Projects Abroad
Projects Abroad: How does it work?
Have you always wanted to volunteer and do you really want to do this abroad? You’ve come to the right place! Volunteer World offers over 1600 volunteer projects abroad in over 80 different countries. Discover some of the most inspiring destinations as you contribute to projects focused on making a meaningful impact. Whether you want to work on animal conservation, clean up the oceans and beaches, empower women or teach English, there are endless opportunities to help out. Explore and compare the different volunteer projects on our platform and select a cause you firmly believe in. Volunteer and take this opportunity to travel and make a meaningful impact.
Volunteer World strongly believes volunteering should be accessible to everyone. With over 1600 volunteer projects abroad, we are confident that everyone will find a program that fits their requirements. Whether it be short term volunteering, volunteering in South Africa, marine life conservation, volunteering on a budget or volunteering for those over 50.
There are a plethora of options available for adventurers eager to make the world a better place. The guide will lead you through the different types of projects abroad that need support from volunteers to fulfill their mission. As we discuss the different possibilities, we will also discuss the pros and cons of volunteering and what you can expect from this once in a lifetime experience.
What are Projects Abroad?
Projects abroad are international volunteer programs that are focused on a certain mission. These programs are focused on a specific cause which is aligned with at least one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each program has been carefully screened to make sure they comply with Volunteer World’s high ethical standards.
Volunteer World gives volunteers the opportunity to compare meaningful projects offered by large sustainable travel agencies as well as local specialists and grass root projects (NGOs). You will find a wide range of volunteer opportunities on our platform which are spread across the world.
Discover some of the most famous tourist hotspots and some of the most remote places by volunteering for one of our meaningful projects. This is a wonderful chance to see the true side of a certain destination. A side you will not see while traveling as a tourist. Connect with the local community and make a difference in the lives of others as well as your own.
The Pros and Cons of Projects Abroad
Although it’s difficult to think of the negative aspects of volunteering, we want to be transparent with you. We want volunteers to be well informed and feel confident about their volunteer adventure. That’s why we will share the pros of volunteering abroad but also some of the cons.
Pros
- The opportunity to volunteer abroad and contribute to a humanitarian, environmental or animal protection cause.
- You will volunteer with others who have similar values.
- Volunteering abroad will give you valuable international experience where you will learn a lot and which will give you a new perspective on life.
- You will connect with the local community and gain insight into their situation.
- Volunteers often return from their volunteer experience having learned a lot about themselves.
Cons
- Volunteer World offers a wide array of volunteer projects abroad. It is up to you to select the one that is most suitable for you. Make sure to be well informed about the mission of the program before you apply.
- Some of the most meaningful projects require a big commitment from volunteers. Volunteering isn’t a holiday and may even be uncomfortable at times.
- Many programs require volunteers to commit for a minimum amount of time. This can be difficult for volunteers with obligations such as work or families. There are programs offered for shorter time periods, check these out too.
We believe the pros far outweigh the cons. Rest assured that the difficulties you will experience translate into a valuable learning experience.
Why opt for a Project Abroad?
Volunteering for a project abroad can be quite challenging. You’re often traveling to far off places and depending on the project may do physically strenuous work. Although it is very rewarding, not every aspect of volunteering is comfortable and fun. We believe that’s where the growth happens. Volunteering is a transformative experience which will leave you with a completely different perspective. Help one of the many humanitarian or environmental causes and witness the effects it has on your life.
By volunteering your time, effort and skills, you are truly helping volunteer organizations reach their goals. By participating, you will make a meaningful difference. Each program selected by Volunteer World has been screened to check if they meet our high ethical standards. Volunteers can rest assured that all programs are working toward fulfilling one of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nation.
Will you be making a difference?
Rome wasn’t built in a day and we are convinced that small efforts done consistently go a long way. Volunteers will support one of the volunteer projects and contribute to the local community. By volunteering, volunteers also set an example for others who will be inspired by your efforts. The more people are willing to volunteer and contribute to a cause they are passionate about, the better the world will become.
Is volunteering in developing countries condescending?
There are claims that if you volunteer abroad, you’re portraying a message that communities are unable to solve problems on their own. The goal of volunteer projects should always be to empower local communities and give them the support they need to take their future into their own hands. It’s important to join a reputable organization that understands the needs of the community and is dedicated to helping the community progress. Take a very good look at the different programs abroad, read the reviews, ask questions and select a program that inspires you.
What kind of Projects Abroad are there?
There are over 1,600 projects abroad on our platform which you can choose from depending on your personal preferences regarding project focus and location. These are some of the options you can choose from:
- Animal conservation
- Agricultural or farm work
- Cultural immersion programs
- Environmental conservation
- Humanitarian work
- Community Service
- Child Care
- Teaching
- Health care
Each program abroad will require different skills from their volunteers. Get in touch with the volunteer program to find out if you would be a good match for each other.
Animal Conservation
Volunteers who are excited about protecting a certain form of wildlife or eager to care for animals that have been injured, mistreated or are ill, will find wonderful volunteer opportunities on our platform. Whether you want to work with exotic animals, huskies, horses, wolves, turtles, cats or dogs, you’re bound to find a program that will make your heart flutter. Animal conservation programs are abundant, go ahead, go take a look!
Cultural Immersion Programs
Cultural immersion programs offer cultural interchange between the volunteer and the locals. Volunteers will support locals in their daily activities and learn about their ways of doing things. The main thing is that both locals and volunteers connect and share this precious time together.
Agricultural Work
If you don’t mind getting your hands dirty and you don’t shy away from some physical activity, join an agricultural project. Learn all about sustainable farming and help communities with their farming activities or teach struggling communities farming methods that will help them thrive.
Environmental Conservation
As the world is under constant threat of global warming, join one of the many environmental projects focused on caring for the environment. Teach communities the importance of saving water or create awareness about the negative impact of single-use plastic. Help maintain the natural gems in our world and take this opportunity to connect with nature.
Childcare Projects
Work with young children who are orphaned or don’t have the necessary support system. Brighten up their days and give them the attention they deserve. Travel to some of the most interesting places and put a smile on these children’s faces.
Humanitarian Work
Support equal rights by helping women or disadvantaged groups gain the confidence and resources to take a step forward in life. Women’s rights is a big topic in developing countries. Having suffered a lot of abuse, women often have nowhere to turn and need the support of help centers to be able to find their way back. Empower women and other disadvantaged groups of people and witness the change you can have!
Community Service
Work on one of the many community projects focused on empowering the community. You can do this by teaching them certain skills, constructing housing or setting up microfinancing options. Opportunities to help communities are endless. Travel to Asia, Africa or South America and help communities that are struggling.
Education
Volunteers eager to teach will find plenty of English teaching opportunities all over the world. Although English teaching opportunities are most prevalent, there are plenty of other teaching possibilities. Sports, maths, science, economics, children, adults. Take your pick! Teach those less fortunate as you learn all about your volunteer destination.
Healthcare
Volunteers studying a medical profession can make a meaningful difference in one of the healthcare and medical projects abroad. Support hospitals abroad and provide healthcare to those who can’t afford it. Take this opportunity to create awareness around subjects such as the importance of sanitary water, sexually transmitted diseases, and nutrition.
How to choose the right Project Abroad?
There are so many projects abroad making it almost impossible to choose. Here are a few questions that may help you decide whether a certain program is a good fit for you:
- What does the organization stand for?
- What is their objective and how are they trying to achieve it?
- How are the funds they receive spent?
- How do you think you will contribute?
- What do you think the effect of your volunteer work will be?
Read about the organization you’re interested in, read reviews and ask previous volunteers about their experience with the organization. There are wonderful organizations that are doing very responsible work that you can be part of. Every program is different, however. It’s up to you to find out what their mission is and if this is in alignment with your personal values. We strongly encourage you to do some due diligence on the program you’re interested in and to find out as much as you can about it.
Be especially careful when you volunteer for projects with children. Do your due diligence prior to signing up. There are programs out there that are doing more harm than good by taking advantage of the volunteer industry and exploiting local families. We have attempted to screen these organizations but as a volunteer, you make the final call. Choose your program wisely and you will be in for an incredible experience and supporting a meaningful cause.
Best places for Volunteers for Projects Abroad
Asia
The world is at your feet when you decide to volunteer for a program abroad. South East Asia is an excellent place to start because it is relatively safe and there are many opportunities to volunteer. Teaching programs and animal conservation projects are well represented here among many other programs. Asia is an easy destination to travel to while remaining quite exotic. This is an excellent destination for volunteers eager to learn more about a different culture.
Africa
Africa offers a plethora of volunteer projects ranging from humanitarian projects to wildlife conservation programs. Africa may prove to be slightly more challenging to travel to because of safety issues. Rest assured that the programs will assist you with anything you need to ensure your safety. Africa will pose less of a problem from a language barrier perspective because most people understand English. Teach those less fortunate or dedicate your time to one of the many other meaningful programs.
North America, Australia, and New Zealand
Projects in North America, Australia, and New Zealand are excellent choices for nature lovers and those focused on environmental conservation. South America, on the other hand, offers a great mix of volunteer projects with exquisite environmental projects in Central America that will make anyone’s heart beat faster. Forget your troubles and adapt to the slower pace.
Top 5 benefits of working for projects abroad
International work experience is always a wonderful way to expand your perspective. Let’s take a closer look at the different benefits of dedicating some of your time to a program abroad. Here are our top 5:
Valuable Learning Opportunities
Choosing to volunteer abroad will open up a new world you would otherwise not have access to. Whether you volunteer in Africa, North or South America, Asia or Europe, you will learn about the country and culture and interact with the local community. This will lead to a deeper understanding of its people and their situation. Learn new skills and witness the opportunities that will unfold because of this international experience.
Meet new people
You will meet other volunteers and travelers during your trip who share your interests and values. You’ll connect with like-minded fellow volunteers and locals. This will be a life-changing opportunity to build meaningful relationships and learn about other cultures. See for yourself and join one of the many programs.
New Experiences
This is a brilliant way to experience something new and expand your perspective on life. Issues that seemed like huge problems before, may seem trivial after your volunteer experience. New life experiences make you stronger and will empower you for future endeavors. Rest assured that this practical international experience will make a difference for future study and job opportunities.
Health Improvements
Traveling and volunteering are two ingredients that practically guarantee happiness. Research has proven that traveling is beneficial because it puts people in a completely different environment forcing them to use different parts of the brain. On top of that, supporting a meaningful cause will give you a sense a purpose which is a major happiness influencer.
Travel Abroad
This is your chance to explore and discover some of the most interesting places in the world. Discover the rawness of Africa, the laidback ways of Asia or the pristine nature of the American continent. This is your chance to travel and contribute to a meaningful cause. Carve out the time to do something completely different in life. What are you waiting for? Get out your luggage and start packing for one of the many international projects abroad!
How do I get started with Volunteering for a project abroad?
Have you decided to volunteer for a program abroad? Wonderful! Given that there are so many options, we suggest you start by deciding what type of program you would like to contribute to. Education, animals, agriculture, humanitarian,...?
Once you have an idea about what type of program, you can narrow it down and look for a destination that draws your attention.
You can also do it the other way around and select the destination first and then decide which topic catches your attention.
Once you’ve done that, let’s take a look at the first 3 steps which will send you on your way to volunteering abroad:
- Check whether there’s a match between you and the program by looking at their requirements.
- Take a look at the location of the program and decide whether it would be a place you are excited to go to.
- Get in touch with the organization and see whether your expectations and schedules match up.
Once this is sorted. Let’s take a look at the practical steps:
Insurance (Health & travel)
We recommend getting both health and travel insurance. In fact, this is a requirement for all volunteer programs abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person to find out if an insurance plan is already in place for volunteers.
Visa, Passport, and Documentation
Once you know your destination, take the following 3 steps before setting off on your life-changing adventure!
- Look into the visa requirements for the country you will volunteer in
- Make sure everyone has valid passports considering the requirements of the host country
- Make sure you prepare the correct documents to fulfill the visa application
That’s it! You’re ready to volunteer abroad! Get ready for a life-changing international experience that will have an incredible impact on those in need as well as yourself. The world is waiting for volunteers with a heart in the right place. Whether you want to teach, do community work or animal conservation, a program abroad is just a click away.