Worldpackers: My Experience Volunteering Abroad
I first heard of Worldpackers two years go – around the time when I first started travelling solo. Since then, I knew that I would volunteer with Worldpackers one day. Worldpackers is a subscription-based platform where you can find opportunities where you work some hours each day in exchange for food and accommodation. Once you sign up, you can apply for multiple volunteering opportunities, anywhere in the world. I finally signed up in October 2024 and started looking for opportunities that aligned with my interests.
Choosing a Volunteering Position
After signing up, I had to decide where I wanted to volunteer. Indonesia was one of my top bucket list destinations at the time, so the decision was easy! From teaching kids to working at a surf camp, there were so many exciting opportunities. With my past teaching experience, I was especially drawn to working at a school; and that is why I chose teaching as my first volunteering activity.
The Application Process
Once you sign up and decide on a destination, you can explore all the available opportunities and apply to as many as you like. When you apply for a position, you will be required to answer some basic questions that will help the host assess whether you are the right fit for the position. You can also ask the host if you have any specific questions in mind.
After you apply, the host has up to four days to respond before the application expires. Sometimes, if may even take longer, so it is a good idea to apply to multiple positions. That way, even if you don’t get a response from a host, you will have other options. Once the host responds, and is willing to offer you the position, you have up to seven days to accept the position, before it expires. Since most travellers plan their trips well in advance, you start applying up to six months in advance.
I applied for teaching positions at different locations in Indonesia – Bali, Lombok, and East Java. Out of these, I immediately got a response from the host in Bali, so I decided to go ahead with that one. I applied in October 2024, and I picked January 2025 to volunteer.
The Volunteering Opportunity
I volunteered at a kindergarten in Padang Kerta, Karangasem, which is in the East of Bali. Founded by Teacher Suri, 17 years ago, Sekolah Alam Cempaka Kids follows a Neo-Humanist educational philosophy. The school, located in a beautiful area surrounded by nature, has 130 kids from the ages two to six; 30 of which are special needs students. Volunteers are required to help assist the teachers conduct classes and introduce the children to different languages and cultures.
My Experience
I was a little nervous on my first day of volunteering, but the teachers and kids made me feel welcome right from the first day!
At the school, the day starts with a morning meditation, followed by a round of light exercise and dancing. After the morning session, it’s time for breakfast – the kids are served freshly prepared, healthy meals, consisting of rice, veggies, and fruit. They are also given a sweet treat after breakfast. The kids are encouraged to wash their own dishes, which helps inculcate a sense of duty and responsibility from a young age. After breakfast, it’s play-time! The school has a small playground, where the kids can play for fifteen minutes, before the classes begin. The playground also has a chicken coop and a rabbit coop.
Interacting with the kids was especially rewarding—seeing their faces light up when they learned something new was priceless! I was truly moved by the teachers' passion for their work and their commitment to making every child feel seen and included. Their dedication created an environment where every child can thrive.
My accommodation was at a local’s house, just a short 15-minute walk from the school. I was joined by four other volunteers, which made the experience even more fun and dynamic. The local host was a lovely woman who cooked some of the most delicious traditional Balinese meals I’d ever had. Living with the locals gave me the opportunity to understand the local culture and traditions – an authentic taste of Bali.
Final Thoughts
I volunteered at the school for a week. This experience showed me that volunteering isn’t just about giving—it's also about receiving. The love, kindness and compassion that I experienced there in a week will leave a lasting impression. I couldn’t have asked for a better experience for my first Worldpackers opportunity.
If you’re looking for a way to connect with new cultures while giving back, I highly recommend exploring Worldpackers. Whether it’s a school in Bali or a cat sanctuary on a Greek island, there’s an opportunity waiting for you!