Answering the Call: My Journey Into Volunteer Travel (And Why It Might Be Yours Too)

There’s a certain type of experience your soul quietly asks for. For me, that call has been there since college—this dream of volunteering abroad, immersing myself in new cultures, and doing something that feels bigger than my everyday life. I put it off for years. Life got busy, I prioritized other things, and the dream sat in the background like a bookmarked page I always meant to return to. But lately? It’s louder. It feels like my soul is craving meaning, connection, and adventure all at once. Maybe you’re feeling it too.

Why Volunteer Travel?

Volunteer travel blends two things I love: discovering new places and contributing to something meaningful. It’s not just about taking a trip—it’s about creating an exchange. You give your time, your energy, your curiosity, and in return you gain perspective, friendships, and memories that feel deeper than a regular vacation. Here’s what keeps pulling me toward it:

• Human connection. Sharing stories, learning customs, and building relationships that don’t feel transactional.
• Purpose. Waking up each day knowing you’re adding something positive to a community.
• Growth. Getting outside the routine, the noise, the predictable.

I want you to pause for a second and ask yourself: What is one experience your soul has been craving—but you’ve been putting off? Sometimes the dreams we delay the longest are the ones that matter the most. And maybe volunteer travel isn’t just my dream. Maybe this is the sign you were waiting for.

There are many types of volunteer travel that might speak to you personally, depending on your interests and what you’re hoping to experience. From environmental and conservation work to education and youth support, from community development to animal welfare, each path offers its own kind of connection and impact. Whether you imagine yourself helping with reforestation, supporting classrooms, empowering communities, or caring for animals, notice which type of experience made your heart jump a little—that’s usually the clue.

My Personal Why (And Maybe Yours Too)

I’m craving experiences that feel grounded. I want to meet people whose lives are different from mine, not in a touristy way, but in a way that feels real. I want to step out of routines, breathe different air, and reconnect with who I am when I’m not rushing through life. 

If that resonates with you—if you feel like you’ve been longing for something you can’t quite name—volunteer travel might be your next chapter.

I want this space on Her Atlas to be a conversation. So tell me: If you could volunteer anywhere in the world for two weeks, where would you go—and what would you want to do? Drop your answer in the comments or message me. I genuinely want to hear your story.

Volunteer travel isn’t about being perfect or having all the answers. It’s about showing up—with curiosity, openness, and a willingness to learn.This is a journey I’m finally ready to begin. And if your soul has been longing for more too… maybe you’re ready too. Let’s explore this together.