When I first made it to the travel side of social media explore pages, I began to see videos of travellers receiving free accommodation in exchange for a few hours of work each day. I could not wrap my mind around the fact that it could be possible to stay in some of the most sought-after destinations in the world just by lending a helping hand. However, after spending hours on Reddit threads and blog posts from other travelers, I was finally convinced that Worldpackers was not a scam. Pretty soon, swiping through the various work exchange opportunities around the world became my version of doomscrolling.
Top Tips for Worldpackers
1. Utilize the search filters
The Worldpackers platform is very user-friendly and allows you to filter your searches. My favorite filters to use are
- Top Host: This will show you a well-established host with high reviews
- Meals Included
- No additional fee
- Accepts couples and partners (If you are travelling with someone else)
2. Don’t be scared to reach out to past volunteers
One of my favorite aspects of Worldpackers is that you can message past volunteers. Some of my go-to questions when trying to feel out if an exchange is right for me are:
- What were your expectations?
- What were the sleeping arrangements?
- Did the host offer any tours or excursions?
- Would you recommend this experience?
- Is there anything you wish you knew going into this?
3. Before confirming, message your host
I like to start communicating with the host as soon as possible. Some questions that I like to ask my host, to ensure that I will be happy with the experience, are:
- What type of work do the volunteers do, and how does the schedule work?
- Are meals included?
- Do you provide transportation? If not, how would you recommend I get to you?
- How many other volunteers will be there during my stay?
- What do the sleeping arrangements look like?
4. Make sure both you and the host confirm
Once you have been accepted into a volunteer position, there is one more important step. Both you and the host have to confirm on the platform itself. If this does not happen, you will not be insured if anything goes awry.
5. Apply to multiple hosts
Whether you are hoping to volunteer in a specific location or do a specific type of work, I would highly recommend applying to as many opportunities as possible. Oftentimes, hosts may not get back to you, or their spots are already full. The more positions you apply to, the more likely you are to find the perfect match.
6. Be flexible and don't be scared to walk away
While Worldpackers does have a screening process for both hosts and volunteers, it is not always perfect, and unfortunately, some opportunities are too good to be true. If you end up in these situations, know that it is ok to walk away. While it is important to honor commitments, it is even more important to listen to your intuition. At the end of the day, it is your trip, your time, your comfort, and your experience that matters. Here are some red flags to look for in a host listing:
- Vague work descriptions
- No mention of the work hours or time off
- No photos of the host or property
- No recent reviews
- Bad reviews with no clarification or response from the host
- Reviews that hint at poor communication or unclear expectations
My Final Thoughts
Worldpackers has allowed me to travel to beautiful places, meet incredible people, and learn countless new skills. However, it is important to note that, like anything, it is not perfect. It comes with its own set of challenges that can range from confusing transportation to language barriers. Nevertheless, I am so excited to continue volunteering through Worldpackers in my upcoming travels!