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Volunteering abroad is one of the most gratifying and impactful experiences you’ll ever choose to take part in.
You also get to see how every person’s conscious contribution to humanity and nature is essential to human rights and the longevity of life on this planet. You’ll return home with a newfound outlook on how to create change everyday in your own life -- and how to discern when your generous intentions may be detrimental.
Here at Go Overseas, we are committed to providing information that will help you leave a positive impact through volunteering abroad.
Explore our expert resources to learn more about how to volunteer overseas, requirements to meet before filling out your program application, financial aid help, and information on how to avoid the unethical pitfalls of volunteer abroad scams.
If you want to give back to causes you care about and don’t know where to begin, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s how to start researching for your volunteer adventure abroad:
Where you decide to volunteer abroad will largely depend on the type of projects you’re looking to assist with and the environment you want to be in. For some, helping with biodiversity conservation in Ecuador is the ideal volunteer trip for them. While for others, helping to promote the basics of health among local communities in India better suits their passions and skills!
Start by comparing some of these popular countries for volunteering:
For volunteers passionate about wildlife conservation, consider caring for animals in the diverse, culturally-rich country of South Africa. You can also enjoy fantastic beaches, vineyards, and natural views while abroad. In South Africa’s more rural areas, you’ll find opportunities for volunteer work in healthcare, teaching and youth development, and construction.
The lush, tropical environment of Costa Rica is the perfect destination for exploring volunteer opportunities in biodiversity research, wildlife rehabilitation, and sustainable agriculture. With volcanic valleys, stunning rainforests, and clear, blue waters you’re sure to have a great time making an impact abroad.
For volunteers especially interested in economic justice, youth advocacy, women’s rights, and teaching, a wide variety of projects can be found in Thailand. Volunteers are needed year-round to assist with childcare, NGO training, English teaching, and more. Thailand is also a great country to explore, with delicious food, must-see floating markets, and plenty of white sand beaches.
Need more inspiration? Explore our list of the 10 best places to volunteer abroad, based on the types of volunteer projects available in each location and reviews written by our Go Overseas community members!
While researching volunteer abroad opportunities, you’ll find every program has a list of requirements for prospective applicants. Make sure to double check the program’s requirements carefully before submitting your application!
Here are some common requirements to volunteer overseas include:
While volunteering abroad may be popularized by young travelers, it isn’t exclusive to them. Though many programs require volunteers to be at least 18 years old, others may be specifically geared to high school students, families, and even adults who’ve long completed their education. Below are some different volunteer program types:
There are plenty of volunteer programs designed specifically for teens, with many offering solo and group options. You can invite your best friends or opt to go the independent route, depending on your comfort level! Some common volunteer projects for high school students include helping paint the walls of local schools, assisting with after-school youth programs, and learning about conservation efforts.
Whether you’re looking to volunteer during your gap year, or plan a meaningful travel vacation, there are plenty of volunteer opportunities for young adults like you! Maybe you want to surf in Costa Rica and learn about saving the sea turtles! Or explore the snow-capped mountains of Nepal and help out the local communities! You can personalize programs to find your perfect project match and even extend the duration of your volunteer time to fit your schedule and lifestyle.
Having life, career, and travel experience can serve as a great asset overseas, which is why many organizations host volunteer programs aimed specifically for more mature travelers! Some common project types for older volunteers include providing medical and clinical services, assisting with infrastructure and urban planning, and even lending a hand on administrative tasks for local organizations.
So, don’t let your age deter you from considering a volunteer abroad experience. Just be sure to double check age and physical fitness requirements before filling out your application. You’ll find many volunteer programs are looking for people with your exact age range and experience!
Visa requirements to volunteer abroad vary by country. While some volunteers use a tourist visa to go abroad, others may use a student, working, or working holiday visa. These requirements depend on your home country’s passport, the destination country, and the length of your stay.
Before you volunteer abroad, check the destination country’s requirements and your program details:
While some travelers would recommend you never pay a dime to volunteer, others enthusiastically encourage you to pay your way and more. Most programs are somewhere in the middle: offering you reasonable program fees while you cover flights, passport, visa, insurance, and other miscellaneous expenses.
In truth, fees vary by country and program. Some programs are in wealthier countries and find that welcoming volunteers at no charge pays off. Other programs, however -- especially ones that provide meals and housing for volunteers -- simply cannot afford to take on the additional expenses.
Volunteer trip costs can range from $500 - $4,000 depending on the destination, program fee, program length, flights, and visa requirements. Read more about how much it costs to volunteer abroad on Go Overseas.
If you’re wondering if it’s possible to volunteer abroad for free, the short answer is “Yes,” but just remember that free volunteer opportunities usually require you to take on all of the coordination and research. If you have limited time or need help, a fee-based program might be a better option.
Read more: How to Find a Cheap Volunteer Abroad Program on Any Budget
As volunteering abroad becomes more popular, financial aid options are also increasingly available. There are many scholarships and grants for volunteer abroad programs around the world, and they are generally easy to apply to. You’ll find some programs even host their own scholarships!
Once you’ve decided to volunteer abroad, there are a number of things you should look for to ensure you pick the right program for you. With voluntourism thriving both ethically and unethically, you’ll want to take a deeper look at the company’s spendings, reputation, project goals, and community involvement.
Instead of volunteering for roles that could’ve been filled by a local, or joining a company that has had a negative impact on local neighborhoods, seek sustainable initiatives that focus on longevity, community empowerment, and transparency.
Other information to look for when choosing a volunteer program include:
Read this expert breakdown on how to identify responsible volunteer programs.
Go Overseas is your trusted source for travel abroad programs: here you can browse and discover thousands of vetted providers. Just like a trusted travel buddy, we want to help you find the right information and feel excited and confident about your first or next culturally immersive trip overseas. We know sometimes having an abundance of options can be overwhelming, so we have a few tips on how to use Go Overseas to find the perfect transformative travel program for you.
Browse 16,000+ programs: Narrow your search results by using filters, such as program type, location, and length.
Read 46,000+ Reviews: Real people have gone on these programs, and have experiences to share. Read alumni reviews on any program that interests you to get an idea of what it's really like to be on the ground, overseas.
Read 5,700+ Interviews: For any program that really sparks your interest, read personal stories and in-depth accounts from travelers like you. If you'd like to reach out and hear more from the traveler who left an interview, let us know and we'll help connect you.
Browse community photos: Pictures of food, accommodations, adventures, and people (oh, the friends you'll make!) in program community galleries will help you visualize yourself abroad.
Wish List 💙: Not ready to commit to a program? Click the Wish List heart icon to bookmark programs and save them for later. Then, compare programs side by side.
When choosing where to volunteer abroad, you should consider the type of cause you're looking to support, your skills and interests, how long you can commit to, and of course, your budget.
For example, if you're looking to volunteer with communities and teach english or basic health practices, you may want to consider volunteering in locations like Thailand, Cambodia, or Nepal. For wildlife care and marine conservation, Australia and Costa Rica are popular countries.
While it's possible to volunteer without paying program fees, you should still expect to pay for housing, airfare, food, and other general living costs.
Keep in mind, many responsible and reputable volunteer programs charge participants a fee to help cover administrative costs and provide volunteers with training, in-country support, housing, and more.
The cost of volunteering abroad depends on how long you're volunteering for and where. For example, if you volunteer in Peru for two weeks, you can expect to pay between $400-$900, depending on the program and its inclusions. Many programs will cover housing, transportation, in-country support, and food with the program fee.
However, in locations like South Africa and Nepal, you can expect to pay up to $5000 in program fees. You should also take into account the price of flights and visa fees when budgeting.
People volunteer abroad for three primary reasons: to learn about a new culture, contribute to projects they're passionate about, and make meaningful connections with like-minded, motivated individuals and the community they help!
If you have valuable skills (or are eager to learn new things) that can positively impact communities overseas, are passionate about supporting a specific cause, and can commit to taking time off for an extended period of time, volunteering overseas may be right for you.
If you want to volunteer with a responsible (and reputable!) program, you'll likely need to pay program fees.
From logistics and orientation to in-country support, these organizations are there to make sure you get the most out of your time abroad and are there to help if you find yourself in a tight situation. Some organizations go a step further, by setting up day trips for their volunteers to explore the region.
Other organizations may include room and board with their fees. It's important to read the fine print to find out exactly where your fees will be going and what will be covered for you. You should also look into the general cost of living when comparing programs, as the fee may be adjusted based on which country you are looking at, and this could save you some money in the end.
There are many different types of volunteering projects available, all suited for different types of skills and interests. Some common project types include healthcare, teaching, wildlife and/or marine conservation, climate change research and much more!
If you're passionate about supporting a cause or using your skills to make a positive difference, then yes! Volunteering abroad allows you to travel and connect with others in a meaningful way, learn more about a different culture, and contribute to impactful projects.
