Learning by helping

[Photo provided to China Daily]

Zhu also enjoys interacting with local people, especially young students. "They just have the most innocent smile on their faces," Zhu recalls. She played traditional Chinese games such as "the eagle catches the chickens" with them. In return, they helped with some volunteer projects.

Zheng Kaifeng, former consultant and social media manager of Lonely Planet China, believes travel abroad as a volunteer is rewarding for the most part.

However, like any other expedition, "voluntourism" trips also come with potential safety hazards.

Jiang Jiazhen, a 21-year-old university student in Chongqing, enjoyed working as a volunteer teacher in Bali, Indonesia, last year.

But on a cycling trip to explore the island with friends, Jiang fell off her mountain bike. "One of my teeth was broken－my face was bleeding. I was afraid that my face was disfigured.

"I felt helpless, but the worst part was, I couldn't tell my family that was thousand miles away."

With the help of some locals, Jiang received medical treatment and recovered.

She says others on her team had accidents like being scratched by a monkey or stung by jellyfish, due to negligence.