While many newlyweds spend the days after their weddings backpacking through Europe, visiting Disneyland or relaxing at the beach, very few kick off the rest of their lives by working in meager conditions without pay.
But that’s changing, thanks to a growing trend amongst 21st century honeymooners called ”honeyteering.”
A honeyteer is a honeymoon where the couple spends a week or two volunteering, generally in a foreign country. Couples who see giving back as the perfect way to start their new lives together are opting to skip the rose petal bubble baths and roll up their sleeves for good causes.
CNN recently highlighted these generous sweethearts. Take Aaron and Kristen Berlin, a Massachusetts couple who dedicated their honeymoon to volunteering in a Thai orphanage. Aaron told CNN, “We learned a lot about the culture. That was one of the great things about volunteering. We were really incorporated into the daily lives of the children and the volunteers who ran the orphanage.”
Voluntourism, a term coined to define people who combine travel and volunteering, has numerous rewards. According to a study by Voluntourism.org, “Four major motivational themes appeared to take shape as to why individuals volunteer while on a leisure trip: cultural immersion, giving back, seeking camaraderie and seeking educational and bonding opportunities.”
Volunteering can push people out of their comfort zones and encourage them to learn new and challenging tasks; volunteering abroad can only intensifies this. Doing it with your partner can be a powerful bonding experience. It’s a great way to learn more about your mate and discover new reasons to be attracted to him or her.
Besides the numerous mental, physical and emotional benefits of volunteering, honeyteering encourages couples to explore parts of the world that they might never have experienced. On a typical honeymoon, couples tend to stick to their resort and other touristy parts of town. A volunteering honeymoon forces couples off the beaten path.
If you’re thinking about planning a honeyteer, start by considering your mutual interests. From volunteering with dolphins to learning about sustainable farming, from helping clean-up efforts after a major disaster to tutoring students, there are thousands of organizations all over the world eager for free help. If dedicating your entire honeymoon to service seems overwhelming, consider volunteering for a few days or even an afternoon. Cross Cultural Solutions, Volunteer Abroad and United Planet are great places to start.
CNN spoke to another couple, Lina Fenequito and Ray Mancini, who traveled to China so Mancini could learn more about Fenequito’s culture. They devoted a portion of their honeymoon to teaching English to children in need. Mancini told CNN, “I saw her as a teacher, as there with the children, and that’s exciting for someone hoping to be a father some day. You see her as a leader. She knows a little Chinese, and I don’t know a lot, so it was nice to see her getting us around and helping me out.”
When you’re planning your honeymoon (or even your next vacation) think about dedicating time to serve the community you’re visiting. There’s no better way to start a new life than to help make the world a better place for you both.
Photo by Fett via Flickr.