It's hard to find volunteer opportunities abroad that are short term and don't come with a heavy volunteer fee. It can be even harder to find ones that are ethical and whose volunteer efforts contribute to the greater goals of the communities they work in. If you are looking to go abroad with the intention of being part of a project that can help create a positive impact, then one of the organizations on this list may be for you.
Photo Credit: Hannah Busing
What to Know
These are NOT 'Voluntourism' opportunities
The main goal of these organizations is to bring volunteers together to support the needs of people and their communities. While the experience will be abroad and offer many amazing opportunities, you will be there to help, first and foremost. There is no built in time to explore the country and see the sites while you are volunteering.
You do not need to pay fess for these organizations
The organizations on this list have no registration or volunteer fees. In order to make volunteering possible, they offer specific assistance to their volunteers such as housing and meals. Some of them offer travel assistance, and some ask that you obtain your plane tickets and VISA at your own expense.
This will be hard work
The work associated with the project's that these organizations run or sponsor is not to be taken lightly. Odds are, it will be long hours and some will be physically demanding. They are not set up to run for a few hours during the day and then give their volunteers the afternoon off. If that is what you are looking for, I would suggest finding a work exchange opportunity using one of these websties.
Be careful when volunteering abroad
You should always do your research on the organizations you are looking to volunteer with, and the impact they make. Even if some organizations have good intentions, they may be doing more harm than good to at-risk or developing communities. There are also organizations out there that focus on making a profit rather than making a real difference.
The organizations below have shown to be ethical
While I have not personally worked with these organizations, I have done a deep dive on each of them and have found positive things. They have positive impacts and reviews regarding what they do. They are ethical and careful about how they incorporate their volunteers. They listen to the communities needs and focus on mobilizing volunteers to complete tasks that will either sustainability support the communities they serve in and/or support the greater picture.
Short-Term Volunteer Organizations
Overview & Mission: "All Hands and Hearts provides community-inspired, volunteer-powered disaster relief."
Type of Work: Their main focus is on disaster recovery and relief: mucking and gutting houses, home repairs, demolition, and construction.
Project Length(s): 1 week-1 month, depending on the project/location/need.
Where They Serve: Hawaii, Florida, Mexico, Nepal, the Philippines, Turkey, & the Ukraine. Locations vary depending on need.
Who Can Volunteer: Full time volunteers must be ages 18+. Youth ages 16-17 can volunteer during the day but need to arrange their own housing off property. You will need to pass a background check and be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
What is Provided: Accommodation and meals on workdays.
Other Notes: You are responsible for booking your own transportation and getting the proper visa. No experience is needed, as training is provided. Every 30 days you must take at least 3 days off, and will need to cover expenses for this break.
2. Team Rubicon
Overview & Mission: "Team Rubicon serves communities by mobilizing veterans to continue their service, leveraging their skills and experience to help people prepare, respond, and recover from disasters and humanitarian crises."
Type of Work: Team Rubicon focuses on disaster response and relief. This organization greatly emphasizes the fact that the type of projects their volunteers are sent out on are difficult, as they are physically demanding and can be long hours.
Project Length(s): There is no minimum or maximum time commitment.
Where They Serve: Current projects take place across the USA, across Canada, and in the Ukraine. They have previously served in Australia, Uganda, Nepal, and Greece.
Who Can Volunteer: Most of their volunteers are military veterans, but you do not need to be a veteran to participate.
What is Provided: Transportation, meals, and lodging while on project.
Other Notes: In order to apply you will create a detailed profile and Team Rubicon will match you to a project that they believe can use your skills. They aim to make the greatest impact by pairing their volunteers with projects in which their skillset matches the need/type of work.
Overview & Mission: The mission of the Peace Corps is "To promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals: To help the countries interested in meeting their need for trained people, help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served, [and] help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans." The main difference between the Peace Corps and Peace Corps Response is the length of commitment, orientation time, and type of project.
Type of Work: Volunteers assist in one of 6 main sectors; Agriculture, Education, Health, Community Economic Development, Environment, and Youth in Development. Volunteer openings depend on the type of help other countries request.
Project Length(s): Projects range from 3-12 months.
Where They Serve: Worldwide.
Who Can Volunteer: U.S. citizens over the age of 18 are eligible to volunteer. Some opportunities may require a college degree, but not all will.
What is Provided: Benefits may include the following; transportation, living stipend, medical care, and a readjustment allowance per each full month of service.
Other Notes: To apply, you will need to view their open position page and directly apply to volunteer opportunities. If there is nothing currently open that matches your skills/knowledge, they encourage you to check back periodically for new openings.
Overview & Mission: To "mobilize volunteers to serve in UN agencies, both in development programmes and peacekeeping operations." Their volunteers program aims to "contribute to peace and development through volunteerism worldwide."
Type of Work: There are so many different opportunities with UN Volunteers that type of service work will greatly vary across projects.
Project Length(s): Projects range from 1 week to 12 months, however the majority tend to be between 3-12 months.
Where They Serve: Worldwide.
Who Can Volunteer: International volunteers must be at least age 18 (other programs may have age requirements) and must know either English, French, or Spanish. A bachelors degree is required for most assignments, but not all. Other requirements may vary depending on project.
What is Provided: There are so many different opportunities with UN Volunteers that what is provided for volunteers will vary across projects.
Other Notes: Virtual/online assignments are available. The website has hundreds of service opportunities posted, you will need to comb through these yourself to find what you are looking for.
5. IESC
Overview & Mission: "IESC is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that catalyzes private sector growth and creates economic opportunity for people and communities throughout the economically developing world."
Type of Work: A lot of their volunteer opportunities focus on projects in the agriculture sector. However, there are other opportunities such as technical support and consulting.
Project Length(s): Projects vary from several weeks to several months.
Where They Serve: Worldwide.
Who Can Volunteer: Many opportunities call for volunteers with a specific agricultural skill set, but this is not necessary for all of them. Qualifications and requirements will depend on specific projects.
What is Provided: Logistical/travel support and a stipend for meals and expenses.
Other Notes: To apply, you can directly apply to specific work posted on their careers page, or create a general resume and they will try and match you to a project that matches your skill set.
Conclusion
Finding a short term volunteer opportunities abroad that allow you to help make an impact is not easy. It can be even harder finding organizations who run projects that are both ethical and sustainable. If this is your goal then hopefully one of the organizations on this list has an opportunity that works for you.