Living Rent Free in Your Head Can be a Reality

Are you tired of working 9 to 5? Volunteer at a hostel!!

When traveling abroad I have come across numerous opportunities to work at hostels that I was staying at. Some of the hostels only offer free accommodations but some offer free accommodation, food, and a small salary. Every hostel will be different so the only way you can really know for sure is to send them an email or show up and take a chance. Another possibility is to sign up and volunteer with the Workaway Program. I have had many conversations with hostellers that got their current job using the Workaway program. Living rent free in your head can happen using this tactic.

What to Expect from Volunteer Work at a Hostel?

Volunteer work can dramatically differ from hostel to hostel. If it is a party hostel then you may be running parties and responsible for hostellers having a good time. If it is more of an adventure hostel you may be organizing and running daily trips and if it is just your run of the meal hostel perhaps you will be making beds, cleaning bathrooms, and making dinner. Every hostel will provide you with a different experience and that is half the fun, right? 🙄 

Working Hours

Minimum of 10-30 hours a week, I have not seen less but it could definitely exist.

Meals

Free meals are free meals. When traveling abroad and living on a budget a free meal means a good meal. All budget travelers know exactly what I’m talking about. The majority of the free hostel meals I’ve eaten were delicious or they were pasta. 😆 

Free Accommodation

For the most part, this means a bunk bed in a room with other volunteers, however, I have also seen this be a private room as well as a couch. In Split Croatia, the volunteers had apartments that they were living in sponsored by the hostel.

WiFi

Great WiFi is a premier benefit while traveling abroad so if the hostel offers really good wifi that is definitely an added benefit. At some hostels, the employees have a different hotspot they are allowed to use which means stronger wifi. 

Remember that living rent free in your head is an actual possibility now. 😀 

Don’t Forget to Check Out “Allianz Travel Smart App for Travelers Insurence”