A beginner’s guide to “meaningful travel”

Want to invest your holiday experiences with a bit more emotional charge? Meaningful travel is the way to go

By Charlotte Bean

To the uninitiated, “meaningful travel” may sound like the sort of thing gap-year students talk about when they finally get around to entering the workplace. “Yah, so I went to India and did some meaningful travel, right? It was sooooo am-azing? Like totally life-changing, yah?”

But the reality is that everyone can gain from a travel experience that leaves them with a different perspective on the world.

Done well, meaningful travel involves exploring unfamiliar places and gaining fresh insights. It produces a mental change, garnering experiences that leave you richer in spirit.

“Being able to add details about a meaningful travel experience to your CV shows you are confident, willing to learn and able to take on challenges,”...  

Meaningful travel has been a part of my life since I was teenager. At 16, I went to India, spending time volunteering in a school and immersing myself in Indian culture. It was awful. I had undiagnosed glandular fever at the time, felt horrendous and ended up being put on an IV drip in Bahrain airport on the way home.

Despite this, my eyes were opened to all the things I didn’t know about the world. That is why, with my A-levels completed, I signed up to three months of volunteering in Nepal. Alone.

It’s now nearly 10 years on and that trip has unquestionably made positive changes to my life. As a teenager with anxiety, travelling alone to a different continent and entirely alien way of life was, quite frankly, beyond terrifying.

But the experience was truly amazing, with the best part of the trip being the friendship I made with the Nepalese lady, Jyoti, who ran the orphanage I stayed at. She showed me what it was really like to live there, rather than simply being a tourist. We still stay in touch.

The trip massively boosted my confidence. Now, whenever I think I can’t do something, I remember that experience and all the amazing, brave things I did: travelling across the world alone at 18, taking part in a white-water rafting adventure, making new friends even when I was way out of my depth.

A beginner’s guide to meaningful travelI also remember the people I met, the kindest people in the world, and the help I was given by strangers, people who had so much less than me.

Giving your travels a purpose can have truly life-changing results, as Ryan Trump recently discovered. He spent a fortnight in Peru, undertaking volunteer work to renovate a rural school before completing a trek along the Salkantay trail to Machu Picchu to raise money for a local charity.

“Machu Picchu had always been on my bucket list,” says Ryan. “When I saw the opportunity to go while making a difference by volunteering and raising money for a charity close to my heart, I jumped at it.

“It was a wonderful experience: I made new friends, experienced a new culture and completed the difficult challenge of not only fundraising, but completing the trek itself. It showed me just how much I am capable of.”

These types of experience don’t only affect you personally. They can also help you professionally: at interviews, I am always asked about my experience travelling as a teenager, even a decade on.

Peter Foy, director at Just Recruitment Group Ltd, highlights how these sorts of experiences can make you stand out from the crowd when applying for jobs. “Being able to add details about a meaningful travel experience to your CV shows you are confident, willing to learn and able to take on challenges,” he says.

“Employers are always looking for the applicant who has that something extra to give. An interesting travel experience could be the thing that catches their eye.”

Whether you choose to fundraise, volunteer, take on a physical challenge, immerse yourself in another culture, or combine all of these elements into one trip like Ryan, enrich your life (and employability) by giving meaningful travel a go.

Take it from me: you won’t regret it!

Three tips for meaningful travel

  1. Do your research, particularly if you are planning to volunteer. Of course, volunteering is an amazing thing to do, but it’s important that you do so ethically. Pod Volunteer is an award-winning, ethical company that organises a range of volunteer projects around the world.
  2. Immerse yourself in the culture of the place you are visiting. The best way to do this? Learn the language so you can communicate with the locals. DuoLingo is a free app that can help you learn the basics, with more than 30 languages available. Ask the locals where they eat and how they spend their time for a more authentic experience – you might even get a special invite!
  3. Be prepared to leave your comfort zone. Whether it’s travelling solo, leaving your phone behind for a day, exploring without a map, or trying something you’ve never done before. That’s what will really change you. Which is what meaningful travel is all about.

 

If you enjoyed this article, you may like:
Fascinated by the 1960s Space Race? Read our brief history to find out more
How to switch careers in your 20s and 30s

Published: 26 June 2025
© Copyright Just Recruitment Group Ltd 2025

Jobs currently available

New job
Electrical Maintenance Engineer
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Tiverton, Devon
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB25
About the role

Just Recruitment is seeking a Maintenance Engineer for a company based in Tiverton, Devon.

You will need to have an electrical bias and ideally have experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.

The key objective of this role is to support the efficient operation of production facilities.

This includes:

  • Conducting regular safety inspections.
  • Performing both preventative and reactive maintenance on CNC machinery, and maintaining all site electrical systems.
  • Identifying and implementing improvements to increase efficiency, reduce downtime, and manage external contractors and maintenance resources.
  • Experience with CNC machinery is essential as a significant part of the role involves performing preventative and reactive maintenance on CNC machinery, including diagnostics and repair of control systems (Fanuc, Siemens, Hurco), and overseeing calibrations.
  • The role will also involve installation, testing, and maintenance of site electrical systems, including EV chargers.
  • Diagnosing and repairing electrical faults within machinery and control systems.
  • Overseeing machine calibrations and alignments.
  • Experience with PLC control systems.

Qualifications:

An electrical engineering qualification such as City & Guilds, HNC/HND, or equivalent is essential.

Hours:

39 hour working week: Monday to Thursday, 7am - 4pm and Friday 7am - 12pm.

This role offers Excellent Benefits, including:

  • 25 days holiday per annum, plus bank holidays
  • Company contributions to pension.
  • Healthcare cashback scheme.
  • Free on-site parking.
  • Opportunities for overtime at a premium rate.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Material Process Technician
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Discussed on application
Location: Braintree, Essex
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: TB24
About the role

Just Recruitment is recruiting for a Material Process Technician for their client based in Braintree, Essex.

Preference will be given to candidates with a background in science, chemistry or materials.

Duties will involve:

  • The production of technical data sheets.
  • Inspection of materials and evaluate product specifications.
  • Manufacturing materials and product samples for internal or customer use.
  • Monitoring and managing stock levels of raw materials and compounds.
  • Assisting in R&D.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
New job
Service Centre Administrator
Sector: Public Service and Administration
Location: Saxham, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913739
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a well-regarded business based near Bury St. Edmunds to recruit a Service Centre Administrator to their team.

You will be responsible for booking in all the products that enter the warehouse.

Duties include:

  • Unloading any delivery vehicle, ensuring all products are booked in using the correct product codes during the intake process, and highlighting discrepancies.
  • Advising the Service Centre Supervisor of any products booked in for special attention.
  • Maintaining a clean working area, including IT equipment, to ensure a high level of Health and Safety is present.
  • Providing details on the progress of repairs when requested by Customer Care.
  • Processing Return to Stock (RTS) in accordance with the correct process.
  • Working at a timely pace to ensure that sufficient repairs are available for the engineering workshop
  • Completing manual warehouse-oriented tasks, including lifting potentially heavy items, in line with the department’s needs.
  • Working towards an FLT licence, preferably Counterbalance, in line with the department’s needs.
  • Maintaining customer delivery spreadsheets.

Skills/Qualifications requirements:

  • Good English verbal and written communication skills.
  • Able to lift heavy product items.
  • Ability to work on your own initiative and be a decision maker within the scope of the role.
  • You need to have an eye for detail, be accurate and diligent at all times.
  • Able to develop product knowledge.
  • Take responsibility for the work produced and be proactive to ensure deadlines are met. Intuitive, working transparently if there is any delay.
  • Able to drive a PPT, Counterbalance (Desirable).

Please note that due to the company’s location, you will need to drive.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Production Operative
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: £26,800 per annum
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913737
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing global organisation, based on the outskirts of Sudbury - they are looking for a skilled Production Operator to join their team.

You must be willing to learn new skills and to work in a state-of-the-art, purpose-built facility, including undertaking comprehensive training to enable you to take part in tasting panels. Full training on the use of specialist equipment will be provided.

Key duties in this role include:

  • Handle ingredients on an industrial scale
  • Operate lines as required by the business
  • Undertake packaging, storage and distribution tasks
  • Maintaining accurate records in line with the required standards and customer requirements
  • Maintaining high standards of hygiene
  • Working closely with Operational, Logistics and other business teams to maximise production quality and efficiency
  • Uphold exceptional Health and Safety standards
  • Build a comprehensive knowledge of ingredients and processes to ensure production meets customer requirements

Skills required for this role:

  • The ability to follow written instructions and perform basic calculations
  • Previous experience of working to robust quality standards and following procedures
  • The ability to communicate with colleagues at all levels and confident to escalate any issues to ensure quality and safety
  • Strong computer literacy – e.g. able to input data, confirm settings on machinery and produce reports with training
  • Conscientious with strong attention to detail

Working hours for this role are:

3 Rotating Shifts (14.00 – 22.00; 06.00 – 14.00; 22.00 – 06.00; Monday – Friday, rotating weekly)

Free parking is available onsite and due to the company location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
The salary advertised is the bracket available for this position. The actual salary paid will be dependent on your level of experience, qualifications and skill set.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more
Quality Supervisor
Sector: Engineering and Manufacturing
Salary: Competitive
Location: Sudbury
Role: Full Time
Contract: Permanent
Job ref: 913738
About the role

Just Recruitment is working with a growing manufacturing business based on the outskirts of Sudbury - they are recruiting for a 'Quality Supervisor' to join their team on a permanent basis.

The key purpose of this role is to support the ongoing growth of the QA Lab and team, and to own the processes that ensure the needs of both internal stakeholders and customers are met, while maintaining the highest standards of safety at all times.

You will be working closely with the Quality Manager in a state-of-the-art facility that produces the highest quality products for customers throughout the UK and Ireland.

Key responsibilities include:

  • Direct management of a team of 6 QA Technicians working across 3 shifts, supporting their development, motivation and performance/attendance management
  • Ensuring that standards are followed through verification of certificates of analysis, internal audits, control system checks and audits
  • Supporting the QA Manager to ensure the company's compliance with regulatory bodies and customer standards
  • Maintaining an up-to-date knowledge of safety standards and legislation by tracking changes and industry updates and events
  • Ensuring changes required to maintain compliance with safety standards, legislation and customer requirements are highlighted to the QA Manager
  • Working with the QA Manager to implement updated policies and procedures and train them out to the wider business
  • Carrying out analysis of micro-environmental controls and providing regular reports to the business
  • Ensuring that any identified issues or non-conformances are discussed with the QA Manager and that the relevant teams identify and implement the actions to remedy them, through root cause analysis
  • Supporting the successful running of the QA Lab by carrying out verification and training activities
  • Analysing the certificates of analysis of raw materials and finished goods and releasing them to be used in production or released to the customers
  • Undertaking internal audits relating to QMS and finished product requirements
  • Maintain traceability, hygiene, quality, and process records with validation of results, identification of trends, root cause analysis where applicable and instigation of corrective actions
  • Work closely with third-party certification bodies for sustainability, religious and ethical obligations
  • Carry out sampling and investigations for microbiological, allergen, nutritional or customer requirements
  • Working with essential service providers such as Pest Control, Hygiene and workwear providers to ensure delivery of these services to a high standard
  • Managing the equipment calibration schedule
  • Assist with new product/process trials

Role requirements include:

  • Minimum 5 years of experience, preferably in a QA or Technical role
  • Proficient in BRC, HACCP and legislative food safety requirements
  • Internal auditing experience
  • Competent in Microsoft applications, including Outlook, Word, Excel. PowerPoint etc.
  • Strong skills in Microsoft SharePoint / Excel – able to automate processes, create templates and systems of record
  • Experience in delivering training in face-to-face and online settings
  • Experience of working in a food manufacturing environment
  • People Management skills – you have experience managing a small team in a manufacturing environment. You are able to delegate and distribute tasks/workload across a small team effectively to ensure tasks are delivered to the standard required

Working hours for this role are Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm.

Free parking is available on-site and due to the working location, you must have access to your own transport.

 

Just Recruitment acts as an employment agency for permanent roles.
We are an equal opportunity employer and welcome applications from all suitable candidates.

 

Read more