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Overview of Volunteer Programs in India

With the snow-clad Himalayas, the buzzing metropolis of Delhi, and the palm-lined beaches of Goa, India is a land of contrasts. This country’s six major religions, dozens of languages, and numerous ethnic groups make it a fascinating conglomeration of culture. World Endeavors volunteers in India immerse themselves in this vibrant country, working side by side with local community members to help them build a stronger future for themselves and their country.

WHY VOLUNTEER IN INDIA

Volunteering in India is like stepping into a kaleidoscope of experiences, where each moment is a vibrant blend of self-discovery and impact. From the bustling streets of Delhi to the serene banks of the Ganges, every corner of this diverse nation holds a new story waiting to unfold. By lending your heart and hands to volunteer work, you’ll become part of a tapestry that weaves together ancient traditions, modern challenges, and boundless compassion.

Imagine teaching a child to read beneath the shade of a banyan tree, or joining hands with local artisans to preserve age-old crafts. Through the prism of volunteering, you’ll immerse yourself in a symphony of cultures, savoring flavors that dance on your palate and witnessing colors that ignite your senses. Whether you find yourself participating in rural health camps or planting seeds of change in sustainable farming projects, the connections you forge and the lives you touch will paint a picture that’s uniquely yours.

HIGHLIGHTS OF VOLUNTEERING IN INDIA

Here are just a few of the best things about volunteer work in India:

  • Experience the contrasts between bustling cities and serene villages, gaining a comprehensive understanding of India’s socio-economic landscape and development challenges.
  • Improve your communication skills by interacting with locals and fellow volunteers, potentially learning basic phrases in Hindi or other local languages.
  • Collaborate with local artisans to learn about traditional crafts such as pottery, weaving, and block printing, contributing to the preservation of India’s artistic heritage.
  • Volunteering in India offers personal growth, broadening your horizons, enhancing your empathy, and providing a deeper appreciation for the complexities and beauty of Indian society and culture.

Our India Volunteer Projects

Browse all of our volunteer projects in India below. If you can’t find a suitable volunteer program, check out our main program finder to continue your search for volunteering beyond India.

Volunteer Abroad
India

Culture Week Volunteer in Goa, India

Spend your first week in India experiencing the beauty and culture of Goa, getting to know the people, exploring India's natural treasures, relaxing on the pristine beaches, visiting local markets, historic forts and churches, and learning about Goan history and heritage.

Culture Week Volunteer in Goa, India

Spend your first week in India experiencing the beauty and culture of Goa, getting to know the people, exploring India’s natural treasures, relaxing on the pristine beaches, visiting local markets, historic forts and churches, and learning about Goan history and heritage. Learn to cook an Indian meal and take home with you an unforgettable experience. You will have the opportunity to participate in language lessons, cooking classes, yoga sessions, sightseeing, visits to authentic Indian homes, workshops that will introduce you to the culture, visits to our project locations and much more! Goa Culture Week highlights:

  • Visit to Old Goa and spice plantation
  • Mapusa city visit and local market
  • S
Volunteer Abroad
India

Construction & Renovation Volunteer in Goa, India

In this project, you will get your hands dirty with construction projects. Our main focus when constructing is working at the slum and migratory children schools allocated to the poor. Despite the previous efforts, the work here is far from done and we continue to renovate pathways, toilets, walls, etc.

Construction & Renovation Volunteer in Goa, India

In this project, you will get your hands dirty with construction projects. Our main focus when constructing is working at the slum and migratory children schools allocated to the poor. Despite the previous efforts, the work here is far from done and we continue to renovate pathways, toilets, walls, etc. Moreover, those with artistic talents can help decorate the walls by creating images and sketches of their home countries and cultures. We have the feeling that this will be a nice way of reflecting the hard and good work that has been done by our participants over the past years.

Other construction efforts might be carried out in the local village (renovating and building houses and sanitati

Location

About Goa

Consistently ranked among India’s top tourist destinations, Goa is the ideal place for first time travelers and adventurers alike to acclimatize to a different culture. From caves behind waterfalls to villages hidden in sandy coconut forests, there is always something more waiting to be rediscovered. The mountain ranges and spice plantations enhance the beauty of this glorious state. Apart from its natural beauty, this former capital of Portuguese India and home to various UNESCO World Heritage sites has a lot to offer in terms of architecture with churches, cathedrals and forts abounding. Put together, it is all of these aspects and more that make Goa the ultimate travel destination.

Dates & costs

The World Endeavors Volunteer in India program is flexible in duration and can be tailored to last between 2 to 12 weeks. If you have the time, we recommend a stay of at least 4 weeks. Due to holidays, traditional vacation schedules, and seasonal work availability, there might be better times than others to volunteer in a specific project.

When you are ready to start planning your volunteer trip to India, contact us. Our experienced advisors will help you sort through any timing considerations unique to your destination or your volunteer project.

Please wait until after you are accepted into the program and you have received the confirmed arrival and departure dates before you book your flight.

First Week: $3,390 | Each Additional Week: $1,490

Eligibility

  • Volunteers must be 18 years of age or older, though exceptions to this age requirement may be made on a case-by-case basis.
  • Successful volunteers are hardworking, flexible, and open to truly immersing themselves in the culture.
  • Keep in mind that all countries have different visa restrictions for varying types of passports.

Housing

Volunteers in both Goa and Rajasthan stay in a shared volunteer house and stay in shared rooms by gender. Three meals a day on weekdays (two on weekends) are included during your stay. The meals are a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about twice per week.

Every World Endeavors Volunteer Project Includes

Our carefully designed international volunteer programs encompass everything necessary for your success and well-being while abroad.

YOUR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

  • Volunteer project customized to match your interests and goals and meet community needs
  • Year-round program availability
  • Flexible durations from 2 to 12 weeks

PEACE OF MIND

  • Comprehensive travel medical insurance
  • Mental Health First Aid-certified staff
  • 24/7 emergency travel assistance

ACCOMMODATION

  • Host family or shared volunteer house, depending on destination
  • Vetted and hand-selected with quality and safety in mind
  • 2 to 3 meals per day included

PREPARATION AND SUPPORT

  • Airport pickup
  • Pre-arrival and on-site orientation
  • 24/7 local support

TEAM OF EXPERTS

  • Dedicated one-on-one advisor
  • Local on-site coordinator
  • Volunteer project supervisor

RE-ENTRY AND CAREER INTEGRATION

  • Re-entry handbook and support
  • Assistance with resume updates
  • World Endeavors Alumni Network

HEALTH & SAFETY

When you feel safe and respected abroad, you will flourish. World Endeavors participants are transformed through enriching, rewarding and safe experiences around the world. We meticulously monitor travel recommendations and will only facilitate programs where we can ensure our participants’ safety. 

We take key steps to ensure our participants’ well-being, including providing a pre-trip success guide, 24/7 local support, in-country trained staff, pre and post-arrival orientation, comprehensive travel medical insurance, and Mental Health First Aid-certified staff. Please contact us if you have any specific questions or concerns.

WHAT TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME IN INDIA

In your spare time in India, there are countless activities and experiences to enjoy. Here are some suggestions:

  • Shop at Local Markets: Explore bustling local markets and bazaars, such as Chandni Chowk in Delhi or Colaba Causeway in Mumbai, to find traditional handicrafts, textiles, and souvenirs.
  • Attend Cultural Performances: Watch classical dance performances like Kathak, Bharatanatyam, or traditional music concerts like Hindustani or Carnatic music to immerse yourself in India’s rich cultural heritage.
  • Embrace Yoga and Meditation: Engage in yoga and meditation practices at ashrams or wellness centers to experience the ancient traditions and embrace mental and physical well-being.
  • Try Indian Cuisine: Indulge in the diverse and flavorful Indian cuisine, sampling dishes like butter chicken, biryani, dosa, chaat, and a variety of street food.

How to choose the best volunteer program

Choosing your volunteer program is easy when you evaluate your priorities. Follow these steps to guide you toward your ideal program.

Explore a New Career

Interning abroad offers a great opportunity to explore your professional and personal interests, and help define your career path. Peruse our internship fields and past examples to find the best fit.

Choose Your Dream Destination

Finding a meaningful way to combine interning and travel to your dream location is a big incentive. Carefully consider which destinations suit your interests and international internship goals.

Improve Language Skills

Immersing yourself in a language-rich environment is the ultimate method for developing fluency. If language-learning is your goal, favor destinations that use your language of choice.

Fit your budget

Explore scholarships and financial aid to determine if these may impact your destination options. Consider the overall cost of the program and cost of living in-country to identify the optimal match.

Try our program finder to filter based on your choices.

SEARCH

Recent India Testimonials

Sara PVoluter in India

This summer I went to Jaipur, India, to work in a lower income neighborhood with women and children to better their conditions. The experience has been incredible both on the professional side and on the emotional one. The whole experience has fullfilled my soul with many memories and much more knowledge! Thanks to World Endeavors which has helped me with every single detail before, during and after my trip!

Sydney WVolunteer in India

I learned so much from my experience its hard to know where to begin. This trip completely changed my life and I really gained confidence and wisdom through this trip to India.

Ana CVolunteer in India

The program in India is going very well. I have developed an Impact Study Report for my organization, and got to see the centers the NGO I work with is operating. I enjoyed traveling and getting to know the people.

Jordan WVolunteer in India

Volunteering in India is going very well. I enjoy the work and the people are wonderful. I taught English and math to 6 - 12 year old children and in the afternoons I taught women skills to become more independent. I really enjoyed being on the ground and actually working with the children and women, teaching them and helping in any way possible. The people were wonderful, the project was great and the placement was awesome.I feel like I contributed immensely to my organization and project. It also gave my a lot of time to think about my future plans and I am now considering more volunteer abroad experiences to help people. This is what I am passionate about and I love the work.

India FAQs

How Many People Live in India?

According to the latest estimates from the World Bank, India has a population of 1.4 billion people.

How Many Languages are Spoken in India?

India is a diverse country with more than 300 languages spoken in various parts of the nation. Of these, 22 are recognized as official languages, including Hindi, English, Bengali, Telugu, Marathi, and Tamil.

What is the Main Religion of India?

The main religion in India is Hinduism. Other religions practiced in India include Islam, Christianity, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism, and various tribal beliefs.

What is the currency for India?

The currency used in India is the Indian Rupee, often denoted as INR.

Where is India located?

India is located in South Asia, bordered by Pakistan to the west, China and Nepal to the north, Bhutan to the northeast, and Bangladesh and Myanmar to the east. The Indian Ocean also bounds it to the south.

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Our Top Volunteer Abroad Destinations

World Endeavors volunteers support communities in several destinations in Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania. Our programs are located in a variety of sites, including urban and rural, economically developed and developing, and English-speaking and non-English speaking.

How to apply for a Volunteer Abroad Program

You’ve decided to volunteer abroad – congratulations! Applying for your World Endeavors program is easy and stress-free. We can’t wait to get you on your way!

STEP 1
EXPLORE & ASK

Research and compare. If you can’t decide on a program, we can guide you toward the best fit.

STEP 2
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Fill out our online application form to share all your relevant details with our team.

STEP 3
ENROLL & PREPARE

Receive your official acceptance and enroll. We’ll give you all the info you need to get ready!

STEP 4
START YOUR ADVENTURE!

You’ve researched, planned and saved. Now you’re ready. It’s time to PUT YOURSELF OUT THERE!