Best world volunteer programs

Prepare to find deserted islands with white sandy beaches and unique diving spots. Help to keep this environment intact Volunteer in South Africa and experience all the different colours of the 'Rainbow Nation'! Visit vibrant and multicultural cities and work with underprivileged children in the townships of Cape Town and Joh Volunteer in India and get to know a fascinating country rich of culture, colours and exotic spices.

Many projects are located in the capital Delhi, Dharamsala and Jaipur, but there are numerous volunteer op By using our site you agree to our use of cookies. Read our Cookie Policy for details. Choose Experience. Online Programs. Visit Website. Inquire Here. Description Reviews Details Related Programs. Program Highlights Gain hands-on experience in your choice of field through our volunteering programs abroad. Experience local cultures and get to know different ways of life. Broaden your professional skills and gain new knowledge all together.

Morocco is a glowing cultural hub with a unique fusion of European, African and Middle Eastern influences that result in an upbeat lifestyle, perfect for travelers seeking an authentic cultural experience. Explore the Morocco program Apply to volunteer in Morocco. Known for its laid back culture and beautiful beaches, rainforests and volcanoes, Costa Rica is consistently a top pick for those looking to volunteer in Central America. Volunteering in Guatemala is the ultimate adventure for those who like to go off the beaten track.

With a rich fusion of Mayan and Spanish cultures, there are plenty of fascinating colonial towns, ancient Mayan ruins and quaint rural villages to explore. Explore the Guatemala program Apply to volunteer in Guatemala.

For many volunteers, their experiences volunteering in Peru are some of the best of their lives. With 10 different project options , you can choose volunteer work such as Amazonian Jungle Conservation or the Medical Volunteer project. Explore the Peru program Apply to volunteer in Peru.

Nestled high in the Andes, Quito is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in South America, however there is still a great need for volunteers to assist with the development of the city.

Explore the Ecuador program Apply to volunteer in Ecuador. Argentina draws in tourists from around the globe for many reasons - its natural beauty, delicious cuisine, vibrant culture and so much more.

Explore the Argentina program Apply to volunteer in Argentina. Our local team on the ground is extremely passionate about their local initiatives, making it easy for volunteers to go above and beyond to make a difference. Volunteer work in Colombia is based either in the capital of Bogota or the coastal city of Cartagena.

Programs include Childcare , Elderly Care , Teaching and more. Explore the Colombia program Apply to volunteer in Colombia. Our Belize program is based on a stunning private island 45 minutes from mainland Belize in the Caribbean, with a focus on preserving endangered marine life.

Volunteers receive comprehensive training so they can assist local marine biologists to gather data, conduct surveys and remove invasive species. You can expect to see lionfish, corals, whale sharks, turtles, queen conch and many more fascinating underwater species on your dives.

Volunteers monitor the reef, whale sharks and other marine life, eradicate invasive species, help set sustainable fishing limits and take part in weekly beach clean-ups to preserve the fragile reef ecosystem, protect against global warming and remove harmful plastics from the ocean. Explore the Belize program Apply to volunteer in Belize. Our USA volunteer programs bring people from all walks of life together under one common cause. This is a unique opportunity to support local organizations and NGOs that work to empower marginalized communities, minority populations and important environmental causes in some of the most vibrant cities across the US.

With volunteer programs in San Diego, New Orleans, Philadelphia and Chicago, this is an exciting chance for Americans to gain a new cultural perspective without crossing any borders. A stunning island in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico is bursting with character and culture.

The country is a unique melting pot of influences from South America, Europe, North America and the wider Caribbean, resulting in a laid back, tropical and Latin feel. A gem of the Mediterranean, Croatia is a glistening coastal country that has fast become a favorite for travelers to Europe - especially in the summer and fall. Our Croatia volunteer program is based in the popular city of Split, which is vibrant all year round, and has become iconic as the film set to a whole bunch of Game of Thrones scenes.

Explore the Croatia program Apply to volunteer in Croatia. Lisbon is the capital of Portugal and one of the most vibrant cultural cities in Europe. The city is bursting with beautiful architecture, rich cultural history, incredible street art and museums.

As one of the sunniest places in Europe, Lisbon benefits from balmy temperatures year-round with a lovely Mediterranean climate. This involves helping restore native forests just outside of Lisbon to help tackle climate change and protect precious ecosystems. Explore the Portugal program Apply to volunteer in Portugal. Is the appeal of Europe drawing you in?

Our Romania volunteer program is the stand-out option, with its misty mountains, vast forests and fascinating history. The IVHQ Romania volunteer program consistently gets fantastic volunteer feedback, with the in-country program support often singled out for special praise.

The local team in Romaina welcomes every volunteer into community, giving you a rare insight into authentic Romanian life and culture. There is plenty to keep volunteers busy in their downtime, with the rest of Europe on your doorstep. The program is based in the town of Miercurea Ciuc in the distinctive region of eastern Transylvania. Explore the Romania program Apply to volunteer in Romania.

Take a volunteer adventure in Barcelona to discover the ins and outs of this cosmopolitan city. Explore the Spain program Apply to volunteer in Spain. You can experience the peaceful and humble Bedouin way of life in the desert, the fascinating ancient kingdom of Petra and the progressive vibrant city of Amman - where our volunteer programs are based.

Our local coordinator of this unique program was once an IVHQ volunteer herself. Explore the Jordan program Apply to volunteer in Jordan.

This program starts on the first and third Saturday of every month, and is based in a gorgeous island beachside location. Another wonderful opportunity to check out with Plan My Gap Year is their Bali, Indonesia volunteer program , where you can care for children in need, teach English in a classroom, and much more.

If you have always dreamed of visiting Africa, PMGY has many different meaningful volunteer projects in Ghana , including supporting disabled children, teaching English, providing medical care, and even helping out with mental health and psychology initiatives.

Put your writing and social media skills to great use while you learn about economic, environmental, and social issues in the developing world.

If you have an affinity for graphic design or web development, your fresh new ideas and energy can make a difference with NGOs in need of extra help with fundraising, marketing, and more. Through this initiative, these women have a greater chance of employment and education success in what traditionally is a male-dominated community.

Everyday skills that you may take for granted — such as sewing, arts and crafts, and even basic numeracy and English language — can help overcome cultural barriers, make new friends, and help these women build bright futures for themselves and for their families. Their projects start from one week and can last up to one year. Lastly, many of their alumni end up working for GVI full-time , so if you are looking for a meaningful, international career , you should definitely check out a GVI project!

Five days per week, you will go snorkeling or diving to conduct underwater surveys, and can also expect to participate in training sessions, marine debris surveys, environmental education sessions, and more. I was in need of a career break, and was looking to do something out of the ordinary. I was looking to get far away and do something worthwhile. After some heavy research GVI continued to be the organization that ticked all the boxes. They were incredibly helpful when I was choosing my location, and the onsite assistance and support throughout the entire journey was fantastic.

It really was an unforgettable experience! Right now, Maximo Nivel is offering TEFL certification courses for travelers who want to volunteer abroad as English teachers and gain new skills abroad. Maximo Nivel provides lifetime job-seeking support for their alumni, and even hires three to five graduates each month to work as teachers in their Native English Program in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Peru.

There are lots of different types of teaching opportunities Maximo Nivel will help you find, including business English teaching, private tutoring, school teaching, and much more, depending on your skills and interests.

This is an excellent opportunity to combine international community service, learning, and adventure. ESL-specific placements also are available. Maximo Nivel also offers a micro business internship for students interested in subjects such as business development and management, marketing, sales, client services, accounting, and much more.

I went to Cusco, Peru on a one-way ticket back in and had the time of my life. Maximo was a big contributor to my positive experience. I also took inexpensive Spanish lessons with them. The accommodation they provided was great I recommend Arcopata Family House. I lived with fellow participants of the program in a house and was provided really good meals. When I got sick, they had a doctor come to the house to check on me and give me medicine too. All in all, I was very impressed, and I would recommend them to anyone.

The experience changed my life. Founded by a brother-sister team, Love Volunteers is a low-cost international volunteer organization that provides meaningful, life-changing projects in over 34 countries around the world. Love Volunteers offers community-based development programs in healthcare, education, sports and coaching, law and legal assistance, social services, engineering and architecture, special needs, construction, environmental protection and in many more areas.

Through this program, volunteers work in multiple schools in the city of Arusha. English teacher volunteers are especially needed to English and as such, volunteers should consider a TEFL course prior to volunteering though this is not required by the program. This program is located in Kathmandu in order to assist people with disabilities. Volunteers in this program help the participants in the special education program to develop technology skills, develop their conversational English skills, and build the life skills needed to live an independent and dignified life.

Based in Surin, this volunteer trip invites you to provide care for elephants that have been abused and neglected as tourist attractions and for logging work. As a volunteer, you can help to create a safe place for elephants to live full, peaceful lives in their natural habitats. Another excellent trip you can take with Love Volunteers brings you to Costa Rica to help save sea turtles from extinction by assisting in hatcheries, helping with conservation projects at the beach, releasing hatchlings into the sea, and patrolling hatching grounds.

Love Volunteers is such an amazing organization. They were happy to answer any question I asked, and made the process as smooth as possible. I would recommend Love Volunteers to everyone. Projects Abroad describes itself as providing the gold standard of volunteer support and safety so that travelers may fulfill their potential, discover themselves, and create positive change in the world.

Long-term, sustainable solutions are at the core of their programs, where you can be part of their ongoing efforts to meet specific goals in places where extra support is critical. Projects Abroad works directly with local community members and organizations, ensuring that their work meets real needs.

Programs run year-round, allowing volunteers and interns to choose their own start and end dates. This program is suitable for pre-med and medical students. In Ghana, the organization runs regular medical outreaches in communities where healthcare services are limited.

As a volunteer, you will help provide basic medical treatment, from cleaning and bandaging wounds, to measuring blood pressure levels.

If you would like to focus specifically on practical outreach work, you may be interested in joining the Public Health internship.

In Nepal, Projects Abroad supports the work of local caregivers and teachers by focusing on improving early childhood development and literacy in care centers. During your time here, you will work with young children and assist with a variety of activities such as:. Live in the heart of the Amazon Rainforest and work alongside experienced conservationists to protect wildlife and indigenous plants.

As a scientist-in-training I was most impressed with all of the science underlying the project and how willing the staff was to share their knowledge. I was able to see science in action as well as conservation efforts making their way up the chain to actually change environmental policy. Agape Volunteers is a registered UK charity that offers high-quality, low-cost travel experiences throughout Africa.

This organization specializes in volunteering, tourism, and development work in Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Ghana, and Maasai-land. For 10 years, AV has supported humanitarian efforts and environmental conservation — projects range from medical volunteering, to teaching, to volunteering with wildlife, and program costs include registration and administration fees, as well as travel insurance, in total making Agape Volunteers the lowest-cost option if you want to volunteer in Africa.

All Agape Volunteers participants are covered by the Agape Travel Policy, provided at no extra cost, and accommodations, airport transfers, food, and orientation are included in the program fee. Orientation and full health and safety briefing are provided to all newcomers, as well as a city tour.

If you have completed at least one year of medical school, or are a qualified nurse or doctor, you can work with Agape Volunteers on the Kenya medical program. This is a great opportunity to use and develop your medical training, while saving lives with healthcare teams in the clinics and hospitals of Kenya. Your duties vary depending upon your experience level. Shadow professionals during your first few days, then perform basic procedures under supervision, including distributing medicines, dressing wounds, and assisting with births.

Outside of volunteering, enjoy side trips such as safaris, beach weekends, mountain climbing, cultural city tours, and more. Share your love for animals and help to support endangered species on a wildlife conservation program in South Africa. This memorable experience invites you to contribute to the protection of lions, rhinos, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, buffalos, and hyenas at Marakele National Park.

You will monitor the movements and behaviors of animals, and take part in anti-poaching activities, such as looking for suspicious tracks, reporting low-flying aircraft, joining sleep-outs, and even flying on a microlight to check the reserve.

Other tasks include invasive plant removal, road restoration, trash removal, fire control, game capture, and bush clearing. The course helps to ensure safe testing techniques, and provides a useful qualification for your future medical career. As a volunteer, you will have hour support from the GoEco team, from start to finish.

Top activities include wildlife and animal conservation , marine and coral reef conservation , medical and healthcare , community aid and development , teaching English , and volunteering with children. Taking this volunteer trip to the Wildlife Sanctuary project was something I had wanted to do for several years… Literally after one day of volunteering, I was already regretting only having two weeks to stay.

Every day was amazing and full of incredible experiences and new people.