Bats: are they dangerous, where to encounter them, where can you see them?

Bats: are you prepared if you encounter them while traveling?
Bats: are you insured during internship, volunteering or job if you encounter them?

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 Bats

Intro
Bats abroad and while traveling: orientation
  • What are bats?
  • What are flying foxes?
  • Are bats dangerous?
  • Where is the best place to see millions of bats while traveling and abroad?
  • Where can you work, volunteer, or intern with bats abroad?
Bats abroad and while traveling: related pages
Bats abroad and while traveling: about your insurance coverage
  • Are you insured while working with bats or other animals abroad?
  • What insurance can you choose as backpacker, emigrant, expat, intern, nomad, student, volunteer or traveler abroad?

CHECK PREPARING AND INSURANCE  CHECK ACTIVITIES AND STORIES

 

Bats abroad and while traveling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?

Bats abroad and while traveling: are they dangerous, where do you encounter them, where can you see them?

Bats Abroad

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What are bats?

  • Bats are a group of over 1,400 flying mammals that are primarily active at night.
  • In Europe, the animals often stay in caves and crevices of buildings during the day, but in more tropical areas, there are also many species that roost in trees.
  • Many bats eat insects, but there are also species that specialize in flowers, nectar, or fruit.
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What are flying foxes?

  • Flying foxes are a group of large bat species that live in Asia, Africa, and Australia.
  • The Asian fruit bat is one of the largest species, with a wingspan of over 150 centimeters.
  • The departure of large colonies of bats and fruit bats is a well-known tourist spectacle in certain regions.
  • Flying foxes play an important role in seed dispersal and pollinating plants.
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Are bats dangerous?

  • Although bats can carry various viruses, transmission to humans is rare.
  • Only eating bats or spending a long time in a cave full of bats regularly leads to bat-to-human transmission.
  • Injured bats and fruit bats can bite viciously if you try to help them.
  • Vampire bats cause dangerous rabies infections in humans several times a year.
  • There are only three Latin American species that drink blood like true vampires.
  • The species that feed on mammal blood crawl across the ground toward their sleeping victim to take a small sip of blood.
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Where is the best place to see millions of bats while traveling and abroad?

    • Mataranka Springs in Elsey National Park with more than 500,000 flying foxes and giant swarms of fruit bats
    • Cairns with large swarms of flying foxes
  • Germany: the Spandau Citadel in Berlin offers you a view of tens of thousands of bats from a castle-like setting
  • Philippines: Samal Island with more than 70 bat caves and more than 2 million Rousette fruit bats
  • Israel: Gan Meir Park with 1 to 2 million Egyptian fruit bats
  • Malaysia: Gunung Mulu Park on Borneo in Indonesia with millions of bats, more than 12 species, and beautiful viewing spots for when they fly out
  • Thailand: the sea caves of Phang Nga Bay with the famous 'Bat Cave' where you can see the 'mere' thousands of bats hanging
  • United States of America:
    • Bracken Cave in Texas with millions of Mexican free-tailed bats, it is said more than 20 million bats!
    • Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico, where you can see 500,000 to 1 million African fruit bats flying
    • Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin (Texas) with 1.5 million African fruit bats flying out
    • Lubee Bat Conservancy in Gainesville (Florida) with a colony of fruit bats
  • Zambia: Kasanka National Park with more than 5 million African fruit bats; you really won't believe your eyes
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Where can you work, volunteer, or intern with bats abroad?

  • A way to work with bats abroad is by helping count, observe, and protect bats and flying foxes as an intern researcher or volunteer.
  • In animal rescue centers, particularly near large bat or fruit bat populations, weakened, injured, or orphaned bats can be cared for.
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Health, Insurance & Safety

Are you insured while working with animals abroad?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
  • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may lapse. See the pages on: insuring paid work, internships, or volunteering abroad.
  • See also: insurance for working with animals for paid work, for internships and for volunteer work abroad.
What is insurance for working with animals abroad, and why do you need specific insurance for jobs, internships, and volunteer work abroad?

Insurance for working with animals abroad

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What is insurance for working with animals abroad?

  • Insuring yourself for working abroad with animals means taking out insurance that continues to provide coverage during your paid, unpaid, or internship work abroad, where minor or major risks are involved.
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Why take out insurance, and when is normal travel insurance no longer sufficient?

  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance for work abroad.
  • During specific work abroad, additional requirements may apply as soon as you start performing work that involves additional risks. Only special insurance policies offer coverage during this type of work. Almost all standard insurers exclude working with animals from coverage.
  • The risk of accidents is sometimes greater during your work, for example because you are doing work with which you have little experience or because of the nature of the work. All over the world, there are reserves, rescue centers, and zoos where you can roll up your sleeves as a veterinarian, intern, or volunteer. Working with animals or wildlife is not without danger. No matter how cute they may look, or how tame they may behave. All animals can suddenly bite viciously or lash out with a claw or beak. Not only can this result in nasty injuries, but it can also transmit diseases that you would rather not have, and certainly not abroad.
  • During work, internships, or volunteer work abroad where you receive a salary or compensation (for example, food or housing), your local health insurance coverage will normally lapse. You will then need special insurance to remain insured for illness and accidents.
  • During your work, local employers generally offer no or limited insurance that does not provide sufficient coverage.
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What should you pay attention to in your insurance policy if you are going to work abroad?

  • Make sure you have insurance that is valid in the area where you will be traveling and working.
  • That you have insurance that provides sufficient coverage for the work you will be performing.
  • Make sure you are adequately insured for the sports and activities you will be participating in.
  • That you are insured for emergency assistance and early return if something happens to you or your immediate family.
  • That your medical expenses are insured up to the actual cost and not just for the standard costs. The costs per medical treatment vary greatly between countries.
  • That you insure your luggage and take sufficient precautions against theft or damage.
  • That you are well insured against personal liability.
  • That you are well insured in case of accidents.
  • That you insure yourself for legal assistance if there is an immediate reason to do so, unless the coverage is already automatically included in the insurance.
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Which insurance do you need for working, an internship, or volunteering with animals abroad?

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What insurance can you choose as backpacker, emigrant, expat, intern, nomad, student, volunteer or traveler abroad?

Insurance and Bats

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What are the main international insurances through JoHo and WorldSupporter for activities or travel abroad

Advice and decision support
Insurance
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What are the main international insurances through JoHo and WorldSupporter for emigrants, expats and nomads

Advice and decision support
Insurance
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Activities abroad: for intern, volunteer and work with environment, farming, nature and animal care abroad
Nature and environmental protection abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

Nature and environmental protection abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

Nature and environmental protection: what, why, and where to go?

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What is nature and environmental protection?

  • Working in nature and the environment protection abroad means committing to protecting, restoring, and sustainably managing ecosystems and natural resources.
  • The protection can take place in remote nature reserves, but also in cities, research institutions, or in collaboration with local communities.
  • The core of working in the nature and environmental protection is finding a balance between humans and nature.
  • You can focus for example on protecting endangered species, restoring damaged ecosystems, or supporting more sustainable ways of living and producing.
As a nature and environmental protection worker tasks and responsibilities can include:
  • Protecting biodiversity like animal and plant species.
  • Combating deforestation, pollution, and climate change.
  • Restoring ecosystems such as forests, coral reefs, or mangroves.
  • Promoting the sustainable use of water, agriculture, and energy.
  • Contributing to education and awareness regarding the environment and nature.
Your role in the nature protection can vary greatly depending on the project, your background, and the location. It will most probably consist of:
  • Participating in nature restoration projects, such as planting trees or restoring habitats.
  • Assisting with wildlife conservation or in animal shelters
  • Collecting data for ecological or climate research.
  • Supporting local communities in sustainable land use.
  • Providing education on nature and the environment.
  • Contributing to campaigns or activist actions, such as awareness projects or protests.
  • It is important to realize that nature conservation rarely revolves solely around nature. Projects are often closely linked to local living conditions, economic interests, and cultural values. The involvement of the local population is therefore essential for the success of a project.
Good to know, when you are protecting nature and the environment is:
  • The impact of your work is often only visible on long term basis, and projects vary greatly in approach, quality, and effectiveness.
  • The work is often physical and takes place outdoors, sometimes in remote areas.
  • There are also important roles within research, organization, communication, or policy that take place indoors.
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What are reasons to protect nature and the environment?

  • To become environmentally aware: you learn to understand ecosystems and see the direct impact of human activity on nature and the climate.
  • To be involved: you actively contribute to protecting nature, biodiversity, and the living environment.
  • To learn to analyze: you gain insight into complex environmental problems such as climate change, deforestation, and pollution.
  • To develop your own vision: you form an opinion on sustainability and the role of humans and nature.
  • To work in a results-oriented manner: you make a concrete contribution to projects such as reforestation, research, or education.
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What skills and motivations do you need to protect nature and the environment?

  • Commitment: because without passion for nature and the environment, it is difficult to achieve anything.
  • Perseverance: conditions can be tough, so it's useful to be a bit stress resistant.
  • Environmental awareness: you simply can't do or experience nature and environmental protection without already some respect for nature and ecosystems.
  • Collaboration: nature and environmental protection is all about working in teams and with locals where empathy and communicating across a language barrier require additional skills
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What are good continents and countries to protect nature and the environment?

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What are the risks of nature and environmental protection and are you insured against those risks while abroad?

What are the risks of nature and environmental protection, and what happens with some regularity:
  • that you work in remote nature areas where medical facilities are limited and evacuation can be difficult.
  • that you are exposed to extreme weather conditions such as heat, cold, rain, or altitude differences.
  • that you come into contact with wild animals, insects, or plants that pose health risks (bites, allergies, diseases).
  • that the physical strain is high due to heavy work, long days, and working in harsh conditions.
  • that projects take place in countries with less stable infrastructure or healthcare.
  • that costs for medical assistance, evacuation, or damage are not covered without appropriate insurance.
Are you insured for working in nature and environmental protection abroad?
  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
  • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
  • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may lapse.
  • See the pages on insurance for working in environmental and nature protection for paid work, for internships and for volunteer work abroad.
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Beach Cleanups and trash hunting abroad: what is it, why should you do it, and where is the best place to go?

Beach Cleanups and trash hunting abroad: what is it, why should you do it, and where is the best place to go?

Beach Cleanups and trash hunting abroad: what is it, why should you do it, and where is the best place to go?

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What is trash hunting and beach cleanup abroad and why is it done?

  • Litter is a problem that exists worldwide, from the north cape to cape horn and from tropical beaches to the slopes of Everest
  • During trash hunting or cleanups, a specific area is chosen to takeaway all plastic trash and other waste.
  • Depending on the location, the waste consists of household waste, PET bottles, leftovers from fishing, tourist trash or floating debris from the other side of the world
  • Cleaning up litter can be intended to protect wildlife, to give nature another chance or to make a place so beautiful that visitors will want to visit it again.
  • Most cleanups are organised by local citizen initiatives, foundations and action groups and joining them is free
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What does working in a cleanup project involve?

  • During most cleanups you will go out with a group of volunteers with a pile of garbage bags and work gloves.
  • When cleaning up waste on islands, isolated beaches or between mangroves you will often do your cleanup work from a boat.
  • In reef cleanups you will go into the water with a snorkel or diving gear depending on the depth of the water
  • Sometimes a competitive element is added to an activity, where groups compete against each other to collect as many kilos of waste as possible.
  • Some environmentally conscious tour agencies offer discounts for people who are willing to pick up trash along hiking or climbing trails
  • No training or experience is required for this work, the much bending and the large amounts of waste make this work quite hard so a reasonable to good condition is desirable
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What do you get out of it?

  • Involvement: it strengthens your sense of involvement in tackling pollution and protecting nature in a very hands on way.
  • Experience: for a large part of the cleanups you will be active in a location where you as a tourist will not quickly come. By working with a group of committed volunteers you will experience the environment more strongly than normal
  • New contacts: the low-key nature of the activity ensures that a diverse audience participates. It is a way for outsiders to get to know the locals or for expats to meet other involved citizens
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What are the best places to go join a beach cleanup?

  • Indonesia
  • Costa Rica
  • Greece
  • Cape verde
  • Hawaii
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What are the best places to join other types of cleanups?

  • Amazon river cleanup: Brazil
  • Inca trail or El misti vulcano trail cleanup near Arequipa, Peru
  • Norwegian fjords cleanup
  • Mangrove cleanups in Jamaica, Bonaire or the Philippines
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Grape picking and fruit picking abroad

Grape picking and fruit picking abroad

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Grape picking and fruit picking abroad: questions and answers about the work and locations
  • What is working as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad like?
  • What are the reasons for working as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad?
  • What skills and motivations do you need to work as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad?
  • What are the best countries and locations to work as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad?
  • What are the risks of working as a fruit picker or grape picker abroad, and are you insured against those risks?
Grapepicking and fruit picking abroad: related organizations
  • Organizations: for agriculture, grape picking, farming and vineyards
  • Grape picking and fruit picking jobs in the spotlight
Protecting and caring for animals abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

Protecting and caring for animals abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

Protecting and caring for animals abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

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What is working with animals abroad?

  • Working with animals abroad means that you actively work for the protection or care of one or more animal species.
  • The work can be divided into working with animals in their natural environment and working with animals in shelters. In addition, there are often activities to be done in the field of communication, education or, for example, fundraising.
  • What is protecting animals in the natural environment of the animal?
  • Protecting animals abroad in the natural environment (habitat) of the animal means that you do activities that relate to improving the living environment. Or that you help with research such as measurements, counts or behavioral observations.
  • What is caring for animals in shelters and zoos?
  • Caring for animals abroad in shelters means that you do activities that relate to providing food, carrying out fence checks, cleaning cages and monitoring their health.
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Why would you protect and care for animals abroad?

  • Helpfulness: whether you help another person or an animal in need: you get more back for the rewarding work than you put into it.
  • Involvement: it strengthens your sense of involvement in the protection of nature and the animal world and also with other animal lovers.
  • Experience: the chance that you will experience something you have never done before, that you will be pulled out of your comfort zone and that you will have an unforgettable experience is considerable.
  • Stability and stress reduction: animals can have a strong influence on you when it comes to stress reduction; well-known examples are horses and dolphins. Other animals can be a good indicator of the extent to which you are already stress-resistant.
  • Freedom: especially when you are working in the middle of nature, you will notice the difference with the life you sometimes lead at home.
  • Read more: about these and more skills and motivations
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What do you need or can you learn if you are going to protect and care for animals abroad?

  • Being environmentally aware: for example by taking your environment into account, carefully storing your waste, leaving animals alone in their own habitat. Analytical skills: you will often have to analyse the behaviour of animals well. Sometimes to prevent danger, and sometimes because it is part of your work. In this way, you often also strengthen your own analytical skills.
  • Being aware of the organisation: animal and nature protection organisations, and animal shelters, are often run by a special breed of very committed people. In addition, these are organisations that often have few resources and have to fight against local bureaucracy.
  • Empathy: being aware of these circumstances is sometimes half the battle when it comes to understanding the behavior of project staff or your immediate colleagues.
  • Read more: about these and more skills and motivations
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Protecting animals abroad: what is the best place to go?

  • Australia: marsupials, horses, koalas
  • China: giant pandas, dogs and cats
  • Costa Rica: monkeys, turtles
  • Curaçao: dolphins, birds, dogs, cats
  • Ecuador: felines, capuchin monkeys and kink-tailed bears
  • Egypt: donkeys, horses, dogs and cats
  • Philippines: monkeys
  • Greece: sea turtles, dogs
  • India: dogs and cats
  • Indonesia: orangutans, gibbons, street dogs, birds of prey
  • Cameroon: chimpanzees
  • Malta: birds
  • Madagascar: lemurs, fish
  • Mexico: sea turtles.
  • Mongolia: wild mountain sheep, Prezewalski horses
  • Namibia: cheetahs, horses, wild cats
  • New Zealand: kiwis (the birds)
  • Uganda: rhinos
  • Portugal: Iberian wolves
  • Spain: stray dogs
  • Sri Lanka: elephants, sea turtles
  • Suriname: dogs
  • Thailand: gibbons, elephants
  • United States: wolves, horses
  • Zambia: chimpanzees, lions
  • Zimbabwe: lions, wild dogs
  • South Africa: monkeys, white sharks, lions, rhinos, penguins
  • Read more about all activities in these countries via the menu, or check: all the countries and activities in The World
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How does the preparation for working with animals abroad work in short?

  • Accommodation: In many nature reserves you can sleep in ranger accommodations, mountain huts, etc., but bringing your own tent often provides a lot more privacy (but keep an eye on the animals). If you work at an animal shelter, for example, your accommodation will often be less primitive.
  • Visas and permits: For some areas you need a special permit. Check this well in advance.
  • Currency: Take extra precautions if you are going to remote areas.
  • Safety & Troubleshooting: safety obviously differs per area you go to, so check the situation carefully with regard to possible rebels, weather and seasonal conditions, routes, presence of wild animals, etc. When working with animals in their natural environment, the environment often offers more risk than the animals you are examining. If you are going to work with animals in a form of captivity, the species you are working with determines the risks to a certain extent.
  • Vaccinations & Health: If you are going into nature or working with animals, make sure you get specialized advice from a travel doctor or the Travel Clinic. Also check the information about the rabies and tick encephalitis vaccination.
  • Insurance & Emergency Centers: when working with animals, an insurance that has taken into account the risks and local circumstances is actually the only luxury that is recommended.
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To what extent are you insured for the risks?

  • All over the world there are reserves, animal shelters and zoos where you can roll up your sleeves as an intern or volunteer.
  • In addition to 'cute' or 'impressive', 'unpredictable' is also a word that you can attribute to (wild) animals.
  • Working with wildlife (and with animals in general) is therefore not without its risks. If a cute monkey suddenly turns out to be able to bite viciously, this can cause nasty injuries and even illnesses.
  • Because many insurers exclude working with animals from coverage, it is important to handle this carefully.
  • Read more: Travel insurances and insurances for long term abroad - Theme
  • Read more: Werken met dieren in het buitenland verzekeren (NL)
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Protecting sea turtles: what is it, where can you do it and are you insured?

Protecting sea turtles: what is it, where can you do it and are you insured?

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Why protect sea turtles abroad?

  • All seven species of sea turtles are (seriously) endangered: the Flatback sea turtle, Green sea turtle, Hawksbill sea turtle, Kemp's sea turtle, Leatherback sea turtle, Loggerhead sea turtle and Dwarf sea turtle can use your help.
  • By protecting sea turtles the local ecosystem is generally also better protected and more balanced
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Protecting sea turtles: what does it involve?

  • Protecting the eggs via fencing, for example
  • Counting turtle eggs
  • Taking care of injured turtles
  • Building nesting sites
  • Collecting data
  • Education at community centers, local schools and at tourist locations to raise awareness
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Protecting sea turtles: what do you get out of it?

  • A special time among engaged animal lovers
  • Knowledge of a special species
  • Images of sometimes thousands of tiny turtles
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Protecting sea turtles: what to bring?

  • Love of nature and animals
  • Flexible sleep schedule
  • Limited sensitivity to less pleasant smells
  • In some cases, considerable stamina (the laying sites are sometimes a bit further away on remote beaches
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Protecting sea turtles: do you need to be insured?

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Where can you work with sea turtles?

  • Sea turtles can be found in almost all oceans, except for the very cold areas and the polar regions. Most sea turtle protection, rescue and rehabilitation centers are located near nesting sites
  • The best places to find internships, jobs or volunteer projects with sea turtles are:
  • Australia: at the Great Barrier Reef or Cook Island
  • Costa Rica: at Tortuguero National Park
  • Ecuador: at the Galapagos Islands, including turtoises
  • Greece: several projects around the peninsula
  • Indonesia: near Bunaken. Pulau Weh or Raja Ampat
  • Malaysia: at Sipidan or the Perhantians
  • Mexico: near Playa del Carmen
  • Nicaragua: at the La Flor reserve
  • Oman: at Musandam peninsula
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Where can you find checklists for your travel, stay or work?

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Reforestation and tree planting abroad: what is it, why should you do it, and where is the best place to go?

Reforestation and tree planting abroad: what is it, why should you do it, and where is the best place to go?

Reforestation and tree planting abroad: what is it, why should you do it, and where is the best place to go?

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What is reforestation and tree planting abroad and why is it done?

  • Reforestation involves planting trees and shrubs in places where they have previously disappeared due to logging, flooding or forest fires.
  • In many areas, planting trees helps to absorb or reduce the effects of climate change.
  • In coastal areas, mangrove forests are planted to break waves, prevent land from being washed away and provide fish with a place to read.
  • In dry areas, new trees provide shade, prevent erosion and desertification of the landscape.
  • In reforestation projects and activities, attention is often also paid to restoring biodiversity by using various local tree species, which benefits local animal species.
  • Many projects have their own nursery where small trees are grown from seeds.
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What does working in a reforestation project involve?

  • You can help care for the young trees (seedlings) at the nursery.
  • You plant the small trees at selected locations.
  • You care for the trees after they have been planted, for example by weeding, watering or placing protection against cattle and other grazers.
  • You teach local communities about biodiversity, the benefits of reforestation for the local economy, for example.
  • If you have a background in horticulture, forestry or water management, you can help train local employees or, for example, carry out a research internship on the results of the project.
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What do you get out of it?

  • Involvement: it strengthens your sense of involvement in tackling climate change, protecting nature and the plant world and also with other nature lovers
  • Experience: the chance that you experience something you have never done before, that you are pulled out of your comfort zone and that you gain an unforgettable experience is considerable
  • Freedom: especially when you are working in the middle of nature, you notice the difference with the life you sometimes lead at home
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What do you need or can you learn if you are going to plant and care for trees abroad?

  • Being environmentally aware: for example, by taking your surroundings into account, carefully storing your waste, minimizing water use and understanding the complex relationship between soil, plants and people.
  • Being organizationally aware: environmental clubs and nature conservation organizations are often run by a special breed of very committed people. In addition, these are organizations that often have few resources and have to fight against local bureaucracy.
  • Empathy: being aware of those circumstances is sometimes half the battle if you want to understand the behavior of the employees of a project, or your direct fellow helpers.
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What are the best places to go to slow or reverse desertification?

  • Spain
  • Egypt 
  • Morocco
  • Kenya
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What are the best places to go to restore mangrove forests?

  • Bonaire
  • Sri Lanka
  • Madagascar
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What are the best places to go to restore rainforests?

  • Brazil
  • Ecuador
  • Panama
  • Indonesia
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Volunteering abroad: what is it, why should you do it and where is the best place to go?

Volunteering abroad: what is it, why should you do it and where is the best place to go?

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What is volunteer work abroad?

  • Volunteer work abroad means that you work abroad for a certain period of time at a foreign project or organization to help, learn or transfer knowledge.
  • You usually do not receive any compensation for your work in the form of salary, expense allowance or room and board.
  • Projects that have little or no income themselves will generally ask volunteers for compensation for the guidance or for the room and board provided.
  • In the case of an intermediary organization, this compensation can also be made via the intermediary organization.
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Why should you volunteer abroad?

  • To help others with your efforts and skills.
  • To support projects or goals that you consider important in your life.
  • To gain experience in your own field of work, or in the sector where you may want to work later.
  • To see yourself at work in a different environment.
  • To be able to work in another area and see if you like it.
  • To use as a stepping stone to a local job with salary.
  • Because you don't think it's necessary for a project to incur extra costs for your presence while they really need every dime.
  • Because you have already raised money for the project or organization where you will be working
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What do you need if you want to do volunteer work abroad?

  • Flexibility: you already need some form of flexibility, the rest you gain during your stay abroad.
  • Ability to communicate: depending on the type of work, you will need to have a reasonable to good command of the local language.
  • Independence and/or self-confidence: you already need a certain form of independence, and this will increase your self-confidence.
  • Being environmentally aware: an important element for your stay abroad.
  • Collaboration: also abroad it is important that you learn, or are able to, collaborate when you work with others.
  • Be organizationally aware.
  • Empathy.
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Where is the best place to volunteer abroad?

  • If you are looking for social volunteer work: Curaçao - Ghana - Guatemala - India - Nepal - South Africa
  • If you are looking for corporate volunteer work: Australia - Curaçao - Spain - United States of America
  • If you are looking for volunteer work caring for or protecting animals: Costa Rica - Curaçao - Ecuador - Indonesia - South Africa
  • If you are younger than 18 years old: Spanish language course with volunteer work in Spain - or volunteer work for young people in Malawi, Uganda or South Africa
  • If you are looking for volunteer work and are traveling for the first time as a 'woman alone': Australia - New Zealand - Argentina - Ecuador - Costa Rica - Thailand - Indonesia. - Nepal - Ghana
  • If you want to gain experience 'as a woman alone', go to: Bolivia - Peru - Guatemala - Nicaragua - China and Hong Kong - South Africa - Kenya - Malawi
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To what extent are you insured for the risks of volunteering abroad?

  • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when volunteering abroad, or at least you should carefully check your insured situation.
    • Local organizations usually offer no, or very limited, insurance.
    • There is a risk of accidents, for example because you are doing work with which you have little experience.
    • During your volunteer work abroad where you receive financial compensation (or, for example, food and housing), your health insurance coverage will potentially lapse. You will then need special insurance to remain insured against illness and accidents.
  • Read more about insuring volunteer work abroad.
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Working on a farm abroad: what is it, where is the best place to go, and are you insured?

Working on a farm abroad: what is it, where is the best place to go, and are you insured?

Working on a farm abroad: what is it, where is the best place to go, and are you insured?

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What does working on a farm abroad involve?

  • Working on a farm means that you work temporarily as a seasonal or summer worker for an agricultural company. This can range from working as a fruit picker in France to herding cattle in Australia and from milking organic goats in Chile to working together within a permaculture community in the tropics.
  • Employment: There is always a chance of work when you knock on a farmer's door. Many farms, especially in Europe, but certainly also in Australia and New Zealand, are usually looking for assistance, especially during the busy seasons. Small-scale farms often have work for unskilled (or non-agriculturally trained) people and will also be more open to a construction with room and board.
  • Activities: There is a huge variety of seasonal jobs within agriculture and livestock farming. It can help to have experience with driving a tractor, horse riding, or other work on a farm, or to have at least some feeling for working with machinery or farm animals.
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Why should you work on a farm abroad?

  • To stimulate your sense of involvement: sometimes you work very intensively with the same people on a farm for a long time, you often also sleep in a room with the same people. You have to like that, but you also make friends for life.
  • To make the world around you more sustainable: by looking for work in organic farming, permaculture, or for example in the production of goat cheese, you can nicely combine your work and interests.
  • To be profitable in a creative way: some small farmers will not be able to pay you a wage but will offer a place to sleep and food in exchange for work.
  • To gain new experiences: during your stay on a farm and when you go to work, you experience much more than when you travel around alone.
  • To increase your self-awareness: further away from your familiar environment, you discover more quickly what you can actually do and what you actually want. By going to work, you encounter yourself more often; you get to know yourself better and accept who you are and want to be.
  • To test your environmental awareness: living and working in rural areas allows you to experience a foreign culture in an entirely different and more authentic way than, for example, working in tourism.
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Where is the best place to go for farm work abroad?

  • Australia: working holiday, agricultural work, fruit picking
  • Canada: working holiday, agricultural work
  • Chile: fruit picking, livestock farming
  • France: agricultural work, fruit picking, grape picking
  • Italy: agricultural work, fruit picking
  • Ecuador: tropical agriculture, coffee, cocoa, and permaculture
  • New Zealand: working holiday, fruit picking, agricultural work
  • Spain: olive picking, viticulture
  • South Africa: ecolodges, ranches
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What do you need when you want to work on a farm?

  • Professionalism: you often have to work hard and hard, which is why the average slacker usually doesn't last long on a farm.
  • Flexibility: weather conditions, animal behavior, and plant growth do not always go according to plan, which means that your flexibility will often be called upon.
  • Collaborative skills: being able to learn to work together with a group of seasonal workers or with the farm family will always be necessary.
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To what extent are you insured for the risks of working on a farm or in livestock farming?

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    Working as a veterinarian abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

    Working as a veterinarian abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

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    Working as a veterinarian abroad: what, why, and where?

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    What is working as a veterinarian abroad like?

    • As a veterinarian abroad, you can experience quite a lot. From working with cows surrounded by mountains to rehabilitating dogs from the most dire circumstances.
    • The work involves health (for both animals and people), animal welfare, public health, and often ethical dilemmas.
    • Depending on where you are, you will work with limited resources, unexpected illnesses, and very different animal interactions than you are used to.
    • As a veterinarian abroad, you'll work in clinics (limited or modern), on farms, in nature reserves, for NGOs, or for international organizations.
    • You can work with companion animals, farm animals, wildlife, and animals in shelters and rescue clinics.
    • Responsibilities: Depending on your specialization, you can:
      • Provide medical care to animals;
      • Implement vaccination and sterilization programs;
      • Work on animal disease prevention (zoonoses);
      • Train farmers or local communities;
      • Contribute to research or monitoring;
      • Advise on animal welfare and policy.
    • Working conditions: Veterinarian work can be done paid, as a volunteer, or as an internship. Salaries vary significantly depending on the country, sector, and organization. NGOs typically offer lower compensation, sometimes with room and board.
    • Contracts range from short-term projects to long-term placements.
    • Flexibility and improvisation are more important than fixed working hours in this field.
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    What are the reasons for working as a veterinarian abroad?

    • To be involved: you work directly on animal welfare and health. With the help of a veterinarian, animals have a better life, and people are safer.
    • To learn to act with empathy: a key part of the job is interacting with animals and people in vulnerable situations.
    • To grow professionally: applying knowledge on your own initiative and being open to new knowledge is essential.
    • To be meaningful: your work contributes to health, animal welfare, or nature conservation.
    • To practice processing information and knowledge: you sometimes have to form an opinion about a situation with little information and time.
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    What skills and motivations do you need to work as a veterinarian abroad?

    • Stress resistance: emergencies, limited resources, and emotional situations are common.
    • Flexibility: protocols and facilities are not always readily available.
    • Communication skills: collaborating with local colleagues and communities is essential.
    • Independence: you rely mainly on yourself and you often have to make your own decisions.
    • Situational awareness: Cultural differences in animal interactions require tact and respect.
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    What are the best countries and locations to work as a veterinarian abroad?

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    What are the risks of working as a veterinarian abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

    • What are the risks of working as a veterinarian abroad?
      • Veterinarians often encounter diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans, posing a significant health risk.
      • Medical facilities are often limited: good care isn't readily available everywhere, and assistance can therefore be expensive.
      • Physical demands are often high: long hours, lifting, and working in heat or in remote areas.
      • Accidents and bite wounds are common, especially when working with stressed or wild animals.
      • Healthcare costs and evacuations are often very expensive, especially in remote locations.
    • Are you insured while working as a veterinarian abroad?
      • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
      • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
      • There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you're doing work with which you have little experience.
      • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
      • See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.
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    Working for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

    Working for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad: what is it, why would you do it, and where is the best place to go?

    Working for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad: what, why, and where is the best place?

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    What is working for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad like?

    • Working for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad means you are committed to protecting, restoring, and sustainably using nature and ecosystems.
    • This can range from practical fieldwork to policy, educational, or communication work.
    • You can work for international NGO's, local nature organizations, research institutes, government agencies, or social enterprises focused on biodiversity, climate, nature management, or sustainability.
    • Depending on your background, you might work in nature reserves, on projects with local communities, in research programs, or in offices where policy and strategy are developed.
    • Responsibilities: the work varies considerably depending on the project and organization, and can include:
      • Ecological fieldwork and monitoring of flora and fauna.
      • Supporting nature management and restoration projects.
      • Environmental education and outreach to local communities.
      • Conducting research on biodiversity, climate, or land use.
      • Policy and project support for NGOs.
      • Data collection, reporting, and evaluation.
      • Collaborating with local partners and government agencies.
    • Working conditions: Many positions are project-based or temporary. Contracts often run for six months to a year.
    • Work can be paid, an internship, or volunteer work.
    • Salaries are generally lower than in the commercial sector.
    • In return, you often gain extensive experience and in-depth knowledge of the subject.
    • Working hours can be irregular, especially during fieldwork.
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    What are the reasons for working for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad?

    • To feel involved: you work directly on the conservation of nature and biodiversity, often in areas where the need is greatest.
    • To become environmentally aware: you learn how nature, people, the economy, and culture are intertwined.
    • To take responsibility: you contribute to projects with long-term impact and often significant ecological interests.
    • To develop analytical skills: you learn to understand, monitor, and translate ecological problems into solutions.
    • To experience meaning: your work visibly contributes to a more sustainable world.
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    What skills and motivations do you need to work for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad?

    • Commitment: An affinity for nature, the environment, and sustainability is essential.
    • Collaboration: You will work with local communities, colleagues, and international partners.
    • Flexibility: Projects may not proceed as planned due to weather, environmental factors, or local circumstances.
    • Independence: Personal initiative is expected, especially in the field.
    • Perseverance: Results are often only visible in the long term.
    • Environmental awareness: Respect for local knowledge, culture, and interests.
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    What are the best countries and locations to work for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad?

    • Countries with many international environmental organizations and policy work: Switzerland, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands.
    • Countries with many nature projects and fieldwork: Costa Rica – biodiversity, nature management, ecotourism; South Africa – wildlife, nature parks, community projects; Indonesia – rainforest, marine conservation; Brazil – Amazon, nature and climate projects; Kenya – wildlife conservation and community management. 
    • Countries with many marine and coastal protection projects: Australia – Great Barrier Reef, marine research and policy, Belize – coral reefs and marine reserves, Indonesia – mangroves, coral restoration, coastal communities, Mozambique – marine biodiversity and fisheries management.
    • Countries suitable for starters, interns, and volunteers: Nepal – nature, education, and community projects, Peru – biodiversity and local nature projects, Thailand – nature conservation and education, Mexico – environmental and community projects.
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    What are the risks of working for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad, and are you insured against those risks? 

    • What are the risks of working for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad?
      • It is common to work in remote areas with limited medical facilities and high evacuation costs.
      • It is common to contract a contagious or local disease, be unable to work for a period, or even have to be flown home.
      • It is common to get bitten or stung by an animal in the water or on land, with medical consequences.
      • It is common for work to be physically demanding, with a risk of injuries and accidents. 
      • It is common to work in areas with unsafe infrastructure due to poor roads, transportation or communication. 
    • Are you insured while working for environmental organisations and in nature management abroad?
      • There may be several reasons why you need separate insurance when working abroad.
      • Local employers generally offer limited or no supplementary insurance.
      • There's a risk of accidents, for example, because you're doing work with which you have little experience.
      • During work, internships, or volunteering abroad where you receive compensation or a salary, your own health insurance coverage in your home country may be cancelled.
      • See the pages on: insuring international Insurances for working abroad, for internships abroad, for volunteering abroad, or for expats and emigrants.
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    From language courses to gap year abroad, from work experience to volunteering abroad, from paid work to internship abroad, from mountaineering to diving and from backpacking to travel around the world

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      What social activities can you do abroad?

      • Opportunities are found in the areas of helping, learning or studying. You can get involved to volunteer in a social project at a school in Africa, Asia or Latin America. You can get involved in nature, in a project with animals or cleaning the sea or beaches. Those who want to learn more can choose for example a language course in Latin America, Spain or South Africa.
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      What work related activities can you do abroad?

      • If you want to gain work experience, and/or also earn money, go and work abroad. You can combine backpacking in Australia with temporary work. You can work on campsites in Europe or bush camps in Africa. You can pretty much go all over the world to work in the hospitality industry, hotels and hostels, in the healthcare sector or for example at a diving school.
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      What sports activities to do abroad?

      • Have you ever thought of mountain biking, rafting (going down a wild river on a raft or rubber dinghy, climbing or canoeing), survival (which involves building rafts, climbing or canoeing), abseiling (descending a rock face while secured to ropes), zip-lining (whizzing down a cable), canyoning (starting at the top of a river and then climbing, swimming, diving down the bed) or caving (scrambling, wriggling and crawling through caves and crevices)?
      • Maybe you feel more comfortable on a bodyboard (on a half-wave surfboard, you surf the high waves lying down-with flippers), on a hang glider or while paragliding (with a parachute you float down a mountain or dune), hydrospeeding (on a bodyboard with flippers and a wetsuit on you go down a wild river via rapids) or Tiefschneeskiing (racing down through powder snow)?

      Check the pages below for more activities and inspiration and where to go and how to arrange it

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