A few years ago, I wanted to move to a Spanish speaking country and learn to speak Spanish by integrating into the community. I found an organization in Bolivia with a professional looking website and a couple promising reviews. This organization promised to pair me with a host family for language exchange and a volunteer position. All I had to do was pay for room and board; the money would go towards helping these local families and organizations. 

So I flew my ass to Bolivia. I paid an arm and a leg for my flight, and when I arrived, I paid my $800 per month fee for my “rent” (aka a room in this family’s house). $800 was an extremely high price for a room in a house in Bolivia, but I was promised a full cultural exchange with an underprivileged family who was so eager to host me. That sounded fair. 

In reality…that family didn’t get a crap about me. Neither did the volunteer organization. 

I soon found out that the promises of cultural integration and language exchange were a sham. This “non-profit” was just a business. The family they put me with barely spoke to me, and they weren’t underprivileged; they were rolling in volunteer cash. I was there to be a paycheck and (surprise!) to tutor their kids in English. I was just another paycheck. It was a terrible feeling. And I was down about $2000. 

This was totally my fault. I booked this experience on a whim. I didn’t properly research. I didn’t collect reviews or referrals…I just went.  

If you sincerely are in this to contribute to the greater good of the world to help others and improve yourself, take a step back and objectively audit the opportunity in front of you.