Volunteer travel can be life-changing—or unethical—depending on who leads, who benefits, and what’s really happening on the ground. In this episode, I’m joined by Kimberly Haley Coleman, founder of Globe Aware, to unpack what ethical short-term service trips look like after 25 years in the field. We talk about how projects are selected by local communities, what a one-week “turnkey” service experience includes, the difference between “hard power” and “soft power,” and the practical tradeoffs around cost, sustainability, and dignity. If you’ve been curious about traveling with purpose—without the savior complex—this conversation will sharpen your lens.
In this episode, we cover:
What Globe Aware is and why it was founded (accidentally)
Why 6-night / ~7-day service trips exist—and who they’re built for
How projects are chosen (local agency, safety, sustainability criteria)
Ethical tourism vs exploitative voluntourism: what to watch for
Why “we’re not here to save anyone” is a core principle
How service creates deeper cultural connection than typical tourism
The reality of cost, logistics, and why volunteers often pay to serve
Carbon footprint vs impact: how to think about “making the trip count”
What trips include (service hours + cultural excursions + reflection)
Repeat volunteers, destination choice, and examples of real projects
Find Out How You Can Get Involved Here!
⏱ TIMESTAMPED HIGHLIGHTS:
00:03:14 — Why Globe Aware started (finding meaningful short-term service was “almost impossible”)
00:04:17 — The model: six-night service projects in 26 countries
00:04:28 — Finishable, hands-on projects (floors/homes/stoves examples)
00:04:49 — “We are not swooping in to save them”: equal partners, local materials
00:05:45 — What makes a country a fit: safety, grassroots orgs, no outbreaks/war
00:07:30 — Why service changes you: gratitude, perspective, “resetting defaults”
00:09:11 — Why one week: realistic time off for working people (vs Peace Corps)
00:12:01 — Hard power vs soft power: what “showing up” does over time
00:13:16 — Carbon footprint: acknowledge it, then “make it worthwhile”
00:36:16 — Ethical tourism basics: local agency, dignity, and avoiding harm
You can also find a video of this podcast on YouTube if you’d rather watch there 😃
Ready to Plan Your Own Move?
My goal is to help you make your dream of moving abroad a reality. Here are a few ways I can help:
Personalized Consulting: I offer à la carte Consultations, an asynchronous Async option for busy schedules, and comprehensive Packages.
Online Class: Learn my entire framework in my “How to Move Abroad” course, designed to take you from start to dream destination.
Free Resources: If you’re just starting, check out my free “How to Live Abroad” series.
I also have some amazing offers from International Living that may interest you!
If you’re specifically interested in moving to Portugal, this is a great resource: Portugal Made Easy
There’s also a wonderful guide to help you Live Better Overseas
And this!!! How to Move out of the US
My Expat Toolkit (The Tools I Use & Trust)
Banking & Money:
Wise: For transferring money internationally. Use my referral code for a fee-free transfer up to $600.
Charles Schwab: The best bank account for expats. No foreign transaction fees and unlimited ATM fee rebates worldwide.
Chase Sapphire Preferred: My go-to credit card for travel hacking and earning points, with no foreign transaction fees.
Travel & Connectivity:
ExpressVPN: The VPN I use to keep my connection secure. Get three extra months with my link.
eSim Nomad: The most reliable eSIM I’ve found for staying connected on the go.
Home Exchanges:
Kindred: The home exchange platform I used to stay in a gorgeous L.A. bungalow for three weeks.
HomeExchange: The world's leading home exchange platform, connecting over 200,000 members across 155 countries for reciprocal or points-based home swaps.
**Some of the links above are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to use them—at no additional cost to you. You’re under no obligation to use these links.
Get full access to Expat on a Budget at expatonabudget.substack.com/subscribe
