Joining a volunteering project abroad is a commendable decision, but deciding how long your commitment should be can be a challenging task. We’ve already explored the differences between short-term and long-term volunteering, weighing the pros and cons of each. Now, let’s delve deeper into the question many volunteers have asked us in the past: “How long should I volunteer for?” and explore the varying durations of volunteer work. 1. Understanding your Goals Understanding your goals is crucial in determining the ideal duration for your volunteering journey. Your goals and objectives are key to ..read more

Lay back and take a moment to get into the inspiring journey of Giulia, a fearless solo female volunteer making a difference in Kenya. Discover her story of compassion, courage and connection as she lends a helping hand to those in need. Discover Giulia’s remarkable adventure that showcases the power of one individual’s heartwarming impact. Who are you? Tell us a bit about yourself: Hi! I’m Giulia, a 26-year-old from Italy, originally from Verona. I love traveling around the world and I already lived in many different places like Milan, Sydney, Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Dubai, Paris, Madrid ..read more

Are you passionate about making a difference in the world while immersing yourself in vibrant cultures and breathtaking landscapes?  Look no further than Latin America, because it’s a region known for its rich biodiversity, warm hospitality, and numerous volunteer opportunities. In this guide, we will explore our top six destinations—Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, and Guatemala—that offer an ideal combination of volunteer work and unforgettable experiences. Join us as we delve into the unique characteristics of each country and discover how you can contribute to meaningful pro ..read more

Dive into Florian’s captivating shark conservation volunteer experience in South Africa. Explore their contribution to marine preservation, challenges faced, and personal development. Gain insights from an exclusive interview with Florian and discover the extraordinary work done to protect these majestic creatures and their habitats. Get inspired and join the mission to protect our oceans! Why should one engage in conservation for sharks? Why did you choose the SharkLife organization among all the shark conservation programs on Volunteer World? Can you share your first impressions upon arrivi ..read more

From ancient temples to vibrant markets, being a Volunteer in Asia offers a wide range of opportunities that combine adventure with meaningful experiences. In this article, we present our ranking of the most popular destinations to volunteer in Asia, highlighting the unique charms and volunteering prospects of each location. Are you ready to experience the adventure of a lifetime while positively impacting lives? Indonesia – A tapestry of Cultures Thailand – the Land of Smiles Nepal – Himalayan Adventure for a cause Vietnam – A Travelers Paradise India – Colors, contrasts and compassion Phili ..read more

You, as a new volunteer, just arrived to your new home: A culture with different customs, people, languages, food, and much more- wow, now there is suddenly so much new to discover! Your adrenaline and dopamine are setting you into a frenzy and you see your new surroundings through rose-colored glasses – welcome, you are in the so-called “honeymoon phase“. Maybe you already know this feeling of happiness, which makes you want to explore your new home, experience it and thus also a bit blinded by challenges. What is a culture shock? Unfortunately, what often follows the euphoria is culture shoc ..read more

Graduating high school or college is an exciting accomplishment in every student’s life! This huge milestone should be celebrated to the fullest! It is common for graduates to travel abroad before embarking on the next chapter of their life. Whether they want to gain practical work experiences or to explore different cultures around the globe, they certainly will make new, unforgettable memories! However, planning such a once-in-a-lifetime adventure might be overwhelming for some. To ease your graduates into it, why not gift them plane tickets (if your budget allows it) or simply useful travel ..read more

We are again happy to share some first-hand insights from volunteers on the field! Today it’s Jan, 38, from Germany – staying for two weeks on Crete, supporting a Greek dog shelter in Gouves. Let’s learn more about his planning, his first impressions, and his overall conclusion: How did you start planning for your trip to Greece? It all started in April 2022, three months before the start of my trip. It became clear that I would be vacationing alone this time. Still in Germany, I searched for a nice vacation that came with joyful and meaningful activities. At the same time creating the opportu ..read more

If you have been doing some research on volunteering opportunities already, you’ll probably have noticed the great variety there is in terms of duration requirements. Some volunteer jobs only require a helping hand for a week or two, while others are only accessible if you invest at least a few months’ time in them. As there is no real definition of what counts as short-term or long-term volunteering, we will refer to projects from a week until one month as short-term volunteering, and everything exceeding this duration will be referred to as long-term volunteering. As always, both ends of the ..read more

We are happy to share some first-hand insights from volunteers on the field! Today, it’s Lena from Germany – staying for a month in Nepal’s beautiful capital city Kathmandu supporting a public school. So we go to hear more about her first insights: What was your first thought when you arrived at the project site? I was tired from the long travel of course and really, really nervous as I had absolutely no idea of what to expect. Already at the airport, I had a warm welcome from the grandfather of my host family. Within the first days, they made it really easy for me to experience the culture an ..read more