Totally Awesome Guide to Volunteer Travel is free online

If you've ever considered traveling abroad -- or nearby -- and combining that trip with a service project, “Your Totally Awesome Guide to Volunteer Travel” eBook by Sarah Van Auken should be your first step in making your plans a reality.

Read it, review it, love it, hate it -- it's all free!

"Your Totally Awesome Guide to Volunteer Travel" features 173 pages of info, including:

• Introduction to volunteer travel - what is it?
• Choosing a program - what's mutually beneficial for you, the organization, and the community?
• General travel - booking a flight, getting your vaccinations, and keeping safe
• Coming home - how can your volunteer experience augment your career and pay for your education?
• Plus an expanded directory (you saw the old one, right?) of 400 international service programs, with information on where they work, what they do, and how to get there

Van Auken’s new book contains information on hundreds of international service programs, including where you can go, what you can do, how to apply, and more. The directory is arranged alphabetical by organization name and its two indexes allow you to narrow your search by location and type of work.

This valuable resource is available as a free download (PDF) from her Web site, http://www.volunteerglobal.com. And yes, it really is free. Van Auken's "goal is to help you learn everything you need to know about international service programs and general travel -- where you can go, what you can do, how to get there, and more."

Launched in 2005, Volunteer Global is dedicated to connecting potential, current and former volunteers; this site educates individuals on international service opportunities and general travel.

Van Auken has contributed blog posts and interviews to other travel- and volunteer-oriented Web sites and publications including Briefcase to Backpack, ThePlanetD, and CheapOair. Her work has been featured on popular Web sites such as JetSetCitizen, The Maiden Voyage, The Brooklyn Nomad, Solo Traveler Blog, and Medical Travel Today.

Formerly of Pennsylvania, Van Auken graduated from South Williamsport Area High School. She attended George Washington University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in religion and art history. Her own travels include trips to Costa Rica, Puerto Rico, Italy, and the Netherlands. She has worked for five years in returned international volunteer support.

On the web at http://www.volunteerglobal.com.
 

Advice from Van Auken

What are service trips?
These are trips where you work with a volunteer organization to help their cause. They often range from one week to several years, and they cost about as much as, or even less than, one would spend on a leisure trip.

Why do I need to pay to volunteer?
Many organizations ask their volunteers to pay a fee. Usually, this is because donations are some of the only means of funding for the organization. These expenses may cover the cost of the housing, meals, supplies needed for the work performed, and building maintenance and upkeep.

Sometimes, there are organizations that place a volunteer with another program and ask for an up-front application fee. My recommendation is to apply directly through the group that you will be working with. Nine times out of 10, you'll save money.

I want to go on a service trip, but I don’t have enough money for it. What can I do?
Fundraise! A few quick ideas include creatng a PayPal link for your friends and family to donate any amount they'd like; starting a Facebook group or event; starting a Kickstarter promotion; applying for a research grant (for long-term volunteers); or hosting fundraising parties, such as bake sales, contests, or raffles.

 
If you'd like to see regular updates, stories, and tips, read the Volunteer Global blog at www.volunteerglobal.com, follow her on Twitter @VolunteerGlobal, or become a fan on Facebook.

Click on the links below to read some stories by site visitors and friends. If you'd like to contribute your stories, pictures, or videos, please contact Van Auken at info@volunteerglobal.com.

A Day in the Life of a Volunteer http://www.volunteerglobal.com/story-a-day-in-the-life-of-a-volunteer (New Orleans - Habitat for Humanity)

Barbara's Story http://www.volunteerglobal.com/story-bike-and-build (Across the U.S. - Bike&Build)

Interview with Dani http://volunteerglobal.com/blog-091224-volunteer-story-peru-with-ivhq (Peru - International Volunteer HQ)

Molly's Story: My True Calling http://www.volunteerglobal.com/mollys-story-my-true-calling (Takatifu Gardens)

Mongolia Travelogue http://volunteerglobal.com/blog-091222-volunteer-story-earthwatch-project-in-mongolia (Earthwatch)

Keeping your spirits (and your pants) up through volunteering in India http://www.volunteerglobal.com/story-keeping-your-spirits-up (Indicorps)

Additional Images: