Winter Volunteer Abroad Programs

I travelled to Kisumu alone, a new country, a new culture and language not knowing what to expect, but it was the best experience. Each day was so different, and I quickly became accustomed to the laid back “Kenyan time”. When people hear about the trip the first thing they ask is “What was your favourite part?”, and I never know how to answer. It was the people, the lessons and the laughs shared that made the experience so special. We spent lots of time in the children’s remand home. In a time of such uncertainty in these young people’s lives seeing how eager they were to broaden their knowledge was honestly eye-opening. Getting to spend every evening chatting, playing lego, listening to music or being taught Kiswahili by the children are the little moments I will never forget.

My stay with Reef Buddy was simply lovely! Gary, Raquell, Tom and Romel made me feel like part of a family, inviting me to dinners and activities throughout my stay. The training, supervision and attention to detail in conservation were outstanding, and I felt a real sense of accomplishment gaining hands-on experience building coral structures. Tom and Romel especially improved my diving tenfold. I went from being an Open Water diver with just five dives to an Advanced diver with 70 dives. Their support

It brought me so much joy to soend time with the kids. It felt like we built a geniuine connection right away and i miss them very much. I am very thankful, that i was welcomed dearly by everyone. They made me feel like i belonged there and were always so hapoy to see me. I loves the walk to the waterfall and the hike on our last day. The view from up there was incredible and i loved being sorrounded by all those lovely people. I also enjoyed our trip to the lake. We danced and sang, it made me feel so nostalgic and it got me to really think about the future, and where and how i wanna spend my gap year after i graduate. I loved the whole experience and defenitly wanna come back.

Living abroad in Turkey was an important experience in my life. I had the opportunity to discover a new culture, meet people from different backgrounds, and learn how to adapt to a different environment. This experience helped me become more independent, patient, and open-minded. It also taught me the importance of communication, hard work, and respecting cultural differences. I believe that living abroad can help people grow personally and professionally.

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.

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.

My experience with the Marine Conservation Volunteer Project in Kilifi was both educational and rewarding. As someone passionate about the marine environment, I appreciated the opportunity to take part in practical conservation activities and learn more about the challenges facing coastal ecosystems. The local team was welcoming, supportive, and knowledgeable, and I enjoyed learning from their experience. I also loved interacting with the local community and experiencing the beautiful Kenyan coast. The program gave me a deeper appreciation for marine conservation and showed me how volunteering can contribute to protecting the environment while creating meaningful cultural connections. It was an experience I will always remember.

I had a wonderful experience with the Marine Conservation Volunteer Project in Kilifi, Kenya. The entire program was very well organized, and everything was clearly planned from the beginning. The team was welcoming, professional, and supportive throughout the experience. I particularly enjoyed being involved in marine conservation activities and learning more about the local environment and the importance of protecting our oceans. The project offered a great balance between meaningful conservation work and experiencing the beautiful Kenyan coast and local community. I would highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a well-organized, impactful, and rewarding volunteering experience

I learned so much while being here. The internship didn't even feel like work but more like an aadventure while also gaining experience and ECTS (Uni Credits) on the side. The team is amazing and the atmosphere while working was always very relaxed while still getting a lot done with being surrounded by the great view and friendly people.

I learned so much while being here. The internship didn't even feel like work but more like an aadventure while also gaining experience and ECTS (Uni Credits) on the side. The team is amazing and the atmosphere while working was always very relaxed while still getting a lot done with being surrounded by the great view and friendly people.

My experience at El Terreno was an amazing opportunity to learn about architecture in a completely different context. Working alongside local people allowed me to understand how traditional construction methods, native materials, and the environment can influence the way buildings are designed. I really enjoyed being able to combine what I have learned through my studies with hands-on work in the community. Beyond the architectural experience, I also appreciated the cultural exchange and the opportunity to learn from the people of the Andes. It was a valuable experience that helped me grow both professionally and personally.

# Gender Internship Testimonial > El Terreno was a very nice place to meet people from all around the world, work with local people, and learn about the way of life of a small community in the Andes. During my Gender Internship, I had the opportunity to connect with community members, learn from their experiences, and gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural realities that shape everyday life in rural communities. The experience allowed me to broaden my perspective, develop a greater appreciation for different ways of living, and understand the importance of working together with communities. It was a meaningful experience that combined cultural exchange, personal growth, and valuable learning.

El Terreno was supposed to be a brief learning experience for me, a way to immerse myself in hands on work and building techniques. What it was in actuality, was the creation of a place where people and place come together in harmony. From the local community welcoming us with open arms and teaching their traditional techniques, to the days off spent with strangers who turned into friends; El Terreno reminded me what it means to be at home. It is not a place, but a feeling, that with the right components can be transported anywhere. A little piece of my heart will always remain in the family and home that we built.

My experience at El Terreno was truly special. During my time in the Architecture programme, I had the opportunity to work directly with the community and learn more about local construction methods, traditional materials, and the importance of architecture that responds to its cultural and environmental context. What made the experience even more meaningful was being able to contribute to a project that had a real impact on the people around me. Knowing that my work helped make a young man happy was a simple but incredibly rewarding moment that I will always remember. El Terreno gave me the opportunity to learn, create, connect with the community, and see the personal impact that architecture can have. :)

I thoroughly enjoyed my internship at El Terreno and feel accomplished in all the work we completed. I loved being able to work directly with the community and build meaningful connections with locals. I think the El Terreno internship program is unique in this way, because you are able to fully assess problems and opportunities in the community to ensure your project is actually beneficial. I also loved the freedom to develop the project plan throughout my time in Atandahua. There was so much support behind me in all my tasks as well as setting up meetings with people in so many expertise. I also got to meet so many interesting people from all over the world with similar goals. The lunches were also amazing and I am definitely missing them now. I am so grateful for my time at El Terreno and I would definitely recommend this program if you are interested in meaningful community development.

My internship at the Salesian Institute Youth Projects pushed me far beyond what I expected, taking me from supporting program logistics to independently running counseling sessions and managing my own client caseload within just a few months. I was trusted with real responsibility early on, from leading a group of 45 adult learners on my own to adapting a therapeutic intervention on short notice for an urgent client referral, and that trust taught me more about clinical work and resilience than I could have learned in a classroom. This experience confirmed that clinical psychology, particularly cross-cultural and community-based care, is exactly the path I want to pursue.

Connect-123 made my experience in Ireland truly incredible. From the beginning, they did an amazing job matching me with a company that fit my personality, interests, and career goals. I couldn’t have asked for a better internship experience. They also did a great job planning weekend trips around Ireland, giving me the opportunity to explore different parts of the country and make unforgettable memories along the way. Overall, Connect-123 made my time in Ireland an amazing experience both professionally and personally.

My internship has been the best experience I could have ever asked for. My co-workers are what made my time there so memorable. Connect-123 made the entire process smooth and easy, especially Antonella and Xena. They were both so kind, supportive, and helpful every step of the way. I’m so grateful I got to meet my program group, it was truly an amazing experience!

Coming to Barcelona with Connect 123 was one of the best decisions I've made. They were incredibly helpful in helping find me an internship I felt comfortable and confident in and always very communicative. The housing they provided was amazing, and in a great location. Barcelona is now one of my favorite cities

As my time in Ireland comes to a close, I want to thank Connect-123 for partnering with Bucknell University to provide students like me with an opportunity like this. As an undergraduate, it can often feel stressful trying to gain relevant work experience while preparing for your future career. Thanks to Connect-123, I was placed with a company in a field aligned with my career goals, allowing me to grow professionally while exploring a new part of the world. This experience has given me valuable workplace experience, unforgettable memories, and a greater appreciation for living and working abroad. Thank you for making it possible!