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Volunteer Abroad

Volunteer Abroad Programs

Make an impact on the world! Participate in meaningful projects, gain new skills, and follow your passions.

If you want to be a volunteer overseas, we can guess that altruism is at the heart of your goals! There’s no denying that we’ve collectively entered an era where the feeling of wanting to do good for humankind and the Earth is nearly palpable. However, it’s become increasingly important to properly vet volunteer abroad programs prior to choosing an experience, due to issues of unsustainable practices, exploitation, and a myriad of other safety concerns. That’s where we come in! Whether you’re looking for long term volunteer experiences or just want to spend your summer off making a difference, we can help you find the right volunteer project for you, thanks to our thousands of reviews, decades of experience and our compilation of some of the highest quality programs available.

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How to Volunteer Abroad

Overview

How to volunteer abroad

If you want to volunteer abroad and you're not quite sure where to start, here’s exactly what you need to do:

Choose which cause you want to support. Most people who decide to volunteer abroad have been inspired by a social or political issue in the world. Whether it’s climate change, LGBTQIA+ rights, refugee displacement, or beyond, it’s important to know what exactly it is you want to lend your time and effort to. There are hundreds of causes out there, but think about which one truly speaks to you?
Decide where to support your chosen cause. Once you know what it is you want to do, it’s important to figure out where you’re most needed. Many organizations around the world lack the staff and resources required to do their important work, hence they promote volunteer opportunities to get more human capacity to make their missions possible. You might already have some place in mind, but don't forget to open your mind to unique options you may not have heard of before too!
Find a program. Once you know what you want to do and where you want to volunteer, then it's time to find a program that can make your dreams a reality. We have vetted dozens of programs and gathered thousands of reviews through our platform to make choosing a volunteer program as easy as possible for you. Filter volunteer programs by the causes, destinations, and even duration you're looking for, and you'll narrow down your options to the programs most suited to your interests and goals.
Save up for program fees. Although we'd love to tell you volunteering abroad is free, it's not that simple. It costs money to travel to the destination, and the organization will incur costs to run their programs and accommodate you during your stay. Just think of your program fees as part of your donation to the cause! In addition to saving up your own money, finding ways to fundraise for your trip is very common for volunteering abroad, since you'll be contributing to a meaningful cause that your community and personal network will likely be excited to support too!
Prepare all the essentials. Once you've selected your program and start pulling together the funds for your trip, make sure you understand all the essentials you'll need for your trip. And you'll also want to prepare yourself mentally for the challenges you'll experience in a new place, culture, and maybe even language.

Why

Why volunteer abroad

It sounds cliche, but volunteering abroad will likely be a truly life-changing experience. There are a multitude of benefits of volunteering abroad, from mental health to professional growth to life experience. We couldn't possibly list out all the reasons you should volunteer abroad in this space, but we have loads of resources to help you understand the value it will have for your own life, as well as how you can make your own impact on the world too.

No matter how you decide to volunteer abroad, when you choose a reputable program and go in with the right mindset to immerse yourself in the local projects and support your chosen organization in every way you can, you are sure to walk away with memories and experience you'll never forget.

Volunteering abroad is your chance to experience the world in one of the most meaningful ways possible!

Locations

Where to volunteer abroad

No matter what cause speaks to you, there are going to be multiple locations to consider for your volunteer program abroad. First off, make sure you consider the distance you're willing to travel. Don't be surprised that flights to the other side of the planet are a little more pricey than a direct flight away. You should prepare yourself for the travel costs and actual travel time before narrowing down your top picks for where to volunteer.

There are many popular destinations for volunteering abroad, but that doesn't mean those will be the best locations for you, it all depends on what you want to do during your time abroad. You can't support sea turtle conservation in Canada or help conserve rainforests in Europe, but that doesn't mean there aren't unique places to volunteer either! Take time to research locations that have volunteer programs that align with your interests, and compare each destination to see which one will be the best fit for you. Here are a few of the top places to volunteer abroad we'd recommend giving a try:

Getting started

Need more help?

Don't worry - that's what GoAbroad was built for! We have plenty of resources, and experience, to make your volunteer abroad program planning go smoothly. Here are a few places to get started:

Get Handpicked Programs Matches - fill in a few quick questions and we'll automatically match you with a few of the best programs for you.
Read Volunteer Abroad Articles - there are hundreds of resources to answer all your questions.
Apply for Deals & Scholarships - by filling out one single application, you can gain access to dozens of discount offers!
Find Travel Essentials - whether you need a passport still, you're confused how visas work, or you're ready to secure travel insurance, we've put together a list of the best travel resources to compliment your volunteer experience.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I volunteer abroad for free?

Here’s the deal—you probably can’t volunteer abroad for free. Although this immediately sounds counterintuitive, there’s actually a great reason for it, and that reason is: resources.

Accommodating you during your time abroad, coordinating projects for you to work on, and buying materials for the programs you'll contribute to all take resources! By paying for your volunteer program, you'll help contribute to the continued efforts of the projects and organization!

Why is volunteering abroad so expensive?

Organizations that are working in areas of great need are typically strapped for funds. It’s expensive for organizations to help you find a placement, secure housing, provide support, and coordinate logistics on the ground. If a program were free, that would mean all the money required to host volunteers would be funneled out of the local economy and away from the issues you’re there to help solve.

On that note, however, you should be wary of volunteer organizations that are primarily businesses. Before choosing a program, you’ll want to do your due diligence and ensure you’re not indirectly perpetuating harmful voluntourism practices. This can start with reading reviews about the program, and you can also look for our GoAbroad Verified green check mark as a signal of a vetted program.

How can I find volunteer abroad scholarships?

You may know why it costs money to volunteer abroad, but that doesn’t mean you can necessarily afford it. We hear you! Believe it or not, there are scholarships for volunteering abroad. You can also try to secure funding for your trip through a Facebook Fundraiser or crowdfunding platforms like FundMyTravel.

What are the requirements to volunteer abroad?

The requirements to volunteer will depend on the program or organization you’re interested in volunteering through. In general, though, you’ll need to fill out an application or interest form online, have an interview with a coordinator, and have a valid passport.

Additionally, you’ll need to apply for and pay for your visa and purchase your flights. Your program will also provide pre-departure support to assist you with the logistics and final requirements before departure.

What are some benefits of volunteering abroad?

There are many benefits of volunteering abroad! Of course, there are the usual benefits that are involved with traveling abroad, like broadened horizons and a better understanding of the world at large.

However, the primary benefit of volunteering abroad isn’t for you, but for your host community. When volunteering abroad is done right and sustainably, the work you do during your placement will have a lasting impact on your host destination.

What are the best volunteer abroad programs like?

With so many volunteer opportunities around the world, how do you choose the best one for you? First, you’ll want to narrow down your goals and plan accordingly. Which issues abroad are the most important to you? How much time can you commit to volunteering abroad? (Hint: The longer the better!)

However, the best volunteer abroad programs also come down to their impact. The best organizations are run sustainably, which means they aren’t perpetuating local issues in order to make money. That would in fact be the antithesis of meaningful travel. Do research on your top program choices to make sure they’re adhering to ethical policies, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about their practices. Then you’ll know you haven’t only chosen the best volunteer program for you, but one of the best volunteer programs for the world.

Here's a step-by-step process to help you choose the best volunteer program for you!

Latest Interviews

Janosch Thalmann

Voluntours Colombia

Alumni

I was inspired to go abroad because I wanted to move beyond traditional tourism and experience a country in a much deeper, more meaningful way. I had ...