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.

Interested in teaching overseas but overwhelmed at the options for learning how? Start here for some basics in choosing the right course for you.

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

Having a TEFL certification can mean better schools, better pay, and may even be required for a work visa. But which kind of course should you choose?

Don't just take our word for it. Verge interviewed some key execs to get their take on gap years. The bottom line? Go for it.

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

Bill Frederick kicks off Verge Magazine's new Travel Ethics column with a look at the counterpoint of competing values.