Projects Abroad
Why choose Projects Abroad?
Since 1992, we've ignited a spark in young minds, sending thousands on journeys that transcend the ordinary. Every year, many more adventurers embark with us, not just to volunteer but to rewrite their own stories. Imagine: you, immersed in new cultures, making tangible change, supported by our expert teams every step of the way. We don't just build programs—we forge a global community of changemakers, united by a passion to learn, lead, and to inspire. Dive into experiences that redefine your world. Picture yourself protecting endangered wildlife, empowering communities, or delivering vital healthcare. This isn't just volunteering—it's a launchpad for your future. From the heart of bustling cities to the serene landscapes, you’ll gain invaluable skills and forge lifelong connections. Choose your adventure: childcare, conservation, sports coaching, medicine, business, human rights, and more. This is your chance to leave your mark, to discover your potential, and to truly make a difference. Join us and transform the world, and yourself.
Since 1992, we've ignited a spark in young minds, sending thousands on journeys that transcend the ordinary. Every year, many more adventurers embark with us, not just to volunteer but to rewrite their own stories. Imagine: you, immersed in new cultures, making tangible change, supported by our expert teams every step of the way. We don't just build programs—we forge a global community of changemakers, united by a passion to learn, lead, and to inspire. Dive into experiences that redefine your world. Picture yourself protecting endangered wildlife, empowering communities, or delivering vital healthcare. This isn't just volunteering—it's a launchpad for your future. From the heart of bustling cities to the serene landscapes, you’ll gain invaluable skills and forge lifelong connections. Choose your adventure: childcare, conservation, sports coaching, medicine, business, human rights, and more. This is your chance to leave your mark, to discover your potential, and to truly make a difference. Join us and transform the world, and yourself.
Projects Abroad Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
Tortotsises & Teaching
June 21, 2026by: Marian SavioProgram: Projects Abroad in The Galápagos
Projects Abroad is an exceptional program!! I would recommend volunteering at any of the locations to get an insight into the conservation. I learned so much about the culture of the people, how living among the sea lions, iguanas & any other creature is respected, & how family is so important. I can't say enough about this program!!!! At the age of 78 I couldn't have asked for a more enriching experience !!! You're never too old to learn something new!!
Awesome experience!
June 18, 2026by: Joe PrescotProgram: Galapagos Islands Conservation
I can’t say enough about this experience, from environmental work to helping the community, it taught me a lot about myself. The people were amazing and the trip was really well organized. William Pugh was fantastic in his support of us. This was a truly life changing experience. Thank you!
Summer in Sri Lanka
March 27, 2026by: Willow BrookerProgram: Veterinary Medicine in Sri Lanka with Projects Abroad
Arguably the best two weeks of my life- it is impossible to put into words the time I had in Sri Lanka. Whether it be helping turtles, learning about local culture or simply spending time with my fellow volunteers; I enjoyed every second of it. The staff were so supportive, friendly, welcoming and day in day out ensured we were enjoying ourselves to the maximum. The staff at the turtle placement were knowledgeable and supportive in teaching us about the impact we were making and what to do to achieve this impact. We were lucky enough to experience amazing wildlife via two safaris, visit various cultural sites and meet the most incredible people. The group of people I were with were from all over the world and it allowed me to make the most amazing friendships. I would do this project again and again and again if I had the opportunity, it truly was phenomenal.
Home away from home
March 22, 2026by: NathenProgram: Rainforest Conservation in Peru
If you can handle hard work, you're going to have a lot of fun here. The people are great and easy to talk to, always very helpful. Activities were so much fun, and hanging out with the other volunteers makes it even better. it's a great place to learn about yourself, others, and the place you're in.
Amazing Medicine program
February 28, 2026by: Mason MillerThis program was perfect for me. the perfect mix of learning medicine and free time allowed me to be enthusiastic during every placement and workshop I had. The sight seeing as well was amazing, exploring the beautiful city of Cusco.
The way back to nature
February 24, 2026by: Ioanna ChasapiProgram: Rainforest Conservation in Peru
I stayed in Taricaya for four weeks. It was the best four weeks of my life. Everything was so different but at the same time so familiar. Like it was how I was supposed to live. The sounds, the weather, the time we had to wake up, all of them were so easy for me to accept. And the activities we did, all of them were so good, they had meaning. Nothing like the things we do in school or in camps. I saw a lot of animals and plants that I didn't even know exist. And everything and everyone there was so calm. The time was running differently there, slower or quicker sometimes.
Volunteer through Projects Abroad
January 23, 2026by: CaleighThe projects abroad team are so welcoming, enthusiastic and helpful both prior departure and upon arrival in Kenya. They assisted me with all questions and changes to my program with willingness and efficiency. The program is so beautiful, rewarding and eye opening. The school welcomes you with wide arms and everyone is willing to share information and stories with you. The children always have a smile and just want to be in your company. If you want to volunteer choose projects abroad!!
Projects Abroad Tanzania — 2 weeks teaching, learning, and becoming part of a community
January 09, 2026by: Holly Sleatmy two weeks volunteering with Projects Abroad in Tanzania was an experience I will never forget. Travelling to Tanzania solo and stepping into a completely different culture pushed me outside of my comfort zone in ways I never expected. From learning to navigate daily life, catching the dala dala (public transport) to school each morning, adapting to a different pace of life, and finding confidence in an unfamiliar environment, every challenge became part of what made the experience so rewarding. The Maasai school was truly the heart of my placement. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed so warmly by the teachers and students. The teachers were some of the kindest and most caring people I have met, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to learn and teach alongside them. They went above and beyond to make me feel part of their community, sharing not only their classroom knowledge but their culture, traditions, and everyday lives with me. Being invited to visit a student’s Maasai boma (home) was something I will always remember and gave me a deeper appreciation for the importance of family, community, and culture in Tanzania. Learning that the school was originally built by volunteers, and that teaching placement fees contribute towards supporting the school and providing things such as meals for students, made me appreciate the wider impact of the program. The children were incredible — hearing that some students walk up to two hours each way to attend school, yet still arrive with such happiness, curiosity, and enthusiasm, was truly inspiring. They reminded me that volunteering is not only about what you give, but also about what you learn from the people around you. Living with a homestay family was another special part of my placement. My host family welcomed me with so much kindness and generosity, allowing me to experience everyday Tanzanian life in a way I never could have as a tourist. Sharing meals, conversations, and learning about their way of life was a privilege. The Projects Abroad team were approachable and supportive, making the transition into a new country and placement feel much easier. I left Tanzania with so much gratitude for the teachers who welcomed me, the children who inspired me, my host family who shared their home with me, and the community who allowed me to experience a small part of their world. This journey challenged me, taught me, and gave me memories I will carry with me for a lifetime. I would highly recommend Projects Abroad to anyone looking for a meaningful experience where you don’t just volunteer, but truly immerse yourself in another culture and leave having learnt just as much as you hoped to give.
Nepal rhino conservation
December 06, 2025by: DanI did the projects abroad rhino conservation project for three weeks starting in November 2025. Projects abroad were helpful from the beginning and made me feel very welcomed and safe. Sovit who organised and travelled with me in the days was very friendly and knowledgable about the local wildlife and area. We saw some amazing wildlife including elephants, rhinos and crocodiles and so much more ! The typical volunteering was collecting data on species and their population numbers. Although there wasn’t much to do in your free time the accommodation and local area were beautiful and the locals were so friendly. The project went by so quickly !
Where your younger self thrives
November 19, 2025by: Jarlyn AlvarezProgram: Projects Abroad in Ghana
My experience in Ghana through Projects Abroad has been truly transformative. The support before and during my trip was excellent, and my placement at Merotn & Everett LLP offered meaningful, hands-on legal work that challenged me and helped me grow both personally and professionally. I felt welcomed by my host family and the local community, and I learned so much about the culture, legal system, and daily life in Accra. This program exceeded my expectations and has had a lasting impact on my career path and confidence. I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity.
Learning Deeply with Hands-On Experience
September 29, 2025by: Noa Iuchi - JapanThis time in shark conservation in Fiji, I have learned a gained a lot of skills and knowledge by hands-on experience. Most of the times, we had fish identification workshop, coral workshop, shark laboratory seminar at diving center, shark identification workshop, mangrove workshop, etc. Yet, all of these knowledge are being conjugated in the diving afterwards. Learning new contents are important, yet the part that I liked the most is that we got to learn different techniques, planting and restoring mangroves, recording fish species, observation shark type and gender, or surveying coral health, all of them which can only be learnt with physical experience. As a person who wants to become a marine biologist/fish biologist in the future, it was a great experience to learn deeply and bring back actual skills to home.

A truly unforgettable experience
August 13, 2025by: Cheryl Bennett - British Virgin IslandsTo the host family, the office staff, the school staff and the whole experience was absolutely wonderful. I will never forget this opportunity. I experienced the home culture, the town culture, the education setting, the Maasai life and homes and travel. Definitely recommend this to anyone wanting to help and experience a different culture to stay grounded in life.
Unforgettable Experience in Mexico
August 12, 2025by: Mei T - JapanMy experience in Mexico as an international volunteer was very valuable and enjoyable. I learned how to communicate with people who don’t speak my language and understood better what we can do to help marine animals survive. This experience showed me how significant it is to collaborate and work together and increase awareness for the environment and animals that are endangered, including sea turtles. This experience made me want to keep learning and pursue a career in the future, and help to protect nature.
Incredible experience
August 07, 2025by: Alfred DupreyProgram: Rainforest Conservation in Peru
This experience is awsome for a lot of reasons ; First things first, Peru is a beautiful country, and the Amazionian rain forest is one of the most beautiful things i've seen in my entire life. At the Taricaya reserve, I felt useful and not like a random tourist, i felt like i was doing something really meaningful. Everyone at the reserve was nice and friendly, and wanted to share their knowledge with us. I did many things and different activities, from farming to building, or feeding the animals... Thank you to Taricaya Eco Reserve and Projects abroad for this amazing experience !
Saving the turtles
July 29, 2025by: Jake WardleProgram: Projects Abroad in Sri Lanka
It was very good, the staff was kind and the work was fun. It involved you to be somewhat physical but was quite easy most of the time. The turtles were amazing and releasing them was magical
Volunteering At Taricaya
July 22, 2025by: Natalie KuresovaProgram: Rainforest Conservation in Peru
My stay at Taricaya EcoReserve lasted two weeks, which made for a truly incredible experience. I was given the chance to explore a whole new culture, work with flora and fauna and meet amazing people, some of which have truly impacted me with their stories and others which I have formed strong friendships with! I would definitely recommend this to anybody who takes an interest in travelling, geography, the environment and doesn’t mind getting muddy!
Life changing experience
July 05, 2025by: Beatriz Antón-BelucheAs a recently graduated high-school student, I initially booked this trip to gain some experience in the medical field, help the community and travel. However, I had the opportunity to do much more; from assisting in a local hospital, participating in the community outreaches of a less fortunate community and connecting with individuals with whom I didn’t even share a language. Projects abroad made my stay unforgettable, and found me a host family that now feels like my home away from home. I highly recommend an experience such as this one to truly understand how fortunate we are in terms of healthcare, sanitation and living conditions, 100% recommend.
Great Program!!
June 18, 2025by: Andiee SmithProgram: Projects Abroad in Sri Lanka
I did Sea Turtle Conservation and Nursing Internship in Sri Lanka for a month. It was such a great experience and I will definitely do it again. The host families were just lovely, the food was great, and I made connections to last a lifetime. I had a lot of flexibility and could leave early to travel on the weekends. Both my pre departure and in country coordinadora were extremely helpful. I had a few hiccups in the programs, but everything else was just splendid! I definitely recommend to anyone who loves to travel.
Once in a lifetime experience with Giant Tortoises
March 27, 2025by: Paul HullingerI spent one month with Projects Abroad Galapagos, as this was #1 on my bucket list. I am completely happy with my experience here, particularly with our twice a week feeding and caring for Giant Tortoises. We even got an opportunity to return two tortoises to the wild! (This isn't common, and it is also REALLY HARD-- but it is certainly worthy of my life's highlight reel!) You will also count and monitor the health of sea lions twice a week. This is pretty easy, and the sea lions are endlessly fascinating. You will have plenty of opportunity to travel to the other islands (I went to Isabella, Santa Cruz and Espanola). The trips run from $200-500 and it is best to make arrangements through the project for the best price. But you must pay in cash. (There are ATMs available.) The staff is wonderful and the volunteers ranged from high school to retired. They come from all over, not just America (in my case, less than half we're from the USA). The project website is very accurate. And yes, you will get very dirty on tortoise and invasive species removal days. I loved this so much that I have a second Projects Abroad conservation project coming up in less than two months.
Unique travel experience
March 26, 2025by: Noelette BuckleyI felt very privileged to have been part of this experience. From meeting the local team to the rest of the volunteers it was everything I had hoped for in a trip but so much more. The "over 50" title was a little misleading as 50% of our group were under 50 but that wasn't a problem. I was looking for something where I wouldnt be surrounded solely by gap year students and the other volunteers were professional people with certain life experiences which I found valuable and I hope I have made some life long friends from this trip. It was a wonderfully rewarding and very different trip, the memory of which I will treasure.
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Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff

Monica Alarcon
Interviewed in 2018
Monica has her B.S. in Communication & M.A. in Marketing from the Monterrey Institute of Technology. She is a Program Advisor with Projects Abroad, wh...

Monica Alarcon
Interviewed in 2018
What inspired you to travel abroad?
You are originally from México. What sparked your interest in working for Projects Abroad?

Dr. Peter Slowe
Interviewed in 2018
Dr. Slowe has a Bachelor of Arts in Geography from the University of Bristol and a Doctorate in Philosophy from the University of Oxford. As the found...

Dr. Peter Slowe
Interviewed in 2018
What inspired you to travel abroad?
Projects Abroad is one of the largest international volunteer organizations sending over 10,000 volunteers abroad from Senegal to Samoa. If you could attribute your growth to one factor what would it be?

Stacey Krepel
Participated in 2017
Stacey Krepel grew up in Alaska and only recently moved to Maryland to work at the National Cancer Institute for a year. She got her bachelor’s degree...

Stacey Krepel
Participated in 2017
While taking a gap year between undergrad and (hopefully!) med school, I was in contact with one of my best friends. She was working in the Peace Corps, and she inspired me to step out of my comfort zone to do some hands-on, much-needed volunteer work in a developing country.

Taylor Anderson
Participated in 2016
Taylor Anderson grew up in Newport Beach, California, and moved to Atlanta, Georgia, in 2006 to attend Emory University. She majored in film studies a...

Taylor Anderson
Participated in 2016
Prior to applying to and beginning training to become a physician assistant, I knew I wanted to find a unique way to garner healthcare experience hours. I had heard great things about Tanzania, had never been to Africa, and love to travel, so the experience aligned perfectly with what I desired. I was unable to study abroad during college, so I felt that this was a great way to combine travel with invaluable experience that would aid me in graduate school.

Lauren Borrelli
Participated in 2015
Lauren is a 22-year-old from St. Louis, Missouri with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. She is currently earning her master’s degree in public ...

Lauren Borrelli
Participated in 2015
I wanted to see a different part of the world. Coming from a privileged family in the United States, I wanted to know what it was like to live in third world country like Cambodia.

Y-Lan Nguyen
Participated in 2015
Y-Lan is a recent graduate of the Macaulay Honors College at the City University of New York (NY). With a bachelor's degree in biology under her belt,...

Y-Lan Nguyen
Participated in 2015
How did local staff support you throughout your program?

Mark Rook
Participated in 2015
Mark is a 17 year old senior in high school living in Indiana, although he was born in Hungary. He loves traveling and hopes to continue to do more tr...

Mark Rook
Participated in 2015
After taking countless classes with political theory after theory on how to improve the world, I decided I was tired of the constant conjecture on what could be done. At that moment I knew I had to get some real, hands-on experience interning in human rights, in an attempt to make a tangible impact on the lives of others. I've also always had a passion for travelling and meeting new people too. With college coming up, and with my life having been fairly sheltered up until this summer, I knew that I needed to do something significant with the little time I had left.

Alec Morse
Participated in 2015
Alec is from San Diego, California, and is studying pre-medicine at the University of Southern California. He has a degree in business administration ...

Alec Morse
Participated in 2015
Traveling is an important part of my life that allows me to experience other cultures, gain new knowledge, learn some new skills, and meet different people. There is something special about spending an extended period of time in another country and living like the locals live. As someone who is studying abroad, you are placing yourself in their shoes and discovering the unique differences in behavior that come with growing up in a country other than your home country. It is beautiful to see these people interact with one another and to interact with them yourself, all the while appreciating how different this is from what you are used to but understanding that these actions are normal in their country. This is not to say that the foreign country's locals are going to make you uncomfortable or disrespect you, but it is interesting to find the differences (big or small) in cultures.

Christine Rominski
Participated in 2015
Christine was born and raised in the Seattle area and attends Seattle University, where she is studying teaching. Her volunteer and work experiences m...

Christine Rominski
Participated in 2015
As an avid traveler, I was itching to go abroad again. I've traveled several times to Central America, and each time thoroughly enjoyed myself, so I was eager to return.

Ben Chung
Participated in 2014
Hailing from the American Midwest, Ben Chung is a young Korean-American who plans on attending the University of British Columbia Vancouver come fall ...

Rachel McMillan
Interviewed in 2014
Rachel had been working as a Program Advisor for Projects Abroad since 2010.

Rachel McMillan
Interviewed in 2014
What inspired you to travel abroad?
Normally I am a fulltime Program Advisor in the Projects Abroad office in New York, but this last summer I spent three months in Nepal as a coordinator on the Care and Community High School Special program. It is based in Kathmandu and includes a weekend trip to Chitwan National Park.
Articles




Awards
Check out awards and recognitions Projects Abroad has received












