Cambodia has a long, violent history of war and genocide, but since the mid-90’s, peace has come to the country and is a safe place to visit. The years of war, however, left a lasting impact on the Cambodian people, leaving most of them in extreme poverty and with a countryside strewn with unexploded landmines. As a volunteer time will be spent in Siem Reap, near the famous Angkor Wat temples, helping with a variety of projects—from teaching English at the Buddhism Association School to distributing wheelchairs to the Cambodians who are left injured by the leftover mines. Upon arrival on this trip, volunteers will receive a set itinerary that will include different projects to participate in, depending on the need for volunteers at the time. During downtime, volunteers can explore the Angkor Wat temples and the floating village on the Tonle Sap Lake, or simply wander the streets of Siem Reap.
Explore the Land of Fire and Ice in Iceland
Looking to experience the wonders of a small island nation in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean? Come see what Iceland has to offer! Stand in awe of the Northern Lights, explore the charming capital of Reykjavik, sail to the renown Vestmannaeyjar Islands, and see the Eyjafjallajökull volcano, which erupted in 2010 halting air traffic across Europe. If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, it will be fun recognizing the picturesque spots along Iceland’s coast where the series was filmed. You’ll also experience the stunning natural beauty of Thingvellir National Park, which contains hot springs, volcanic craters, and gorgeous waterfalls that create rainbows right in front of your eyes. While in Iceland, you’ll stay at a boutique farm resort and enjoy breakfasts and dinners with the group. After visiting Iceland’s many natural treasures, from glaciers to geothermal spas, you’ll come away fully impressed by the diversity of this unique country.
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Work in NYC Office of Doctors Without Borders
Become a paid intern in the dynamic NYC office of Doctors Without Borders and thereby help MSF provide medical care to those most in need in nearly 70 countries. Internship commitment is 4 months and interns are paid $15/hour for full-time work. Interns must pay own travel and lodging to NYC. This is a competitive program, apply here. Those with less availability might consider being an unpaid volunteer.
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Be A Clean Water Courier
Waves for Water (W4W) provides clean water solutions worldwide through projects funded by the “Clean Water Courier” program. Operating across dozens of countries, W4W’s mission is to provide access to clean water to every single person who needs it. The nonprofit’s philosophy is to empower people to take initiative, step outside their comfort zones and create unique personal experiences. W4W was born out of a love for discovery, travel and adventure and the group wants its volunteer model to similarly encourage and empower individuals during their trips.
For prospective travelers, Waves for Water has teamed up with surf company Hurley to develop an independent volunteer program called Clean Water Couriers. It is not a traditional volunteer model, but more of a do-it-yourself method meant to be utilized by travelers who want to make a positive contribution to local communities. Each person creates their own travel experience and then crowdfunds on the site to buy water filters to distribute while on their trip. W4W provides the online platform and serves as a resource for information about the filtration systems and how participants may donate them on the ground. Travelers can make a huge difference in the lives of people and communities in distress by packing a few water filters for their trips. The filters are compact and easy to use and can provide up to 100 people with clean water for up to five years. They cost $25 to $50 each.
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Quest to the Antarctic Circle From—Argentina to Antarctica
Antarctica is still a pristine ecosystem, with a variety of unique wildlife to see. Head out on this trip and spend a full week on the Antarctic Peninsula watching pods of whales swim past your ship or penguins waddle along the frozen shoreline. Start the journey in Argentina, where a waiting ship will take you through the Drake Passage and into the Antarctic Circle. There will be two opportunities for a trip onto the land to search for a rookery of penguins or spot a leopard seal. On deck, listen to lectures about the discovery and human history of Antarctica, or be on the lookout for icebergs and albatrosses! This 2 week trip is $10,399 per person.
Travel to Costa Rica For A Taste of Sustainable Living
Under30Experiences brings together thirty people all looking to learn about themselves and the world for a shared experience that builds lifelong friendships. This Costa Rica trip is actually a 2-in-1 affordable, diverse, and epic experience. You'll not only enjoy the best beach in the country but get immersed in the rainforest and stay at a famous eco-lodge where your food is grown right on site.
Plus, choose plenty of other adventures: hiking, surfing, zip-lining, rafting—see the best Costa Rica has to offer.
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Escape into Nature in Kyrgyzstan
Kyrgyzstan remains one of the most untouched areas of Central Asia since the country’s declared independence from Russian rule in 1991. Along the southern rim there are traditional, grassroots communities and raw landscapes to explore. A visit to Kel Suu, one of the highest elevated lakes in the world and a trek down the ancient Silk Road caravanserai of Tash Rabat, a centuries old monastery along a traditional trade route, are a couple of the highlights of a trip through Kyrgyzstan. Visitors can experience the Kyrgyz way of life through the hospitality of locals. They will spend the night in traditional yurts and set out for the day on horseback.
Those who embark on this thirteen day adventure will find opportunities to see unique facets of nature like the bright red sandstone of Konorchek Canyon and the vast expanse of the Naryn River, or wolves and ibex in their natural habitat. Many of the treks on the itinerary for this trip are challenging and are geared towards travelers interested in a more rigorous itinerary. This trip starts at $2,750 and lasts 13 days.
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Preserve Agricultural Communities in Turkey
Many families that live in rural areas of Turkey that they have been farming for decades are being forced to move into the cities for new opportunities to make a living. These families live well under the poverty line and moving to cities to make more money often tears them apart. By staying in these communities in the rural outskirts of Istanbul and working the land on the farms, volunteers can help keep farms sustainable and keep families together. Providing free labor can help farmers increase production and make more money. Working in the fields will give volunteers valuable knowledge about raising organic livestock and growing organic crops. Those volunteers who have previous agricultural experience can also share methods and techniques with the community’s local project managers and people.
Volunteers will live amongst local villagers and experience the culture of these remote towns. One week on this trip will cost $599. Stay up to three weeks working to keep families together and their rich culture alive.
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Explore Community, Culture and World-Renowned Coffee in Colombia
On a nine-day journey from Bogota to Cartagena, travelers will see and experience the lively traditions of Colombia. Walk through the revived city streets of Medellin, full of brightly colored houses. Physical improvements and updates to public transportation and community services infrastructure have brought the city back to life. Bogota offers architectural variety from skyscrapers to colonial churches. With the help of professional dancers to teach you the steps, discover why salsa dancing has become an integral part of Latin American social life. In the coffee capital of Armenia, see how one of the nation’s top exports is farmed and spend the night in a traditional hacienda, a Colombian plantation’s estate.
Travel time on this trip will be led by experienced local guides, but will also provide free time to check out the nightlife, art stores and locally crafted beers along the way.
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Join the Hurricane Maria Clean up Cause in Puerto Rico
Sept. 20, 2017, Hurricane Maria tore through the island of Puerto Rico, devastating the community and taking more than 500 lives. The Category 5 storm destroyed agriculture and infrastructure such as power grids and phone lines, leaving mass destruction for the population to rebuild. The island is still working to rebuild and recover from the effects of Maria, and volunteers on this project can help. Based in Yauco, 80 miles from the capital city of San Juan, volunteers work with local initiatives to rebuild and restore the roofs of more than 1,500 homes impacted by the storm. This restoration project is a grassroots effort, and local leaders work with volunteers to develop the skills needed to complete these construction projects.
Yauco is a small town stretching from the cobblestone streets of the inland downtown to the shores of the Caribbean Sea. After work is done for the day, volunteers will explore local beaches, markets and restaurants and can enjoy a cup of Yauco’s coffee, one of the area's major exports. This week-long trip will cost volunteers $1,557.
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Develop Journalism Skills in the Dominican Republic
Aldeas De Paz works with the local community in the Samana province of the Dominican Republic to tackle some of the populations biggest social issues, including gender equality and women’s empowerment, at-risk youth education, domestic violence and sex education. The projects are community-sponsored and require reliable, publicized documentation. Like many volunteer organizations, Aldeas De Paz relies heavily on donations and volunteer work to sustain certain operations, such as social media and other publications.
For this volunteer trip, participants will travel to the Samana province to document the grassroots projects completed by the organization. Volunteers work closely with the team’s social media manager and local media outlets to create videos, television and radio broadcasts, documentaries and social media content. Being present on the island, volunteer groups will also assist in the day-to-day operations of the organization’s projects and spread awareness about the island community and the challenges they face.
Travelers will receive free Spanish lessons regularly over the course of their program as well as school credit, if applicable. This trip can last from two to 13 weeks, with the price for two weeks starting at $1,236.
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Eat Your Way Through Peru
There are many factors contributing to Peru’s unique and widely admired culinary culture. The country's land is subject to extreme biodiversity, allowing for access to a large selection of ingredients. This selection, coupled with Peru’s ethnic diversity and long, rich history, have created a food scene like no other. Peru’s capital city, Lima, is home to four of the world’s top 50 restaurants. Three of them have made the list multiple years in a row.
Travel to Lima, Nazca and Ica to explore the cultural and historical sites of Peru while enjoying authentic food along the way. On the trip, you will pass through small towns and metropolitan cities, visiting ancient burial grounds and pre-Incan historical sites like the mysterious Nazca lines. The lines are massive geoglyphs of animals, plants and other figures, etched into the sand around 500 BC. End your days with dinner at some of Peru’s most well-known wineries, enjoying the world-renowned food and wine. The tour will last six days and costs $2,495 USD per person.
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Promote Conservation on a Photography Safari in South Africa
Through social media, conservation trusts and foundations have the opportunity to promote their work and educate the public about the wildlife they are working to protect. This kind of exposure can help educate the public, bring in donations and present opportunities for the foundations. Creating a full portfolio of photographs of the animals can assist in research as well. On this trip volunteers will have the chance to hone their photography skills and take shots of many species in the wild, including elephants, rhinos, leopards and smaller creatures like chameleons, lizards and more than 500 species of birds.
This project is hosted in Kruger, South Africa and will last four weeks, beginning with one week of photography courses with professional wildlife photographers. After that, the weeks will be filled with safaris and tracking animals to try and document their movements. The photos collected will be uploaded to a research database used by many research programs in the area. When they aren’t taking photos and working on social media posts or research databases, volunteers will also assist in the maintenance of the land.
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Be a Human Rights Activism Intern in Costa Rica
Costa Rica has one of the most advanced economies in Latin America, and one of the more progressive cultures. They lead the region in education, healthcare and politics, but communities are still oppressed and discriminated against. These communities include refugees, women and the LGBTQIA+ population. This internship will place individuals, based on their personal interests, with different NGOs, social organizations and government agencies to be a part of a community and work alongside social workers and other experts. In addition, they will develop their skillsets through work like community outreach, education research and fundraising.
The Maximo Nivel campus in the University District of San Pedro gives its interns great amenities and optimal space to complete their work. The area is also surrounded by restaurants, shopping and nightlife, and has a large student population. The campus is also just a ten-minute drive from downtown San Jose. Internships last 4-9 weeks and participants will leave with valuable skill sets, a deeper cultural understanding of Costa Rica, and a letter of recommendation.
Wander from Tokyo to Kyoto Through the Backroads of Japan
The famed appeal of metropolis Tokyo and cultural sightseeing of Kyoto can distract visitors from other destinations. This is not to say that Kyoto and Tokyo should be skipped by any means, and this trip will take you through both, but it provides the chance to make many stops in overlooked destinations, providing travelers with a well-rounded experience. In Matsumo, visitors learn about ancient samurai culture and tour an ancient palace. Natural hot springs are available for relaxation, and homestays in small, grassroots communities allow travelers to fully immerse themselves in the quaint side of Japanese culture. Travelers will traverse through the Japanese Alps and bike through the city of Hagi, getting a comprehensive tour of all that Japan has to offer.
The journey from Tokyo to Kyoto will take 11 days, with all the stops listed above and many more. Travelers will pay $3,199 USD per person and the group will be accompanied by experienced guides known as Chief Experience Officers, and will spend their nights in comfortable, authentic accommodations.
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Explore the History that Built Modern Ethiopia
Ethiopia is one of the few countries in Africa that was not colonized, which has given it the opportunity to develop a very pure and unique history. It is also one of the world’s oldest countries and has had over 2,000 years to build that culture. As a result, Ethiopia has both vibrant city life and natural scenery for visitors to enjoy. The capital city of Addis Ababa offers a vibrant lifestyle, a museum of natural history, and scenic hikes. Gondar is filled with grand historic castles. There are massive rock churches to explore in Lalibela, and the ancient ruins of the kingdom of Axum. Both are UNESCO world heritage sites.
This country’s powerful and independent history can be discovered on a nine-day, eight-night tour of Ethiopia from Off-Season Adventures. On this trip, travelers will be escorted by experienced drivers and provided with plenty of time to explore. The trip will cost travelers $3,687 per person and will include entry into all historical sites in the itinerary.
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Sail in Sri Lanka and the Maldives
Explore the wonders off of the southern shore of India, beginning in the scenic Sri Lankan city of Negombo and ending on the sandbars of Malé in the Maldives. The two Indian ocean countries are just over 600 miles apart, and Sri Lanka has significantly impacted the Maldives’ culture. Travelers can move between the islands in a traditional dhoni boat, a multi-purpose sailing ship used in Sri Lankan and Maldivian cultures for decades.
These islands provide plenty of opportunities for relaxing on the beach and enjoying scenic views. Still, they also offer a great deal of unique cultural experiences. Travelers can visit spice plantations in Kandy and visit the AMBA Estate, an organic farm, guest house and social enterprise in the Uva Highlands of Sri Lanka. Adventurous spirits can also embark on a wildlife safari in Udawalawe National Park. Then, snorkel to shipwrecks and coral reefs in the Maldives and enjoy authentic local seafood. All of these adventures and more are included in this 14-day trip which will cost travelers $2,559 per person.
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Run The Erbil Marathon in Iraq
The Erbil Marathon in the capital city of Iraqi Kurdistan is an annual international sporting event created to promote peace, love and non violence in Iraq. It has helped to create powerful connections to international partners for the people of Iraq who are committed to finding peace and justice for their country. All three marathons at the event are open to both men and women, going against traditional Iraqi oppression in Iraqi women’s sports. There is a full marathon, 10k and 5k run, so travelers looking to participate do not have to be experienced runners to be involved.
Travelers who attend this trip from Untamed Borders will even be given the opportunity to train with both male and female runners. The trip lasts six days, costs $1450 will cover all expenses, plus entry to the marathon.
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Experience Cuba’s Unique Charm
This trip, specifically for women to travel together in small groups, focuses on exploring Cuba’s old and rich culture. The Caribbean nation just off the shore of Florida has many different experiences to offer. Travelers can tour the historic architecture in Old Havana, strolling down its winding roads and snorkel in off the coast of Playa Larga, one of the beaches invaded in the ‘Bay of Pigs’. The cities and towns of Cuba are full of color, music, art, and dance. Private salsa lessons and a Cuban ballet are some of the opportunities that participants on this trip will have to immerse themselves in Cuban culture. They will also be exposed to a great deal of art. One night they will have dinner in the Fabrica del Arte, a museum and restaurant known for featuring local artists, all before heading out to explore Old Havana’s nightlife. Finally, this trip will close in the city of Trinidad, a city with great historical importance. After being the center of the sugar trade in the 18th and 19th centuries, it is now one of the best-preserved cities in the Caribbean and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Nine days on this trip from Purposeful Nomad will cost interested travelers $2,425 per person and include all the excursions listed above.
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Care for Rescue Dogs in the Dominican Republic
There is an extremely large population of stray dogs in the Dominican Republic. They need food, shelter and care and population control to keep manageable numbers as to where they can all receive resources. With this trip, volunteers can assist in the rescue, treatment and home placement of the masses of stray dogs that struggle to survive there. Volunteers in veterinary school or are vets can also assist the medical team on site with procedures and medical care. However, veterinary experience is not required to attend this trip. The farm where these dogs are brought after rescue is also home to many other animals that have suffered neglect, such as horses and cats. Volunteers will also help foster a better situation for the future by raising awareness of the benefits animals can have for individuals if they are cared for properly.
This volunteer adventure offered by Peace Villages requires a minimum of two weeks on site to maximize the impact each participant can have. It is also possible to make this program into an internship for students with an interest in medicine. Two weeks on this trip will start at $1,285 and there is an option to stay for as long as 13 weeks.
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