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Overview of Volunteer Programs in Indonesia

Indonesia, a Southeast Asian nation made up of thousands of volcanic islands, is home to hundreds of ethnic groups speaking many different languages. It is known for its beaches, volcanoes and jungles sheltering elephants, tigers and Komodo dragons. On the island of Java lies Indonesia’s vibrant, sprawling capital, Jakarta, and the city of Yogyakarta, known for gamelan music and traditional puppetry.

WHY VOLUNTEER IN INDONESIA

Volunteering in Indonesia offers a captivating blend of cultural discovery and meaningful impact. This diverse archipelago nation is a canvas of natural wonders, from pristine beaches and lush rainforests to ancient temples and bustling markets. By dedicating your time to volunteer work here, you’ll contribute to vital projects focused on community development, environmental conservation, or education, directly improving the lives of local people while immersing yourself in Indonesia’s rich tapestry of traditions and landscapes.

Whether you’re involved in marine conservation efforts in Bali, teaching English to eager learners in Java, or assisting with healthcare initiatives in rural areas, your contributions will make a tangible difference. Beyond your volunteer responsibilities, you’ll have the chance to explore Indonesia’s captivating cultural heritage, witness breathtaking sunrises over volcanoes, and embrace the warmth and hospitality of its people.

HIGHLIGHTS OF VOLUNTEERING IN INDONESIA

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

  • Volunteering in Indonesia allows you to immerse yourself in the vibrant diversity of cultures, languages, and traditions across the archipelago, fostering cross-cultural understanding and personal growth.
  • Contribute to impactful projects that empower local communities, such as education, healthcare, women’s empowerment, and sustainable agriculture, making a positive and lasting difference in Indonesian lives.
  • Experience Indonesia’s natural beauty, from white-sand beaches and turquoise waters to lush rainforests and volcanic landscapes, providing a picturesque backdrop to your volunteer work.
  • Engage in marine conservation initiatives, such as coral reef restoration and sea turtle protection, in Indonesia’s world-renowned underwater ecosystems.

Our Indonesia Volunteer Projects

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

Volunteer Abroad
Indonesia

Culture Week Volunteer in Bali, Indonesia

Get ready for an action packed week full of exciting adventures, cultural excursions, and making friends from all around the world! Indonesia is one of the most interesting countries in the world for cultural learning and experiences. Bali is renowned for its diverse and sophisticated art forms, such as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handicrafts, and performing arts.

Culture Week Volunteer in Bali, Indonesia

Get ready for an action packed week full of exciting adventures, cultural excursions, and making friends from all around the world! Indonesia is one of the most interesting countries in the world for cultural learning and experiences. Bali is renowned for its diverse and sophisticated art forms, such as painting, sculpture, woodcarving, handicrafts, and performing arts.

Bali boasts one of the most diverse and innovative performing arts cultures in the world, with performances at thousands of temple festivals, private ceremonies and public shows. Culture Week is packed full of exciting adventures, cultural excursions and interactions. It includes language lessons, visits to various temples ar

Volunteer Abroad Two joyful girls spread happiness while volunteering in the community, radiating positivity and cheerfulness throughout their activities.
Indonesia

Community Engagement Volunteer Program in Goa, India

By lending your time and effort you would help in improving the quality of life of the local communities of Goa. This project is designed to provide basic informal education, life skills, arts and crafts.

Community Engagement Volunteer Program in Goa, India

By lending your time and effort you would help in improving the quality of life of the local communities of Goa. This project is designed to provide basic informal education, life skills, arts and crafts. Participate in our endeavor to empower the local women to start up their own businesses. And provide them with proper materials and training to stand on their own feet. Join us in this project to inspire the less privileged and help the community to build on their own.

Location

About Bali

Dubbed the Island of the Gods, Bali is one of the more than 17,000 islands that make up the Indonesian archipelago. Due to its location off the coast from the mainland and unique culture and religion from the rest of the country, Bali is often treated as a destination of its own, “if you’ve only been to Bali, you’ve never been to Indonesia”. With its pristine beaches, its unspoilt waters ideal for surfing and diving, its lush mountains, its never-ending rice terrace and volcanic hillsides, its spiritually-infused culture and more, Bali has quickly become a must-visit and it often makes its way on everyone’s bucket list.

Dates & costs

The World Endeavors Volunteer in Indonesia program is flexible in duration, and can be tailored to last between 1 to 12 weeks. Admissions are rolling, and World Endeavors volunteers can choose when they would like to start their program. Due to holidays, traditional vacation schedules, and seasonal work availability, there might be better times than others to volunteer at a specific location or in a specific project.

When you are ready to start planning your volunteer trip to Indonesia, 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 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. Indonesian food is tasty and diverse and you can expect to experience a myriad of flavors and meals during your stay. Typical dishes included Mie Goreng (fried noodles and vegetables), Nasi Goreng (fried rice and vegetables) or Gado Gado (mixed vegetables with a satay sauce). For those who do not eat meat, Indonesian cooking uses a lot of tofu and tempeh (soybeans), some western dishes would also be available.

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 INDONESIA

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

  • Visit Ancient Temples: Discover Indonesia’s rich cultural heritage by visiting ancient temples like Borobudur and Prambanan in Yogyakarta, which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
  • Experience Volcano Trekking: Engage in volcano trekking experiences, such as Mount Bromo in Java or Mount Rinjani in Lombok, to witness breathtaking sunrise views.
  • Try Indonesian Cuisine: Indulge in the diverse and delicious Indonesian cuisine, sampling dishes like nasi goreng, satay, rendang, and gado-gado to savor the country’s unique flavors.
  • Embrace Traditional Culture: Attend traditional dance performances like Balinese dance or Javanese wayang kulit puppet shows to experience Indonesia’s vibrant cultural expressions.

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 Volunteer Abroad Testimonials

Nadia SVolunteer in Argentina

I did a volunteer program in Argentina and I had a wonderful time! I loved the organization that I was placed with and I received great support from start to finish by the World Endeavors team. The program has such great flexibility when it comes to start/finish dates, location options and volunteer opportunities; it's gave me the ability to truly make the experience my own. I'd highly recommend it and will definitly be doing it again.

Autumn RVolunteer in Costa Rica

Amazing experience from start to finish! Everyone involved in the process both here in the states and while abroad was fantastic and readily available when I had any questions!

Arielle TVolunteer in Fiji

I loved every bit of it. I thought it was perfectly balanced between work and having time to go off and explore and hang out with friends I made. I loved the program coordinator, who was one of the ones staying at the house and went off to school with us. I didn’t really have any expectations going in but was completely blown away.

Shannon MVolunteer in Ghana

The World Endeavors program allowed me to venture into a culture and community other than my own and gain the world of experience by doing so. Never in a million years would I have imagined traveling and meeting such amazing souls, and seeing the world through different eyes. I am grateful for the opportunity, and encourage any and all persons to take a trip no matter how long with the program. The advisors are with you every step of the way and will be sure to have u prepared before departure and while you are in your country of choice.

Sara PVolunteer 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!

Jay CVolunteer in Nepal

After Culture Week, I have been at the monastery for a week. So far, I am having a great time. I have been teaching, taking part in daily rituals, and learning about Buddhism and its philosophical endeavors. It has been lovely!

Indonesia FAQs

Is Indonesia an Island?

Yes, Indonesia is an island nation consisting of over 17,000 islands. It is located in Southeast Asia and is the world’s largest archipelago.

Is Indonesia Safe?

Indonesia is generally safe, but caution is crucial. Petty crimes like pickpocketing can happen in tourist spots. Protect your belongings and avoid showing valuables. Stay informed about potential political or natural issues. Stay vigilant, follow local rules, and be aware of a safe and enjoyable visit.

Do Indonesians Speak English?

While English is not the official language of Indonesia, it is taught in many schools and is widely spoken in major cities. English is also a requirement for many jobs, so many Indonesians can speak at least a basic level of English.

Is Indonesia a Developing Country?

Indonesia is classified as a developing country because it has a large population and a relatively low economic development. Most of the population lives in rural areas and relies heavily on subsistence farming, while most people in urban areas are employed in the informal sector.

Is Bali in Indonesia?

Yes, Bali is an island in Indonesia located between Java and Lombok. It is one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its beaches, lush jungles, and rich culture.

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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!