7 Fun and Different Ways to Volunteer Abroad Meaningfully

Are you wondering, “How can I volunteer abroad?” As long as your heart’s in it, there is no wrong way—but here are 7 ways to volunteer abroad for good measure! With countless ways to volunteer abroad, it is essentially a choose-your-own meaningful adventure. There are durations lasting anywhere between one week to one year (or more), destinations available all around the globe, and placement options to fit any volunteer’s area of interest—from caring for children with disabilities in Vietnam to a wildlife research expedition in South Africa. 

The best ways to volunteer abroad always result in a great volunteer selfie.

The best ways to volunteer abroad for YOU will most likely depend on your motivation for going and anticipated takeaways upon completion. For example, if you wish to gain specific skills, knowledge, and credibility in a relevant area to translate to your work or academic pursuits, going through your university or an otherwise highly recognized and esteemed organization (such as the Peace Corps or an NGO) will likely make the most sense. 

If you feel compelled to support a particular cause, or offer aid in the wake of an unexpected disaster, an international aid organization or emergency relief effort will probably be your best bet. If you need an adventure and purpose-filled break from your stressful or mundane routine, wish to add meaning to an upcoming trip, or you simply gain comfort from the support and direction an organized program provides, there are numerous providers who exist to connect you to whatever best fits your needs.

So, no matter what your “why” is for choosing to volunteer abroad, if you’re still asking “how can I volunteer abroad,” here is an overview of the ways you can go about making it happen!

[Check out all of the first-time volunteer abroad tips you'll need]

7 best ways to volunteer abroad

Whether you’re interested in conservation projects or construction projects, or anything and everything in between, these are the best ways to volunteer abroad. Self-fulfillment and impact guaranteed. 

1. With a volunteer program provider

Volunteering with a program provider is one of the best ways to volunteer abroad—and one of the easiest. Providers generally offer the biggest portal for connection and options that volunteers can access. Providers generally have connections to all sorts of programs, and function as a sort of virtual middleman that volunteers can utilize to sort through all their participating programs in one place. 

Whether you are someone with no precursory ideas who needs help narrowing it down, or someone with a specific niche interest who needs help tracking it down, try checking out provider websites like GVI, International Volunteer HQ, GoEco, Connect123, and ELI Abroad to name a few. Oftentimes, provider websites have search and filter features that can be great resources for navigating factors like destination, duration, and experience to hone in one one’s ideal program fit. 

Pros:

• Providers offers a huge variety of program options 
• Providers can earn and grant rating and certification awards to help volunteers weed out less credible organizations

Cons:

• Some options will inherently be better and others will be worse - which may not accurately be reflected in testimonials or reviews
• Some providers simply link participants to, and don’t actually operate, the programs on their site, which may make it slightly more confusing or difficult for volunteers that prefer constant support for their many questions. 

The WORLD is in need of some assistance today.

2. Through your university 

Your university can be an incredible resource for finding verified and relevant volunteer abroad options. Most university have some sort of vetting process that programs must pass through before being included in the list of resources available to students. Not only will it make mom feel better knowing your safety is a priority, but the process itself will likely be smooth and of high quality since countless students before you have likely gone through and subsequently reviewed it as satisfactory. The benefits of going through your university may range from achieving school credit (if applicable), collecting community service hours, boosting your resume by showcasing your initiative and international experience, or simply acting as an avenue to spend spring break in a more meaningful manner. 

Pros:

• You will gain credit, hours, experience, or more to further your academic and professional career
• You can generally expect a smooth, safe, supported, and high quality experience
• The trip will be easy to incorporate into your school schedule and break dates

Cons:

• Your options are limited to only the programs your school has verified and secured a partnership with

3. Directly apply to work with an NGO

NGO is short for non-governmental organization, meaning they are independent from any government affiliation. Because NGOs are not-for-profit, they often have lower budgets and depend on the monetary and physical contributions of volunteers to meet their needs and accomplish their goals. 

Those who opt to volunteer directly with an NGO may experience less systematic organization or a larger variety and uncertainty of tasks, but can often taylor tasks to their strengths and will know that each and every minute of their time will make a difference! Administrative and lobbying work are particularly popular, and India is home to the largest number of NGOs. Those who care strongly about certain causes, especially humanitarian issues, or feel adamantly about being involved with non-partisan efforts will certainly benefit from an NGO volunteer abroad experience. 

Pros:

• You can generally tailor your experience a bit to play off your strengths in benefitting the NGO’s overall goals
• You will know the NGO is dependent on your contribution for its success, and won’t ever feel as though you are spinning your wheels or wasting time completing tasks created specifically to accommodate volunteers

Cons:

• Your process from start to finish may not be as smooth, nor duties as clearly outlined, as in other program types

4. Peace Corps or similar government programs

Joining the Peace Corps, or a similar government program, in and of itself will no doubt grant credibility and speak volumes to any future potential employer, making it one of *the* best ways to volunteer abroad. But, because of the longer time commitment and generally more rigorous expectations it’s not always right for everyone. For those who decide to serve it shows true commitment to, experience in, and passion for the work in which you will be volunteering. 

Volunteering abroad on a program as established and esteemed as the Peace Corps will also come with many financial, medical and career benefits unique to most other volunteer abroad programs, and will ensure a next level learning experience that opens your eyes to all the possibilities in and realities of your field and subsequently opens doors as a result of the skills and network being built along the way.

Pros:

• Your affiliation with the Peace Corps or similar government program will inherently grant credibility and access to its extensive network and career support
• You will be allotted a living stipend and housing, compared to most programs that conversely charge fees to participants
• You may be eligible for medical and dental benefits, coverage of travel expenses,deferment of previous student loans, and reduced tuition on graduate school should you choose to pursue further education upon completing your contract.

Cons:

• The time commitment and work expectations are longer and more rigorous than other types of programs (which may actually be a pro to some)
• You will have less control over and flexibility in your experience
• It may be tougher to get accepted into a program 

Building a better tomorrow, one construction project at a time. ?

5. International aid organizations

International aid organizations are similar to NGO’s in that they generally focus on a specific cause or issue, but generally cater more specifically to aid a relief than perpetuate a goal or instigate change. Volunteers with specific skills such as those in the medical field or construction for example, may find they can best put their skills to work by volunteering abroad with an international aid organization. 

Pros:

• You can utilize your professional skills to help those that don’t have access to them otherwise
• You will gain real world experience in your field and gain invaluable perspectives on how the same tasks and systems are done and function respectively in other countries

Cons:

• There may not be as many options for those without specialized skills
• Unless you have a particular organization in mind, volunteer programs may be more difficult to find

6. Disaster/Emergency volunteering

Volunteering abroad on a disaster relief effort will undoubtedly be a life-altering experience. The shock and mass devastation of natural disasters and emergencies have a way of bringing people together and bringing out their best, as those contributing look beyond themselves to focus on a common goal of helping those in need. These events have a tendency to help us take stock of what is really important, realizing that it just as easily could have been us in that situation. 

Even after the media coverage has died down, the opportunities to assist in disaster relief remain just as important and in need as the road to recovery continues on. Amid all the initial confusion, and oftentime mixed messaging, the trickiest part of disaster/emergency volunteering abroad can be deciphering the most reputable sources to go through, what skills you can even bring to the table, and what disaster to get involved in - luckily, GoAbroad has your back with up-to-date information covering exactly these concerns.

Pros:

• You will be part of a once-in-a-lifetime effort 
• You will be stretched to handle and adapt to a variety of situations and perform a variety of tasks outside your normal skills and strengths

Cons:

• Depending on how longstanding the work being done is, efforts may be disorganized and frustrating at times - lacking in equipment or efficiency

7. While doing another program

Combining or adding volunteer work to your primary experience can be a great way to boost your involvement in and positive impact on your international community. Especially when working or studying abroad, it can be easy to get caught up in the tasks associated with your program, or inadvertently limit your sphere to only the other expats or students that surround you in your daily routine. Seeking out local efforts upon arrival or adding a volunteer aspect directly in coordination with your primary program can be a great way to break out of the bubble.

If you ever find yourself feeling like an outsider or tourist while living or traveling abroad, for whatever reason, immersing yourself in initiatives that allow you to work alongside locals and leave your location better for having hosted you, will foster a more authentic experience and understanding and appreciation of your international community. 

Pros:

• There may be a potential price break for adding a volunteer program to your existing plan, compared to its stand alone cost
• The activities may benefit your primary program in ways that enhance your learning or the opportunities available to you 

Cons:

• It will, of course, add more of a financial and time expense to the experience as a whole 

Next steps in finding, securing, and making the most of the ways to volunteer abroad

The best reward is the satisfaction of a job well done.

Now that you understand all the potential ways to volunteer abroad, the next step is putting that information into action. After all, knowing what resources are available is pretty useless without the ability to utilize them! So, here are some next steps to get you started in your search and assist with the process of preparing for your volunteer abroad program:

• Decide where to go. Figuring out where YOU should volunteer abroad is paramount. Have a short list of locations that sound ideal for your goals and skills. 
• Pick your project. We outlined a few common ways to volunteer abroad above. Do some reflection on what skills and knowledge you bring to the table, and which project would best benefit from your time and energy.
• Choose from the best volunteer abroad programs. Pay attention to past participants’ reviews, program/university reputation, location, and how the project's needs match your skills. Some programs may even share contact info for ambassadors or past participants if you want the REAL dirt. Here are more considerations to make as you figure out how to choose the right volunteer program for you. Pro tip: You can use MyGoAbroad to compare programs side-by-side.
• Plan your finances. Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge on travel (in addition to program costs and airfare). Be sure to raise a little extra money to donate to the organization that you'll be working with. Learning how to fund your volunteer abroad adventure is essential prior to your travels!
• Get prepared! Preparing to volunteer abroad is as fun as it sounds. With the days til departure number dwindling and your excitement boiling, it can be easy to overlook the details. Lean on us to help guide you through your pre-departure process—that's what we're here for.

How can I volunteer abroad? ANY WAY YOU WANT! 

So, props to your for opting for meaningful travel and choosing to volunteer abroad in whatever way best suits you. Now, armed with the knowledge and ability to make it a reality, take action to jumpstart the journey that will challenge and grow you, increase your confidence and skills, expand your mind and perspectives, and make the world a better place!

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