🌍 “I carry my identity in my heart, not in my pocket.”

Meet Yazan, the founder of HomeAwe, a platform redefining volunteering abroad. 🌟 Unlike traditional programs, HomeAwe ensures every experience is handpicked, authentic, and focused on cultural exchange.

From volunteering in South Africa to co-creating a coliving space in the Swiss Alps, Yazan’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. 🌄 He shares how embracing his identity and stepping out of his comfort zone changed his life and can change yours too.

Would you take the leap to volunteer or live in a coliving space? Share your dream destination! 🌟

César: Hello everyone, this is another episode of Colivers Club, powered by Mapmelon. I’m here joined by…

Yazan: Yazan.

César: Hello Yazan, how are you doing?

Yazan: I’m good, how are you?

César: Great, wow. I wanted to do this interview since the moment you came here and we started talking. We had such nice conversations that, yeah, I couldn’t keep it to myself, so I want to share it with the people. You have a very interesting project, HomeAwe. Can you tell us about it?

Yazan: Yeah, so basically to make it really simple, HomeAwe is a platform for volunteering abroad. But I know there are a lot of volunteering platforms, and they usually focus on cheap traveling. I don’t focus really on that. I’m focusing more on the culture exchange experience, to meet a lot of people from everywhere and have a nice culture exchange and get more ideas and open up to the world.

César: And what makes HomeAwe different from other platforms?

Yazan: Basically, what makes HomeAwe different from other platforms is that we focus on delivering these programs through content creation. So, I go to the place first—I’m the first one—to experience it and check that everything is okay. On other platforms, there are thousands of experiences, and it can be overwhelming.

César: So, you create it?

Yazan: Exactly. It’s where you’ll be confused about which experience to try because there are only a few pictures or small details. It feels risky to commit, especially if you’re far away and need a plane ticket. You can’t afford to have a bad experience. So, I go first to ensure everything is okay. I provide full information, check the host is good, and that they treat the volunteers well. It’s not just about working a few hours and getting accommodation and food. It’s about creating a real experience that someone can truly benefit from.

César: So, you give it your approval?

Yazan: Exactly. It’s an approved experience by me or the team who travels to these places. That way, it’s less risky for others who want to try it. Even solo travelers. This platform is for everyone—not just for seasoned travelers.

César: It’s an investment, and it’s risky.

Yazan: Yeah. For some people, they can’t take that risk, so we take the risk for them. We ensure that the environment is ready to accept them, so they have a good experience.

César: Wow, nice. I see a lot of correlations with nomadism, coliving, and this sense of community you’re trying to grow and make more international. You’ve also built quite a following.

Yazan: Yeah, basically, people think that HomeAwe is just a volunteering or traveling business. For me, it’s not. It’s an inspirational business. I want to touch hearts and reach people who are confused about who they are, feeling purposeless. I encourage them to experience these things because they are necessary. You meet people, expand your horizons, and discover yourself. It’s a self-discovery journey.

César: And this also comes from your personal experience, right? You studied computer science?

Yazan: Yeah, true. In high school, I studied computer science. I was really good at it, one of the best in my class. I liked it, and my teacher encouraged me. I thought it was the right path because you could earn good money in this field. It was also appealing because of the possibility of remote work.

César: So, remote work was part of the attraction?

Yazan: Yeah, the idea of working remotely and having some freedom was enticing. So, I went to university for it. I thought it was what I wanted. But the reality of studying computer science wasn’t what I expected. It was hard and energy-draining.

César: I know because I quit after six months!

Yazan: (Laughs) Good for you, man. It’s so energy-draining, and it can take away your ambition.

César: Yeah, they took the interest out of me.

Yazan: Exactly. My ambition started to drop, and I began thinking, “I just want any kind of job.” Initially, I had big dreams of working for a major international company, but eventually, I just wanted to finish my degree and move on.

César: And yet, you did finish it.

Yazan: Yeah, somehow I finished it, but it wasn’t easy. After graduating, I realized I didn’t want to be stuck in a tech job for years, avoiding my real passion for being social, international, and meeting people. So, instead of applying for a tech job, I decided to volunteer in South Africa.

César: Wow. And that was the start of HomeAwe?

Yazan: Exactly. That was where everything began.

César: Wow, that’s a very cool story. So you went to South Africa, right?

Yazan: Yeah, South Africa for six months. It was half a year. And funny enough, I went to volunteer in a tech company.

César: No way!

Yazan: Yeah, yeah. I wasn’t 100% sure tech wasn’t for me, so I thought volunteering at a tech company would let me explore it without pressure. Since I wasn’t being paid, I could focus on learning.

César: So it was a way of checking?

Yazan: Exactly. It was a chance to figure out if tech was really my path. And I gained a lot of work experience in different areas of tech—coding, software development, and more. As an intern, there was no pressure because they weren’t paying me, so I had the freedom to try different projects. But deep down, I realized it wasn’t my thing.

César: But still, a valuable experience.

Yazan: Definitely. Sometimes people say, “I don’t know what I want to do in life.” But my experience taught me what I didn’t want to do, which is just as important.

César: That’s super interesting and smart. You can’t know your path unless you try things.

Yazan: Exactly. If you don’t try, you’ll end up following someone else’s path. That experience confirmed for me that I didn’t want to work in tech. But because I was doing well in the internship, they offered me a full-time job.

César: Oh, wow. Were you tempted?

Yazan: Yeah, I was tempted because it was a fully remote position, and I needed the money. I had spent a lot of money to get to South Africa and support myself for six months. But the salary they offered was based on South African standards, which is much lower compared to Europe or the Middle East.

César: That’s one of the challenges of remote work—global salary disparities.

Yazan: Exactly. It was tempting, but I didn’t want money to dictate my decisions. I ended up taking the job and worked with them for almost a year. During that time, I traveled and worked remotely, but I still felt like something was missing.

César: So, what did you do?

Yazan: After a month of working from home in Palestine, I decided to go backpacking in Europe. I visited Barcelona, Switzerland, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Even on a South African salary, I managed to travel, work remotely, and save some money. That experience was life-changing—it taught me how to manage money and live responsibly.

César: And this was when the idea for HomeAwe started growing?

Yazan: Exactly. During this time, I began sharing my volunteering and travel experiences on social media. I wanted to expose people to the world of internships and volunteering. It was tough at first—six months of trying to market these experiences with little success. People didn’t trust me, thinking I was a scammer or wondering why they should pay an agency to volunteer abroad.

César: How did you overcome that?

Yazan: I realized I needed to show people my own experiences to build trust. So, I started an Instagram page and posted photos and videos of myself volunteering and traveling. This helped people see that it was real and encouraged them to consider similar experiences.

César: Lead by example.

Yazan: Exactly. It wasn’t easy—it was a process. I started by focusing on internships in South Africa. But after a while, I realized I needed to expand globally and include different kinds of volunteering opportunities.

César: And when did things start to change?

Yazan: After committing to creating one video every single day for a year and a half. I studied social media strategies, took courses, and learned the importance of consistency. That effort made my Instagram explode, and people started engaging with my content.

César: It wasn’t just technical skills—you put your heart into it.

Yazan: Exactly. At first, I didn’t even show my face because I was too shy. But over time, I gained confidence. Now, being on camera and sharing my story feels natural.

César: That’s amazing. And this ties into coliving as well, right?

Yazan: Yes. While volunteering and traveling, I got exposed to the coliving world. For example, I worked on projects in Switzerland with a team creating a coliving space in the Alps. It was an incredible experience.

César: So now you’re also involved in coliving projects?

Yazan: Yes. I even invested in a coliving space in the Swiss Alps. It’s a beautiful, quiet place perfect for digital nomads. The community there is amazing, and I’m excited to be part of it.

César: That’s such a collaborative mindset—not competition, but co-creation.

Yazan: Exactly. It’s all about building a new world together.

César: That’s a very inspiring journey. Do you think volunteering and coliving can help bridge cultures and create a more connected world?

Yazan: Absolutely. Volunteering and coliving are incredible for breaking stereotypes and bringing people together. When you’re living or working with people from different countries, you realize that the labels and prejudices society teaches us don’t hold up.

César: That’s true. Sometimes we let society dictate what we think about people based on where they’re from, but when you meet them, you realize it’s all wrong.

Yazan: Exactly. These experiences make you connect with people on a human level. You stop seeing them as “this nationality” or “that background.” You see their heart, their personality, and their story. It’s the best way to break stereotypes and focus on our shared humanity.

César: And it sounds like volunteering brings so much energy and positivity to coliving spaces.

Yazan: For sure. Volunteers are usually full of energy because they come specifically for the experience—they don’t have a job tying them down. They bring so much enthusiasm, which makes the environment even better for everyone, including digital nomads who might be focused on work.

César: It creates a more vibrant and supportive community.

Yazan: Exactly. Volunteers can organize activities, share their skills, and create a positive atmosphere. It’s a win-win situation for the host, the volunteers, and the nomads. Everyone benefits from the cultural exchange and the energy.

César: That reminds me of some places I’ve visited where they mix creativity, sustainability, and community. For example, there’s a co-living farm in Tuscany called Tertulia. They do amazing projects with art, sustainability, and even host volunteers from different countries.

Yazan: That sounds amazing. It’s exactly the kind of thing I love seeing. These small places around the world, where people are working together and creating positive change, are so inspiring. It’s all about uplifting each other.

César: And in doing that, you feel uplifted and inspired too.

Yazan: Absolutely. It’s a ripple effect. When you create something good, it spreads to everyone involved.

César: You’ve even been speaking about these ideas at events like Bansko Nomad Fest, right?

Yazan: Yes! I gave a talk here, and it was an amazing experience. The title was “I Carry My Identity in My Heart, Not in My Pocket.”

César: That’s a powerful title. What inspired it?

Yazan: Growing up as a Palestinian in Israel, I always struggled with my identity. I was a Palestinian with an Israeli passport, living in a Jewish state, but I wasn’t Jewish. It was confusing, and I often felt disconnected from who I was.

César: So, how did your volunteering experiences change that?

Yazan: Volunteering in South Africa exposed me to a whole new world. I met people from everywhere, improved my English, and learned about other cultures. At first, I was shy and embarrassed to talk about where I was from. But over time, I realized I needed to own my story and be proud of my roots.

César: And that’s the message you shared in your talk?

Yazan: Exactly. My talk was about how embracing my identity helped me connect with humanity on a deeper level. I also wanted to inspire others to step out of their comfort zones, try new experiences, and break free from labels.

César: That’s beautiful. And you had Israeli people in the audience too, right?

Yazan: Yes. It was very emotional. I even told them, “I used to hate you because of what I was taught, but now I love you because I know you.” It’s incredible how meeting people and hearing their stories can completely change your perspective.

César: That’s such a powerful message. It’s about seeing beyond the politics and connecting on a human level.

Yazan: Exactly. I believe in bridging cultures and breaking stereotypes. My platform, HomeAwe, is part of that mission. It’s about creating a better, more peaceful world where people connect and understand each other.

César: And that mission really comes from the heart.

Yazan: Yes, it does. I’m not waiting for anyone to save me or my country. I’m taking action to create change and inspire others to do the same.

César: Wow, Yazan, this has been such an inspiring conversation. Thank you so much for sharing your story.

Yazan: Thank you for having me. It’s been a pleasure.

César: So, everyone, check out HomeAwe, and if you’re ever in the Swiss Alps, make sure to visit the co-living space there.

Yazan: Definitely! And thank you again.

César: See you all in the next episode.

Yazan: Cheers!