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
Madagascar

Teaching Volunteer Project in Madagascar

Most people in Madagascar can't afford to travel, and in villages like Tsararano Ambony there is little chance of contact with the outside world. You, as a foreign teacher, enable the students to form a relationship with someone from a different background and culture.

Teaching Volunteer Project in Madagascar

On the other hand, the local teachers can also learn new and up to date teaching methods and techniques from you. You will mainly assist the regular school teachers in the school and therefore even without a formal teaching background you can participate in this project.

You will teach children from different age groups with different learning capacities. You are free to use your own teaching materials and methods in teaching. You can use the course book as reference or educate children through conversation with spoken English. During your time here you can teach them different subjects such as mathematics, history, science, geography, computer, technologies, music, arts and crafts, differen

Volunteer Abroad
Madagascar

Construction and Renovation Volunteer in Madagascar

The Construction and Renovation project at Nosy Be supports small communities in and around the island. It aims to build and renovate school buildings that are essential for the growth and development of the children along with the local community.

Construction and Renovation Volunteer in Madagascar

You will work under a local coordinator who will provide you guidance and training to work alongside the local families and other participants. The project involves hard physical and manual labor since you will be laying bricks, doing carpentry, painting, waterproofing, laying tiles, landscaping/gardening, as well as, improving the community’s hygiene and sanitation facilities.

Volunteer Abroad
Madagascar

Kindergarten Teaching Volunteer in Madagascar

The kids at the kindergarten are right at the start of their school careers and the chance to start learning English at such an early age will prove invaluable for them further on. Like in kindergartens throughout the world, the teaching is informal as the children will want to play with you more than be taught.

Kindergarten Teaching Volunteer in Madagascar

However, just by getting them enthused about coming to school, giving them some very basic English phrases such as simple greetings, you may as well have sown the seeds of a lifelong learning habit. The children will all be excited to see you and welcome you exceptionally, partly due to the natural and genuine friendliness of the people of these villages but also due to the fact that you will be one of the few foreigners they have ever met, up close!

Volunteer Abroad Group in colorful attire walking on dusty rural path with sticks.
Kenya

Maasai Women Collective Volunteer in Kenya

You'll be part of the collective effort to support the educational goals of Maasai girls. These village mothers and grandmothers are using their skills and abilities to create unique and intricate beadwork jewelry and accessories knowing that every piece they make and sell gets them closer to earning enough to cover school fees and to supplement the household income enough to provide nourishing meals to their families.

Maasai Women Collective Volunteer in Kenya

Your efforts can go towards the creation of a database, building a roadside stand to sell items, teaching the women basic English or math, help complete the concrete floor at a local church where they currently meet underneath a tree, or help to build a proper stand for access to the water tank at the church. The ways in which you can be of service are many. The life lessons and sincere smiles you will receive in return are invaluable. A portion of your program costs goes directly towards reinvestment in the group by providing bead making supplies and other resources to sustain and further expand their collective efforts. This project is a minimum of 2 weeks and is located in Narok County.

Volunteer Abroad
Nepal

Canine Rehabilitation Volunteer in Nepal

The condition of animals in Nepal is very impoverished. They are poorly kept and often kicked out of their homes as they grow old. On the streets, the conditions are even worse. A lot of stray dogs and cows can be seen in almost every street and square of Kathmandu.

Canine Rehabilitation Volunteer in Nepal

They are left to fend for themselves and roam freely on the streets. During the program, you will aid in the rescue and rehabilitation of street dogs and those that have been abandoned by their owners. These dogs are usually mangy and starving. A lot of these animals suffer from the agony of maggots, infected wounds, skin disorders, worms and parasites, and run the risk of losing their limbs. The program has been operating in the valley to resolve these issues and to counter the growing number of street dogs. After being rescued, the dogs are kept in the animal shelter and later released or offered for adoption and into a better life.

Volunteer Abroad
Nepal

Kindergarten Teaching Volunteer Project in Nepal

The kindergartens usually consist of 35 to 45 children between 3 to years 6 years old. The kindergartens consist of teachers as well as supporting staff to assist the teachers.

Kindergarten Teaching Volunteer Project in Nepal

The children are taught basic English, alphabets, numbers, rhymes, names of various objects etc. Most of the children come from underprivileged families who live below the poverty line.

Volunteer Abroad
Nepal

Education Volunteer Project in Kathmandu, Nepal

Most people in Nepal can't afford to travel, and in the villages there is little chance of contact with the outside world. Foreign teachers enable students to form relationships with someone from another background and culture, and the teachers can learn different teaching methods and techniques.

Education Volunteer Project in Kathmandu, Nepal

You will mainly assist the regular school teacher and so do not need to have any teaching background. You will teach and educate children from different age groups and with different learning capacities. You are free to use different methods to teach but you can use the course book as reference or educate children through conversational English. During your time there you can teach them different subjects such as mathematics, history, science, geography, computer technologies, music and other subjects, arts and crafts, different educational games, personal development, environment awareness, general health and safety and so on. All higher education in Nepal is in English, so it is vital that

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

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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.”

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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!
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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.”

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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.
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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!”

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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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!