5-8 Weeks English Teaching Volunteer Abroad Programs

IVHQ is an amazing volunteer community. The team is super helpful and supportive from start to finish. The volunteer locations and the home stays are great for immersing yourself in the culture and environment. I’ve done 2 trips. One in Guatemala and one in Ecuador and have plans to do many with. 5 star experience! I hope this review inspires someone!

My three weeks with Stepping Stones China have been an extraordinarily rewarding first experience in China. With 22 years of teaching experience, including extensive work with 8 to 12-year-olds, I was truly delighted to put my expertise at the service of Stepping Stones. From the very beginning, the welcome from the entire team was exceptional. The staff’s guidance, support, and dedication created a warm, collaborative environment that made the mission a success. Working alongside my colleague Lisa, a psychologist and social-emotional development specialist, was a highlight. Together, our joint efforts helped the children feel comfortable, build confidence, and make tangible progress toward more natural, interactive English communication. Seeing the children's enthusiasm and growth over the weeks was deeply fulfilling. Given how positive this experience has been, I would love to join the team again next summer, subject to how the economic and geopolitical situation evolves. A huge thank you to the whole team for their outstanding work! "Jiayou!"

From the beginning the whole process was seamless and very supportive. Airport pickup, transportation, accommodation, staff, food were first class. They couldn’t have been more helpful. I participated in a teaching program in Kandy, also turtle conservation. Both programs far exceeded my expectations and I left feeling that I had made a difference. Wonderful connections and friendships made with fellow volunteers from all over the world. Life changing in many ways.

I truly had an amazing time volunteering with Better Me. The program is beautifully organized, with volunteers staying in a comfortable home, enjoying great food, and, most importantly, being surrounded by wonderful people. The staff is incredible—they are welcoming, caring, knowledgeable, and genuinely invested in making sure every volunteer has a meaningful and memorable experience. The variety of opportunities offered throughout the week was so enriching and allowed me to connect with the community in so many different ways. Every child I interacted with was incredibly smart, kind, and full of personality, and in so many ways, they taught me more than I could have ever taught them. My time with Better Me was truly one of the most meaningful and enriching experiences of my life. I learned so much, grew in ways I never expected, and gained memories and relationships that I will carry with me for a long time. I genuinely wouldn’t trade this experience for the world. What is your advice to future travelers on this program? Try everything! Better Me has so many different opportunities and experiences available to volunteers, and the staff is incredibly open-minded and supportive if you want to create and lead your own activities. One of the other volunteers led guitar lessons, while I helped lead Zumba with another group of kids. I also got to help with social media, create my own lesson plans, and teach my own classes. Better Me also collaborates with so many different organizations, which gives you the opportunity to attend their events and meet other staff members and volunteers. Outside of volunteering, make sure you take advantage of being in Kenya! Go on a safari and explore different parts of the country. The staff has so many connections and is incredibly helpful.

Volunteering with Maximo Nivel was truly a blessing. I had the most amazing time immersing myself in the Costa Rican culture and helping others. The staff at Maximo Nivel were incredibly helpful, as well as the homestay.

From beginning to end, staff was involved and helpful with volunteers and campers; checking up with them with what they needed, how everybody was feeling, and how activities will be run and how they turned out. Different activities were run throughout the week and everybody get to do something different, sometime even out your comfort zone but that's what makes the whole experience a fun and unforgettable one. Everybody has something to teach, making this experience full of stories with amazing people you will share a space with, laugh, share struggles, and feel energized. Definetly the connections that you make is what makes summer camp a lovely one :)

My time in Kenya was amazing. The most beautiful moments were the time with the children. One meaningful moment was the time when I came back from town and the children ran to you with a bright smile. Their joy and energy surprised me every day and made me feel welcome all the time. This experience pushed me out of my comfort zone and will stay with me forever. I'm thankful for the amazing people and the support of everyone. I already miss the children and the kindness from everyone. It was an opportunity to connect with great people and learn about a different culture. Kenya will always have a special place in my heart.

When was I planning for my next 40 years wanted to embark on a multicultural adventure that would bring me new sights, smells and experiences. After 2 weeks of consulting with other outfit programs decided to enroll in the Maximo volunteer, Spanish immersion, and mini adventure program. I had limited time to maximize my journey, and was a bit overwhelmed. After communicating with Travis and his onboarding team i was confident that i chose the right outfit for my personal journey. Their team made it very easy to customize my experience and answered all my questions with details and confirmations. I was very excited to embark on this adventure. This was my first solo international adventure and the Maximo team had the experience i wanted to work with. After landing in Cusco, i was taken care of by their travel team and taken straight to my guest house. after that i was invited to meet with Gabby (the big cheese) and got to see the international office while meeting the remainder of their team of 50. i was welcomed with open arms and introduced to Reese, the field manager who met with my for an hour to discuss the plan of action for the next two weeks. after that meeting i was excited to start my journey. I could go on and on about the client services and attention to detail that this team provided to me, and i am forever grateful to have been apart of a program that cares for its clients, community and the overall contribution to the world. My 2028 goal is to become TEFL certified and will be using MAXIMO NIVEL for that next adventure. ¨To realize ones destiny is a persons only obligation!¨

The pre-departure support given was very adequate and I felt very reassured despite me traveling by myself for the first time. Sign up was easy and I definitely recommend volunteering with IVHQ. Staff were very helpful too.

I genuinely enjoyed my experience with the program. I felt safe, informed, and happy. I had all the information I needed to have a successful experience. My only wish is that I could have stayed longer. Thank you!

During my stay in Xiamen, I greatly appreciated the opportunity to teach English. Most students were excellent: they were eager to learn, took notes carefully, and were willing to practice English conversation. Their enthusiasm made teaching a rewarding experience. At the same time, some students seemed too young for the class or were not there by their own choice. A few appeared to have joined mainly to pass the time, or because their parents wanted a place where their children would be supervised. While I understand the parents’ perspective, this can make it difficult to maintain a focused and effective English-learning environment. I would recommend two improvements. First, the admission process should screen students more carefully so that classes are made up primarily of students who genuinely want to learn English. Second, teachers should be allowed to take appropriate disciplinary action against unruly behavior, with clear support from the school. This would help protect the learning experience of motivated students and allow teachers to teach more effectively. Overall, my experience was positive, and I hope these suggestions help strengthen the program in the

I did an animal care project in Portugal with IVHQ and I'm glad to say it was smooth from start to finish. The application was simple and the team always answered any questions I had about the placement itself or any issues I had with documents etc. Before I left there was a group call with my coordinator and other volunteers I'd be working with which made leaving home alone for the first time less daunting. At the placement I would feed the dogs, clean cages and have loads of cuddles and play time with them! The local team were very friendly and easy to approach as well. I had a great time and really felt like I actually made an impact. I would recommend IVHQ to anyone who would like to volunteer abroad

The process of becoming a volunteer for Stepping Stones is very straightforward and convenient. I had no prior teaching experience and taught two classes of about 40 children together with another Stepping Stones volunteer near Quanzhou, Fujian. Great amenities and lovely local coordinators. Volunteering through Stepping Stones is a great way to make an impact for children in rural China

I was humbled by the grace, kindness, strength and joy I received from the young woman of the WEP. Their determination to become skilled and more of themselves, was truly inspirational to me! So we danced, laughed and learnt from each other. They embraced the creative, and educational and empowerment activities and enriched it with their life experience. I returned home with wonderful memories and a warmth in my heart - Thank you❤️ Many thanks to Pradeep and Mr. Thotiram who made the daily trip to the project fun and adventurous🤩

I was humbled by the grace, kindness, strength and joy I received from the young woman of the WEP. Their determination to become skilled and more of themselves, was truly inspirational to me! So we danced, laughed and learnt from each other. They embraced the creative, and educational and empowerment activities and enriched it with their life experience. I returned home with wonderful memories and a warmth in my heart - Thank you❤️ Many thanks to Pradeep and Mr. Thotiram who made the daily trip to the project fun and adventurous🤩

I was humbled by the grace, kindness, strength and joy I received from the young woman of the WEP. Their determination to become skilled and more of themselves, was truly inspirational to me! So we danced, laughed and learnt from each other. They embraced the creative, and educational and empowerment activities and enriched it with their life experience. I returned home with wonderful memories and a warmth in my heart - Thank you❤️ Many thanks to Pradeep and Mr. Thotiram who made the daily trip to the project fun and adventurous🤩

I had a wonderful time during my women's empowerment volunteer stay in Jaipur! The girls were fantastic and the cultural exchange with them was truly special; plus, the staff was very kind and welcoming. My host family made sure I had everything I needed and made me feel right at home. On top of that, Jaipur is a gorgeous city full of vibrant colors and incredible history. I'm so grateful and satisfied with this experience as a solo traveler, and I will carry these precious memories in my heart forever. :))

My time volunteer teaching in Zambia was unbelievably fantastic. I met such lovely fellow volunteers, staff at my volunteer house, teachers and of course kids at my school. The program was really well organised from pre departure to arrival home with plenty of time for sight seeing. I felt so safe in Zambia and received a warm welcome. I felt relaxed at all times and really did not want to come back. I plan to do it all again next year and hopefully catch up with the children a year on in their studies. I'm missing everyone in Zambia!

I wanted it before it started. And I want more after it finished. The experience is priceless and soul touching. Regardless of lacking comfort, the gains are more satisfying than anything other pleasures. I had the time to devote myself into a life meaning-seeking journey and to enjoy the feedback of it. The place ,the people , the doings during the period uncovered the unseen and hidden side of myself and bring this to the light gives me tremendous amount of pride and peace. I will continue doing this.

After only 2 weeks I decided I wanted to live and work in CR. So I think this says it all. I’m now going from volunteer to employee. Maximo / my host family and my volunteer project have now become friends.