What's the Difference Between Volunteering Abroad and Voluntourism?

Every year, approximately 1.6 million people volunteer abroad globally. Many for different reasons.

It’s definitely no surprise that volunteering abroad can be a life-changing experience for volunteers. It’s a great opportunity to immerse yourself in new cultures and support projects that will directly benefit local communities. In addition, it can also be a helpful way to spark purpose and self-fulfillment.

But for some travelers, volunteering abroad is just done as a “rite of passage” or “must-do experience” for their life-long bucket list. This can blur the line between volunteering and voluntourism, when the initial intention to help communities in need, may unfortunately come after the intention to simply embark on a quick, exciting experience.

So what exactly falls under this umbrella of voluntourism? And how is it different from volunteering? Can voluntourism ever be deemed good or ethical?

Let’s break down the difference between the two and compare.

Essentially, voluntourism is travel that combines vacation and volunteering. Voluntourism trips are usually short-term and involve volunteer work, merged with planned excursions and time for leisure. They also typically focus more on the experience of participants, versus the actual impact they leave on the communities in need.

Short-term

Since voluntourism programs are typically part of a larger vacation, they will usually include small excursions or entire days/weeks of leisure. The programs are meant for people who want to do good abroad, but do not have the time to commit to a volunteer project and therefore tend to be shorter in duration.

For example, an alternative spring break, like a two-week trip working at a school coupled with a safari in Kenya, would be described as voluntourism.

Group oriented

More often than not, these programs will take groups of individuals on the trips. The dates are set in advanced and you can sign up based on your interests.

This both elevates costs of excursions and allows the participants to share the experience. It also means there is less interaction with locals -- though we do want to emphasize less interaction not none at all.

No expertise required

Special skills are typically not required by voluntourists. With projects that range from construction work to teaching/tutoring, or working in environmental conservation, you don't necessarily have to have a background, degree, or previous experience to participate.

Instead, you are expected to have a go-get-'em attitude and an openness to new things, but otherwise you are not expected to be an expert in a particular field. The program will ensure that someone with the appropriate skillset is supervising the group.

Editor's note: Voluntourism or not, any program provider that allows you to work with children should require a background check and prefer that you've had experience working with children. Children are a vulnerable population and don't let the supposed "easiness" of working with them overshadow the potential harm volunteer programs can have if not done correctly and ethically.

Participation for a fee

Many volunteer and voluntourism programs alike require a fee. You, the voluntourist, will not be required to set up any of the logistics (in some cases, this even includes the flight) and can be assured that you will have 24/7 support -- but that comes at a price. Because of the additional trips, nicer accommodations, guides and translators, the cost of the program is generally higher than a volunteer program.

Run by a company

Voluntourism companies are typically not non-profits (though some are). The vast majority are for-profit companies, and a subset of the travel industry, not international development.

Therefore, they are setting up these programs with the intent of making money, in addition to giving back to communities abroad. While some of the fees do support the local staff, volunteer projects, development, and help to boost the tourism economy, a large portion also covers the salaries of staff members in the West who are responsible for the marketing, development and logistics of the programs.

Of course, if you're ever curious to know just how much of your money goes to what, ask your provider. The good ones will be transparent about everything.

Emphasis on the voluntourist's experience

Probably the most distinguishing characteristic of voluntourism, however, is the focus experience of the participant. Voluntourism companies want to make sure you come away feeling like you expanded your horizons, gave back to those in need and have therefore bettered yourself in the process.

They want you to have photos with smiling children and caring host families to remember your experience. You won't be expected to work too hard -- just enough to feel as though you contributed to the cause. Because it's a business and you're the client, expecting a positive, life-changing experience.

Length varies

Volunteering abroad can last a few weeks or a year, depending on the type of work you are doing. For the most part, the longer you stay the more effective your time will be. Many programs require a minimum of 2-3 months, in order to get you oriented and give you time to see your project through.

Of course, for some highly skilled professionals, there are short-term projects like Operation Smile or the UN's Short Term Assignments that are available to you. For unskilled volunteers, however, the chances of you finding and being effective at a two week project are lower (you'll need training in skills and/or language).

More expertise required

Which brings us to our second point: most volunteer programs require you to have expertise that will benefit one of their projects. These skills or previous professional experience might be in education, health, agriculture, art, business, camp counselor, or any number of other specialized fields. Depending on where you work, you may be required to already be fluent in a foreign language.

In short, the staff you are supporting are looking to you to help them develop their programs further by providing the prowess they are otherwise missing.

Fundraising

In some cases, you may not pay a fee to join the program but you will be asked to fundraise a given amount. In essence, you become an ambassador for the organization before heading abroad, and typically the funds you raise will be directed toward whatever project you are a part of.

This caveat compels you to get to know the ins and outs of the organization's work and make sure you are aligned with the cause. It is a technique some organizations use to dissuade those who may be thinking of volunteering abroad for the wrong reasons. And fundraising of course is an important aspect of any non-profit!

Intense orientation and on the ground training

Volunteer programs want to make sure you understand the culture, etiquette, and language before they let you lose -- yes, you may receive this with some voluntourism programs, but for volunteer projects, especially longer ones, their interest in investing in your training is stronger.

After all, not only are you there to help them be more effective, but you are a representation of their organization. How you act in the community can affect the success of their work, and you will be of more use if you understand the context.

Capacity building

One of your responsibilities as a volunteer is to help build capacity within the local staff and community. There is a reason the organization took on someone with your skillset, and it is reasonable to assume therefore that they don't have anyone on the ground with such skills.

At the same time, the intention isn't for you to fill this gap forever. You essentially want to be "working your way out of a job", so to speak. Thus you will spend part of you time training, creating guidelines and making manuals to allow your work to continue once you've left.

Emphasis on benefitting the community

Unlike a voluntourism program, a volunteer program is an integral part of an organization that is working develop a given community. The organization obviously wants you to come away with a positive experience, be healthy and safe, and will undoubtedly help with the transition process.

However, the main goal is not to make the volunteer feel better about him/herself. The goal is to make an impact on the local community. Therefore, you will be expected to pull your weight and live up to the expectations agreed upon.

Read more: How Do Communities Abroad Benefit from International Volunteers?

What it comes down to is this: Voluntourism usually combines an exotic vacation with a seemingly altruistic volunteer work. Travelers are coming abroad with little experience and expertise and trying to "fix" communities in the developing world. This notion is flawed in a number of ways, most notably the assumption that the impact needed on the community in question should come externally.

Volunteers on the other hand are working alongside an organization and community to use their expertise to develop and build capacity. The volunteer is invested in the cause and less interested in personal gain from the experience.

I won't go so far as to say that all voluntourism programs are bad and volunteer programs are good. Nor will I claim that all volunteers make a difference while voluntourists do not -- these are vast and unfair generalizations that ignore all the grey areas, exceptions, and indirect impacts both parties have.

In the end, there are definitely examples of voluntourism programs that help improve the quality of life in communities abroad, and volunteer projects that are run poorly or irresponsibly.

For example, you could have a locally-run volunteer program that is poorly managed and does little good -- they are disorganized, not strategic in their plans of action, or lacked qualified individuals. Intentions are good, but ultimately the time you spend on this project and the money you fundraise for it would likely go to waste.

On the other hand, you could find a fantastically well-run voluntourism program that has added jobs to the local economy through tourism (and has adjusted to the growing demands of the tourism market for more "experiential travel"), provided monetary donations that aided in local development, and perhaps positively influenced local perceptions of foreigners. Yes, the intangible impact the volunteers have may be small -- you aren't eradicating HIV or illiteracy in a week -- but it's there. It's there in every interaction you have.

Both voluntourism and volunteering abroad are definitely no strangers to criticism. Most criticism is aimed towards volunteers who simply travel abroad to fill gaps in their resume, enhance their college application, or feel that it is their duty to "give back" to lower-income communities, aka perpetuating the "white savior abroad complex".

It's important to reflect on why you want to volunteer abroad and how you can ensure your volunteer program truly benefits others.

Voluntourists’ hearts usually lie in the right place. But more often than not though, the outcome of their actions is only really beneficial to them. If you want to give back, volunteer abroad. If you want to take a vacation, do just that. By combining the two, you are not dedicating enough time and energy to make a real positive impact (honestly, your money often makes more of an impact than your "work"). However, if you understand that you won't be having a huge impact and do want to just "experience something different" -- then voluntourism can absolutely be what you're looking for.

But with whatever program you choose -- do your homework and ask the right questions.

Will the volunteer program be providing participants with the necessary information and knowledge about the site they're volunteering at? Where are the volunteer fees going? How much support will the organization be giving to the local community after the program ends? Will they put in effort to ensure positive results are long-term?

Whether you're embarking on a voluntourism service-learning adventure or volunteer-and-travel gap year program, you should be mindful and responsible. Understand that these are real communities you're impacting. Your intention to volunteer abroad should go way past self-growth.

You should also manage your expectations. If you're a highly skilled professional volunteering abroad for a full year, the impact you make is going to be vastly different than that of an unexperienced voluntourist who spends one week in a community abroad. Again, this doesn't necessarily mean you'll have zero impact, but you're not saving the world either. Know what you're in for.

And finally, be mindful of your host community and culture. Both kinds of programs can be detrimental if those in charge do not the the interests of the community in mind or are disregard the context and culture.

Good luck, future volunteers!