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Travel with a purpose: Foodie traveller turns to voluntourism for more meaningful experiences
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Ms Eileen Soh (in the middle, dressed in red) with wedding guests in May 2023 in the city of Sungai Penuh, Jambi province, in Indonesia.
PHOTO: COURTESY OF EILEEN SOH
- Eileen Soh shifted from foodie tourism to cultural exchange via Workaway, volunteering skills for lodging and meals in places like Taiwan and Indonesia.
- Immersed in local life, Soh improved language skills and formed genuine connections, influencing her to seek meaningful experiences over typical tourist activities.
- Inspired by books and experiences, Soh now prioritises impactful travel, volunteering in places like Peru and Kenya, and sharing stories through her blog.
AI generated
SINGAPORE – Ms Eileen Soh, 35, used to seek foodie experiences abroad.
In Mexico, she zoomed in on street stall tacos raved about by American YouTuber Mark Wiens. She has tried jellied eel in the United Kingdom, which she describes as being “like agar agar but with a fishy smell”.
