Volunteering abroad can be a life changing experience where you immerse yourself in different countries and culture, learn new skills and help worthwhile causes. There are incredible projects all around the world helping people, communities, wildlife and the environment. Popular places to find programs include Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Top Rated Volunteer Opportunities
Featured Companies
These are some of the most popular organisations offering volunteer projects around the world.
Global Work & Travel
See another side of the world as you travel with a purpose, and leave a lasting impact. Join critical projects and causes internationally, in Thailand, Peru, Costa Rica, Tanzania, South Africa, Spain, Namibia, Ecuador and Nepal.
One World 365
Volunteer abroad with One World 365 and make a difference around the world. Find projects in places like Asia, Africa and Latin America helping animals, people, communities and the environment.
Gap Year World
Are you looking to take a gap year? Gap Year World is the number one gap year website to use where you can find jobs, working holidays, internships and work experience placements, and volunteer programs in 100+ destinations around the world.
GVI
Founded in 1998, GVI runs volunteer programs in 21 locations, in 13 countries around the world. GVI welcome participants from all around the world and offer the chance to join rewarding community and conservation projects.
Go Find Programs
Go Find Programs is one of the best resources to find paid and voluntary positions around the world. Find information about hundreds of opportunities and apply for a life changing experience today.
Top Reasons to Volunteer Abroad
Volunteer abroad and experience the ultimate way to travel. Not only will you have the opportunity to explore parts of the world that you have always dreamed of visiting, but you will be able to make a real difference while you are there, in whatever capacity you choose to volunteer.
Volunteering abroad really could be a life changing experience for you, combining travelling with worthwhile work to leave you with a lifetime of memories. Not only could a project change your life forever, but the range of qualifications available on various projects could play an important part in embarking on your dream career path.
There are so many reasons to join a volunteering program overseas, including:
• Be more than just a tourist and enjoy a unique and memorable experience
• Meet inspiration people from all over the world and learn new skills
• If you are looking to take a career break, meaningful holiday or find a gap year job, you can make a real difference and help amazing projects
• There are so many ways to help, from humanitarian projects, working with people, communities and charities, to animal rescue centres or improving conservation
• You’ll get the chance to immerse yourself in a new country and culture and also travel and go sightseeing in your spare time
The one thing you can be sure of is that wherever you decide to go and whatever you decide to do, your time and effort will be greatly appreciated by the people you meet and work with.
Popular Volunteering Programs
With a huge variety of projects available to choose from, you are sure to be able to find the perfect placement for you. Your volunteering could be the first step to fulfilling your dream career, your chance to experience something totally different from your everyday life, or just an opportunity to give something back to a country in which you have interest and are travelling.
For the animal lovers there are a vast range of projects around the world with a focus on wildlife, whether you would prefer to be working hands on with animals in sanctuaries, rescue centres or orphanages, or in a more practical capacity on game reserves, conservancies and in national parks.
Water babies should look no further than marine conservation and diving projects, where training in survey and scuba techniques will enable you to make your contribution to the future preservation of stunning yet fragile coral reef ecosystems.
For those who prefer working with people, orphanages, schools, community development projects or even hospitals could provide you with the experience that changes your life and gives you the rewards that are only possible when you make a genuine contribution to improving a community’s happiness and prospects.
Popular projects include:
• Wildlife conservation
• Building and construction
• Community development
• Conservation
• Marine biology
• NGO
• Refugee support
• Sports coaching
• Childcare
• Teaching
• Sports coaching
• Women’s empowerment
How to Choose a Volunteer Program
These are some factors to consider before applying:
• What do you want to do
• Where do you want to go
• How much money do you want to spend
• How long do you want to be away for
• What does the program involve and what impact is made
• Does the program have positive feedback and are there testimonials from past participants
Where to Help
The possible destinations for volunteering abroad are almost as diverse as the range of projects available. You can find placements all over the world, from Africa and Asia, to Central and South America to Europe, the Middle East and Oceania.
Where you go really depends own the type of project you are interested in helping and each destination is different. Popular places to help include wildlife like elephants in Thailand, coaching sports in South Africa, helping communities in Brazil, conservation in Costa Rica, teaching in Mexico and language camps in Spain.
If you want to explore lost communities and ancient customs while volunteering abroad then a project in South America or South East Asia could be the perfect location for you, with lost cities and haunting temples at every turn.
Travelling in search of a breathtaking wildlife experience could take you to the game reserves or savannahs of Africa, where your favourite documentaries will come to life as you witness magnificent wildlife in front of your very eyes.
With pristine coral reefs and remote island communities bathed in tropical sunshine, Australasia and the Pacific is surely the ultimate location for a volunteer in search of welcoming local communities whose warmth is only exceeded by that of the shallow tropical seas lying on their doorstep.
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