The Portal for work abroad, overseas travel, study abroad and international living  
Work Abroad

Volunteer Abroad

The Portal for Volunteer Work and Vacations Overseas

 Volunteer Work Abroad Programs and Vacations
Volunteering abroad is the best option for meaningful work and vacations in developing countries or for social causes anywhere. While some overseas projects cover room and board, and there are some free volunteer programs abroad, most organizations require fees to cover services and administrative costs. For inexpensive summer work camps or volunteer vacations, generally apply in the Spring. For long-term volunteer options, apply well in advance.

The volunteer organizations below are organized by country and region, and incVolude many first-hand participant reports to provide both practical and inspirational perspectives from experienced volunteers in order to help you research your important decision.

 Volunteer Abroad by Region  Volunteer Abroad by Country
Worldwide Argentina Guatemala Philippines
Africa Australia Honduras Poland
Asia Belgium Iceland Portugal
Australasia Bolivia India Romania
Central America Brazil Israel Russia
Europe (Central & Eastern) Cambodia Italy South Africa
Europe (Western) Canada Kenya South Korea
Latin America Chile Japan Spain
South America China Jordan Sri Lanka
  Colombia Madagascar Sweden
  Costa Rica Mexico Switzerland
  Denmark Mongolia Taiwan
  Dominican Republic Morocco Tanzania
  Ecuador Mozambique Thailand
  El Salvador Namibia Tibet
  Fiji Nepal Turkey
  Finland New Zealand Uganda
  France Nicaragua United Kingdom
  Germany Nigeria United States
  Ghana Peru Vietnam
  Greece   Zambia
 Featured Volunteer Abroad Programs and Vacations
Volunteer and Intern Abroad in Over 40 Countries Worldwide with Global Vision International (GVI)
Volunteer Abroad for the Experience of a Lifetime with Cross-Cultural Solutions
Volunteer in over 40 Countries Worldwide with United Planet
Worldwide Volunteer Work Abroad with Projects Abroad
Volunteer Vacations in Costa Rica, Cuba, Nepal, Peru, Thailand, or Vietnam with Globe Aware
Volunteer Abroad Programs from InterExchange
Volunteer in Argentina, Australia, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Kenya, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, and Thailand with Greenheart Travel
Volunteer Work Teaching Around the World with Worldteach
Volunteer Work and Service Abroad in Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Peru, Russia, Spain, Thailand and Turkey with Geovisions
Volunteer in Ecuador, Tanzania, or Vietnam with Experiential Learning International
Volunteer in Peru, Belize, Mexico, India, Thailand, Ghana and Brazil with MyProWorld
Volunteer to Teach English in Spain at Low Cost with Pueblo Ingles
Ethical Volunteering in Cambodia, Columbia, Peru, Indonesia and Thailand with a U.K. Charity with Globalteer
Volunteer in Argentina with GICARG
Volunteer Work in Argentina with Road2Argentina
Volunteer in Argentina, China and South Africa with Connect-123
Volunteer in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, and Guatemala with COINED
Low-Fee Volunteer Programs in Cambodia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Nepal, Peru, South Africa, Tanzania, Thailand, Uganda or Vietnam with International Volunteer HQ
Volunteer and Intern Abroad with Amerispan
Volunteering Abroad in Cambodia, Peru, and Swaziland with i to i

  Articles on Volunteer Work and Vacations Abroad
We are pleased to offer a vast assortment of articles which discuss the experience of volunteering abroad as a means of immersing yourself in another culture while helping to bring native people some positive change in their lives.

The following articles cover the subject of volunteering abroad both in the theoretical and in the most practical sense, including:

 Volunteer Work and Vacation Abroad Advisor
Why Volunteer Overseas?
An interview with an experienced expert, Zahara Hecksher—Transitions Abroad's Volunteering Abroad editor and co-author of the classic book on volunteering—How to Live Your Dream of Volunteering Overseas. As always, Zahara goes to the core of the subject and offers very subtle and invaluable advice for prospective volunteers.
How to Evaluate International Volunteer Sending Organizations
Zahara Heckscher provides an overview, inside tips, and resources to help you select from the many available volunteer projects worldwide.
The Changing Face of International Volunteering
An overview by Volker Poelzl on recents trends in volunteer work abroad and voluntourism.
Learning to Love Voluntourists: Harnessing their Energy and Curiosity for Volunteer Service Vacations by Alison Gardner
Volunteer Abroad the Right Way: An Interview with Zahara Heckscher
Leveraging Your Volunteer Experience To Find Paid Work Abroad by Zahara Heckscher
Choosing a Volunteer Abroad Placement Organization by Zahara Heckscher
How to Choose the "Right" Volunteer Program Abroad by Joseph Collins, Stefano DeZerega, Zahara Heckscher
Volunteer Vacations to Fit: How to Select the Best-Suited Organization by Doug Cutchins and Anne Geissinger
Arranging a Volunteer Experience Abroad by Katie Krueger
Ramping Up: IVPA Establishes Standards of Excellence for International Volunteering by Sherry Schwarz
From Volunteer Work To a Career: Becoming an International Aid Worker by Matthew Bolton
The Ins and Outs of Volunteering: An Interview with Dianne Brause
Work as a Volunteer Travel Adviser by Heidi Resetarits
Making the Most of Volunteer Service with the Peace Corps by Brianne Goodspeed
After the Peace Corps by Mishelle Shepard
Learn Language and Do Good: Combine Volunteering with Language Study Abroad by Zahara Heckscher
Learn a Language While Volunteering Abroad by Susan Griffith
Volunteering Abroad: A Global Movement by Christine Victorino
Volunteering Abroad: Selecting the Perfect Opportunity by Christine Victorino
The Cost of Volunteering by Daniel Weiss
Volunteer Abroad on Your Own by Michael Don
Investing Yourself as a Volunteer by Reverend Dr. Henry Bucher, Jr.
Why Pay to Volunteer Abroad? by Le Ann Joy Adam
Why Volunteer Abroad? by Peter Hodge
Volunteer Vacations Gain Popularity by Margaret Jaworski
Whirled Transformations: The History and Future of Inter-Cultural Caring by Ann McLaughlin
International Volunteering with Your Family by Zahara Heckscher
Volunteering Overseas Over 50 by John Dwyer
Baby Boomers and International Volunteer Service by Ann McLaughlin
Volunteer Vacations: Seniors Have a Different Agenda by Alison Gardner
Making the Most of a Volunteer Vacation by Doug Cutchins and Anne Geissinger
Volunteer as a Senior and Make Retirement Count by Amy Warren and Winsin Hsieh
Volunteer Vacations Can Change Your Life by Dianne Brause.
Delaying the Real World with a Volunteer Adventure Proposal Wins Fellowship Abroad by Colleen Kinder
Volunteer Service Programs. This Summer Vacation Make a Difference by Russell Carlock
Community Service Abroad: Volunteers Combine Alms and Elbow Grease by Molly Beer
Volunteer Placements: Coping With Potential Problems by Susan Griffith
Making a Difference: Volunteering and Education Abroad by Charles Gliozzo
International Volunteerism by Rebecca Jewell
Volunteer Abroad for an NGO as a Photographer by Jim Hall
Volunteer Work Abroad on Organic Farms by Caroline Nye
Work for Peace as a Volunteer Abroad by April Thompson
 Featured Volunteer Work and Vacation Abroad Articles (Participant Reports)
First-hand volunteer articles in the form of reports by those who have actually participated in both large and small programs overseas offer inside details which no listing information can fully provide.

We are pleased to offer a rich edited selection of volunteering experiences below from a variety of perspectives by region (including Africa, Asia, Australasia, Europe, and Latin America below). For many more volunteer articles by participants abroad go to the specific region and country program pages.

 Volunteer Abroad Participant Reports from Africa
Volunteering in Africa: An Overview, Top Tips and Recommended Volunteer Sending Organizations
Expert author Zahara Heckscher provides an overview, inside tips, and resources to help you select a volunteer project in Africa.
The Real Peace Corps
Volunteer at the Lion Park in South Africa
Volunteer Teaching English in Africa
Volunteer Effectively in Nigeria: The Key is Thinking Grassroots
Volunteering in Tanzania with Cross-Cultural Solutions
Volunteering with Global Service Corps in its International Health Program in Tanzania
Volunteering to Teach in Ghana with Global Volunteers
 Volunteer Abroad Participant Reports from Asia
Volunteering in Asia: An Overview, Top Tips and Recommended Organizations
Expert author Zahara Heckscher provides an overview, inside tips, and resources to help you select a volunteer project in Asia.
Volunteering in Lhasa, Tibet
Volunteer and Study Traditional Medicine in Ladakh, India
Volunteer Teaching English to Exiled Tibetans in Northern India
Combine a Tibetan Spiritual Experience with a Volunteer Vacation in Northern India
Volunteer Work in Dharamsala with Cross-Cultural Solutions
Volunteering in Bhutan as a Family
Volunteering in Nepal in the Kathmandu Valley
Volunteer in Thailand with Starfish
Volunteering in Vietnam with Volunteers in Asia
Volunteering in Mongolia: Help Restore an Ancient Buddhist Monastery
 Volunteer Abroad Participant Reports from Australia and New Zealand
Volunteering in Australsia: An Overview of the Top Opportunities
Nora Dunn provides an overview of the volunteering opportunities in Australasia, as well as visa and work permit requirements where required.
Volunteering in Australia: The Great Outdoors Promises Great Opportunities
Volunteering in Australia Through Conservation Experience
Mammal Monitoring: Join Conservation Volunteers in Australia's Grampians National Park
Volunteering to Preserve Rainforests in Australia
Volunteer Organic Farming with WWOOF in Australia
WWOOFing at Mana Retreat in New Zealand: Volunteering Never Felt So Good
 Volunteer Abroad Participant Reports from Latin America
Volunteer Work and Vacations Abroad in South America: An Overview
Volker Poelzl explores options for volunteer work and vacations in South America while discussing important practical considerations in this often beautiful but needy part of the world.
Volunteering in Mexico and Central America: An Overview, Top Tips and Volunteer Organizations
Expert author Zahara Heckscher provides an overview, inside tips, and resources to help you select a volunteer project in Central America.
Volunteering in Latin America Independently
Volunteer in Honduras
Volunteer Work and Educational Travel in Belize: An Overview
Volunteer Work in Brazil: How to Embark on a Meaningful South American Adventure
Volunteer in Rio de Janeiro with Volunteer Adventures
Volunteering in Bolivia at a Wildlife Refuge
Volunteering in South American Eco-Lodges
Volunteer Teaching in Brazil with i-to-i
Combine a Volunteer Vacation and Meaningful Work in Mexico to Save Coral Reefs with GVI
Volunteer in Mexico: Children's Shelter of Hope, Puerto Vallarta
Make a Difference as a Volunteer in Latin America with the Amigos de las Americas
Short-Term Volunteer Work in a Costa Rica with Cross-Cultural Solutions
Volunteer Work at Spanish Language Schools in Guatemala
Volunteering in Guatemala: Adventure and Service as an English Teacher
Cornerstone in Belize: Volunteer with a Community-Based Organization
Volunteering in Nicaragua with the Habitat for Humanity
Volunteering in Nicaragua at the Miraflor Nature Preserve
Volunteer Work in Lima, Peru with Cross-Cultural Solutions
Volunteering in Chile with Voluntarios de la Esperanza
Volunteer in Chile with WorldTeach: The Rewards Outweigh the Costs
  Volunteer Abroad Participant Reports from Europe
Volunteer Work and Vacations Abroad in Europe: An Overview
Volker Poelzl explores options for volunteer work in Europe while highlighting sample organizations, including those which offer volunteer vacations or work camps.
Volunteer Vacations Working on a Farm in Europe with Association Dynamo, Ferme Cravirola
Volunteer in Europe with Nature Conservation Programs
Volunteer in Europe at a Youth Hostel
Explore the U.K. as an Insider with The British Trust for Conservation Volunteers
National Trust Holidays: Work with U.K. Locals for a Worthwhile Cause
Volunteering at Organic Farms in Italy with WWOOF
Volunteer Workcamps in France with Volunteers For Peace
Speak English? Volunteer in Spain
Volunteer Work at an Archeological Dig in Greece
Volunteer Vacations Can Be the Most Memorable
Volunteering in Russia: Everything You Need to Succeed
Volunteer Abroad in Over 40 Countries Worldwide with Global Vision International Volunteer in 50 Countries with United Planet Volunteer Work with Projects Abroad Volunteer in Latin America with Amigos de las Americas Volunteer teaching english abroad with Worldteach Volunteer Abroad with ELI More than English with Pueblo Ingles JJM Volunteer Vacations Volunteer Abroad with Geovisions