Are you sick of drooling over everyone else’s Insta-cool travel pics? Feeling overdue for some exciting travel of your own? Then imagine how epic would it be to not only head overseas but to do it for a worthy cause like volunteering abroad!
New friends, new passport stamps, new connections, new life goals.
These days, mind blowing volunteer abroad programs for teens are everywhere. Now, this is more than your average volunteer work. By volunteering abroad, you’re signing up for a combo pack of globetrotting, service work, and experiencing a new culture—you’ll be practically guaranteeing your future self success.
What will your day look like as a volunteer abroad under 18? Well, mornings could be spent teaching computer classes to younger kids (yes, teens can totally effect change with kiddies while doing youth volunteering abroad under 18 programs!). While your afternoons might revolve around mastering your photography skills on nature walks. With wildlife volunteering under 18 projects, you could be living in a camp in the Serengeti studying endangered species.
So you’re finally on board with teenage volunteer opportunities abroad. You’re ready for the 411 on volunteer abroad programs for teens. You asked, and we answered. So for now, sit back and let us do the hard work. Here’s everything you need to know about teenage volunteer opportunities abroad!
FAQs on under 18 volunteering abroad
What are the benefits?
How does boatloads of cultural enlightenment and self-discovery sound to you? As you’re immersed into the new culture, you’ll be forced to view the world from a foreign perspective. As cliche as it may sound, we really are living in a global village. And, it’s crucial to tap into your international awareness. Traveling experiences like volunteering abroad are an effective way of increasing your understanding of what’s happening beyond your home country’s borders.
Then, there’s that something about being abroad that always stimulates deeper understanding of self. Maybe you were on the fence about majoring in pre-med vs. computer science. Don’t be surprised if you switch things up and decide to get TEFL certified and teach abroad instead. By stepping outside of your comfort zone, you’ll be giving yourself a top notch opportunity for personal growth. For teens abroad, volunteering for under 18 projects toughens up your independence chops and makes you better prepared for stuff like college life. And speaking of college, admissions officers are always impressed with teens who have not only volunteered but cranked things up by doing youth volunteering abroad under 18 projects. So expect a monster boost in your chances of getting accepted to your top college picks.
Make a difference and have a meaningful impact wherever you end up!
Another plus? You’re going to make a ton of awesome new friends from entirely different cultures. That means tons of opportunities for deeper cultural exchange. Starting to get a feel for why youth volunteering abroad under 18 is priceless?
[Why Spend Your Precious High School Days Abroad?]
Where are the best locations?
Where are you itching to go? Africa, Asia, South America or into the Pacific? You’ll find adrenaline inducing volunteer under 18 abroad programs all over the globe. Understand that many volunteer projects are located in developing nations which have needs for volunteer assistance.
So where are some of these volunteer abroad under 18 hotspots? Thailand and India offer projects such as English tutoring and doing extracurricular activities with kids, and if you’re a yoga or meditation buff, you’ll find lots of spiritual cultural excursions packed into your program.
Uganda and South Africa are among the most popular places to volunteer in Africa as a teen. Both countries have a wide variety of volunteer programs to choose from, including focuses on both animal and human rights. Similar opportunities exist in Brazil, another hub for youth volunteering abroad under 18 programs. If you head to the South Pacific, you’ll find fantastic programs in Australia and New Zealand, where biodiversity and indigenous culture reign supreme. Keep in mind, this is only a teenie sampling—exciting youth volunteering abroad under 18 opportunities are everywhere. If you only want the best of the best, here are the world's top countries for high school study abroad this year.
Is it safe to volunteer abroad under 18?
When you’re under 18 volunteering abroad, it might be your first time living solo in another country. So understandably, safety will be pretty important to you (and definitely for your parentals!). You’re probably wondering:
Where will I be crashing every night? Will I have enough food to eat? How will I be able to stay in touch with my parents? Are developing countries safe to volunteer in and what happens if there’s an emergency?
Keep in touch with mom & dad to earn brownie points—and help them sleep soundly at night!
Let’s get this out of the way. Resources in developing countries can be on the limited side. However, quality volunteer programs are staffed with a responsible team who work tirelessly to keep a program running smoothly and intact. They’ve organized every detail of your experience—from your grub to the program emergency plan. The 24/7 staff know all the ins and outs of the country. TL;DR You’ll be in good hands! And in the small chance that something does go awry, you’ll have travel insurance to cover any medical costs.
[Tips for Choosing the Right Volunteer Program for You]
As you eye up potential programs, take a good hard look through their websites. You can generally find answers to all your burning questions right there or by chatting with one of the program’s crew. And don’t forget to read program reviews from other teens! Honest reviews from past participants will tell you everything you need to know about how safe a program is.
What can you do?
A better question is what can’t you do! Believe us when we say the options for volunteer abroad projects are endless! Are you hooked on VICE news documentaries about humanitarian crises around the world? You can sign up to volunteer with refugees abroad. Have a thing for arts and culture? Volunteer with South African teens and create some truly epic stage productions. Interested in coding and small biz development or wildlife volunteering abroad under 18 projects? There are volunteer opportunities for every interest.
[8 Amazing Teenage Volunteer Summer Programs Abroad]
While anything is possible, if you want a safe bet, choose from the most popular teen volunteer program types. These include conservation, construction, and teaching.
Getting your hands dirty has never been so fun—or educational!
How much do volunteer abroad programs for teens cost?
We hear ya...questions that need answering! Well, someone’s definitely going to have to fork over some moula for your volunteer abroad under 18 program. But that doesn’t mean anyone has to go broke either.
For starters, understand why you want to go for a paid program instead of anything that screams freebie. Unless you’ve scored a volunteer abroad scholarship, grant, or fundraised money, there is value in choosing a program with fees. Basically, they keep the program afloat and operating at its best. Program fees cover everything from your accommodation to in-country transportation. Some volunteer abroad under 18 programs include your airfare in their fees while others will require you to purchase them separately.
Whatever your program’s price tag, remember there are ways to chop down the cost of volunteering abroad. For example, you can volunteer in a developing country with a lower cost of living or choose a program with modest volunteer digs. Fundraising through Kickstarter is another neat option.
[How to Cover Your High School Study Abroad Costs]
4 recommended teenage volunteer opportunities abroad
1. Westcoast Connection
This program has volunteer projects for teenagers across Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean and a rep for offering top notch community service projects. If you’re considering majoring in education, their English teaching volunteer program is a great opportunity. If you’d like to learn more about environmentalism, their elephant rebab projects in Thailand could be your fix. This provider has over 100 programs in 20 nations. Each project fuses volunteerism with cultural integration. At the end of your service, you'll receive a nity letter of completion showing you completed 50 hours of community service. #Pow
- Where? Multiple countries in North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean
- More info: Read Westcoast Connection reviews
2. GVI
If a program isn’t talking about sustainability, run the other way! And luckily, as a volunteer with GVI, you won’t have to feel iffy about the effectiveness of your work. This organization offers teenage volunteer abroad opportunities structured around United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Their approach practically guarantees you’ll be making a positive effect on the local community your volunteering in. GVI teenage volunteer projects generally have an humanitarian and environmental angle with a focus on cultural immersion and community interaction. No matter which project you sign up for, you’ll be living with and like the locals and maximizing your international service.
- Where? Costa Rica, Greece, India, South Africa, Thailand, Fiji
- More info: Read GVI reviews
3. Maximo Nivel
Are you a lover of Latin American culture and looking to experience it while doing an under 18 volunteer abroad project? Maximo Nivel offers exciting opportunities to teens to volunteer throughout the region. You could volunteer as an teach english, or as a conservation, construction, animal care or eco-agriculture volunteer. As you volunteer your in one of their programs, you’ll be picking up Spanish language skills through lessons with native Spanish speaking instructors. Whenever you have any questions about your volunteer project or just want to pick someone’s brain about life in Latin America, you'll have a field manager by your side for guidance. For an even more amazing experience, add on an extension like surfing or scuba diving school to your volunteer work. University credits are also offered for your time.
- Where: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru
- More info: Read Maximo Nivel reviews
4. African Impact
Have you always wanted to experience life on the African continent? With African Impact you can have a go at it and help effect change at the same time. As a volunteer with African Impact, you'll be working with an organization that knows and respects the dynamics involved with being a volunteer in Africa. This company thoroughly vets all projects complete with a wide range of volunteer opportunities across the fields of community development and conservation volunteering. Projects span from gender equality volunteering to lion care and are offered in 11 African countries. Custom made volunteer programs are also available to fit your schedule, interests, or future studies.
- Where? Multiple African countries
- Read more: Read African Impact reviews
[Browse ALL High School Community Service & Volunteer Programs Abroad]
Live an inspired life after you volunteer abroad under 18!
Count yourself in! It’s time to volunteer abroad.
Alright, time to drop some truth bombs! Nowadays, it seems like everybody volunteers at one point or another during high school. However, the vast majority of teens are not doing it abroad. Most folks are sticking with opportunities down the block or a ride away. Now, don’t get us wrong. We’re not shaming those who decide to volunteer at home—there are plenty of real (and very valid) reasons to stay around town. However, too many teens are missing out on volunteering abroad due to a fear of traveling solo or simply not knowing the many ways to cover program expenses.
So take the time to do your research so that you don’t skip this opportunity. And, once you’re abroad, a little effort + a strong backbone will do wonders for life. You can kind of compare volunteering abroad to plugging a jump cable into a car. It’s an experience that will throw your soul into high gear!
So put on your Superman (or woman) cape and take on this opportunity like the boss teen you are. When you get back home, you won’t be the same.
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