When you move to a new country, it’s easy to stay in your expat “bubble” and remain in your comfort zone, without ever really integrating into your local neighbourhood. If your busy life means you don’t have much contact with the community, volunteering is a great way to bridge this gap and make new friends, while also learning more about the area you call home and seeing another side of life. Especially in bigger cities, there are enough projects and organizations available to suit most levels of time commitment and interests, whether it’s maintaining an area of natural beauty, helping out the disadvantaged, or donating goods for a good cause. And if you can’t find something that takes your fancy? There’s nothing stopping you from taking the initiative and starting your own project!