If you’re wondering what the best alternative to Workaway is, you’ve come to the right place. Though it’s not as well known, Worldpackers is the best Workaway alternative out there.
Chances are that if you’re reading this, you already have some idea what Workaway is. But just to be safe, let me explain.
Workaway is a work exchange site where you can browse opportunities from all around the world that you can volunteer at.
The term ‘work exchange’ means that you exchange your help for free food and accommodation.
It’s known by many names like help exchange, travel volunteering, voluntourism, etc.
You can find a lot more information here on my massive Workaway page which links to all of my articles on Workaway.
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6 Reasons Why Worldpackers Is The Best Workaway Alternative
If looking for a Workaway alternative, Worldpackers is the best option. With the extra safety measures, reliable support channels, and growth opportunities, this work exchange site is definitely worth a try.
1. Emphasis On Women’s Safety
One of the top priorities of Worldpackers is safety. It’s a huge emphasis for them, which you’ll notice if you ever visited their website or blog.
But for me, what really makes me believe that they are the best Workaway alternative is their huge emphasis on the safety of women.
You can see this on both the Worldpackers platform and the academy.
Since 59% of Worldpackers members are women, it only makes sense to focus on women’s safety.
They even have a whole blog category devoted to ‘Women traveling’, so you can find inspiration and safety tips.
Ensuring Volunteering Safety In Practical Ways
Whether you’re a seasoned volunteer or a first-time traveler, it’s good to have your trip confirmed and protected.
Of course, things can always go wrong, but Worldpackers have a few different measures to reduce the risk of a failed trip.
The fact that they have safety features like official agreements with hosts, Worldpackers insurance, and 24/7 support for questions or concerns, make them a great Workaway alternative.
2. Official Agreement With Your Host
One of the things that set Worldpackers apart as a good Workaway alternative is that they make sure to have an official agreement with the host you will be helping.
Once you find a host and you reach an agreement to collaborate together on the Worldpackers platform, you’ll get an official agreement.
This means that both parties know what is expected of them. Everything is clear, out in the open, and set in writing.
The agreement helps to foster safety and gives you peace of mind that your trip is safely confirmed.
3. Worldpackers Insurance
Worldpackers really stand by their promise of safety.
Along with the official agreement, Worldpackers also adds another layer of security by offering insurance so you can go on your trip without worries.
If the Worldpackers host does not follow the official agreement and you don’t agree with the new terms that they are saying, you can exercise the WP insurance.
It’s there to help keep you from being overworked and from dangerous situations. In case this does start happening, the Worldpackers team will help you find a new work exchange nearby.
If there is nothing available, they will cover the cost of staying in a shared hostel dorm nearby for up to 3 nights.
Worlpackers Insurance covers all trips that are made through the Worldpackers platform.
It is offered at no extra cost to you because it’s included in the initial membership fee.
The fact that Worldpackers offers insurance is a huge perk, and plays an important role in why Worldpackers is a great alternative to Workaway.
It’s essential to note that Worldpackers insurance is not a replacement for travel medical insurance.
Make sure to cover yourself properly with a good policy. Use these 12 tips to find the best work abroad travel insurance.
I always love using Safetywing because it is so affordable but has good coverage.
If you’re on a budget, this is the perfect company because you can be covered for 4 weeks for as low as $40.
4. Great Support Channels
Worldpackers is known for having great 24/7 support, which makes sense because they offer insurance.
If something happens with a host, you will need a response to be quick. It also makes sense why they don’t rely only on one way to contact them.
The main way to get in touch is to email [email protected]. You can also message them on Facebook too.
Once you are a Worldpackers member, you can message the Worldpackers team at any point of your trip with questions or concerns.
Opportunities For Growth Beyond Volunteering
Most work exchange sites are simply for finding volunteer opportunities. Worldpackers have stepped above the competition by offering different paths for growth.
Not only do they have a learning platform to elevate your knowledge, but also have ways you can make some extra cash.
These two ways are meant to help people create a sustainable, long-term traveling lifestyle. To me, that makes them truly one of the best alternatives to Workaway.
5. They Have Their Own Learning Platform
Worldpackers know it can be very overwhelming to be a first-time traveler and even more so to start travel volunteering!
Even those who are experienced travelers and volunteers might want to permanently change their life path from what society considers as ‘normal’.
It seems like every year, there’s an ever-increasing number of people who are even starting to pursue a non-traditional, nomadic lifestyle.
Because of this, they have created the Worldpackers Academy – a learning platform made by travelers, for travelers.
The academy aims to help you learn how to have a life full of more freedom, flexibility, and travel.
Plus, all of the video lessons are created by travelers in the Worldpackers community.
There are 3 main sections to choose from depending on your goals:
- Traveling with Worldpackers (free)
- Planning and budgeting for travel (paid)
- Make a living while traveling as a lifestyle (paid)
6. They Help You Earn Extra Income
There are 4 different ways you can earn extra income through Worldpackers.
They are called Worldpackers ‘programs’ because there are individual requirements for each program. Here’s a breakdown for you:
Guru
Introduce Worldpackers to other travelers and friends by sharing your own great experiences.
If they join Worldpackers using your specific code, you’ll receive a commission. This way you can get paid for helping to grow the Worldpackers community.
Blogger
If you love sharing your meaningful travel experiences through the written word, you can earn anywhere from US$22 to US$150 for each approved piece of content published on the Worldpackers platform.
Videomaker
If words aren’t your forte, they have an opportunity for all the videographers out there.
Produce and/or edit videos for Worldpackers and receive up to US$120 for approved and published content on the Worldpackers YouTube channel.
Scouts
Are you a people person? If you have an eye for seeing potential around you, you can put that to work for Worldpackers.
During your travels, you can ‘scout’ for them to find new hosts. If you find any amazing projects or sites that you think would be great Worldpackers hosts, then you can refer them.
You can get be paid US$10 to US$20 for each new approved host you bring to the Worldpackers community.
To be able to participate in these programs, you do need to follow these steps:
- Become a member of the Worldpackers community with either the Solo Trips, Couples/Friends, or Pack plans.
- Find hosts to collaborate with and confirm your first trip on the Worldpackers site.
- Receive positive reviews from hosts to reach the ‘Expert’ status.
- Sign up for the Worldpackers programs (Guru, Blogger, Videomaker, Scouts) that inspire you, and then wait to be approved.
How To Start Using Worldpackers
- Become a member of the Worldpackers community (get $10 off with this link!)
- Complete your profile and earn certificates in the Worldpackers Academy
- Apply to as many Worldpackers hosts as you like
- Get pre-approved, confirm your trip, and become an ‘Explorer’
- Travel and collaborate with your Worldpackers host
- Leave and receive reviews to become an ‘Expert’
- Live your life traveling with the Worldpackers Programs and Worldpackers Academy
Final Thoughts
I think it’s easy to see why Worldpackers is one of the best Workaway alternatives. Their safety measures and growth opportunities make them really shine above the rest.
Even though Worldpackers is not as well known since they are a newer platform, they are a strong Workaway alternative. Interested in joining Worldpackers?
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