phone call or email to the contact person listed.  They will be thrilled to hear from you!

If you have the desire to volunteer abroad but are not comfortable with the preliminary organization involved, or are not planning to volunteer abroad for an extended period of time, perhaps you would prefer to participate in a more full-service volunteer vacation which offer accommodations, language classes, transportation, orientation and other valuable support services all included in the one price.  Volunteer vacations listed on the Mindful Traveler site are provided by professionals, experienced in the coordination and operation of volunteer abroad initiatives with extensive reputations in their fields.