“Sure, we’re all getting a nice warm fuzzy feeling, but is this really sustainable? Do we really think there will never be another hurricane?”
That was me, questioning the validity and logic of my volunteer group’s efforts to rebuild homes in the Lower Ninth Ward in New Orleans after Katrina.
At age 22, I was definitely that guy. And in some ways, I still am. I like to think I’ve become less abrasive over the last 15 years, but I still try to consider the good, the bad, and the ugly of everything I do.
Back then, in 2008, I was dubious about service trips (although clearly not dubious enough to avoid them entirely). I worried that going somewhere for 10 days to make any meaningful difference was impossible, and worse, self-indulgent.
Were we really in New Orleans to solve the hurricane victims’ problems, or were we there to make ourselves feel good? Could it possibly be both?
If I could go back in time, I’d tell the 22-year-old me to chill out and take a breath. Because in retrospect, I don’t think we should villainize VolunTourism as inherently bad.
Let’s quickly define what we mean by the term ‘VolunTourism’: a hybrid of travel and charity where participants engage in volunteer work, typically as part of a non-profit.
Sounds fine on the surface, right? But people have several objections to this activity:
On the flip side, let’s pinpoint good qualities to shoot for in VolunTourism narratives and provide some quick examples:
Beyond these ideological issues, it’s also important to note that VolunTourism is considered to be a cliche topic for college essays, cover letters, speeches, school assignments, etc.
For students interested in healthcare careers in the US, their overseas medical experiences (often through mission trips) are not always taken seriously in their applications because the exposure often doesn't reflect the reality of American healthcare systems and practices.
So, should VolunTourism be avoided in all cases? I don’t think it’s that simple.
I think the dominant narrative about VolunTourism is so negative that many people forget about its valuable benefits:
1.) Interesting Stories
Let me be clear–you need to be somewhat discerning to figure out what makes a good story from your VolunTourism. But those interesting stories definitely exist. Just from my own experiences, here is one lame story and one strong story I could tell:
Lame Story: I sat around in a discussion circle with my co-volunteers in New Orleans and shared all the things we took for granted in our lives, giving us a newfound perspective on our privileges and blessings.
Strong Story: When volunteering at a shelter for the elderly and homeless in Jamaica, I met an orphaned 12-year-old kid who lived, slept, and worked at the shelter. He didn’t like his sudden onset of patchy facial hair, so I taught him how to shave. Later, he surprised me by explaining how he was already looking for a wife so that he could start a family. Then, without any prompting whatsoever, he taught me how to flirt with Jamaican women.
Both stories are trying to reveal some change in outlook, but the second one illustrates how much different my life was from the young boy at the shelter. Whenever I tell people about that boy, they’re struck with a mix of laughter and disbelief. The second one is riskier and more provocative, making it far more resonant and memorable.
I feel that the most compelling VolunTourism stories are often folded in, rather than highlighted or featured as part of the trip’s scheduled agenda. So let everything sink in.
2.) Learning and/or Practicing a Foreign Language
If you have already studied a language on a formal or even informal level, going on a volunteer trip in an area that speaks the language is a valuable and immersive opportunity.
Although a little awkward and challenging, the process of conversing with and learning from native speakers will exponentially accelerate your proficiency with the language.
This has both intangible and practical benefits: becoming multilingual will likely lead to a more enriching life, but you will also become an all-star in your applications if you can show employers or colleges that you filled a valuable role as a translator (even an imperfect one).
3.) Gaining Practical Skills
Before building homes in New Orleans, I had never laid tile, installed drywall, or caulked windows, just to name a few tasks. Was I an amazing carpenter or builder on the trip? Probably not. But I did my best to take these responsibilities seriously and found them to be much more rewarding than any group circle-discussion that I engaged in.
Both stories are trying to reveal some change in outlook, but the second one illustrates how much different my life was from the young boy at the shelter. Whenever I tell people about that boy, they’re struck with a mix of laughter and disbelief. The second one is riskier and more provocative, making it far more resonant and memorable.
I feel that the most compelling VolunTourism stories are often folded in, rather than highlighted or featured as part of the trip’s scheduled agenda. So let everything sink in.
2.) Learning and/or Practicing a Foreign Language
If you have already studied a language on a formal or even informal level, going on a volunteer trip in an area that speaks the language is a valuable and immersive opportunity.
Although a little awkward and challenging, the process of conversing with and learning from native speakers will exponentially accelerate your proficiency with the language.
This has both intangible and practical benefits: becoming multilingual will likely lead to a more enriching life, but you will also become an all-star in your applications if you can show employers or colleges that you filled a valuable role as a translator (even an imperfect one).
3.) Gaining Practical Skills
Before building homes in New Orleans, I had never laid tile, installed drywall, or caulked windows, just to name a few tasks. Was I an amazing carpenter or builder on the trip? Probably not. But I did my best to take these responsibilities seriously and found them to be much more rewarding than any group circle-discussion that I engaged in.
4.) Meeting and Learning from Diverse People
One of my most memorable days in New Orleans was spent suspended on ladders with caulking guns, helping a guy seal his new home from the rain.
I was so determined to show humility that I hardly spoke, to the point where he joked about me being a mute. I spent most of my time just listening to him–how to ensure I didn’t miss any cracks, why he will never leave New Orleans, the story of him being rescued via raft from the roof of his old home during the hurricane. By the end of the day, I had learned most of his family history, dating all the way back to the 1700s. He even taught me some Creole.
When we left that day, he shook my hand and said, “You did good work today, but this ain’t just about being a mule. You can pipe up every once and a while.”
I learned it’s good to put your head down and listen, but not at the expense of a genuine cultural exchange. I thought I was taking the most respectful approach, but these trips are most valuable and story-worthy if you engage in open dialogue and view interactions as a two-way street.
5.) Seeing the Bigger Picture
I remember being very turned off when my group visited touristy areas like Bourbon Street in New Orleans or Dunns River Falls in Jamaica as a “treat” at the end of the trip. People seemed to have no problem eating beignets or sunbathing on a trip dedicated to service.
It’s understandable why I felt the way I did, but I think it was misguided. In retrospect, even these questionable jaunts were giving me valuable perspective about the disparities that exist in different communities and locations, sometimes only miles apart.
These side activities weren’t sold to me as eye-openers, but they were actually illustrating the potential traps of VolunTourism, where temporary sacrifice and grunty labor are quickly mollified by a return to luxury and creature comforts.
Looking back, rather than just being annoyed, I should have viewed this as a call to action to do more back home, either by continuing to help from afar or getting more involved locally.
I feel that there are some simple questions you can ask when researching volunteer organizations and deciding whether they’re right for you or not:
These questions will give you a baseline understanding of whether the organization is transparent and on-the-level.
Based on my research, here are examples of 5 reputable organizations, known for honest altruism, sustainability, and partnerships with local communities:
-Trips last as long as 24 weeks and cost as little as $20/day
-Partners with local organizations
-Regularly audits programs to ensure they meet goals
-Implements a child protection policy across all programs
-Offers pre-departure training to volunteers to maximize their impact
-Often offers one free week on multi-week trips
-Each program goes through a long vetting process for quality and ethics
-Many trips have total costs under $600
-Locally-based in Latin America
-Mission is to make a real impact in communities by carefully planning/monitoring projects
-Provides education to over 14,000 children every year
-Offers unique internship feature
-Can gain valuable work experience in the nonprofit sector while making a positive impact on sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa
-Support the daily operations of a non-governmental organization (NGO)
Some honorable mentions:
But as stated before, you should do your own research. These organizations all have representatives, so reach out and ask questions about their efforts towards sustainability, social justice, solidarity, etc. If they’re not ready to provide information, that’s a bad sign.
Keep in mind that nearly every organization is driven by some degree of self-interest or self-promotion, so you should be shooting for a clean operation, not an immaculate one.
Like most bad writing, the worst narratives about VolunTourism are:
It’s likely that you’ve read one or more VolunTourism stories that fit this bill.
On the flip side, let’s pinpoint good qualities to shoot for in VolunTourism narratives and provide some quick examples:
Vivid Details and an Honest, Realistic Tone:
As soon as I exited the taxi, I felt out of place. The ramshackle building looked nothing like a hospital: crumbling bricks, hanging door hinges, peeling paint. Passersby shot me errant glances in my fancy new suit. Inside, the hospital smelled like disease and despair. Dr. Porta handed me a white coat. My role was to shadow her while she performed free surgeries in a slum near Sao Paulo, Brazil. There were at least 30 patients sitting on the floor in the waiting room. A patient missing a foot pointed at me and asked in Portuguese if I had any water. I handed him a bottle from my borrowed white coat, the best I could offer. He gulped it down and thanked me with a gap-toothed smile. The encounter, although brief, disarmed me. My mind reeled when confronted by the squalor and deplorable conditions.
Shows Efforts Towards Sustainability:
Before leaving for my Global Medical Training (GMT) trip to the Dominican Republic, I reached out to the GMT-affiliated doctors and discovered that many patient cases were caused by a lack of clean water. So I collaborated with campus clubs and obtained water filtration systems that I could assemble in the village. The most rewarding aspect was teaching locals how to use them and seeing them install more in neighboring areas.
Communicates Genuine Cultural Exchange:
Inspired by coursework in Fijian education, I visited the village school to provide a layman’s lesson based in cardiac physiology. With chalk in hand, I explained the concept of being ‘immunocompromised,’ the importance of low sodium diets, and the value of aerobic exercise. In turn, the cultural shift in Fiji strengthened my adaptability. Traditional Fijian dress, chief-led social dynamics, pescatarian diets, specific gender norms, and observance of the Sabbath were all new to me. Every interaction presented an opportunity to engage across cultural boundaries and learn about a new approach to worship, learning, schooling, and storytelling.
Global Exposure Leading to Local Action:
While living in the jungle of Guatemala, I grew close to a family: Aura, Jorge, and their six children. Late one evening, I entered their shack to see Jorge lying in a hammock, immobilized from a back injury he suffered while harvesting corn. The injury left him unable to return to work. Over the next three months, I stopped by to help however I could: mending their fence, moving anything heavy, or even removing the kernels from dried corn. I wanted to do more to alleviate Jorge’s pain or get him to a doctor, but we lacked the necessary resources. This experience prompted me to seek volunteer opportunities back in the US where I helped bring mobile clinics to rural migrant workers who lacked healthcare access.
Like many things in life, VolunTourism is not a black-and-white issue. It all comes down to how you approach the trip, how you process and communicate its lessons, and whether you can build off the experience in a meaningful, long-term way.
So, did I change your outlook on VolunTourism at all? Do you support it, oppose it, or somewhere in between?
Let me know in the comments, and feel free to chime in with other advice or recommendations for people considering VolunTourism.
- Ryan
P.S. Use this helpful To-Do List to plan Before, During, and After Your VolunTourism Trip.
For over 11 years, Ryan Kelly has guided hundreds of students towards acceptance into top colleges and graduate schools, with an emphasis on standing out while also staying true to themselves. Read more about Ryan here. Or book a free intro meeting with him here.
Next week Ryan will be discussing how to give and receive truly "constructive" criticism.
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