9 Ways Expats Give Back (So We’re Not “Losers Back Home”)

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During a recent trip to Da Nang, someone used a phrase that made me stop and think. They were talking about foreigners who come to live in Vietnam, and they called them “losers back home.” It was and wasn’t meant to be cruel. It was a response to how foreigners who live well because life is cheaper here, but who never engage, contribute, and consider their presence’s impact on the locals. And even though I wasn’t the subject of the comment, it stayed with me. Because I’ve seen those people, too, and I’ve wondered if they even considered that they could easily do better. It’s not enough to live comfortably abroad; expats should also find ways to give back.

Table of Contents

• 1. Join or Organize a Cleanup in the Community
• 2. Teach Something You Know—For Free
• 3. Buy Local and Show Up Regularly
• 4. Volunteer Without Turning It Into a Story
• 5. Respect the Cost of Living You Benefit From
• 6. Partner with Locals—Don’t Compete
• 7. Use Your Platform with Intention
• 8. Learn the Language—Even a Little
• 9. Remember: You’re a Guest
• Final Thoughts

1. Join or Organize a Cleanup in the Community

You don’t have to save the entire ocean. All you have to do is just show up with a trash bag. They make it easy on Koh Munnork. We took this short hiking trail that loops around the island—about 30 minutes of jungle, rocks, and sea views. When I set out, someone at the front desk handed me a plastic bag. “Pick up what you see,” they said. “We’ll trade you a drink when you come back.”

It wasn’t a publicity stunt. It was a simple way to keep the island clean—and remind guests that they’re part of something bigger than their vacation. Locals didn’t leave most of the trash I picked up. It was left by us—tourists, expats, weekend wanderers. Wrappers, water bottles, broken sandals. It took less than an hour. But it shifted something. Giving back doesn’t need to be big or loud. And sometimes, you even get a free cocktail.

2. Teach Something You Know—For Free

You don’t need to be certified. You need to be willing. In South Korea, I joined the Daegu International Women’s Association and started teaching English to a group of local women. We met weekly—sometimes at my home, sometimes over coffee in a local cafe. The lessons were loose, mostly conversational, and often full of laughter. That’s also where I met my Korean sister and best friend for life.

Once, I even helped a university student draft her study abroad application over coffee. She got in. Another time, I explained SEO to a cafe owner trying to grow her business online. These weren’t grand moments. But they mattered. When you live in a place, don’t just take what you need. Share what you have. And sometimes, the people you help become the people who stay in your life. You may even get paid clients.

3. Expats who buy Local Give Back Directly

Buying local is more than filling a suitcase. It’s choosing a bowl of noodles from a street cart instead of a table at a global chain. It’s fruit from the morning market instead of snacks from a convenience store. It’s a handmade bag instead of something shipped in and marked up. When you spend your money locally, you support families—not franchises. You help preserve crafts and traditions that aren’t powered by tourism. And when you keep showing up—to the same market stall, the same cafe, the same tailor—you stop being a customer and start becoming part of a neighborhood.

4. Volunteer Without Turning It Into a Story

If the first thing you do after helping someone is post about it, ask yourself why. Giving back doesn’t need an audience. Some of the most meaningful contributions happen without a single photo. I’ve taken pictures at events where the organizers couldn’t afford a photographer. I’ve helped translate forms, edited grant proposals, moved chairs, swept floors. I’ve done these things quietly, and often without being asked. You don’t need permission to be useful. But you don’t need applause either.

5. Respect the Cost of Living You Benefit From

Living abroad often means getting more for less. More space. More comfort. More time. But that affordability can have a hidden cost—especially for locals. Don’t drive up prices by hoarding short-term rentals. Don’t bargain people down to cents when you know you can afford more. Don’t call everything “cheap” while earning a remote salary that could cover someone’s monthly rent in a day. If you’re working while abroad, follow the rules—respect visa laws. Don’t undercut locals by working illegally. And if you’re hiring, pay fair wages.

6. Partner with Locals—Don’t Compete

There’s a difference between starting a business and taking over one. Too often, I’ve seen foreigners open cafes, retreat centers, and tour companies that copy what locals have been doing for years—only with better marketing and higher prices.

If you want to create something, collaborate. Hire locals. Share the spotlight. Put money back into the community that’s hosting you. There’s room to build without pushing others out. Real partnerships don’t just benefit you. They benefit everyone involved.

7. Use Your Platform with Intention

If you’re a blogger, YouTuber, or Instagrammer, your voice carries weight. Use it with care. Promote locally owned businesses that don’t have the budget to market themselves. Credit the people behind the work. Ask before tagging sensitive locations—especially in places that can’t handle more tourism. The places we visit aren’t just backdrops. They’re someone’s home. Make sure your content reflects that.

8. Learn the Language—Even a Little

No one expects fluency. But expats who give some effort often get respect back. But they notice when you try. A few basic words—hello, thank you, how much—can change the way people see you. I’ve stumbled through greetings, mispronounced menus, and gotten laughed at more than once. But that laughter was kind. It opened doors. It turned transactions into conversations. Language is more than words. It’s a gesture of respect.

9. Remember: You’re a Guest

It’s easy to forget that when life feels good. When the rent is low, the food is delicious, and everything seems just a little easier. But no matter how long you stay, no matter how much you feel at home, you are a guest. Being a guest means learning before judging. Listening before speaking. Adapting before assuming your way is better. You don’t have to blend in completely. But you do have to carry yourself with care because you’re moving through someone else’s world. Expats who give back show they understand what it means to be a guest.

Final Thoughts

Some expats forget that living abroad is a privilege—and never give anything back. It reminds me how easy it is to consume without contributing. To enjoy a place without ever asking what it needs in return. We don’t have to be perfect. But we do have to be present. We should give something back—not for credit, not for content, but because we are lucky enough to be here. Generosity doesn’t need to be dramatic. Sometimes, it’s small, steady, and quiet. Not because we have to. But because it’s the right way to move through someone else’s home.

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