Whether you’re looking to boost your resume or just spend your time in a slightly more meaningful way than you did last summer, spending time as a short-term volunteer abroad may just be the ticket. Travel somewhere new and interesting and engage with the local community or environmental context through short-term volunteer abroad opportunities!
Two week volunteer abroad programs (or less) aren’t necessarily less meaningful than longer options.
Short-term volunteer trips are the best of both worlds. Get a change of scenery so it will feel like a vacation. Engage in meaningful work alongside members of the community so it will feel like a transformative learning experience.
Why volunteer abroad for 1-2 weeks?
There are lots of pros and cons involved with volunteering abroad for 1-2 weeks. One week volunteer abroad programs or two week volunteer abroad programs can be an efficient way to see a new place and meet new people on a budget. The experience, when compared with traditional tourism or even classroom-based study abroad experiences, may feel more fulfilling and richer in a shorter period of time.
By now, though, you might be thinking that a 1 week volunteer abroad program doesn’t leave much time to truly engage with the community. And in some ways, you might be right. It’s good that you’re starting your search for short-term volunteer trips with your eyes wide open!
It’s true that short-term volunteer opportunities have you flying in and out of a place in a relatively short span of time. While that can be glamorous for you, it also means flying in and out of the lives of the people you’re there to work alongside.
Engage in short term volunteer abroad opportunities responsibly
As you consider your options for summer volunteer abroad programs or other types of short-term volunteer trips, think about the kind of work you can do (and do well) in 2 weeks or less. There are a few good rules of thumb to help you pick a short-term volunteer abroad program that will have you learning a ton while first and foremost doing no harm.
Look for programs that work on projects led or ideated by local individuals based on what they want for their community. Find a program that doesn’t just emphasize what you’ll do for the community you visit during your short-term volunteer abroad, but also talks about all the things the community will teach you.
Don’t forget to analyze whether your short term volunteer trip is doing more harm than good.
Do your homework to ensure the activities you’ll engage in are permitted and that everyone has the proper training, licensing, and background checks. Try not to pick projects a local person could be employed to do instead.
Finally, steer clear of programs that would have you working with vulnerable populations that would be unfairly disrupted by so much shuffling of volunteers on rotating 1 week volunteer abroad programs and 2 week volunteer abroad programs.
7 best places for short term volunteer trips
1. Poland
Eastern Europe is gaining popularity as a tourist destination. The fairytale looks and affordable prices make this region a highly desirable place to spend a couple of weeks for any reason. For your 1 week volunteer abroad experience, use your native speaking skills to take advantage of opportunities to tutor local students in English.
The 8+ hour flight might seem a little long, but you’ll be so busy and enchanted that the jetlag won’t even bother you, especially if you opt for a 2 week volunteer abroad experience.
2. France
There’s more to France than fashion week and that tower everyone’s always talking so much about. Peel back the curtain on the ways that real people live by getting involved in projects tutoring English or promoting ecotourism around the country. It’s a plus if you’ve studied French, though not strictly necessary.
The benefit here is the bragging rights you gain for making such an interesting choice for how to spend your time in France compared to all your (more shallow) friends. If you can go in late spring or early fall you can take advantage of the nice weather without paying high-season fares to get there.
3. Costa Rica
Hanging out with turtles for two weeks sounds like a dream to us!
Lush, green, and famous for their Pacific nature (and getting on board with ecology and conservation way before most of the rest of us in the Americas), Costa Rica is full of opportunities to learn about their unique ecosystems and the systematic approach they’ve taken to protecting them.
Choose a one week volunteer abroad program that will have you busy doing things like protecting sea turtles while taking in the views on the country’s gorgeous beaches. Also, the flight to Costa Rica isn’t too far from home, so this will make the journey easy and affordable! The best time of year to visit is when it isn’t too rainy, so this is a great destination for a January term or winter getaway.
4. South Africa
Endangered species need a lot of eyes on them to keep them safe. Many volunteer abroad experiences in South Africa will focus on wildlife conservation to be sure. Other opportunities will have you working side-by-side with residents of the country’s famous (and famously embattled) townships.
The trip there is a bit long, so consider 2 week volunteer abroad programs to make the most of your flight investment. The climate is mild in South Africa year-round, so there’s really no bad time to go.
5. Australia
Ok. This place is far from literally everywhere, so if you do choose this option, be sure to wear comfy clothes and take plenty of reading materials for the flight down under. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t be a great destination for a 2 week volunteer abroad program!
Help out with conservation projects or spend some time with the country’s indigenous communities. Being so far south, keep in mind that the seasons are opposite those of North America, so “summer” volunteer abroad programs may be a little bit chilly.
6. Puerto Rico
There are choices for short term volunteer abroad all around Puerto Rico.
Going to another country to do a short-term volunteer abroad program is cool. Not needing to worry about a passport to get there is even cooler. La isla will feel very different and very familiar all at the same time. Practice your Spanish or get by with English in most places. This is a very close and very affordable destination for your 1 week volunteer abroad program.
Many projects in PR have popped up in response to recent hurricane damage, which means you’ll need to be prepared to be respectful of the traumas that may still linger in the communities where you’ll work. And, that being said, it may be a good idea to avoid traveling during hurricane season.
7. United States
Better yet, don’t leave the country at all. Choosing a short-term volunteer trip closer to home could help reduce your costs and your carbon footprint. It also increases the likelihood that you’ll have a bit more context for understanding the community you’ll be engaging with during your 1 week volunteer abroad experience.
We know getting far away from home can be the best feeling in the world, but sometimes staying close works, too. Think about it.
Still not sure? Talk to our FREE Online Advisor and get matched with the right program for you!
You’re ready for short term volunteer abroad opportunities!
Above all else, make the most of every day during your short term volunteer trip.
You did all your homework. You’ve been thoughtful and careful. You’ve made a list of seemingly endless short-term volunteer trips that fit your budget, your interests, and your high expectations about the true goodness of their good deeds. You know what that means, don’t you?
There’s only a couple of things left to do! Pick the short-term volunteer abroad opportunity that feels right in your gut, pack your bags and your camera, and get the heck out of here. But don’t forget to ask everyone’s permission before taking their photos and especially before posting them on the ‘gram. Trust us — you won’t regret it!
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