Work Exchange Trips: What to Know About This Fulfilling Form of Travel

When you think of your dream life, do you envision running a quaint bed and breakfast in the French countryside? Do you picture living on a self-sufficient, organic flower farm in Sweden with your family? Maybe you dream of slinging your carry on duffel bag over your shoulder and living nomadically, meeting new people, and experiencing different ways of life.

Work exchange trips can provide the rich, authentic experiences we all dream of. This type of travel also makes long-term journeys more feasible. Whether you want to immerse yourself in a different culture, learn a useful skill, or make the most of your remote work schedule, here’s what to know about this adventurous type of travel.

What Are Work Exchange Trips?

Also known as voluntourism, this exciting type of travel involves volunteering for a host family or business in exchange for lodging. Plenty of organizations connect adventurous travelers with unique work opportunities around the world, from au pair positions in Spain to bed and breakfast gigs in Argentina.

While you might think of nomadic young adults toting durable travel backpacks and seeking adventure when you picture work exchange trips, more diverse groups of people have embraced this form of tourism in recent years. Some hosts welcome families with children, making this a great opportunity to plan an unforgettable, active family vacation. Other work opportunities might require nominal physical activity, making them perfect for elderly adults or adventurers with limited mobility.

What to Expect

Work exchange trips are a give-and-take, making them incredible ways to contribute to the community you visit and receive a local experience. While the specifics of your adventure vary based on the work exchange agency and host you choose, there are a few general things to expect.

What You’ll Give

You’ll spend roughly four to six hours volunteering on designated days, whether that looks like tending to an organic flower farm, picking ripe berries, helping make fresh cider, or whipping up a tasty meal for everyone to share.

Choose an opportunity based on skills you already have or skills you want to learn so you can make a meaningful contribution to your hosts and their community. With an adventurous and curious attitude, volunteering a few hours of your time each day is a valuable and fulfilling experience.

What You’ll Get

Once you’re finished volunteering, the rest of the day is all yours! You might bike into town to explore a local market, grab your carry on backpack and take a train to a nearby city, or explore the pristine local hiking trails. If you’re staying with your hosts for a week or more, you’ll likely also enjoy a few days off in between volunteer days.

In exchange for your time, you’ll get a free place to stay and a fulfilling balance of work, exploration, and relaxation. Accommodations can range from campsites to personal cottages, so do plenty of research to find an opportunity that piques your interest and suits your needs and skills. Some hosts also provide meals for their visitors, offer bicycles and bus tickets, or create fun local guides for exploring their communities.

Perks of Voluntourism

With so many destinations and opportunities to choose from, it’s easy to find an enriching experience. Here are a few perks that set work exchange trips apart from typical travel.

Learning Practical Skills

If your dream is to run a cozy bed and breakfast, start a regenerative local farm, or open an organic winery, work exchange trips can help. These trips give you the unique opportunity to get hands-on experience in a field that interests you and help someone else maintain their dream. Whether you’re learning about ethical farming practices from an agriculture expert or sharpening your grasp of the local language, these trips can enrich your life in lasting ways.

Immersing Yourself In the Culture

While nearly everyone seeks authentic, one-of-a-kind experiences when they travel, it’s not always easy to shake that “tourist” label when you’re abroad. While a work exchange trip won’t automatically make you blend in with the locals, it is an incredible way to get an authentic feel for a place’s way of life. During a work exchange, you’ll experience the daily life of your destination while enjoying its regional food, drink, and conversation.

Supporting Ethical Travel

Even though most adventurous travelers have good intentions, the tourism industry can sometimes do more harm than good for popular destinations. With a work exchange trip, you can travel with confidence that you’re giving back to the places you’re visiting in some way. Since this type of travel is mutually beneficial for hosts and travelers, it’s a great way to adventure responsibly.

Essentially, work exchange trips allow you to embrace the place you’re traveling to with open arms. You can sharpen your skills, do good, and seek genuine connections, all while checking a few destinations off your travel bucket list.

Things to Consider 

Doing plenty of research is the key to a great work exchange experience. Here are some things to consider when planning your trip:

• What type of accommodations you need.
• Whether the host provides meals.
• How to organize your travel duffel bag to fit all your essentials (while saving room for special keepsakes).
• How close your destination is to towns, cities, and experiences you’ll want to explore during your free time.
• Which destinations match your skills, interests, and/or abilities.
• If your destination has any travel restrictions or requires a specific visa. 

2 Ways to Plan a Work Exchange Trip

Whether you’re dreaming of hanging fresh linens on a clothesline in Italy or baking fresh sourdough with a family in France, your perfect work exchange trip is out there somewhere. Here are two ways to plan a work exchange trip and make the most of this type of travel. 

Nomadic Lifestyles 

Work exchange trips make long-term travel more accessible since you won’t have to pay for lodging or (in some cases) daily meals. Because of this, people who want to enjoy a nomadic lifestyle for a while can plan their route based on work exchange opportunities. You and your fellow travelers can plan to visit a few countries or regions by moving from one opportunity to the next, with just your travel backpacks and adventurous spirits. Be sure to pack light and use a travel toiletry bag and other packing gear to stay organized on long trips.

Fun for the Whole Family 

Some hosts welcome families with children, making work exchange programs a great way to plan an educational trip that broadens your family’s cultural awareness. This type of travel isn’t always ideal for small children, but once your kiddos are old enough to carry their own travel backpacks and appreciate this type of experience, a few days of work exchange can be a great addition to your next family trip.

If you travel to form meaningful connections and truly immerse yourself in the local culture, this type of travel is worth exploring.

About Eagle Creek

The best souvenirs might be the ones that don’t fit in a bag, like the sound of waves crashing or the smell of fresh pastries, but the best trips start with reliable luggage from Eagle Creek. Since 1975, this adventure travel gear brand has crafted travel duffel bag styles, carry on backpacks, and other essentials for bold travelers. While Eagle Creek has maintained their classic style and steadfast designs, they continue to develop innovative packing solutions. While high-quality materials and sturdy designs make these bags ready to take on any journey, Eagle Creek’s No Matter What® Warranty makes it easy to repair or replace any damaged gear. Whether you’re following the sound of the ocean or the smell of fresh croissants, Eagle Creek gear is ready to help you chase experiences.

Find durable, easy-to-organize travel gear at https://www.eaglecreek.com/