International Volunteer Travel Programs and Projects Abroad

Last Updated: January 01, 2023

Travelling to a new country to offer your time, abilities, and energy is exciting. It allows you to learn about a new culture while helping a local organization improve its community. As Covid-19 restrictions lessen, more students, graduates, families, and seniors seek cultural immersion and meaningful getaways. Students can incorporate service into their study abroad program, and tourists can volunteer for part or all of their trips.

If you want to volunteer abroad to learn about a different culture or help a country in need, go for it. You'll also have time for local activities, excursions, and day trips. See the real world, meet new people, gain new skills, and discover yourself. You'll feel rewarded and satisfied with the long-term influence you've made.

Here are some suggestions for finding the ideal foreign opportunity:

What to do: Apply existing skills or learn new ones? Do you wish to work with a particular group, like children?

Where to go: Do you have a favorite country or area, or are you more interested in the work? Do weather conditions like humidity or cold upset you? How do you feel about specific regimes or political situations? Is there a part of your identity that puts you at risk - religion, gender, sexual orientation, nationality?

When and how long to go: In general, you'll have a better experience and make a more significant difference to the organization if you have more time to volunteer. This could mean that you need to save up more vacation time at work or plan less travel while studying abroad.

Volunteering overseas can take various forms, including child care, English teaching, animal conservation, community service, and mental health care, to name just a few possibilities.

Budgeting for your experience 

Volunteering overseas means paying for transportation, accommodation, and meals. Obtaining your opportunity may also need program fees. While low-cost programs exist, many need long-term commitments and specific skills, such as medical or engineering competence. 

Before sending payment, it is highly advised that you thoroughly study the organization and seek references from other volunteers.

Typical costs of volunteer travel include:

• Passport and visa fees
• Meals
• Transportation
• Vaccinations
• Insurance
• Housing
• Program fees
• Miscellaneous