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Why choose World Endeavors for your volunteer project?

World Endeavors’ international volunteer programs match participants with certain interests or skills to specific service projects in need of hands-on help. Our volunteer programs are immersive – volunteers live in the communities they serve, meet local people, learn the language, and experience local customs and traditions.

Embarking on an international volunteer program is a life-changing experience that emboldens participants and inspires them to notice, care, and engage more fully in their world.

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

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.

Eligibility

Applicants to most of our programs must be 18 years of age or older, though exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis. There is no age limit for participating in a World Endeavors program. World Endeavors volunteers are students, graduates, professionals, families, couples, and retirees. We welcome volunteers of all ages and backgrounds who are hardworking and dedicated to contributing to a community abroad.

A successful international volunteer doesn’t impose personal perceptions and beliefs, but instead stays open to the needs of the community and responds in an appropriate and respectful way. World Endeavors volunteers should be willing to experience a certain amount of culture shock as a part of the process of widening their comfort zone, recognizing and letting go of cultural stereotypes and expectations. In this sense, volunteers should expect to be challenged as well as transformed. Our volunteer programs are meant to be powerful, formative experiences that appeal to someone looking to contribute time, effort, skills, and compassion to serving a local community on their terms.

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.

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

Our Volunteer Projects

Browse our full range of volunteer projects. If you don’t find your preferred program here then please use our program finder.

Volunteer Abroad
Tanzania

Youth Sports Coaching Volunteer in Tanzania

Engage with local communities and promote positive change as a sports volunteer in Tanzania.

Youth Sports Coaching Volunteer in Tanzania

Engage with local communities and promote positive change as a sports volunteer in Tanzania.

Volunteer Abroad A focused young man engages in an intense conversation amidst a large crowd.
Ecuador

Youth Sports Coaching Volunteer in Ecuador

Join our sports-focused volunteers in Ecuador and make a positive change in the lives of young athletes.

Youth Sports Coaching Volunteer in Ecuador

Join our sports-focused volunteers in Ecuador and make a positive change in the lives of young athletes.

Volunteer Abroad
Tanzania

Maasai Tribal Immersion Volunteer in Tanzania

To learn about the Maasai culture is one thing‚ but why not be a part of it! This is your chance to learn from the experience of being and doing. You can see the Maasai way of life up close and participate in the many activities that are typical of their daily lives.

Maasai Tribal Immersion Volunteer in Tanzania

To learn about the Maasai culture is one thing‚ but why not be a part of it! This is your chance to learn from the experience of being and doing. You can see the Maasai way of life up close and participate in the many activities that are typical of their daily lives. During this Maasai Village Homestay, you will be welcomed to stay within their village, learn about their culture, and participate in their daily tasks. Tasks are always divided, with men usually taking care of and/or selling the tribe‚Äôs cattle, while women will take part in milking, cooking, finding firewood and taking care of babies and even constructing the houses in the boma. You will find that there will be plenty of oppo

Volunteer Abroad
Philippines

Culture Week Volunteer in Palawan, Philippines

Experience Filipino culture first-hand through your exploration of local spots, immersing in the culture, sampling the cuisine, visiting famous sites and more! Our culture week is tailored to introduce you to some of the best things the island of Palawan has to offer.

Culture Week Volunteer in Palawan, Philippines

Experience Filipino culture first-hand through your exploration of local spots, immersing in the culture, sampling the cuisine, visiting famous sites and more! Our culture week is tailored to introduce you to some of the best things the island of Palawan has to offer. This week will get you learning the basics of the language, cooking traditional meals, tasting authentic food, visiting the most famous sites and discovering areas where tourists don’t often venture!

CULTURE WEEK SCHEDULE
– Monday: Orientation, Filipino Tagalog language classes, culture lessons, tour of the local area, broom-making or coconut leaf-weaving workshop, Filipino cooking class
– Tuesday: Visit to a local farm to see

Volunteer Abroad
Nepal

Everest Base Camp Trek Volunteer in Nepal

The Everest Base Camp Trek introduces you to Nepalese culture while reaching the base camp of the mighty Mount Everest. You will encounter the highland Sherpa people's lifestyle and their unique cultural hospitality, and get to see ice fall views from Kala Patthar, visit local places such as Namche Bazar, Tengboche Monastery, Khumjung and so much more!

Everest Base Camp Trek Volunteer in Nepal

The Everest Base Camp Trek is a mountain adventure journey to the roof of the world! The first week will be a great introduction to this amazing country, located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. You’ll learn the local language and about the culture and lifestyle and visit temples, do some local hikes and participate in a scavenger hunt! The second and third week will be based in the Everest Trekking region, which is known as the most popular destination among high alpine travelers, and to make it to the base is on every adventurer’s bucket list. The final week will be spent serving others through the volunteering projects.

Everest Base Camp Trek Schedule

WEEK #1:

  • Orientation, meet
Volunteer Abroad
Nepal

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Volunteer in Nepal

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts from the trailhead at Nayapul, crosses river beds and terraced hillsides, on trails disappearing into blazing rhododendron clusters and oak forests, to picturesque villages of the Gurungs! The first week will be a great introduction to this amazing country, located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Volunteer in Nepal

The Annapurna Base Camp Trek starts from the trailhead at Nayapul, crosses river beds and terraced hillsides, on trails disappearing into blazing rhododendron clusters and oak forests, to picturesque villages of the Gurungs! The first week will be a great introduction to this amazing country, located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. You’ll learn the local language and about the culture and lifestyle and visit temples, do some local hikes and participate in a scavenger hunt! The second and third week will be focused on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek, and the final week will be spent serving others through the volunteering projects.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek Schedule

WEEK #1:
– Orientati

Volunteer Abroad
Nepal

Culture Week Volunteer in Kathmandu, Nepal

Our Culture Week will kickstart your volunteer experience in this amazing country located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. You will learn not only about the language and lifestyle - you will also visit temples, go on a hiking tour and even take part in a scavenger hunt at a local market!

Culture Week Volunteer in Kathmandu, Nepal

Our Culture Week will kickstart your volunteer experience in this amazing country located in the foothills of the mighty Himalayas. You will learn not only about the language and lifestyle – you will also visit temples, go on a hiking tour and even take part in a scavenger hunt at a local market! During this week, you will learn about Nepalese culture through a series of introductory culture classes which are designed to help you develop your Nepalese language skills and deepen your understanding of the Nepalese way of life complete with details on rituals and customs. You will learn about Nepal’s history and the religious in Cuences which have shaped it. Moreover, we will pay a visit to the

Volunteer Abroad
Madagascar

Nosy Be Culture Week Volunteer in Madagascar

Start your program in Madagascar with a week full of adventures - sightseeing, classes to learn more about the culture and local traditions, and meeting new friends from all over the world!

Nosy Be Culture Week Volunteer in Madagascar

Start your program in Madagascar with a week full of adventures – sightseeing, classes to learn more about the culture and local traditions, and meeting new friends from all over the world!

CULTURE WEEK SCHEDULE
– Monday: Orientation, meet the team and get to know your fellow volunteers, then hike to the summit of Nosy Be’s highest point, Mont Passot, for stunning sunset views
– Tuesday: Walking tour of Nosy Be’s lovely rural landscapes from Ambatozavary to the old village of Marodoka for a picnic, local dance class and pastry class, and Malagasy language lessons
– Wednesday: Visit the sacred banyan tree where locals and mainlanders make offerings and ask for blessings, walk through Hell-Vil

Not sounding like the right program for you? Try our program finder to filter based on your choices.

Find Your Program

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!

Volunteer Abroad FAQs

How old do you have to be to Volunteer Abroad?

For most of World Endeavors’ volunteer programs, applicants must be 18 or older, although we make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. The good news is there is no maximum age for our volunteer abroad programs.

Are there any free volunteer abroad programs?

Unfortunately, we cannot offer any volunteer programs for free. We value the impact our programs make, the partners we work with, and the overall experience of our participants. To provide the best volunteer abroad experience, we require participants to pay volunteer program fees.

Does Volunteering Abroad Look Good on a Resume?

Volunteering abroad enhances your resume by showcasing your cultural adaptability, global perspective, problem-solving skills, language proficiency, leadership, teamwork, initiative, and interpersonal abilities. It highlights your willingness to step out of your comfort zone, make a positive impact, and work effectively in diverse settings, making you a valuable candidate with a broader skill set and a strong sense of civic responsibility.

How to Fundraise for Volunteering Abroad?

There are plenty of ways to make volunteering abroad affordable and fit within your budget. Check out our fundraising page for guidance on to fundraise for your volunteer abroad program.

Where is the Best Place to Volunteer Abroad?

The optimal location for volunteering abroad depends on your interests, skills, and the causes you’re passionate about. Whether it’s teaching in a rural community, conserving wildlife in a biodiverse region, contributing to healthcare initiatives in underserved areas, or participating in sustainable development projects, the best place to volunteer abroad is where your strengths align with the needs of the local community, fostering meaningful and lasting positive impact. Browse all our volunteer abroad programs to see which project and destination stands out most.

Do You Need a Visa to Volunteer Abroad?

The specifics differ based on the destination and volunteer project you choose, not to mention visa regulations and requirements fluctuate periodically. As part of our enrollment procedure, our team will guide you through the steps needed to secure a visa if it’s deemed essential for your volunteer program and destination.

Is Volunteering Abroad Safe?

World Endeavors rigorously tracks travel advisories and exclusively organizes programs where safety is guaranteed, so when you choose to volunteer abroad with us, you don’t need to worry if you’ll be safe.

Our dedication to volunteer safety involves several measures, including a preparatory guide, continuous local assistance, on-site experts, thorough orientations before and after arrival, extensive travel medical coverage, and staff certified in Mental Health First Aid. Your well-being is our priority, ensuring you can flourish as a volunteer abroad with confidence!

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!