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 Intern assisting a young man in a community health setting.
Nepal

Physiotherapy Internship Volunteer in Nepal

Our physiotherapy internship program allows you to gain valuable experience by working as an intern in a Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Hospital in Kathmandu. You will spend your time here shadowing doctors, observe the medical experts, physiotherapists and will be called upon to assist doctors and nurses.

Physiotherapy Internship Volunteer in Nepal

There will be able to experience hands-on work. Participants will be helping the patients of various health conditions and engage in different therapeutic sessions at the hospital. The sessions shall be assigned to you, according to your field of study and expertise. This project has a minimum duration of 4 weeks. Please note, you should be enrolled in a university course in any field of therapy to participate.

Volunteer Abroad
Nepal

Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Nepal

You will be able to participate in renovation and construction activities in schools, children's home, rehabilitation centers, KAT Centre (Kathmandu Animal Treatment Center), disabled children's home and women empowerment center.

Construction and Renovation Volunteer Project in Nepal

During this project, you will be staying in Kathmandu at our center. Your daily work would involve outdoor construction and renovation activities including, demolishing broken structures, building walls, painting, carpentry, fencing the school premises etc.

Volunteer Abroad
Philippines

Kindergarten Volunteer in Palawan, Philippines

During this program, you will partake in the day-to-day operations of a childcare facility. Not only will this give you an insight into authentic Filipino life, but you will also get engaged into the daily operations of the kindergarten.

Kindergarten Volunteer in Palawan, Philippines

The kindergarten is located in the Tigman area of Palawan and the children who attend are between the ages of 3 and 5. Your primary task will be to communicate with the children using English and teaching them the language in a fun way. Besides teaching, you will also support the local staff with the caretaking of the children. This task can range in activities, from organizing classes, playing games and guiding activities to feeding, cutting nails, combing hair and so on. The children are always interested in learning more about foreign lands and you are encouraged to bring pictures from your country, friends, family, etc or objects that highlight your culture in order to promote intercultu

Volunteer Abroad
Philippines

Construction Effort Volunteer in Palawan, Philippines

There are many people living on the Island of Palawan who don't have the funds to upgrade their living conditions. With this project, we are trying to assist these people with their housing and help renovate, upgrade and construct communal places and institutions such as schools, healthcare centres, hospitals, community centres and so on.

Construction Effort Volunteer in Palawan, Philippines

In this project, you will work alongside local Palawan people and this will give them a unique insight into the lifestyle and culture of the population of this beautiful island. Moreover, you will join other participants from all over the world to jointly work on these construction efforts.

The main construction and renovation activities will consist of painting, building walls, renovating furniture, gardening and so on. Construction experience is not required, anybody can join and give a helping hand to the local people of Palawan!

Volunteer Abroad
Tanzania

Empowering Women Volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania

Maasai Tribe communities are traditionally patriarchal. This program provides insight into the unique culture of the Maasai Tribe and the impact that is felt when the education of girls is not prioritized. The primary focus is on the development of basic skills and financial literacy of the local women, who are learning how they can earn funds to support themselves and educate their children.

Empowering Women Volunteer in Arusha, Tanzania

The Maasai community has its own distinct culture, which differs from other societies in Tanzania. They have their own recognizable manner of dress, decorations and lifestyle. The majority of Maasai women throughout the many Maasai communities live a life of poverty and cultural oppression. Men are the heads of the households and the village. They have control of almost every aspect of life and hold almost all the leadership roles.

Most Maasai women devote their time to milking cows, taking care of calves, and domestic work. There are currently very few, if any, opportunities for women related to education and community engagement, which would assist them in having more options for sustainab

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

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 sanitation facilities) or working on construction projects at the local hospitals – this very much depends on the needs of any particular time and so our participants will be using their construction skills where they are most needed!

Volunteer Abroad Two joyful girls spread happiness while volunteering in the community.
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

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.

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!