(Updated for 2024)
In this guide, we feature great organizations such as International Volunteer HQ, which is one of the world’s most trusted and affordable volunteer abroad providers with more than 130,000 volunteers placed worldwide since 2007. IVHQ’s impactful adventures in destinations like Costa Rica, Nepal, and Spain start from only $20USD a day! Choose from projects ranging from teaching, to medical and health, to environment and conservation, and much more!
We also highlight other wonderful programs such as GoEco, an affordable option for travelers looking for transparent and meaningful programs, with affordable trips starting less than $300 a week. You’ll definitely want to check out their super affordable teaching assistant volunteer project in Tanzania. Other excellent opportunities include Pacific Sea Turtle Volunteer Program, Animal Rescue in Costa Rica, and Hua Hin Teaching and Childcare.
As well, Maximo Nivel is a great choice and one of our top picks not only for their low cost and affordability, but also for their reputation and established history. Maximo Nivel offers programs in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru, and is an especially affordable choice for U.S. travelers who are interested in human rights and education internship programs, which start from $1,525 for four weeks ($381 per week).
Check out Volunteering Solutions’ wide-range of affordable volunteer and intern programs worldwide in more than 26 countries. They are known for their voluntourism and professional growth their projects offer. Take a look their curated programs for the best summer volunteer programs, for medical internships abroad, or wildlife conservation projects for outdoor adventures!
Project Abroad offers extensive volunteer and educational low-cost programs in over 25 destinations. They assist volunteers financially through various means such as fundraising, scholarship and grants, offering flexible payment plan, and family and alumni discounts. For more information, check them out here.
Also, we will highlight unique organizations such as Involvement Volunteers International. This non-profit is so dedicated to keeping costs for volunteers low that they will match the program fee for any lower-cost volunteer opportunity you find in the same locations where they operation (learn more here).
Furthermore, we will show you how to get certified to Teach English abroad so that you can get paid a salary to live and teach in wonderful locations such as Bali, Thailand, Spain, Italy, and more!
Lastly, not only will we showcase cheap and affordable volunteer programs, but also low-cost remote internship options. We will also provide resources on volunteer abroad scholarships and grants, fundraising for a volunteer trip, and getting free airfare overseas.
If you are like many aspiring international volunteers researching volunteer opportunities overseas, you have probably experienced sticker shock by the high cost of volunteering abroad.
Indeed, many international volunteers do not initially realize that the average cost of a volunteer trip is $3,000. Before my first volunteer trip to India in 2012, I was naïve enough to think someone would pay me to participate in overseas volunteer work! The trip cost incurred by volunteers includes a registration fee, program fee, airfare, travel insurance, vaccinations, visas, and other travel costs.
Registration Fee vs Program Fee?
One important note to keep in mind is that many volunteer programs specify a separate registration fee vs the program fee. Think of the registration fee as an application fee, which goes towards the organization’s cost to process your application and place you with one of their projects. The program fee is used for your accommodations, meals, airport pick-up, and other in-country expenses. We know keeping track of these different costs can be tricky, which is why we showcase several popular affordable projects below.
Why Pay to Volunteer Abroad?
In terms of why you have to pay to volunteer abroad, international volunteer organizations rely on volunteer program fees and your time and labor to sustain their organizations. The program fee not only goes towards providing you room and board while you are volunteering abroad, but also pays for administration costs such as staff salaries, marketing expenses, and direct funding support to the host community.
You’re also responsible for your own airfare and travel insurance to reduce the volunteer organization’s burden of hosting you. Volunteer organizations differ enormously in terms of the program fees they charge. Some organizations charge a higher program fee so that they can provide first class pre-departure and in-country support to volunteers. These programs – which include summer volunteer programs for college students – may be more appropriate to prospective volunteers (especially first time volunteers) who would prefer to have more support before, during, and after their volunteer trips.
On the other hand, other would-be volunteers may be more independent and require less support during the volunteering process. This article highlights affordable volunteer organizations such as Involvement Volunteers International (IVI) and Maximo Nivel whose program fees are $1,000 or less to volunteer abroad for 2 weeks, making it possible to travel abroad cheap. While many aspiring volunteers would love to travel and volunteer abroad for free, the needs of volunteer programs and their host communities can make that very difficult. However, this article will show you how to make volunteering abroad affordable.
How We Chose These Affordable Projects
In defining cheap, affordable, and low-cost volunteer opportunities, we exclude well-known volunteer programs such as the Peace Corps (USA), United Nations Volunteers, and Voluntary Service Overseas (UK). While these are wonderful programs, both the Peace Corps and Voluntary Service Overseas are extremely competitive and require two year commitments, which may not be feasible for students and professionals who are seeking shorter duration volunteer projects. Furthermore, United Nations Volunteers requires a six month commitment and can be a highly competitive program. With that said, if you are able to make a long-term commitment, we definitely recommend checking our First Things Foundations, which will cover all travel expenses (including flights) and pay a monthly stipend as part of their two-year immersionship.
We have also included intern abroad and teach abroad programs, since they provide similar experiences to volunteering abroad, but at a lower cost to the participant. Interestingly enough, you can get certified to teach English as a foreign language and then get paid to travel abroad (heads up: you’ll need to get a certification first). Here are ten great international volunteer, intern, and teaching English alternatives that are cheap and don’t require long term commitments; we’ve also included one volunteer abroad program that includes free airfare! Finally, most of the programs we list would work if you’re looking for mission trips. It’s a great time to start volunteering, so read on to learn more about applying to these inexpensive volunteer abroad programs.
Recommended Cheap, Affordable, and Low-Cost Volunteer Abroad Opportunities
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is a global volunteer organization that provides affordable, safe, and responsible volunteer programs in over 40 different destinations across Africa, Asia, Central America, South America, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific. With program fees starting from just $20USD a day, and over 130,000 alumni, IVHQ is a trusted low-cost volunteer program that has been able to attract a significant number of volunteers to its programs since its start in 2007. They also offer numerous impactful missions trips in different countries for teenagers to families over the past 16 years.
IVHQ offers 300+ short-term and long-term volunteer options that range from 1 week to 24 weeks in the areas of education, medical, construction and renovation, childcare, conservation, wildlife and animal care, community development and social enterprise. Many of these programs are used as mission trips for college students. Plus, these volunteer placements are available in 40+ destinations, including:
Teaching and Childcare Volunteering
For a responsible way to volunteer with children, be sure to check out IVHQ’s sports education program in Fiji, their childcare program in Cambodia, or their teach abroad program in South Africa! Volunteers on these projects provide support to local staff within schools, childcare centers and community centers to help build capacity and increase access to education for youth. This leads to enhanced opportunities for higher education and improved life and career prospects.
Nursing and Medical Volunteering
For aspiring public health and medical professionals, IVHQ’s medical project in Ghana is a great way to serve others while learning more about the public health and medical fields. Nursing and medical volunteer projects are also available with IVHQ in Costa Rica, Guatemala, Peru, India, Nepal, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.
Conservation and Wildlife Volunteering
Some IVHQ volunteer projects that you’ll definitely want to check out include their turtle conservation projects in Galapagos Islands, Costa Rica and Bali. There is no shortage of opportunities to volunteer with animals or support conservation volunteering abroad with IVHQ.
Construction Volunteering
As a volunteer on one of IVHQ’s construction and renovation projects, you will be helping to develop new structures for community use, renovating existing community buildings, and improving local infrastructure. As you will be led by a skilled member of the local team, you do not require any previous experience to participate but a strong work ethic and a willingness to work hard are key requirements.
GoEco
Since 2006, GoEco has offered affordable volunteer abroad programs and internships in over 40 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Australasia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, and South America. With more than 150 different affordable programs, GoEco is a great organization to check out if you’re looking for a variety of impactful trips to choose from, from wildlife conservation to teaching English. GoEco was recently recognized as the Top Volunteer Abroad Organization from GoAbroad, Top Eco-Enthusiast by Greenmatch, and has been recommended by Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and more. As a volunteer, you will have 24-hour support from the GoEco team, from start to finish.
Currently, GoEco is offering a special travel grant where you can stay for the 3rd week free! Check out the qualifying programs here!
Indonesia – Bali Sea Turtle Rescue
Join GoEco on the beautiful island of Nusa Penida, just off the coast of Bali! Work hands-on with injured sea turtles and release the rehabilitated turtles back into their ocean home. You also will have the chance to teach the local community about the importance of sea turtle conservation. Whether it’s hatching or nesting season, there are always sea turtles in need of your caring hands at this rescue center. This reasonably priced program starts at $1050 for 13 days. Learn more here!
Costa Rica Sea Turtle Volunteer Program
Volunteer in another sea turtle conservation in Romelia National Park or Montezuma in Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica. Both programs include protecting sea turtles nesting and hatching, releasing baby sea turtles to the ocean, beach cleanups, and helping to raise awareness on coastal and marine ecosystem conservation. In addition, you may help with research such as data collection, recording, and analysis. The programs start at $1040 for 2 weeks, but if you stay for 8 weeks, it is only $362.50 a week! In general, all of GoEco’s programs in Costa Rica are around this cost range and quite affordable. Time to combine your vacation with volunteering!
Combine a beach vacation with volunteering as a teacher’s assistant in the beautiful island of Zanzibar. It is one of the more affordable programs starting at $920 for 13 days. You will gain teaching experience by helping the local teachers with preparing lessons or teaching English, math, or the other subjects as appropriate to primary and secondary school students. The volunteer work is usually 4-5 hours so you will have plenty of free time to tour the city. Located in Stone Town, it is the biggest city in the island, and filled with numerous mixed cultural influences and architecture.
Teaching and Community Involvement in Tanzania
Close by, in the mainland of northeastern Tanzania, there is also another teaching opportunity which is even more affordable at $800 for 13 days, around $287 per week if you sign up for 8 weeks! Teaching English is the main objective, same as the above program, but in a more rural village setting. You will be more immersed in the Massai culture. In your free time, you have the chance to hike the famous Mt. Kilimanjaro or visit nearby safaris. For more information, click here!
Other affordable programs
Another budget friendly teaching program worth mentioning includes the Hua Hin Teaching and Childcare program in Thailand. Even though this is a popular beach destination, it is also one of the most affordable programs starting from $800 for 13 days, and also $287 a week when you go for 8 weeks! Lastly, the Bali Education Program, to also help local kids learn and practice English is also $800 for 13 days!
Maximo Nivel
Since 2003, Maximo Nivel has provided a wide variety of affordable volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Each program is internationally accredited, with choices including volunteer abroad projects, international internships, native Spanish program, TEFL certification, Spanish camp for teens, and adventure and culture opportunities. Maximo Nivel’s volunteer abroad programs start from just $595 per week, and their intern abroad programs start from $1,525 for four weeks ($381 per week). Each program includes airport pickup, 24/7 emergency support, orientation, certificates, WIFI internet, salsa dance classes, Spanish books and materials, and lots more.
Overview of Volunteer Abroad Programs
Maximo Nivel offers a number of affordable volunteer abroad placements in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. Volunteers can assist with childcare, conservation and environment, English teaching, construction, medical care, and non-medical healthcare. Programs start from $595 for the first week, and includes project management, 24/7 in-country support, airport pickup, housing, and two meals per day. Add-ons include a surf school, mini travel adventure, yoga teacher training, and more. To learn more about Maximo Nivel’s volunteer abroad opportunities, visit here.
Construction Volunteering
Through this construction volunteer program, you’ll have the opportunity to build or repair homes, add classrooms to schools, or even make improvements to orphanages in Latin America. For one week or longer, you’re welcome to volunteer alongside fellow travelers and local workers to make a difference for communities in need.
A few of your tasks will include digging, mixing cement, carrying bricks, preparing adobe, painting, plastering, and lots of other projects to beautify your project site. You can expect to volunteer three to four hours Monday through Friday each week, and the types of projects you’ll take on will depend on the program needs at the time.
This is an excellent opportunity for volunteers who are physically fit, want to get dirty, and want to see the amazing difference you’re able to make in a short amount of time. Depending on the project, your program fee starts from just $595 for your first week abroad. Click here to learn more.
Volunteer with Indigenous Communities
If you want to go off the beaten path and make a positive impact in Peru, check out Maximo Nivel’s volunteer program with indigenous communities. This immersive experience brings you to the rural Andes of Peru, just outside of Cusco, where you’ll live and volunteer within a small community tending livestock, assisting with agricultural projects, constructing and repairing buildings, and teaching children in a local classroom. This is another physically-demanding placement, so you should be in good health to get the most from your experience. Click here to learn more about volunteering with indigenous communities.
Volunteer with Children
Maximo Nivel invites you to volunteer with local street children and orphans in Guatemala, Costa Rica, or Peru. Volunteers will work as part of locally-based initiatives that provide education support, recreation, and healthcare to children whose families may not be able to care for them, or for children who’ve lost their families. This volunteer opportunity includes 24/7 in-country support, airport pickup, shared housing, and meals, and starts from $595 for one week, with extensions available for travelers who’d like to stay longer. Click here to learn more about volunteering with children through Maximo Nivel.
Volunteer in Animal Care
Maximo Nivel’s animal care program invites you to Guatemala or Peru to work in a dog rescue shelter, an amphibian and reptile rescue center, or a small zoo. Volunteer projects vary depending on your placement, but may include caring for the animals, obedience training for the dogs, feeding animals at the zoo, cleaning cages, hosting visitors, and maintenance at the reptile and amphibian center. This placement starts from one week, and you’ll work Monday through Friday. To learn more about these animal care volunteer programs, visit here.
Projects Abroad
Founded in 1992, Projects Abroad offers extensive volunteer and educational programs in over 25 destinations, focusing on responsible travel and global impact tracking. They offer various ways to keep costs down as well as how to fundraise for your trips. Prices are dependent on the project, location, and duration. The longer you volunteer, the more worth the trip is! The cost of the programs include accommodation, three meals a day, airport pick up and drop off, etc. The cost of each program is located at the end of the program page. Here are some amazing projects to consider!
- Building Volunteer Work in Nepal: Volunteers assist in rebuilding classrooms in Kathmandu after the 2015 earthquake, engaging in hands-on construction work alongside professionals. No experience is necessary, as masons and engineers provide guidance. Volunteers live with host families, immerse themselves in local culture, and explore the Himalayas, contributing directly to local community development and safe learning environments for children.
- Rainforest Conservation Spring Break in Peru: Spring break volunteers live in the Taricaya Ecological Reserve in the Amazon Rainforest, participating in animal rehabilitation and biodiversity conservation efforts. The rustic lodge stay encourages reconnection with nature and supports local wildlife protection, with volunteers contributing to ecological restoration and sustainable farming initiatives.
- Childcare Volunteer for Spring Break in Jamaica: Students use their spring break to support early childhood development in Jamaica, aiding teachers in under-resourced schools with basic education and hygiene awareness. The project includes renovating learning spaces, creating a supportive environment for children, and living with a host family in Mandeville, with weekends free to explore local beauty spots.
Involvement Volunteers International (IVI)
Searching for an affordable transformative experience abroad? Involvement Volunteers International (IVI), established in 1989, beckons individuals to be part of 25,000 volunteers who’ve positively impacted 112 projects in 23 countries.
Why IVI?
Boasting a 34-year legacy, IVI is a unique non-profit. Their focus? Empowering communities in the South Pacific (Fiji) and India. Beyond just travel and volunteering, IVI delves deep into humanitarian aid, supporting impoverished communities and refugees. University students also find opportunities to complete practicum hours in diverse sectors such as health and teaching.
Diverse Opportunities for Volunteering, Interning, and Teaching
IVI offers teaching projects for various age groups, primarily 3-12. For those eyeing internships, there are openings in medical, teaching, and physiotherapy across destinations such as Peru, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. These internships come with guaranteed hours and essential documentation for university placements.
Catering to all Travelers
Solo traveler, family, or group, IVI has something for everyone. From teaching to construction, their projects cater to different needs. They even curate specialized itineraries for larger groups, making them a top pick for school expeditions. For those aged 16-17, parental consent is mandatory.
Curious about IVI? Explore their story on their official website: volunteering.org.au. With IVI, an enriching global adventure awaits!
Volunteer in India
IVI’s most affordable volunteer projects are based in Bodh Gaya, India. Bodh Gaya is a village located in northeastern India. Due to the high rates of poverty in India and lack of access to education for many schoolchildren, IVI has set up projects for rural school and community support, village construction, nutrition and public health, and teaching English. Program fees start at a very affordable $345 per week and include accommodations at a volunteer house where you will have the opportunity to live with your fellow volunteering participants. Click here to learn more and apply.
Volunteer in the Philippines
IVI’s second most affordable volunteer projects are based in the Philippines on the beautiful island of Palawan. Palawan is a picturesque vacation destination that as the rest of the country suffers from poverty, malnutrition, and lack of access to education, and frequent natural disasters such as typhoons. On Palawan, IVI has set up projects for primary school education, environmental conservation, community construction, and rural healthcare Program fees start at a very affordable $370 per week and include accommodations at a volunteer house where you will have the opportunity to live with your fellow volunteering participants. Click here to learn more and apply.
Volunteer in Bali
Lastly, IVI’s third most affordable volunteer projects are based on the beautiful island of Bali in the country of Indonesia. Known as the “Island of the Gods” Bali is a very popular vacation destination and haven for digital nomads. IVI’s most affordable projects in Bali are its turtle conservation project in Nusa Penida and its Balinese Yoga Week in Ubud. Program fees start at a very affordable $375 per week and include accommodations at a volunteer house where you will have the opportunity to live with your fellow volunteering participants. Click here to learn more and apply.
International TEFL Academy
Do you want to get paid to live abroad as a professional English teacher in a country like Spain, Thailand, or Costa Rica? Are you looking for the best TEFL training and job services? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
Founded in 2010, International TEFL Academy (ITA) offers the gold standard in TEFL certification for teaching English abroad & teaching English online. We are proud to provide the finest internationally accredited TEFL courses both online and in-person in 20+ locations across the globe. ITA certifies 5,000 people per year, and our graduates are teaching in over 80 countries & online. Our #1 commitment is to provide the highest quality training and services to our students to help you achieve your goal of getting a great job and enjoying the experience of a lifetime teaching English abroad and online.
All ITA TEFL courses – including online TEFL classes – include live practice teaching & employ a state-of-the-art curriculum taught by highly credentialed and experienced instructors. In addition, all ITA students receive lifetime job search assistance that includes personalized guidance from our team of expert advisors. To learn more & begin your journey, download your free TEFL Guide now.
Teach English in Thailand
With COVID travel restrictions easing, head to the ‘Land of Smiles’ and teach English in one of Asia’s fastest growing markets. Destinations abound for teaching English in Thailand too. You can choose to teach in the bustling city of Bangkok, journey to the beaches of Phuket or experience the jungles of Chiang Mai. It’s up to you. If you have a 4-year degree and a TEFL training through ITA, obtaining a job in the location of your choice shouldn’t be a problem. English teaching jobs are in abundance in primary schools, language centers, universities and other educational institutions. Salary is quite solid, typically between $1,000 – $2,000+ monthly, and usually more than enough to live comfortably in Thailand.
Teach English in Vietnam
Another great destination to travel to in Southeast Asia is Vietnam! Whether you’re wandering the bustling streets of Hanoi or relaxing on the beaches of Da Nang, Vietnam amazes and entertains at every step. Rapidly developing, Vietnam has lots of opportunities for native English speakers with TEFL certification and a bachelor’s degree. Job positions abound and ITA can help you get a position quickly. Teaching there is a great way to learn new skills and advance your career. You can earn between $1,000 – $2,000+ per month, depending on location, which should provide you with a comfortable life in Vietnam.
Featured Program: Volunteering Solutions
Volunteering Solutions offers some of the most affordable volunteer projects on the planet. Founded in 2006, Volunteering Solutions has hosted over 17,000 participants and now operates volunteer abroad and intern abroad projects in 30+ countries. Their volunteer projects in Nepal are the most affordably priced, starting at $200 for one week in addition to a $225 application fee. You also have the option of adding a one week language orientation week for $250 before you start your placement. In addition to Nepal, Volunteering Solutions also operates projects in India, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda for under $300 for one week (in addition to an application fee).
Volunteer Teaching in Nepal: One of VolSol’s most affordable volunteer programs invites you to teach English lessons at public or private schools in Nepal. These schools are short on staff and in need of volunteers like you to assist teachers with lessons and day-to-day work, all of which will help your students build successful futures for themselves through a good education. A few tasks you’ll take on as a volunteer include finding creative ways to teach lessons, teaching your own class (if you have experience and confidence in teaching on your own), playing games and leading other extracurricular activities, and assisting local staff with their needs. You’re invited to stay one week or longer, starting at just $200 for your first week in Nepal.
Medical Volunteer Program in Kenya: If you’re a pre-med student, medical student, or professional and want to gain experience working in a hospital or clinic overseas, Volunteering Solutions offers a wonderful opportunity to volunteer in Nairobi, Kenya. Through this program, you’ll work in a clinic, dispensary, or hospital to provide care and support for people living in slums with little access to quality medical facilities.
Depending on your background and qualifications, you can help with checking patients’ weight and temperature, cleaning wounds, suturing wounds, doing rounds, helping with administrative tasks, and working in areas such as maternal health, surgery, laboratories, counseling, testing, and more. This volunteer program starts at $270 for your first week in Kenya, and you’re invited to stay up to six months.
Volunteer with Street Children in India: Based in Delhi, this volunteering program gives you the opportunity to make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of some of India’s most vulnerable children. Right now, there are an estimated 1.75 million children living on the streets of Delhi – these children are at risk of sexual assault and trafficking, abuse, and drug use, and you can help provide care and support for them to get off of the streets and into better situations.
As a volunteer, you’ll work at an educational center or shelter to teach informal classes, play games and lead recreational activities, teach healthy habits such as cleanliness and etiquette, plan trips to museums and other locations, and provide care and love to children who may have no support base of their own. You can stay for one week or longer in India, starting from a very affordable $250 for your first week.
First Things Foundation (FTF)
As a First Things Foundations “field worker”, all of your travel expenses will be fully covered and you will also be paid a monthly stipend during your two-year “immersionship”.
First Things Foundation (FTF) is a non-profit organization that partners with local leaders to build sustainable businesses and communities in developing countries. FTF is different from other volunteer organizations in that its field workers (international volunteers) commit two years of their lives to living in the communities they are serving; all expenses are fully covered by the program. This allows field workers to develop deep relationships with the people they are working with and to better understand the needs of the community.
FTF has 15 projects in 4 countries (Guatemala, Sierra Leone, the Republic of Georgia, and Mozambique). These projects are all led by locals in the communities that FTF works in. FTF’s field workers have worked on a variety of projects, including starting businesses, building schools, and providing healthcare. FTF field workers are not afraid to get their hands dirty: working on farms, sanding wood, and kneading dough are some of the ways that they integrate into the local community and become familiar with a new rhythm of life.
FTF covers all travel costs and operations expenses (food, local transport, accommodation, etc.) for its field workers. In addition, field workers receive a monthly stipend of $375. FTF also has international medical and evacuation insurance for all of its field workers.
FTF is looking for volunteers with a desire to better their souls by undertaking a serious challenge, an adventurous attitude, and a willingness to learn new languages, make fun of themselves, and be made fun of. Field workers typically have completed 4 years of college or have an equivalent amount of experience. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding volunteer experience, the First Things Foundation volunteer program is a great option. FTF field workers have the opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of others and to learn and grow in ways that they never thought possible.
Field Worker Program in Guatemala
First Things Foundations has been hosting field workers in Guatemala since 2016. Currently, they have project sites in Momostenango (aka “Momos”) and in Chichicastenango, two towns that are located 5 to 6 hours northwest of Guatemala City. Both Momos and Chichicastenango have become increasingly popular tourist destinations for travelers to Guatemala who want to have a Mayan experience.
Past successful projects in Guatemala include:
- Finishing construction and fully equipping a community run school
- Procuring essential medications for a community pharmacy
- Supporting local emergency relief during the heights of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Partnering with local entrepreneurs to start and expand their businesses
As with all FTF projects, the type of volunteer work typically falls in the realm of community development or social entrepreneurship. As a field worker, you’ll spend the first 8 months immersing in the local community to understand their needs before identifying a project to work on. Learn more about this exciting, two-year paid immersionship here.
Field Worker Program in Sierra Leone
Since 2017, First Things Foundation has been hosting field workers in Sierra Leone to support community development and social entrepreneurship projects. Currently, they have a project site in Kailahun, a small town located in the eastern part of the country. Kailahun is a peaceful and welcoming town with a slower pace of life than the capital city of Freetown.
Some of the past and current projects that FTF field workers have worked on in Sierra Leone include:
- Helping to build a community church
- Bringing fresh water to small villages
- Rebuilding a collapsed school
- Supporting a village savings co-operative
- Expanding the medical services provided by the Orthodox Mission in Freetown
As with all FTF projects, you’ll spend the first 8 months of the two year “immersionship” immersing in the local community to understand their needs before partnering with an “Impresario” who are local people with ideas for a community project or business. If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding volunteer experience that will allow you to make a real difference in the world, the First Things Foundation volunteer program in Sierra Leone is a great option.
Cerca Abroad
Looking for an exciting and personalized internship experience abroad? Look no further than Cerca Abroad! Started in 2016, Cerca Abroad has hosted thousands of interns from around the world. With 13 in-person international internships and 8 remote internships available in various fields such as medical, dental, engineering, art, psychology, and more, you’re sure to find a program that suits your needs.
What sets Cerca Abroad apart from other volunteer and internship organizations is its personalized approach. From customized internship plans to safe and professional environments, Cerca Abroad offers amazing social, touristic, and cultural opportunities. Programs run all year round, except for August and the last two weeks of December, allowing you to select dates that work for you. Plus, with fully furnished shared accommodation and local English-speaking coordinators, you’ll have all the support you need.
Remote Internship in Machine Learning and Data Analysis
Gain international experience in data analysis and machine learning with a remote internship program offered by Cerca Abroad. This internship will allow you to work with start-ups and organizations in Europe and contribute to the development of industrial-grade data analysis systems for extracting information from laboratory microscopes. With a focus on image classification analysis of nanomaterials, you will gain hands-on experience using popular tools and techniques. The program is open to undergraduate students with an academic background in Electrical/Electronic engineering, Chemical engineering or Software engineering, and strong interest in the subject matter. The program offers flexible duration options ranging from 100 to 350 hours and fees start from $700. Apply now for this opportunity to boost your career in this emerging field.
Remote Cybersecurity & Ethical Hacking Internship
Are you looking for a way to gain international experience and develop your professional network in the field of cybersecurity and ethical hacking? Cerca Abroad’s Remote Internship Program has got you covered!
As a remote intern, you will have the opportunity to work for up to 350 hours with organizations or start-ups throughout Europe, contributing to the development of advanced cybersecurity systems for detecting security weaknesses and fortifying encryption. The program is designed for individuals with an academic background in Software Engineering and/or computer sciences, as well as a strong interest in the subject matter.
While the program comes at a cost starting from $700, paying for an internship ensures that you get support and a customized professional experience to increase your skills development and fortify your resume. Our services are constantly updated based on the feedback that we get from our program participants, ensuring that you receive a top-quality experience and support from the moment you apply until you finish your internship. In contrast, getting a free or paid internship can be a time-consuming and difficult process, especially if you have limited prior experience, and may not provide the professional development you need.
Our hosting organizations are carefully selected and regularly reviewed to offer you real-life experience and attention to your needs. You’ll work alongside company employees, ensuring that you get real-life professional experience. Additionally, you’ll receive a customized internship plan based on your professional needs and time plan, and have the opportunity to gain transferable US university credits to save on your tuition fees.
Interning with Cerca Abroad also offers added value to the service you’ll receive. We’ll transfer you from the airport to your apartment, provide city & program orientation, local tips, and 24/7 emergency support.
So, if you’re looking to invest in your career in cybersecurity research, apply today and start your journey towards a rewarding and fulfilling career!
Marketing & Communications Remote Internship
If you’re looking to gain international experience in marketing and communications while working on the social media and digital marketing of various international engineering and academic projects, then a remote internship is perfect for you. You can complete the program from the comfort of your home, and invest in a career in social media and digital marketing.
Cerca Abroad’s internship will give you real-world experience in the dynamic needs of diverse business sectors, and you’ll gain hands-on experience learning how to deliver engaging content for specific audiences through digital channels. After an initial literature review, you’ll focus on creating marketing material, developing graphical content, and implementing marketing strategies to increase outreach.
With valuable experience, you’ll develop your skills and understanding of using social media and digital marketing. The internship is conducted in English, and requires at least one year of undergraduate study completed with an academic background in marketing, communications, graphic design, etc., as well as a strong interest in the subject matter. An understanding of social media marketing and digital communications is desired.
By paying for the internship, you’ll ensure that you receive support and a customized professional experience to increase your skills development and fortify your resume. This internship is ideal for marketing, graphical design, and communication graduates and students seeking to gain top quality experience in this emerging field.
The fees start from $700, and include coaching and orientation, a customized internship plan, an English speaking coordinator, an international reference letter, and remote internship placement, as well as support throughout the internship. The program fees do not include any type of salaried work or any other service not mentioned.
If you decide to apply, it’s quick, easy, and free! The team will review your application and, if you’re accepted, will ask you to pay a non-refundable deposit of US$250 to secure your place. The remaining internship fees (less the initial US$250 deposit payment) will be due no less than 30 days before your internship start date.
A Broader View Volunteers Corp (ABV)
A Broader View is a U.S. based non-profit volunteer organization that was founded in 2007 by Oliver and Sarah Ehlers. The volunteer abroad organization has over 245 volunteer opportunities overseas in 25 countries and their projects range in duration from 1 to 24 weeks. With over 100 reviews on our website, A Broader View is one of the highest-rated and most reviewed volunteer organizations on Volunteer Forever.
A two-week volunteer project with A Broader View costs $995 to $1180 and the organization offers volunteer opportunities in Asia, Africa, Central America, and South America. Please note that A Broader View’s program fees do not include travel insurance, flights, vaccinations, or visa fees.
While A Broader View’s program fee isn’t as cheap as the other volunteer programs mentioned, the organization may be a worthwhile option if there is a specific volunteer project type or destination that you highly desire that isn’t offered by the other organizations mentioned in this article, particularly if you are interested in medical, dental, nursing, and pre-health programs.
Fronteering
Known for their unique, exotic, and off-the-beaten-path volunteer abroad opportunities, Fronteering has the mission to make a positive impact for indigenous people, wildlife, and the environment. Projects are often in remote, unspoiled locations, making volunteer trips with the organization truly an incredible journey.
Fronteering operates programs in more than 15 countries across the world, including places like the United States, Brazil, Scotland, Ghana, and Indonesia. If you’re looking for cheap, affordable volunteer abroad programs in an exciting destination, look no further: Fronteering is an excellent choice. From helping save the Amazon Amerindian way of life to lemur conservation projects in Madagascar and wild takhi research in Mongolia, you have lots of amazing options.
Ready to look for low-cost overseas projects with Fronteering? Start your search here. And check out the awesome programs below!
Volunteer for Florida Wildlife in the USA
Head to a Florida wildlife center located between Miami and the Everglades. There, you’ll help rehabilitate mammals, birds, and reptiles and prepare them for release back into the wild. During the day, you’ll work with local veterinarians and assist with duties like cage cleaning, diet preparation, and maintaining patient records. You can also do some public education outreach.
During free time, explore the region. Miami, with spots like South Beach and sites like Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, is known for its world-class entertainment and arts and culture. Interested? Prices start from $1,495 CAD (~$1,135 USD) for four weeks, with stays up to 12 weeks available. Get even more details here!
Volunteer for Sustainable Farming in Guyana
Travel to the Rupununi Savannah in Guyana, a savanna plain that is one of the country’s most diverse ecosystems. There, you’ll join the Fronteering team at one of Guyana’s first eco-tourism lodges and sustainable farms. Your primary responsibility will be to help the Amerindian community continue to build a self-sufficient farm and eco-tourism destination. Depending on your interests and experience, you could help out with farming, art and landscaping, hospitality management, and/or librarian work. This is all in an effort to preserve the local way of life and give the Amerindian people an economic alternative to logging and mining (which destroys the local rainforest and environment).
When you’re not volunteering, you’re free to have fun. The Rupununi Savannah is absolutely stunning, and you’ll want to soak up every minute. Interested? Prices start from $1,495 for four weeks, with stays up to 12 weeks available. Get even more details here!
Volunteer at a Koala Sanctuary in Queensland, Australia
This is a program where you can really make an impact. During the program, you’ll work at one of the world’s largest koala sanctuaries, helping out as an animal keeper assistant. You’ll have close encounters with koalas on a daily basis, and get to do tasks like monitoring the animals, keeping the sanctuary clean and safe, preparing food, and being a guide for visitors. Your work as a volunteer helps ensure the sanctuary runs smoothly and the koalas can live healthy, happy lives.
When you’re not working with the koalas, you’ll have the opportunity to explore Queensland—a state famous for The Great Barrier Reef, Fraser Island, and other great natural sites. Interested? Prices start from $1,795 for four weeks, with stays up to 12 weeks available. Get even more details here!
Raleigh International
Founded in 1984, Raleigh International provides volunteer experiences for youth and young adults in Nepal, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Tanzania. Projects include clean water and hygiene, sustainable use of natural resources, and community building, and are led by multicultural and multinational teams dedicated to making a positive and long-term impact. So far, 400,000 volunteers have traveled with Raleigh International, with another 800 signing up this year. As part of their commitment to youth leadership and engagement, Raleigh International helped design and currently holds the BS8848 Safety Standard for organizing and managing visits, fieldwork, expeditions, and adventurous activities outside of the UK. To help defray the costs of your volunteer trip, Raleigh International provides fundraising resources and guides, including sponsorship forms, event posters, press release templates, social media images, PowerPoint presentations, and foundation lists.
Tanzania Expedition
If you’re looking for a summer volunteer abroad program, take a look at Raleigh International’s Tanzania expedition for student travelers. As a volunteer, your service program will focus on environment and community, where you will be able to help with projects that improve access to clean water, teach about sustainability, and much more. You also will be able to pick up survival skills and sleep under the stars on a trek to the Southern Highlands, and learn about conservation and view some of Tanzania’s wild animals at Ruaha National Park. Learn more and apply here!
Globalteer
Globalteer, founded as a UK Charity in 2006, offers affordable volunteer programs that ensure each volunteer experience is responsible, rewarding, and enjoyable without compromising on safety. Globalteer works alongside local partners and projects for long-term, sustainable solutions that improve the communities in which they work. An emphasis is placed upon keeping costs to a minimum, ensuring that volunteer fees directly benefit each project as directly as possible.
Volunteer in Peru with Children
Travel to the awe-inspiring Andes Mountains of South America and work in the shadow of Machu Picchu with children of the Picaflor House Community Project. Picaflor House serves the children of Oropesa and neighboring villages, providing disadvantaged students with homework assistance, reading, writing, and math. As a volunteer, you’ll help teach English classes, arts and crafts, play games, and organize sporting activities. Your work day is 1:00 to 5:00pm, Monday to Friday, with your weekends open. Program fees for one week are $399.
Volunteer in Cambodia with Children
Travel to the “friendliest country in the world” to volunteer this summer with Globalteer and Helping Hands Cambodia, and on your weekends off, visit the amazing Temples of Angkor Wat. As a volunteer, you will assist dedicated teachers to improve the lives of underprivileged children in Siem Reap. You’ll work between four and six hours per day, Monday through Friday, helping out with arts and crafts, sports and games, supervising children on excursions, cleaning classrooms and playgrounds, and assisting with general maintenance. You can combine placements at Globalteer’s Cambodia Community Project, Women’s Empowerment Project, Clean Water Project or the Food and Farming Project. Program fees for one week at this outstanding opportunity begin at $459.
Care for Abandoned and Injured Dogs at the Peru Dog Rescue Shelter
If you’re a dog lover, you’ll appreciate Globalteer’s volunteer program at the Peru Dog Rescue Shelter in Cusco. Stray dogs are commonplace in certain cities throughout South America, and this program provides a humane and long-term solution to the ongoing problem. As a volunteer, you’ll assist veterinary students and others to nurture dogs back to health and, when possible, find dogs homes with loving families. You’ll work four hours per day, Monday through Friday at the shelter, and your duties – dependent upon your skills – may include feeding and preparing food, cleaning the center, helping with basic medical care, walking dogs, playing with dogs, and helping them to socialize. One week at this popular program costs $399.
i-to-i
Since 1994, i-to-i has offered TEFL certification, English teaching trips, paid internship, and jobs for travelers who’d like to teach English abroad. More than 175,000 people have completed i-to-i’s TEFL courses, which are recognized by thousands of employers around the world. i-to-i holds a 90% approval rating from their participants and students, who have traveled to China and Vietnam for four- to five-month paid internships, as well as shorter-term TEFL trips to Thailand, Cambodia, and beyond.
Paid China TEFL Internship
If you want to gain new skills and get paid to travel, check out i-to-i’s TEFL Internship in China! You’ll start with a 120-hour TEFL training course online, and once you arrive in Beijing, you’ll take on two days of classroom teaching training to get you used to working on your own. After that, i-to-i will place you at one of their partner schools in a Chinese community, where you’ll work five days per week as an English teacher for the next five months. As part of this internship, you’ll receive housing, meals, and a living allowance of about $260 per month, plus a bonus of $320 once you’ve successfully completed your internship. Learn more here!
Cambodia TEFL Experience
If you have two months to travel, why not sign up for i-to-i’s Cambodia TEFL Experience? For $1,199 for the full two months (less than $150 per week!)- plus i-to-i’s online 120-hour TEFL training course – you’ll have the amazing opportunity to travel in Cambodia and teach English at a private school in Phnom Penh. You’ll start with an orientation, where you’ll learn about Khmer culture and history, and get to know the school where you’ll teach for the next 7 weeks. During your teaching placement, you’ll work with students aged 3 to 16, with weekends free for exploration or just relaxation. After that, you’ll travel to the Sihanoukville resort, where you’ll have five days to visit beaches, bars, shops, and restaurants. Click here to sign up!
Paid Vietnam TEFL Internship
Another paid internship i-to-i is offering right now invites you to teach English in Vietnam. Similar to the China TEFL internship, you will start with an online TEFL training course, plus a 20-hour classroom training experience once you arrive to Vietnam. During your first week abroad, you’ll have the chance to explore, learn about culture and history, and meet your fellow interns. Over the next five months, you’ll teach students aged 4 to 18 – so there will be plenty of opportunity to get creative and learn to work with students of all language levels – plus receive a monthly living allowance of $700. Learn more about teaching in Vietnam here!
Camp Thailand
Camp Thailand is dedicated to helping communities by providing volunteer teachers to assist with English instruction, while also ensuring an extraordinary volunteer experience for them. If you want to see Thailand like nobody else, then Camp Thailand is the way to do it. Along with getting involved in the community through schools, camps, and orphanages, Camp Thailand also provides thrilling opportunities like helping at an elephant sanctuary, fun activities like rafting and sightseeing, and even a chance to take Thai boxing and language classes. Camp Thailand caters to students and gap year travelers, teachers, conscientious travelers, and others who want to be able to leave their mark and make a difference as they experience the world.
Volunteer Program in Buriram
The main focus of Camp Thailand’s program in Buriram is to teach English to children and adult staff members in a variety of settings, including summer camps, schools, and even temples. During your time here, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Country Roads’ Elephant Freedom Conservation Project, take Thai language lessons, have a Thai cooking demonstration and lakeside barbecue, go to the Silk Village, and explore the exotic island of Koh Samet. During your free time when you’re not teaching or going on excursions, you’ll have lots of time to explore Buriram or even get involved in other activities like building a community center.
Teach English in Chiang Mai
Welcome to the jungle! In Chiang Mai, you’ll be immersed in Thai culture as you teach conversational English to children at camps and in schools, go on sightseeing tours, and pick up a new language along the way. In between teaching opportunities, you’ll also have time to take a bicycle tour or even visit Chiang Mai’s world-famous night market. After your first week of teaching and exploring, you’ll take a trip to an elephant nature park, and even have a free day to go river rafting or tubing. Following your graduation party after your second week in Thailand, you’ll head to Cha-Am Beach and have a chance to experience everything that Thai beach life has to offer before heading home or off to your next destination.
Paid TEFL Internship: Get Certified Online
Ready to earn your TEFL/TESOL certification and get paid to teach English abroad? Camp Thailand has a wonderful opportunity for you! This journey begins in the comfort of your own home with a 120-hour online certification. Open to any Natural English Speaker with a Bachelor’s Degree in any subject, this program guarantees five-month, 12-month, or longer paid internships in Thailand upon successful completion of your course. And the tours, excursions, and days off to explore also offer amazing opportunities for learning, excitement, and fun.
Paid TEFL Internship: Get Certified Onsite
For those looking jump in right away and get started, Camp Thailand offers a TEFL/TESOL certification program onsite in Buriram. This 120-hour course is essential for finding a paid opportunity to teach English in a country like Thailand. Taking the course onsite also allows volunteers to acclimatize to the conditions and culture in the area while also getting a head start on the adventure. After passing the certification, you will be placed in a paid teaching position at a Thai school where you will make a difference in the lives of others.
SAVE Volunteering
SAVE Volunteering was established in 2006, and since that time they’ve built schools, cultivated gardens, taught hundreds of children new skills such as reading, and helped to uplift many communities throughout Africa. Today, the organization runs or assists volunteer projects in South Africa, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania, Malawi, and Kenya. Project opportunities for volunteers include teaching children, building homes and schools, teaching life and business life and business skills to adults, assisting teachers, and working with animals through different conservation projects. SAVE Volunteering is dedicated to helping travelers to see and explore new countries and cultures while also meeting new people and gaining new skills.
Wings of Hope School and Educare Project
The Wings of Hope School in Dunoon, Cape Town, is a safe and fun learning environment for children, and while here, you’ll help to improve the educational experience for as many as 160 local kids. As a volunteer with this project, you’ll help teachers with their lessons and grading, participate in play and teaching activities, help out at after-school care programs, serve meals to the children, and offer love and encouragement to the students. During your time with the Wings of Hope School, you’ll learn about South African history and culture, and have plenty of free time to explore the nearby beaches and shops, relax in the bars when your work days are done, dine in the restaurants and enjoy the local fare, and socialize with fellow volunteers and travelers at the hostel where you’re staying.
African Wildlife and Community
This wildlife conservation and rescue program in Hartbeespoort, South Africa is an excellent option if you love animals and want hands-on experience working with and caring for them. As a volunteer, some of your responsibilities can include working with rescued elephants and monkeys, learning about anti-poaching efforts, maintaining cheetah enclosures, rehabilitating rescued and injured owls, and lending a hand at a nature reserve. You also will have the chance to volunteer with a community organization caring for abandoned, neglected, and abused wildlife, pets, and farm animals. During your free time, you’ll be able to enjoy the sights of Magaliesberg Mountain Range, where you’ll find your accommodations in the heart of a wildlife reserve, and where you’ll be able to spend time at the swimming pool, on the squash and tennis courts, or hiking through the nearby trails.
Khaya Volunteer Projects
Khaya operates in South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zanzibar, and Malawi, and has been dedicated to providing unparalleled volunteer opportunities since 2005. Khaya has many goals, and the most important of them include providing the best volunteer experience possible, uplifting the communities where they operate, and providing employment and other opportunities to the people who live in those communities. As part of their commitment to volunteers, Khaya offers affordable trips for students, gap year travelers, and others. To ensure each volunteer has the best experience possible, they go to great lengths to pair the right people with the right projects.
Cape Town Community Project
This community volunteering project will have you working in a hands-on environment with a nonprofit organization in Cape Town. This extremely rewarding program will have you helping with a number of different community programs, including day care, a foster care facility, after-school care, drug rehabilitation, and a community food program. Depending on the placements you choose, you could help with meal preparation, feeding children, looking after children and babies, assisting children with their educational needs, helping teachers with lessons and planning, participating in activities like singing, dancing, and exercise, working in a community garden, distributing food, or teaching life skills at a substance abuse clinic. Your main focus with any of these initiatives, however, will be providing support, love, and guidance to the children who are being helped through the Cape Town Community Project.
Human Dignity Centre
The Human Dignity Centre is a registered nonprofit organization in Port Elizabeth that provides community programs for children and adults, runs an orphanage, organizes fundraising efforts, and operates a primary school and after-school program. At the centre, you’ll have an orientation that introduces you to the different projects, and will have the opportunity to choose to work with children at the primary school, help community workers, or volunteer with the after-school program. When you’re not busy with your volunteer duties, you can check out the city’s beachfront cafés, restaurants, and shops, or take advantage of the home’s pool, walk through the garden, have a barbecue, and get to know your fellow volunteers.
Rural Xhosa Village Project
The rural village of Xhosa is ideal for volunteers looking for a dynamic experience full of meaningful interactions, high impact, and fun. Partaking in smaller village projects such as teaching English, helping bookkeepers, leading after-school crafts and activities, and working in the local wood shop, you will help this underprivileged community thrive. Staying in a hostel with other volunteers and tourists, you will enjoy a sense of community while you help preserve the indigenous forest and provide support and friendship to the local residents. This community suffers from a lack of jobs, and there are many tasks that they need help with, and for those travelers looking for a varied experience, this is an ideal volunteer opportunity.
Penguin Rescue Center
There are few animals more adorable than the African Penguin, and in this project, you will help care for the species. The South African Marine Rehabilitation and Education Center (SANCCOB) needs your help to care for these creatures and rehabilitate sick or injured penguins in need. There are only an estimated 25,000 breeding pairs of these penguins left in the world, and about 21,000 of them are located in the Port Elizabeth area. After caring for these penguins, you will help release them back into the wild, giving them a fighting chance at survival. From administrative duties to tourism and caring for the penguins, this program offers a dynamic experience that will touch your heart forever.
Volunteering Journeys
Since 2014, Volunteering Journeys has provided volunteer placements in Asia and Africa for travelers interested in community development, medical care, wildlife and conservation programs, and even summer and gap year travel opportunities.
The basis for Volunteering Journeys was formed when founder Ridhi Patel quit her job in 2009, and volunteered for three months in South Africa. This life-changing experience inspired her to begin building Volunteering Journeys in her home country of India, with a goal of bringing together travelers who want to explore the world, give back to the communities that welcome them, and learn more about themselves.
This organization sets itself apart by providing personal attention and tailored trips for all volunteers, committing to high-quality service, and engaging community leaders and local professionals on all programs. And Volunteering Journeys is affordable for travelers on a budget, starting from less than $1,000 for a two-week placement overseas.
Teaching English in Asia
If you’re looking for a great way to broaden your horizons and gain new skills, check out Volunteering Journeys’ English teaching programs in India, Nepal, Cambodia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and Bali. Through these placements, you’ll work in a local school, community center, rural classroom, or with a local charity, where you’ll connect with teachers and fellow volunteers to support long-term literacy initiatives.
As a volunteer, you’ll be able to help improve teaching standards in poor communities, help underprivileged children and adults get the education they deserve, develop your own interpersonal and leadership skills, and of course explore new places and meet amazing people. Depending on where you go, you can stay two weeks or longer, with a program fee starting below $1,000.
Sports Coaching in Sri Lanka
Located in Seenigama, Sri Lanka, this program invites you to coach sports at a local school, orphanage, or community center for children in need of support and connection. As a volunteer, you’ll focus on helping these children develop self-confidence, hone their talents, and create long-lasting friendships while playing popular sports such as cricket, volleyball, badminton, and netball.
During your stay, you’ll plan coaching sessions and matches, run warm-up routines and stretches, teach rules and regulations of different games, and even have the chance to organize a sports club if you’re staying longer-term. During your weekends, you’ll be able to relax at the beach, go diving or surfing, or visit the cities of Colombo and Galle. This placement starts from two weeks at about $940.
Volunteering with Elephants in Thailand
If you want to volunteer with animals, don’t miss Volunteering Journeys’ placement in Thailand, where you’ll have the chance to learn about elephant conservation and interact directly with these amazing creatures. Throughout Thailand, elephant populations have been held in captivity for work as farm animals, cavalry in the army, and as tourist attractions.
As a volunteer, you will work with an initiative to provide a home for domesticated elephants to live more naturally, without being chained up, ridden, or put to work. A few of your activities can include preparing food, feeding the elephants, cleaning their living areas, and walking with the elephants to the river for bathing. This program also includes a guided trek through the surrounding hills, bamboo rafting, and much more. You’re invited to stay one to two weeks, at about $815 for your first week.
Reach Out Volunteers
Since 2010, Reach Out Volunteers has provided adventurous volunteer placements where travelers can make a difference worldwide. Whether you’d like to work with animals on a wildlife preserve, teach children in a local school, or even help renovate classrooms, there are many opportunities to choose from for a culturally immersive and impactful experience. So far, about 3,500 volunteers have signed up with Reach Out Volunteers, with 1,000 more expected to travel with this organization in 2017 alone. And you can be sure your work will be meaningful: Reach Out Volunteers only places travelers on projects created by the communities in which they work, with all programs employing local, skilled laborers to ensure long-term success. Depending on the program you sign up for, Reach Out Volunteers’ program fees start from $1,599 for a two-week trip, and includes airport pick-up and drop-off, ground transport, food, housing, excursions and activities, project materials, educational materials, and much more.
Volunteer Machu Picchu Inca Trail
If you’ve always wanted to explore the Inca Trail and view the amazing site of Machu Picchu, check out Reach Out Volunteers’ Peru volunteer program, which invites you to work alongside a local village to build greenhouses. Through your work, you’ll help extend the short growing season and contribute to the community’s food supply – a vital need for families whose children otherwise would suffer from malnutrition. During your trip, you’ll visit local artisans, take a cooking lesson, take walking tours of the different cities you’ll visit, and much more. This program lasts 14 days with a fee of $2,049. Learn more at: https://www.rovolunteers.com/Volunteer-Machu-Picchu-Inca-Trail.htm
South Africa Volunteering Adventure
For a longer stay overseas, Reach Out Volunteers is offering a 35-day South Africa Volunteering Adventure. Through this placement, you’ll work in a local crèche, or day care center, to help build or renovate classrooms, provide maintenance assistance, help teachers with lessons, and much more. You’ll also be able to visit and volunteer at wildlife preserves and learn how to track and assist with patrols for elephants, rhinos, and other animals. Along with your volunteer projects, you’ll be able to go surfing, explore the St. Lucia UNESCO World Heritage Site, go shopping, and much more. Click here to learn more and to sign up: https://www.rovolunteers.com/Volunteer-Africa-Adventure.htm
Cambodia: Scuba Diving and Marine Conservation Program
If you’re looking for adventure, Reach Out Volunteers invites you to Cambodia, where you can earn your scuba certification while volunteering on an environmental conservation project to rejuvenate a coral reef and marine life surrounding a tropical island. You’ll start with an orientation in Phnom Penh, and then travel to Koh Rong island, where you’ll earn PADI scuba certification while helping with local construction projects, as well as beach and village clean up, sanding and coating coral pods, and more. A few optional activities you can embark on include exploring markets and shops, visiting temples, and relaxing at the beach. This program lasts two weeks, with a program fee of $1,899. To learn more and to sign up, visit: www.rovolunteers.com/Volunteer-Cambodia-Scuba-Diving-and-Island-Escape-Program.htm
Global Nomadic
Global Nomadic offers affordable, impactful volunteer and intern abroad placements for travelers who’d like to expand your education and get a head start on your career while also doing good for communities in need. Their programs are great for college students. With Global Nomadic, you’ll work in partnership with local NGOs on projects relating to your degree or career goals, with placement costs as minimal as possible in keeping with a student, gap year, or career breaker budget–covering your support before, during, and after your program abroad.
Sea Turtle Research Internship: Guatemala
If you’re interested in focusing on marine biology and research, Global Nomadic has the perfect internship opportunity for you to study and work with endangered sea turtles in south Guatemala. In this program–which is customizeable for your interests and background–you’ll work with scientists and biologists in sea turtle conservation and research, caiman and iguana breeding, environmental education, and community projects, which may include water treatment, ecotourism, school construction, and lots more.
You’ll stay with other volunteers and visitors near the project site in the southern part of Guatemala, and you’re invited to apply for this internship at any time throughout the year. This program costs $905 for placement, support, and your first week of interning; after that, you’re invited to stay as long as you’d like, for only $175 for each additional week. To learn more and apply, visit: https://globalnomadic.com/project/sea-turtle-research-guatemala/
Tropical Agroforestry and Sustainable Farming: Belize
In this unique program, you’re invited to live on a tropical farm deep in the jungle of Belize, while learning about and gaining hands-on experience in tropical agroforestry and sustainable farming. A few of the activities you’ll help with include planting, mulching, harvesting, and drying cacao beans; assisting researchers working with rare cacao strains; maintaining a genetic seed bank; learning about biodiversity and agroforestry; and developing nurseries on the farm and within the surrounding communities.
You also can customize your work based on your interests and background, and if you’re currently a student, Global Nomadic can work with you to earn college credit for your placement. This program is also extremely affordable for travelers on a budget: your placement is $730 for the first week, plus $200 for additional weeks – or $600 per month if you’re staying long-term. To learn more and sign up, go to: https://globalnomadic.com/project/tropical-agroforestry-sustainable-farming-belize/
Business Development Internship: Thailand
Global Nomadic invites you to Koh Phangan in southern Thailand for its business development internship, where you’ll work with a company on a wide variety of projects, including social media marketing and organization for a coworking space, volleyball team, and beach cleanup group–you also will be able to assist with the day-to-day operations of a real estate team.
Throughout your internship, you’ll stay in housing at the company headquarters, and learn a great deal about Thai business models and customs. You must be able to stay for at least three months, and can apply at any time–and this internship has only a one-time placement fee of about $500. Click here to learn more: https://globalnomadic.com/project/business-development-internship-thailand/
Volunteer Program: Nicaragua
Global Nomadic’s Nicaragua volunteer program is perfect for travelers who’d like to to try short-term volunteer projects in a variety of areas. From one week to six months, you can volunteer in a primary school, at a children’s library, with an organic farm and community garden, or at an eco-hotel’s wildlife and animal rescue center. There’s also an option to take Spanish lessons in the mornings at a local school. Throughout your program, you’ll stay in a private room with a host family close to the eco-hotel that manages all the volunteer projects; you’ll also have three home-cooked meals per day. Placement starts at $630 for the first week, plus $280 for each week after that. To learn more and to sign up, visit: https://globalnomadic.com/project/volunteer-in-nicaragua/
What Volunteers Say
I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful experience in Bali! The Cultural Immersion, Teaching, and Adventure Weeks surpassed my expectations. Global Nomadic and the Green Lion Bali Center made it possible for me to make lifelong friends from all over the globe and bring many incredible experiences home with me. Three weeks was almost too short. The longer your stay the better! – Shannon
Read on for More Affordable Volunteer Opportunities Overseas
uVolunteer Volunteer Organization
uVolunteer was founded in 2006 by Nathaniel Amponsah-Manu, who founded the organization after volunteering in Southeast Asia. Nathaniel worked at the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) for nine years and the left the BBC to run uVolunteer full-time.
With over 70 reviews on our website, uVolunteer is one of the most popular volunteer programs featured on Volunteer Forever and was named a top volunteer abroad program for 2015. Indeed, Volunteer Forever’s co-founder, Billy Beltz, volunteered with uVolunteer in Thailand in 2013. Here’s a summary of Billy’ volunteer experience:
“Overall I think their biggest strength is value; they provide the same support & quality experience as many much higher priced options, and I would endorse them to anyone with the skills/knowledge that align the projects they offer.”
uVolunteer offers one week volunteer abroad and two week volunteer abroad projects in Thailand, Costa Rica, and Ghana starting at $600 and $705, respectively. Please note that volunteers have the option of staying longer than one or two weeks. uVolunteer’s program fee not only includes your room & board and in-country airport pickup, but also your travel insurance. Keep in mind that many volunteer organizations’ program fees do not include travel insurance, which costs about $100 for a two week trip.
UBELONG Volunteer Organization
UBELONG is a relatively new volunteer organization founded by Raul Roman and Cedric Hodgeman. Raul Roman is a professor at the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies and Cedric is a social entrepreneur who has lived in and traveled to over 30 countries. I had the pleasure of meeting Professor Roman in Washington D.C. in 2012 just as UBELONG was getting started. UBELONG was recently funded by a prestigious civic accelerator program and has now hosted several thousand volunteers.
Compared to the vast majority of volunteer organizations, UBELONG is quite cheap (I mean that in a positive way). Indeed, Volunteer Forever fundraisers Stephani and Taylor specifically picked the organization for its low program costs. For example, UBELONG offers numerous volunteer projects in Cartago, Costa Rica where volunteers can care for elders, contribute to construction projects, or raise awareness of environmental issues for a local conservation organization. The UBELONG Costa Rica project starts at $370 for two weeks.
UBELONG also offers projects in Quito, Ecuador for only $270 for two weeks. In Quito, volunteers can contribute to local public health education efforts, volunteer in a school, or assist caregivers at an after-school center.
You should note that UBELONG’s program fees include room and board and an airport pick-up. You will still be responsible for your own airfare, travel insurance, vaccinations, and visa fees. With volunteer opportunities in 10 countries, UBELONG is a fantastic choice for the budget-minded volunteer traveler.
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) offers volunteers the opportunity to work on an organic or sustainable farm in exchange for daily room and board. Volunteers are expected to work 4-6 hours per day and can stay for as short as a few days to several months.
Unlike many volunteer organizations, WWOOF does not charge a program fee. Instead, prospective volunteers pay a subscription fee in order to access host farms on WWOOF’s websites. Each country has its own dedicated WWOOF website and the subscription fee can cost anywhere from $0 to $72 depending on the country.
Furthermore, as a WWOOF volunteer, you are responsible for finding a host farm and working out your volunteer arrangements with the farm directly. Unlike volunteering with a traditional volunteer organization, there is no matching performed by WWOOF.
WWOOFing is a great option for travelers who are willing to volunteer a few hours of their time each day in exchange for food and a place to sleep. Also, the relatively short commitment is conducive to travelers who are only staying in a town or city for a few days at a time. Volunteers should note that they will be responsible for their own airfare, travel insurance, vaccinations, and visa expenses.
For more information, visit http://www.wwoof.net/
Volunteers For Peace (VFP) Volunteer Organization
Since 1982, Volunteers For Peace (VFP) has hosted more than 32,000 volunteers for its overseas opportunities. VFP offers more than 3,000 volunteer opportunities in 100 different countries. Most of the volunteer opportunities are for 2-3 weeks, but there are longer volunteer opportunities as well (1-3 months). The registration fee for a VFP project is $500 for volunteers 18+ and $650 for volunteers under 18 years of age. However, please note that there may be an additional in-country fee for some projects (typically a few hundred dollars). Even with this additional fee, VFP’s volunteer projects are still under $1,000 for a 2-3 week trip and relatively cheap compared to other programs. Also, VFP’s projects are currently only available to U.S. residents or American citizens living overseas.
Volunteer Overseas Projects with Free Airfare
People and Places Volunteer Organization
People and Places is an award-winning responsible volunteer organization that was founded by Sallie Grayson and two of her colleagues in 2006. In addition to being one of Volunteer Forever’s top ten reviewed organizations, People and Places has won a number of awards and accolades including the following:
- 2014 National Geographic Top 5 Ethical Volunteer Organization
- 2013 World Responsible Tourism Award
- 2009 Best Volunteering Organization
The majority of People and Places volunteer projects aren’t considered cheap, but two of their projects stand out because the program fee includes roundtrip airfare, which is quite unique. Indeed, the only other volunteer program (outside of state-sponsored volunteer programs) that includes airfare is Youth Challenge International, who provides a flight bursary for its Ghana and Tanzania programs.
The two People and Places volunteer projects that include airfare are located in the Gambia in Africa. The first project is at a nursery school that has a specific need for volunteers with experience in Early Childhood Development, Teaching English as a Foreign Language, child nutrition, education administration, or arts and crafts.
The second People and Places volunteer project that includes airfare is their “Wealth through Tourism” project. This volunteer project seeks to help the Gambian people by providing them business and craft skills. Specifically, volunteers will be working with small businesses in Gambia to earn a living through tourism. As such, this project is seeking volunteers with the following skill sets: accounting, information technology, general management, business administration, marketing and sales, product design, hospitality and tourism, and agriculture.
As mentioned previously, the program fee for both of these projects by People and Places includes airfare and room and board. However, the volunteer will still be responsible for travel insurance, vaccinations, and visa fees.
Other Resources for Cheap Volunteer Abroad Trips
With the exception of the Peace Corps, United Nations Volunteers, Voluntary Service Overseas, and other state-sponsored international development programs, most international volunteers will be responsible for assuming some costs for volunteering overseas. However, there are several ways to reduce your out-of-pocket costs for volunteering overseas.
First, check out our list of 200 Volunteer Abroad and Study Abroad Scholarships and Grants. Our list includes scholarships and grants from sources like Travelocity, National Geographic, Volunteers for Prosperity, and the Rotary Foundation. These awards range from a few hundred dollars to stipends worth $85,000 – these resources make cheap trips abroad not just a dream, but a reality. You can also click here to join our priority waiting list to be among the first to know when the next award of the Volunteer Forever scholarship ($500-$1000) is announced in Spring 2015.
Next, check out our article on how to volunteer abroad for free by finding no-cost volunteer programs (hint: you’ll still be responsible for your room and board, airfare, and other expenses), finding free airfare, and reducing other miscellaneous travel costs like travel insurance.
Lastly, consider fundraising (aka crowdfunding) for your volunteer trip abroad. Volunteer Forever fundraisers have already raised nearly $1,500,000 for their volunteer trips abroad. In fact, many of our volunteers have completely funded their volunteer trips by fundraising through Volunteer Forever. If you’re comfortable with e-mail and Facebook, then you’ve got the basic skills needed to fundraise online. And if you need a little more assistance, our expert staff will provide one-on-one guidance and support to help you reach your fundraising goals. It’s our mission to make volunteer abroad trips affordable for anyone who wants to go overseas. We hope all of these information and resources will help you go volunteer abroad!
P.S. If you’re still looking for a volunteer opportunity, check out our list of best volunteer abroad programs and recommended volunteer projects in Africa, Central America, and Thailand. You can also read about 7 Great Medical and Veterinary Volunteer Abroad Projects, 10 Dental Volunteer Abroad Program and Medical Mission Tips for Pre Dental Students, and nursing volunteer abroad projects for students and nurse professionals. Or, if medical volunteer projects aren’t for you, be sure to read about our sports and coaching volunteer abroad, wildlife conservation and veterinary abroad, teach abroad, and intern abroad programs. Lastly, if you’re under 18, you may be interested in a teen volunteer abroad program from one of our many great partners.
Sarah Vandenberg · Director of Partnerships
Sarah has worked as a researcher and consultant in the volunteer travel world since 2004. With a BA from the George Washington University and background working with both public and private sector volunteer organizations, she enjoys exploring the world and collecting and sharing stories, trends, and advice with travelers who want to volunteer, intern, or teach abroad.