Note: This interview is part of a series from Learning Service.

Emily is a Registered Nurse with extensive experience volunteering abroad. She believes that travel can change the world for the better—if we do it right—and she's passionate about helping people find ways to give back to the communities they visit.

For people suffering from mental or emotional disabilities or illness, an emotional support animal (ESA) can provide support, comfort and unconditional love. Approximately 25% of Americans suffer from some form of mental or emotional malady. Many studies have shown that the companionship of a dog or cat can be of great therapeutic benefit.

I stumbled onto volunteering abroad by accident when a friend recommended it to me. I had never considered it beforehand. So I entered the world of volunteering with very little information and learnt that there’s only so much research you can do. 

Note: This interview is part of a series from Learning Service.

Whether you are a traveling teacher, travel during summer vacation, or are on sabbatical, there are experiences you just want to share—whether with your friends, class, colleagues, or maybe even the world. This makes starting a teacher travel blog an amazing and rewarding idea.

Visas

Supporting the local communities of places we visit as tourists and travellers is a great way to give back, show your appreciation, and receive a warm welcome from the locals. After all, we’re visitors in their hometowns, so the least we can do is show respect and offer support in simple yet impactful ways. Wondering how you can give back on your travels and make yourself a better traveller?