11 Best Volunteer Programs [2025]

Why should you be interested in volunteer programs abroad? Well, let’s talk about it!

Travelling around the world is a privilege. Learning about different cultures, experiencing other ways of life, broadening your horizons while growing your appreciation for the world. 

But you know what’s even better? Travelling the world and giving back to it at the same time. This is what overseas volunteer programs can do for you.

International volunteer programs are popular programs to travel and volunteer abroad.

Why volunteer abroad?

The reasons to volunteer abroad are endless. 

The most obvious reason is the opportunities programs to volunteer abroad afford you to enjoy a foreign culture and lifestyle. 

The work you do on your volunteer program is meaningful. This helps you feel good but lets you contribute to the community as well. 

The work you do during your volunteer abroad program will no doubt improve your skills in whatever field you’re volunteering in. Think of it as a boost for your CV.

Volunteer jobs are a convenient stop-gap between graduation and your career, or between jobs. Many times you don’t even need a degree to to join volunteer travel programs, making them accessible to many people.

Lastly, these opportunities are short-term. They allow you to experience another culture and perhaps a different job for just a few weeks or months. Commitment-phobes rejoice!

Can you volunteer overseas for free?

Certainly there are volunteer abroad programs which are available free of charge. Many people assume that all volunteer programs are free, considering that you’re basically working for free. 

But logistically that’s often not possible. 

Volunteers are essentially employees. Organisations which recruit volunteers need to deal with the paperwork and legal red tape the same as with employees – even more so if these volunteers are internationals. 

If you volunteer at your local animal shelter around the corner from your mom’s house, for example, they’ll probably ask you only for your time. However international volunteers bring another level of bureaucracy and time management to the relationship – which means money. 

This is why there is often a fee for overseas volunteer programs. 

This fee can cover any start-up costs related to your period of volunteering, and any work-related expenses during your volunteering, such as airport transfers and in-country transport. As an international volunteer abroad, the volunteer program usually organises food and board for your time in the country. Any extra monies from volunteer fees are donated to the organisations for running costs.

Of course, volunteering is not for everyone.

If you’re unhappy about paying a fee for an overseas volunteer program, look into other opportunities abroad like WWOOFing which provides accommodation and board in exchange for your labour. Or perhaps you’d prefer to find a full-time job abroad – like teaching English as a Foreign Language.

Read More: Teaching English Abroad Salaries: Which Countries Pay More?

But if you’d like to follow a passion and do something for the greater good, international volunteer programs offer very safe ways to experience a foreign way of life.  

Best destinations for volunteering abroad

Now that we’re sure you want to get involved in programs to volunteer and travel abroad, let’s talk about which are the best destinations for volunteering abroad.

While you can find volunteering opportunities in most places around the world, the volunteer program (and destination) which is best for you depends on what you are looking for: 

• For animal lovers, conservation projects abound in Peru, Kenya and Indonesia. 
• If you prefer the sea, there are conservation opportunities in the Galapagos Islands, Thailand and Australia. 
• Community development projects can be found in most countries, particularly less developed countries like Cambodia, Nepal and South Africa. 
• Medical and healthcare volunteers are often placed in volunteer programs in Africa, South American and South-East Asian countries. 

A particularly popular option for volunteer abroad programs for adults is teaching. Teaching projects are a popular choice for international volunteers. 

Being a volunteer teacher gives you invaluable classroom experience, and naturally improves your teaching skills. These programs give you the chance to experience teaching without committing to a long-term position, as many are summer volunteer programs teaching in summer camps or au pairing. As a volunteer, you won’t be under as much stress as a salaried teacher. And there are volunteer teaching placements all over the world!

11 Best Volunteer Programs Abroad

Bet you’re wondering which are the best volunteer abroad programs! Let’s get into it.

1. International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)

Not quite sure what type of volunteer program you’re interested in? International Volunteer HQ organises volunteer opportunities in over 50 countries. 

IVHQ has a portfolio of over 300 volunteer programs abroad. Volunteer work ranges from education, healthcare and construction to childcare, conservation and social enterprise.

Accommodation is provided in a hostel or with a host family, and meals are provided – though this may be different depending on the program you choose. Placements run from one week to 24 weeks.

2. Oyster Worldwide

Oyster Worldwide offer gap years, career breaks and responsible travel in 19 countries. Food and accommodation are usually provided. Programs run for two weeks. 

Sports coaching, marine conservation, working with rescue animals – and even food waste reduction – are all volunteer programs you can do through Oyster Worldwide. Our favourite must be spending two weeks with rescued sun bears in Borneo!

3. Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary

Want to work with our furry friends? Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary is home to 52 species of animals, in Harare, Zimbabwe. 

Volunteers are tasked with caring for the animals in a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation centre, a refuge for abandoned exotic pets, a farm sanctuary, and a dog shelter. Volunteers work alongside a trained veterinary team, as well as being involved in community outreach and conservation and animal welfare education for the local community.

Accommodation and food are provided. This program is especially rewarding for veterinary science students.

4. Love Volunteers

Interested in teaching? Chat to Love Volunteers in Nepal.

Volunteers teach English and other subjects in monasteries in Kathmandu and Pokhara. Besides teaching, you may be involved in school renovations, educational support and medical care for the children.

Teaching monks and nuns on a daily basis, you’ll be housed in a volunteer house in the monastery. Meals are provided, and volunteers are invited to attend daily prayers. Placements are for from one to four weeks. 

As with other volunteer jobs, no previous experience is needed to teach English abroad. Any necessary training will be provided and your program will support you every step of your journey. So don’t let a lack of teaching experience prevent you from teaching monks!

Read more: Survival Tips For Your First Day In The Classroom: No Experience? No Problem!

And if you’re a bit nervous about stepping into the classroom without experience, take a TEFL course to prepare you for any and every situation in an EFL classroom.

5. Projects Abroad

Want to get your hands dirty in a community in need? Head to Tanzania and volunteer with Projects Abroad. 

Volunteers work the usual 9 to 5, but what they do during the day changes regularly. From teaching children to building houses to supporting social activist initiatives, volunteers work side-by-side with the local community. 

Accommodation is provided in a hostel or with a host family, with 3 meals a day provided. Placements are from one week.

6. African Impact

Feeling the call of the wild? African Impact offers volunteer programs in countries across Africa.

Teaching, sports coaching, medical care, wildlife and marine conservation, and environment sustainability, there’s a program to suit every kind of volunteer. 

Accommodation and meals are provided, but this varies according to the program. Volunteer placements are for one week. 

7. Gili Shark Conservation Project

Water babies, this one’s for you: Gili Shark Conservation Project in Indonesia.

As you can imagine, this volunteer program involves marine conservation projects working with sharks, turtles and coral reef restoration with marine biologists, social media experts, diving instructors and entrepreneurs. The aim of the program is to create the first recognised shark nursery ground in Indonesia by 2026. 

Shared accommodation is provided but not all meals. The program runs for 2 weeks or more, with 8 dives a week. Your days are spent both in and out of the water, engaging in diving and undertaking research. If you stay for at least three weeks you’ll have the opportunity to earn three PADI dive certifications, at no cost to you. 

8. SAVE Volunteering

SAVE volunteering in and around Cape Town, South Africa, and certain areas in Namibia and Malawi, offers volunteer placements working with children. 

With SAVE, you’ll be working in sports and youth development, education, health education and skills training. 

Hostel accommodation is provided, along with 3 meals a day. The program runs from two to six weeks. 

9. Maximo Nivel

Costa Rica volunteer programs on your radar? Maximo Nivel could be what you’re looking for. 

Offering a range of volunteer opportunities from teaching to conservation, Maximo Nivel places international volunteers in big cities and small towns all across the country. 

Host family accommodation is provided in a shared room, as well as some meals. Working days are short so there is plenty of free time to enjoy the planned activities like salsa dancing and cooking. Placements are for a minimum of one week.

10. GoEco

GoEco advertises 150 volunteer programmes in 40 countries. From working with sea turtles in the Maldives to veterinary internships in South Africa to helping sloths in Costa Rica – GoEco has a program for everyone!

We found a brilliant volunteer program in Nagano, Japan, where you teach English skills through conversation – and can learn Japanese at the same time!

11. Global Vision International (GVI)

High-quality, high-impact conservation and community development programs are the name of the game for Global Vision International. More than 2,500 people have signed up for volunteer abroad programs with GVI – that’s a lot of people!

Volunteering in Ghana, South Africa, Seychelles – and so many more options are available to you through GVI. Food and accommodation are provided. Programs run from two to a year.

Travelling the world is always a goal for many of us. But volunteering abroad lets us travel with a purpose. So, where are you going to volunteer?