Are Americans inherently conditioned to be criminals? Are we raised to wreak havoc on our communities by breaking the laws that are in place to protect us? My short answer is no. However, when looking at statistics, it is alarming that America is known as the world’s prime jailer. “Representing just 5 percent of the world’s population, we now hold 25 percent of its inmates. The “tough on crime” politics of the 1980s and 1990s fueled an explosion in incarceration rates.

In recent years, the concept of voluntourism has been popular all over the world, as it has so many benefits. In its simplest sense, it is a combination of volunteering and traveling. You go on a vacation not just to explore the beauty of certain destination, but to also share your efforts and do good deeds for the local community.

Interested in trying it? Below are five of the places where you can do this.

Quite possibly, volunteering while traveling is the most rewarding way to experience a destination. It’s an immersion into the local culture with a lasting social impact. For students, it opens their minds and their hearts, introduces them to privilege and empathy, and can ignite a new passion. Hostelling International USA (HI USA) recognizes this potential and doesn’t believe cost should get in the way.

When you want to give your career a boost, you are not limited to your own country. In fact, many people now look at the job market in other countries, because this can open up opportunities that are just not available at home. While Western countries have long been held up as the ultimate destinations for those who want to build a career, the emerging economies in the East should not be ignored.

Water Charity Isn’t Working: How You Can Help - A perspective from a “Water Charity”

It’s pretty sexy these days to rally around the clean water for all movement. There has been a lot of money invested in marketing and “awareness.” 

If you’ve ever wanted to know about volunteering when you travel but weren’t sure where to start, I have THE BOOK for you.  Author Amy E. Robertson has penned the best volunteering guide I’ve ever read: Moon Volunteer Vacations in Latin America. And while it focuses on Latin America, this book should be the first thing you pick up if you’re ready to learn about volunteer travel.

There’s something about a hike in the woods that drives questions from my kids.