HelpX – A Budget Travelling Method Perfect for University Students

“I often feel like I lived in New Zealand rather than travelled in it,” says Abbie Low, a HelpXer from Malaysia.

University students are usually believed to be young, dumb and broke. With two months long of semester break, how can you spend your holidays doing something meaningful yet with a limited budget?

What is HelpX?

HelpX is a platform for volunteers to work for their host in return for free meals and accommodation. Its purpose is to provide cultural exchange for volunteers who would like to discover and experience staying in a foreign country as a local with minimum expenses.

The X in HelpX stands for exchange. Volunteers will be able to work in farms, homestays, lodges, ranches, backpackers hostels and even sailing boats that offers them accommodation and meal in exchange for work.

The typical arrangement for each HelpXer is to work an average of 4 hours a day in exchange for accommodation and meals. Besides saving money on food and accommodation, HelpXers have the opportunity to enjoy home produced organic food.

HelpX is available worldwide. There are hosts from all over the world including Australia, New Zealand, Canada and even Europe. It is also available in Asian countries like Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand and even Malaysia! You don’t even have to worry about your tight budget as you only have to prepare your flight tickets.

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Why HelpX?

As a student, the biggest struggle to travel is its expenses. Accommodation usually eats up a big amount of money even if you’re just staying in a backpackers hostel. HelpX can be very helpful in saving up the cost of accommodation.

As students may have limited budget, the idea of travelling without having to worry about your meals and accommodation can be very useful. It will also be a memorable and life-changing experience for young people today.

“Young people need to travel and see the world. It is not only personally enriching, but you get to practise your language skills and get to meet different types of people. Young people also need to take their time in travelling as a fast, rushed travelling brings you nothing,” says Suraya Zainudin, a HelpXer from Malaysia.

Does HelpX guarantee enjoyment and fun? According to HelpXers, it depends on the person himself/herself. As everyone has different values in life, everyone’s travel needs are different too and this type of “working travel” might not suit everyone.

According to Abbie, if you’re interested in cultural and language exchange in a foreign land, HelpX is the perfect platform as you will be living with a local family and sharing in their daily activities. Travelling doesn’t give you as much as HelpX does.

Russell Rofe, owner of Hook Bush Lavender Farm in his 70s, has been using his time to manage his farm since retirement in New Zealand. Rofe has been hosting HelpXers for 10 years and he has about 25 different people each year from all over the world to assist him in his farm. “I don’t hire workers, I take in HelpXers to help me manage the farm,” says Rofe.

What can you gain through HelpX?

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Learn new skills – Through HelpX, you can learn new skills while working for your hosts. You will be taught a thing or two about what they’re doing. It can be planting vegetables, feeding animals, preparing composts or even cleaning boats.

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Use your skills – You can help the hosts by applying the skills that you already have to help them in their daily routines.

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Explore and discover new places – Most of the time, hosts are located in areas that are not listed in travel guidebooks. This can be a good experience for travellers to explore by diving deeper into the country and discover new places.

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Experience being a local – As the saying goes, locals know best. You’ll be spending days, weeks, or even months with local hosts. These hosts will share the best destinations to visit. Sometimes, they will even offer to take you out and be your tour guide.

[if !supportLists]· [endif]Save money – HelpX is undeniably a great platform to travel for a longer time. Since accommodation and meals are covered, you won’t be spending much at all.

What else to know about HelpX?

One can share endless experiences and adventures by being a HelpXer, but there are downsides to it too.

According to Abbie, she didn’t get much opportunity to experience the touristy side of country. Although HelpX might not be the best programme to check touristy sights off your bucket list, they provide undeniably unique experiences living as a local in a foreign land.

HelpX membership is not free, but you can always browse and look for jobs in the job listings before joining the membership. When you have a few places in mind, you can then sign up to be a member. It costs 20 Euros (RM94.15) for a 2 year membership. Once you have paid for the membership, you will be able to contact hosts and request to be hosted.

An important thing to take note is to find a job that is suitable for you and interests you. Another thing to take note is to communicate with your host and look at reviews by past volunteers.

What you can do and should do is to follow your heart’s desire and explore with an open heart. It may not live up to your expectations but it’ll definitely be an experience to remember. Happy HelpX-ing!