Description

UBELONG offers a range of volunteering opportunities across the world and in many different fields ranging from business development, caregiving, education, environment, law and human rights and more.

What do volunteers do?
Volunteers work with students between the ages of 18 and 25 who are school dropouts from disadvantaged backgrounds. Volunteers introduce the students to hospitality-related skills, including bartending, cooking, and restaurant management. Volunteers work four to five hours a day, and they coordinate with the local staff to plan lessons and lead classes.

Highlights

UBELONG is a social venture based in Washington, DC quickly becoming the recognized leader in short-term international volunteering. A few of the reasons why:

Affordability
Without compromising safety, flexibility and quality, UBELONG offers the most affordable international volunteering opportunities in the world.

Support
Every UBELONG volunteer is part of its extensive support structure. Before, during and after their UBELONG experience volunteers work one on one with a UBELONG Mentor. In the field they are supported by UBELONGs local team leaders and local partners staffs.

Flexibility
You decide what you do and where, when and for how long you go.

Impact
UBELONG is a social venture with the mission to support disadvantaged communities through international volunteers. UBELONG does not simply offer any project anywhere: they understand where they go and why.

Washington, DC based
DC is one of the most important international volunteering centers in the world. The UBELONG network is strong and UBELONG has unparalleled resources at its fingertips. UBELONG taps heavily into these networks to design safe, affordable and high-quality programs.

Experience
UBELONG is led by volunteers who have volunteered throughout the world on every kind of project; international development professionals who have worked for organizations like the United Nations and World Bank; and university professors who still teach at Cornell and Johns Hopkins universities. From the largest to smallest details of a volunteers experience, UBELONG knows what works because theyve been there themselves.

Social responsibility
UBELONG is a social venture fundamentally rooted in promoting positive change. It strives to be honest, open and transparent in everything that they do.

Community
From students at universities to professionals at prestigious organizations to backpackers and retirees traveling for months, UBELONG volunteers come from all backgrounds and its network stretches across the world.

Qualifications

* At least an intermediate level of English.
* The creativity and initiative to lead classes with limited resources.
* Education and/or professional experience in a hospitality-related field.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Program fees USD390 (2 wks) to USD2,240 (6 mos)

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Among other services, the cost includes:

Preparation Briefing
The briefing offers you a wealth of information and helpful tips to prepare you for your trip.

UBELONG Mentor
UBELONG pairs you with a UBELONG Mentor, a highly experienced member of their team who works closely with you throughout your UBELONG experience.

Safety Meeting
Prior to your departure, you have a meeting with your UBELONG Mentor. You go over staying safe during your placement, as well as tips for getting the most out of your experience. The meetings generally occur over the phone or Skype, but if you are in the same location as your UBELONG Mentor they can occur in person.

Airport pickup

Orientation
The UBELONG local team leader gives you an orientation to go over everything from getting around to the work that you will be doing.

Housing
You live with other volunteers in a safe, comfortable and welcoming home in your community.

Food
You receive breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

24/7 in-country support
Throughout your placement, UBELONG provides you with any assistance that you may need.

Fundraising and networking
UBELONG holds fundraising and networking events throughout the year to support development initiatives. Join them online, in Washington, DC or wherever in the world they are holding an event.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Adult Education
• Teaching
• Tourism
• Volunteering

Typical Volunteer

From students at top universities to professionals at prestigious organizations to backpackers and retirees traveling for months, UBELONG volunteers come from all backgrounds, ethnicities and nationalities.

Age Range

18 & up

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Guest House

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 2-20 people

Scholarships are Available

The UBELONG Campus Leaders program empowers students to realize their leadership potential by bringing classmates together to volunteer abroad. UBELONG Campus Leaders recruit a team of eight or more of their classmates and, with UBELONGs continual support, organize a trip to volunteer together in a UBELONG Immersion location. As a reward for their leadership, UBELONG Campus Leaders do not pay the UBELONG placement and program fees.

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Typically The Application Process Time is

1-3 days

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

UBELONG's Mission Statement

-Grassroots action: To improve the economic and social conditions of disadvantaged communities in the developing world by empowering volunteers to work on grassroots projects driven by locally identified needs. -Experiences for all: To mobilize people of all backgrounds and provide them with inspiring volunteering experiences that are affordable and flexible. -Connecting people: To bring people together to advance cross-cultural understanding, increase awareness of international development issues and promote lifelong civic engagement.

Year Founded

2009