Description

Mongolia is a unique and adventurous place to spend time on a volunteer program or internship. Mongolia is a large country - about a third the size of Europe - sandwiched between Russia and China on the Asian Steppe. It's a country that conjures up images of far-off lands and a completely different pace of life. This image really is reality, in this land of Genghis Khan and wandering nomadic clans.

This is a destination for adventurers, with a history that encompasses Chinese dynasties and Soviet Communism. It's hard to imagine that this ancient state was once home to the people who ruled the largest empire the world has ever known - at one point stretching from Indonesia right over into Austria!

The modern Mongolian is a descendant of Genghis Khan, a son or daughter of the Communist era and is living in a 21st century ancient state where Buddhist priests drive in Japanese jeeps across desert roads to their distant monasteries.

Its unhurried capital city, Ulaanbaatar, has many contrasts. Soviet-style high-rise blocks sit alongside traditional tents - known as gers - which are dotted around the city. Modern businesses thrive, while Mongolians walk the streets in traditional dress. Around a third of Mongolians belong to nomadic or semi-nomadic herding tribes, and away from the capital the lifestyle is much the same as it has been for centuries.

There are spectacular sights across Mongolia - from rugged and bio-diverse mountains to the wilderness of the Gobi Desert (famed for its dinosaur bones!). It's a land crammed with ancient history and culture, with beautiful monasteries and stunning archaeological finds.

Our projects in Mongolia are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a college summer break, gap year, career break or volunteer vacation.

Projects Abroad Mongolia is based right in the center of Ulaanabaatar where most of our projects are based. With the majority of our host families and projects being concentrated around the center of the city, there is a very strong volunteer community to get to know. Placements are available in Teaching, Care, Medical Projects - including Medicine, Physical therapy, Nursing and Midwifery, - Journalism, Sport, Veterinary Medicine, Law & Human Rights and Business.

If you want to get away from it all you can participate in our Nomad Project, which is based around two hours east of Ulaanbaatar out on the vast Mongolian Steppe.

Highlights

Life in Mongolia is never dull. If you're after a different kind of adventure it's definitely the place to consider. You will be living in one of the world's most remote countries. Once outside of the capital, you will find that 'roads' marked on maps are not really roads and 'settlements' can be small and temporary. If you have a taste for adventure, you will want to explore the remote Altai Mountains and the Gobi Desert.

Travel opportunities might take you across the Steppe, where you could stay with a local nomadic tribe in a Ger. The unusual experiences you'll have will really make the trip worthwhile. You may find yourself gathering camel dung to put on the fire! You will certainly be riding horses, and drinking the traditional Mongolia drink airaag, fermented milk which can be either alcoholic or non-alcoholic.

Even in Ulaanbaatar, you will soon realize that it's quite a different kind of capital city. Yes, there are bars and restaurants, but there's a lot of tradition too. Try the local food, especially the mutton. It's also easy to get a quick fix of the country life even while you're based in Ulaanbaatar. The capital is flanked by the "four holy peaks", with forests and grasslands full of animal and bird life, you are very close to ideal hiking territory!

Qualifications

Volunteers must be 16 years old and submit 1 letter of recommendation.

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Anyone with an open mind and a desire to travel

Age Range

16-80

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992