Practice Sustainable Coffee Farming in Costa Rica

On this trip, assist local Costa Rican coffee farmers in producing fair trade organic coffee. Coffee is one of Costa Rica’s most important exports, and coffee farmers in this region emphasize eco-friendly agriculture. Before arriving at the project site in Monteverde, a mountainous village famous for its high-quality coffee and eco-tourism, enhance your Spanish skills while living in a short homestay. Volunteers will be involved in every step of the coffee farming process, from harvest to packaging. On the weekend, explore the rich natural wonders of Costa Rica by hiking volcanoes, zip lining above the forest and traveling to the country’s coast.

The trip starts at $790 for one week, but volunteers can spend up to a year in Monteverde. The trip cost includes in-country transportation, accommodation, meals and activities. 

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GoEco

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Research Dolphins off the Coast of Italy

Join dolphin researchers on a boat near the Italian island of Ischia during this marine-based volunteer opportunity with GoEco. On this trip, work directly on dolphin conservation efforts by collecting data, recording bioacoustics and photographing animals for identification purposes. Other highlights include scuba diving, exploring the historic village of Ischia Ponte and traveling to the famous isle of Capri. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and need to be comfortable living on a boat for the entire experience. This trip runs from the middle of May until the end of September, and begins at $1,190 for a one-week trip with the option to extend for up to three weeks.

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GoEco

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Practice Medicine in India’s Himalayas

This is a great opportunity for pre-med, medical and nursing students, volunteers will gain professional experience by working on a medical project in Palampur, India. Interns will assist medical professionals while treating patients through hands-on tasks that vary based on an individual's level of experience. Internships take place in hospitals, clinics, medical colleges and community clinics in Palampur, a town known for its tea gardens and breathtaking views of the Himalayas. Volunteers rest in homestays located just 25 miles from Dharamshala, home of the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan government-in-exile. As an added bonus, volunteers will receive weekly yoga classes. A two-week trip costs £925 ($1,183 as of Sept. 12 with a fluctuating exchange rate), which can be extended up to 12 weeks for £2,805 (currently $3,588).

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Oyster Worldwide

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Practice Journalism in Ghana

Ideal for aspiring journalists, this trip to Ghana’s capital of Accra provides a rare opportunity to gain real-world experience by volunteering for local media agencies. Volunteers will assist these underfunded and understaffed organizations by working in a variety of roles. Global Nomadic’s extensive contacts in the region offer a wide array of possibilities, whether as a photojournalist, sports broadcaster or anything in between. Ghanaian journalists will guide volunteers as they learn the ins and outs of the industry and explore Ghana’s politics, culture and environment. The minimum stay is four weeks and the maximum three months. Though volunteers will work five days out of the week, this still leaves plenty of time to explore the seaside capital Accra. The trip costs €300 ($355 as of Sept. 18 with a floating exchange rate) per week. Accommodations and meals are included. 

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Global Nomadic

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Teach Soccer to Children in Ghana

Ghana, located along the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, used to be known as the “Gold Coast” for its mineral riches. The capital of Accra is known for its vibrant beaches and markets, incredible food and its wonderful music scene. However, Ghana is still home to many disadvantaged populations and volunteering can be one way to have an impactful experience. One possible trip includes coaching soccer to help develop sports skills for teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds. As long as you are passionate about soccer and love working with young adults, this volunteer trip is right for you.

This volunteer opportunity is located in Accra with working days from Tuesday to Saturday to incorporate weekend games. Off days can be used to explore the city, get to know other volunteers and spend time with your host family. Most work will be done in the afternoons when students can visit the soccer club after school; however, there will be meetings earlier in the day to discuss coaching strategies. The trip is a great opportunity to help students improve their health and fitness, develop motor skills, and learn life skills such as teamwork and discipline. This one-week minimum volunteering experience is run by Projects Abroad, a travel company that aims to create sustainable and impactful trips overseas. One week of volunteering costs $2,270 and volunteering is possible for as little as one week to as long as a year. Start dates are very flexible and the trip itself requires a short application.

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Projects Abroad

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Empower Women and Girls in Zambia

Join a women and girls’ empowerment program in Livingstone, Zambia, with African Impact. Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa, is home to many national parks and safari areas with diverse wildlife. Livingstone is a popular destination due to its proximity to Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and the Zambezi River. Victoria Falls, also known as “The Smoke that Thunders,” is one of the world's largest waterfalls and is located on the border between Zambia and Zimbabwe. 

The volunteer program includes three distinct phases. The first phase focuses on teaching women and girls about health and wellness topics. These topics include HIV and pregnancy prevention along with tips to mitigate risks of violence. The second phase includes financial well-being advice including career coaching and planning for the future. The final phase teaches women and girls how to express themselves through leadership and communication workshops, public speaking programs, and work to boost individuals’ self esteem. The trip also offers opportunities to explore Livingstone and Victoria Falls through ziplining and whitewater rafting. This journey is run by African Impact, an organization that aims to take volunteering, internships and group travel to new heights. The trip can be taken for 10 days at a cost of $1,375 or up to 12 weeks for $5,745. It requires a short application to be considered.

To learn more about African Impact’s efforts in Zambia, check out CATALYST’s Travel and Purpose Podcast in which Alison Vorsatz is interviewed about her experience volunteering on this trip.

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African Impact

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Do Long-Term Volunteering and Hiking in Tanzania

Tanzania is one of Africa’s most renowned destinations. Home to Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's tallest mountain, and Serengeti National Park, home of the wildebeest and zebra migration along with local wildlife such as giraffes, rhinos and lions, Tanzania is a country with exotic animals and a rich culture. On this trip, travelers have the opportunity to volunteer in the Kilombero and Mvomero districts of Tanzania. Kilombero, located in the Morogoro region, is made up of vast flood plains, while Mvomero is situated near farms and rivers.

The trip is a three-phase volunteering program lasting up to 10 weeks. However, there are also shorter options for four, five or seven weeks. The first two phases of the trip include living with a host family. The first phase of the trip is the “community” phase, in which volunteers work on water, sanitation and hygiene projects in rural areas. The second phase is the “environmental” phase, where the primary goal is to increase awareness about protecting natural resources. This includes replanting trees in deforested areas, going to schools to talk about climate change and protecting national parks. The third and final phase is a trekking expedition that serves to build leadership and teamwork skills. This phase is a backpacking expedition through the Morogoro region or Tanzania’s southern highlands. The Morogoro region is found in eastern Tanzania and is known for its game reserves and mountain scenery. The southern highlands, on the other hand, are home to vast plateaus and volcanic mountains. The ten-week trip is run by Raleigh International, a young adult-oriented (ages 17 to 24) volunteering company that seeks to promote leadership and civic duty. The trip itself costs $5,500.

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Raleigh International

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Volunteer to Teach in Peru with Vulnerable Populations

The Latin American Foundation for the Future (LAFF) is a United Kingdom-based organization that works with partner organizations in Peru to help disadvantaged children and young adults build a better future. LAFF has various volunteer opportunities available in Peru. To learn more about these opportunities, you can visit LAFF and check out volunteer positions such as communications coordinator, program coordinator, fundraising coordinator and more. If you have experience with Spanish, there is the opportunity to work directly with partner organizations in Peru to make a difference in the lives of the children they work with. These educational projects are located throughout Peru’s Cusco department including in the city of Cusco, surrounding Quechua communities, the Sacred Valley and the town of Oropesa. 

Cusco is a city in southeastern Peru located in the Andean highlands. It was once the capital of the Incan empire. Cusco is known for its ancient ruins, but the city faces many educational problems that LAFF aims to conquer. The Sacred Valley is a region of Peru’s Andean highlands near Cusco that encompasses the famous ruins of Machu Picchu. The Quechua people are a group of Indigenous people in Peru and Bolivia who speak Quechua. LAFF works with these communities to strengthen their education systems. Finally, Oropesa is one of 12 districts in Peru’s Quispicanchi province.  This district is located southeast of Cusco and is surrounded by many Incan ruins. In order to volunteer with LAFF, you must fill out an application. This volunteer opportunity is variable in terms of length with a minimum of three months but a recommended stay of six to 12 months. The cost of these volunteer opportunities is only flights, accommodations and food which volunteers are responsible for covering themselves. 

To learn more about Peru and LAFF, check out CATALYST’s Travel and Purpose Podcast in which Steph Dyson, a travel writer and educator, is interviewed about her experience volunteering with the organization. 

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LAFF

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Join One Day School Visits with Room to Read in Southeast Asia and Africa

Room to Read is a global organization that seeks to increase educational opportunities for low-income students in the developing world. Room to Read has impacted students all over the world, especially in Southeast Asia and Africa. Specifically, Room to Read has either partner schools or a literacy program in Bangladesh, India, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Zambia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Grenada, Indonesia, Rwanda, Jordan and Myanmar. By working with individual communities and the local government, Room to Read hopes to develop literacy skills among primary schoolchildren while additionally supporting girls as they complete secondary school. Room to Read has field trip opportunities to visit their worldwide literacy programs. The trip consists of a visit to the school to learn more about the program and meetings with students to participate in learning activities and discussions. The trip lasts for one day and requires a $25 donation to Room to Read. These trips are ideal for those that are already visiting countries with Room to Read schools and programs. 

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Room to Read

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School the World in Guatemala

School the World is a group focused on service and cultural exploration. With this organization high school students and their families can explore Guatemala, a Central American country located south of Mexico, while also building a school. The trip has a length of nine days during which participants will travel to Antigua, a city known for its rich Spanish architecture. The city is full of colonial buildings and is surrounded by three towering volcanoes. Following the trip to Antigua, volunteers will be transported to the region of Quiche, where service work will begin. Quiche is one of the most populous areas of Guatemala and is known for its Mayan ruins and pre-colonial archaeological sites. This trip is a great way to explore Guatemala, learn about its culture, build a school to give back to the community, and learn about teaching.  In order to participate in this program, fundraising is required. The trip includes a $750 deposit and a fundraising goal of $2,900. For parents, the chaperone cost is $2,500.

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School the World

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Volunteer Near the ‘Smoke that Thunders’ at Victoria Falls

Sitting along the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia, Victoria Falls is renowned as one of the largest waterfalls in the world. They are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the surrounding region boasts Africa's “big five”—lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos and buffaloes. The “Volunteer in Victoria Falls” trip includes accommodations at a private game reserve located nearby in Zimbabwe. Work for participants focuses on necessary research at the reserve such as freshwater ecosystem analysis, soil erosion control and animal monitoring. Tasks performed on the ground allow the reserve to protect vulnerable animal populations in the area. This trip is run by International Volunteer HQ, which has helped more than 110,000 people to volunteer abroad in more than 50 different destinations. Volunteering opportunities are available at any time of year for between two and 12 weeks. For two weeks the trip costs $1,020 and the cost is $4,580 for 12 weeks. 

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International Volunteer HQ

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Support Women’s Empowerment in Tanzania

Tanzania is an East African country known for its vast wildernesses such as the Serengeti. This park is famous for housing Africa’s “big five”: lions, elephants, leopards, buffalos and rhinos. The “Women’s Empowerment Volunteering” trip takes travelers to Arusha to support women in the area who have faced abuse. Arusha is located at the base of Mount Meru and is a gateway to the Serengeti and to Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest peak in Africa. The women’s empowerment program aims to assist abused women by offering them a refuge to escape the violence and plan for a better life. The project’s goals are to provide essential care to vulnerable women and children, to improve their prospects through education and skills training, and to enable intercultural exchange. A volunteer will typically work between four and six hours per day. The minimum duration is two weeks and participants must be at least 18 years old. For two weeks the trip costs $529, while the maximum of 12 weeks costs $1,899. This program truly allows enrollees to help empower women so that they can attain a better future.

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Love Volunteers

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Explore Sustainable Agriculture in Guatemala

Help Out with English Instruction in Guatemala

Through the “Volunteer in Guatemala” program, visitors have the opportunity to practice their Spanish skills in this fascinating country. Participants stay in Antigua, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its immaculately preserved colonial center. Antigua is known for its restored Spanish colonial buildings and for the volcanoes that surround the city. Highlights of this trip include visiting Mayan villages around Lake Atitlan and practicing Spanish with locals in Antigua. Travelers must be at least 18 years old to participate in the trip. The volunteering portion includes opportunities to teach English at local schools and with adults. This trip requires a minimum of a one-week stay with a maximum of two weeks. The trip costs $969 for one week and $1,349 for two.

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GeoVisions

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Volunteer with Grassroots Organizations in Ghana

Ghana is a West African country with an economy primarily based on gold, oil and cocoa. It was one of the first African countries to break free from colonial rule and it still holds the ruins of colonial slave trading ports. The “Glory of Ghana” trip gives volunteers a chance to explore the country while also helping to improve conditions through education and rural development programs. The mission is to assist locals by positively affecting the quality of the area’s education, health care and environment. Specific programs depend on the needs of the community at the time, but could include building schools, instructing students and bringing clean water to communities near the city of Ho. Other activities include exploring the famous Kente weaving village, visiting Ghana’s tallest mountain and witnessing the largest waterfall in West Africa. The trip’s length is eight days and it costs $1,467.

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Globe Aware

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Teach English Through Japanese Village Life

There are many aspects of Japanese culture that differ from Western ways, providing an eye-opening experience for many who visit. The “Japan - English Exchange” trip allows enrollees to volunteer in a Japanese village and immerse themselves in its traditions. Through daily interactions with local Japanese, participants will help improve their conversational English skills. Trip highlights include sushi-making, trekking, origami crafts and visiting hot springs. Furthermore, plan to visit a snow monkey park, the exquisite Matsumoto Castle and the Zenkoji Buddhist Temple. This program requires an advanced level of English and a minimum age of 18. The trip lasts anywhere from one to 12 weeks and starts at $890. 

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Go Eco

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Help Out With Cyclone Relief Efforts in Fiji

Fiji is a South Pacific nation made up of more than 300 islands. It is known for its rugged landscapes, palm-fringed beaches, amazing coral reefs and clear lagoons. The “Fiji Construction and Renovation” trip is a long-term project that develops infrastructure for the local community and its children. Potential projects include renovating or building parks, playgrounds, classrooms and other essentials that the area currently lacks. This supports the local community by providing stability and shelter for those in need, especially after the widespread damage caused by Cyclone Winston in 2016 and Cyclone Yasa in 2020. The project is based in the town of Sigatoka on Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu. This trip provides an opportunity to give back to a hurting community for up to six hours each day. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and need at least a basic knowledge of English. The trip costs $879 for one week or $1,269 for two.

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GeoVisions

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Help Children with Disabilities in Transylvania

Romania is a country in southeastern Europe known for its heavily forested region of Transylvania. Ringed by the Carpathian Mountains, it harbors well-preserved medieval towns with many fortified churches and castles—specifically the Bran Castle, which has long been associated with the legend of Dracula. Romania spent decades under the communist rule of dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and continues to restore its rich heritage after his government’s collapse in 1989. The “Volunteering in Transylvania, Romania” trip is located in Brasov, a city in the heart of Romania’s Transylvania region. The volunteer work is locally organized and consists of helping children and adults who have special needs, such as autism or Down syndrome. The Romanian state generally fails to integrate these children into mainstream schooling. Therefore, this work is vital in developing their potential and in preparing them for the future. The volunteer work includes improving and refurbishing two of Brasov’s day therapy centers and also includes a variety of interactive opportunities with the recipients. This two-week trip costs $1,567.

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Globe Aware

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