Volunteer at homestays worldwide

What is a homestay?

There's no better way to immerse yourself in a new culture than at a homestay experience.

When volunteering at a homestay, you agree to help your host family out in exchange for free meals and lodging. When you share the residence and meals with the kind family taking you in, travel becomes a lot more cost-effective!

This makes homestays a very popular choice for budget travelers to see the world.

You could be working as a digital marketing volunteer in Kenya and putting your photography and social media skills to use. If you're good with children, you might think about opting for a homestay that needs help with child care, such as this orphanage in Senegal.

You might be wondering, what are the main duties your homestay might need help with? 

Many common homestay tasks could include housekeeping, cooking or serving food, gardening, cleaning around the house, or painting and decorating as a handyman.

There are even positions open that need volunteer help with teaching languages, so you might get the chance to learn a new language yourself!

One of the best parts about volunteering at a homestay is that you get to live like a local. Each day as the sun rises and sets, you'll get to be an active part in a new community as you adapt to their lifestyle.

You'll no doubt learn many things about the area you're placed in, get insider travel tips from your host, and maybe even receive discounts on local tours and events.

Working in a homestay is all about working together to improve the community. All you need to do is bring your positive attitude and an open mind and you'll learn and grow from your experience.

Homestays differ in length, but the longer you stay in one area, the more you'll feel like a true part of the family. As you gather for your evening meal each night, breaking bread with the family who has opened their home to you, you'll feel like an important part of their world.

Aim high; wherever you see a need, do your best to fill it! Where can you help out? What more can you do with the time you have there?

The community will thank you for your impact, and you'll notice they've made a strong impact on you as well.

How to find homestay families

Meeting new people is often one of the best parts of traveling.

Homestays give you a direct means of connecting with other human beings and is one of the most rewarding ways to volunteer abroad! We all enjoy some quality alone time, but finding a deeper connection with others is something we all need.

Volunteering at a homestay will be a new experience for some, and will most certainly involve stepping out of your comfort zone as you live in an unfamiliar place with people you don't know. But that's the beauty of travel! 

Let your wanderlust and love of learning guide you to a homestay that's right for you.

Search through our catalog of homestays across the globe and you'll be able to see the duties you'll be performing and what your hosts need help with.

Scroll through photos of the homestay you'll be living at and check out the free perks that come with being a volunteer! Free hiking tours, language lessons, discounted drinks and bikes at your disposal are among a few of them.

You can determine how long your stay will be and how many days you'll get off each week to get some exploring in. What breathtaking sights and awesome adventures await you in the area?

Each homestay experience is unique! You might decide to travel Down Under to this vegan community that needs volunteer help in exchange for delicious meals and a comfy place to stay.

Help renovate an old hunting lodge as you live off the grid in Bulgaria and connect with nature in your very own backyard forest.

Enjoy sunny San Diego at this homestay where you'll help a small family care for their young son for just two days a week. Spend the rest of your time surfing those choice California waves.

Whether you're helping a small family or a non-profit organization in a growing community, volunteering at a homestay is the perfect way to see the world and do service at the same time. It's a very fulfilling line of work, and your host will appreciate all your efforts to make their lives easier.

If you're traveling alone, homestays are an especially great way to find a home away from home. 

Ways to connect with culture at a homestay

Depending on what country you're visiting, the cultural norms and customs will vary. It's important to travel to your chosen homestay experience with an open mind, a willingness to observe their customs and traditions, and the desire to absorb their history and stories whenever you can.

Start with a little research before you head off on your adventure! Learn some basic phrases in your host's native tongue or brush up on the area's cultural and religious values.

Knowing a little will go a long way, and your host will love that you're diving in and showing initiative! It will set you on the right path towards a homestay experience that could change your life.

An avid traveler is hungry for knowledge. Ask questions whenever you can!

Where is the best place to get a traditional meal in town? What are the best scenic spots to get a little hiking in during the day? Which museums are worth going to? What's the best method of transportation?

Locals can provide you with tons of insight into their country that you may not be able to find anywhere else. They have the ability to lead you to the roads less traveled, discovering hidden gems and memorable experiences left and right. 

Better yet, ask them about their story and see what more you can learn about the homestay experience you are a part of. On your days off, plan to explore the city to your heart's content!

Experience the life of a nomad in the Sahara Desert at this homestay in Morocco, where you'll help build nomad structures and perform household duties.

Help renovate this house in Miami and treat yourself to a relaxing day at the beach during your time off.

Live and work in the heart of Granada, Spain near a UNESCO World Heritage site as you meet international house guests and assist in the home's general upkeep.

If you're an outdoor enthusiast, you'll love this homestay experience in Brazil where you'll work on a farm and be near the mountains.

With so many remarkable homestay experiences to choose from around the world, you're sure to find somewhere to start your next big adventure. Giving your time and skills in exchange for great food, a cozy place to rest your head, and even better company will benefit everyone involved.

Volunteers like you have the ability to create a positive change in any community with even the smallest effort. 

Discover where you're needed and put your heart into it!

Homestays will be your new favorite way to make a difference wherever you may roam.