The Dali Lama has said, “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before,” but sometimes that is difficult on a collegiette’s budget. Maybe study abroad isn’t an option and an interterm trip simply isn’t long enough, but there are other cheap – even free – ways to travel and have the experience of a lifetime. Here are a few honorable mentions to keep in mind the next time you want a little adventure:
If you are looking for a way to work while you travel, Work Away is your best bet. This company maintains a database of families and organizations from many countries that are looking for volunteers to do a variety of jobs – from planting to babysitting. For your work, hosts will provide free food and housing. Work Away aims to promote cultural understanding and enable people to travel on a budget.
Back Door Jobs – Adventurous types: make money while traveling.
If you are the adventurous type looking for short-term jobs as you travel through a country – or continent – Back Door Jobs should be the first website you look at. They offer what is called “short-term job adventure channels” that include wilderness therapy jobs, jobs in the great outdoors and conservation work, resort/guest services/food/hospitality job opportunities, and mind/body/soul quests (just to name a few).
Couchsurfing – Travelers around the world welcome you to stay on their couches for a few days – people are rated and recommended so it is safe.
If you can muster all your trust (and don’t mind sleeping on a couch), Couchsurfing is for you. They have travelers registered in 100,000 cities worldwide that are offering their couches to weary travelers. With over 7 million members, there is an array of locations and every single member is rated has recommended. Surfing the world is just a sign-up away.
WWOOF – World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms, hosts and volunteers dedicated to sustainable agriculture.
If you want to travel and also help improve our environment, WWOOF is a viable option. World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms maintains a community of hosts and volunteers dedicated to sustainable agriculture. Volunteers are expected to exchange four to six hours labor for a full day’s food and accommodation. Most visits last between one and two weeks and are spent weeding, milking, feeding, wine making, sowing seeds – the list goes on.