Volunteering with Worldpackers as a Student: An Honest Review

Want to travel on a student budget without missing out on the experience? Here’s my review of my Italian work exchange…

I spent 6 weeks living in a quaint house on a mountain in Northern Italy, with a view of the gulf and the lighthouse of Portofino in the distance. I swapped my university break in Britain for the warm weather, the distant hums of a small village and Vespas, spending weekends exploring Italian cities and munching on pasta.

It was the kind of experience that was splashed on villa getaway spreads in travel magazines. But it was my reality– thanks to volunteering with Worldpackers.

I was working as an English Second Language (ESL) tutor for a family of four, and with no formal teaching experience, my days were spent helping each member of the family improve their English whilst soaking up the beauty of the Italian spring. Italy had always been on my bucket list of places to visit, but I had never expected to experience the heart of Europe through working and living like a local between university semesters– and what I didn’t expect even more was how this experience would transform the way I think about travel, especially as a student on a budget.

So, curious about what volunteering with Worldpackers is really like as a student, I miei amici? Fear not, because I’m here to walk you through the highs, the lows, and everything in between that made my Italian adventure one for the books.

What is Worldpackers?

How do I sign up?

To get started, all you need is an annual membership of £49. Once you’re signed up, you can apply to as many hosts as you like, depending on your schedule and travel goals. Hosts will usually get back to you within a few days, and if you’re accepted, you just confirm your dates and get ready for the adventure!

Is Worldpackers legitimate?

Yep! Worldpackers is a completely legitimate company. When I first heard about Worldpackers, I was a bit skeptical– who wouldn’t be? But don’t worry, all the hosts are highly verified, and the site has strict review policies in place. Worldpackers also prompts mandatory online safeguarding training, so you know your safety is a priority, and if something isn’t working out during your stay, the Worldpackers Safeguard programme has a team available 24/7 to help relocate you or offer support.

Why did I choose Worldpackers?

When I stumbled across Worldpackers, I was looking for a way to travel during my university Easter break without breaking the bank. As a full-time student, managing a budget can be tricky, but I was determined to explore places off the beaten path and dive into a different culture. The idea of volunteering while travelling was appealing, as it offered a chance to do something meaningful while keeping costs low. Worldpackers stood out because of its catalogue of up-to-date opportunities, active hosts, and strong guidelines, and I also appreciated how I could browse experiences before paying for my membership. What really sealed the deal was the strict review system—unlike other work exchange sites, Worldpackers doesn’t allow hosts to hide negative reviews, which made me feel secure about the experience I was signing up for.

My Experience with Worldpackers

While I received free accommodation and meals, the work itself—teaching, cooking, and gardening—was quite hands-on and often required more time and energy than expected. It’s important to be prepared for hard work in exchange for these benefits.

Since this was my first gig teaching ESL, every day granted a new learning curve. I quickly adapted to producing lessons tailored to each family member’s interests. The family welcomed me with open arms, making sure I felt comfortable at all times– they stocked the kitchen with my favourite foods, provided me with a personal room, and even did my laundry.

I had two days off per week, which I used to explore as much as possible– and so, armed with recommendations from my host family, I bounced between places like Pisa, Florence, Lake Como, and Crema. I had a true taste of Italian life, from learning phrases, trying local dishes, to discovering unique corners of Italy I would never have found had I just visited for a weekend. I haven’t visited the Trevi Fountain or the Colosseum, but I have been to Sunday services in tiny churches on the Ligurian coastline, drank wine and played cards with American hostel mates on a terrace beside Brunelleschi’s Dome, and ridden on a bus through the Carrara Quarries where Michelangelo chipped away the marble that would later become the sculpture of David.

Volunteering with Worldpackers was transformative. It built me a plethora of new skills, broadened my worldview, and helped me discover my passions and career goals. Plus, I got to experience such an immersive adventure without saving for a huge budget. I only had to budget for two days a week alongside my flight costs. Usually, I would have saved thousands for a two-month trip… but for Worldpackers, I budgeted £600 for the entire trip, which was a game-changer for me as a student on a budget. This included £200 for train tickets around Italy, £100 for occasional meals out, and £300 for accommodations when I took a short weekend trip away. If you’re traveling on a budget, consider using budget airlines and taking advantage of local grocery stores to keep costs low.

What are the pros of volunteering with Worldpackers?

One of the best things about volunteering with Worldpackers is that no prior experience is required to volunteer. Whether you’re working as an ESL tutor like me or assisting in a hostel or eco-project, the hosts will not ask for your CV and conduct a suit-and-tie interview– this is not to say that the site isn’t professional, but you’ll have the opportunity to build valuable transferable skills like leadership, communication, and teamwork.

Another big plus is the flexibility it offers. You can plan your trips around your own schedule, and you can book your experience weeks or even a year in advance. Whether you’re looking for a short getaway or a three-month adventure, you are in control of tailoring the experience to fit around your studies or other commitments.

The Challenges of Volunteering with Worldpackers

Of course, volunteering with Worldpackers wasn’t all sunshine and gelato. One downside is that sometimes work exchanges can feel a little isolating. While I loved spending time with my host family, there weren’t many opportunities to meet other travellers. To combat this, I made an effort to travel to nearby cities on my days off and stay at hostels to connect with other volunteers and travellers, but isolation may be something to consider if you apply to volunteer in a more remote location.

Another challenge is navigating finances. While flights might be your only expense if you’re staying close by, you can rack up extra costs if you travel to other regions or eat out regularly. I did have to work extra alongside my degree to save up my budget for the trip, and afterwards, it took me a few weeks to rebuild my savings. It’s essential to plan your budget carefully and plan your trip in advance.

Adjusting to a new lifestyle wasn’t always smooth sailing. Duolingo can only teach you so many phrases, and learning new routines can take time in a new environment– at times, I felt overwhelmed and struggled with some homesickness. But once you get into the swing of things and embrace the changes, it’s an incredibly rewarding process that will build your independence and resilience tenfold!

Tips for Students Considering Worldpackers

• Choose your host carefully: Take your time reading reviews from previous volunteers and get in touch with them to get a sense of what the experience is like, and communicate directly with your host to ensure that the expectations align.
• Plan ahead: Be realistic about your budget, and don’t forget to account for any additional transport or entertainment costs, even if accommodation and meals are free. There is no such thing as being too organised.
• Embrace new challenges: Volunteering with Worldpackers is one of the only opportunities that doesn’t require prior experience, so why not try something new? Not only will you gain new experiences and build skills, but possibly open new doors to undiscovered passions.

Would I recommend Worldpackers?

So… the million dollar question: would I recommend Worldpackers?

Yes! For students and budget-conscious travellers alike, Worldpackers is a getaway to affordable adventures. Whether you want to spend your entire summer tackling a new culture or hop on a short flight to build some experience during reading weeks, volunteering with Worldpackers is a chance to design a travelling experience without taking time away from university or wringing out your wallet.

However, it’s important to go into the experience with realistic expectations. While the adventure can be rewarding, there may be moments when things don’t go perfectly, from navigating a new way of life to managing your finances. But if you’re adaptable with an open mind, the rewards go far beyond what you can expect from a typical holiday.

Have you had your own Worldpackers adventure or another work exchange programme? I’d love to hear about your experiences– what was the most unexpected part of your trip? Let’s chat in the comments below!

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