When I think back on it, my first experience volunteering overseas kind of sucked. It's a long story, but the short version is that I showed up in Nepal thinking that I was going to save the world and found out that really I was on an adventure tour posing as a volunteer programme.

Once, practically any native English-speaking Caucasian could land a job teaching English abroad. These days, that's just not good enough.

Sometimes, getting your parents on board can be the biggest hurdle of all.

With a rich cultural history, unsurpassed biodiversity and a hot job market for English teachers, add this country to your work abroad list.

Each year, more and more young Canadians are choosing to augment their education by taking time out to travel—a trend that is being encouraged by educators and employers alike.

Volunteering abroad can be extremely rewarding—but how can you be sure you're really helping?

For travellers on a tight budget or anyone looking for a truly immersive experience, the utility of couchsurfing is obvious. But is it safe for solo female travellers? The answer might surprise you.