Volunteering
Volunteering can be a meaningful way to participate in and learn firsthand from the people of your host country and the issues that challenge their communities.
Working with sustainable projects and Mayan communities in Mérida. Cataloging information from an ancient archeological site in Peru. Tutoring Costa Rica peers and young professionals in English. These are all examples of experiences that also show you are willing and able to contribute, wherever you may be in the world.
Skills you might develop while volunteering abroad
Volunteering abroad can give you another way to learn about your host community, engage with local perspectives and reflect on your own experiences.
Through volunteering, you could develop skills you may apply in your future, such as
- Collaboration
- Project management
- Communication
- Empathy and cultural awareness
- Time management
- Build and work in community
To learn more about volunteering, read more in our guide, Volunteering During Study Abroad: Benefits and How to Get Involved.
How can volunteering change your study abroad experience?
Volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding and meaningful part of your study abroad experience. Every opportunity will carry different expectations. Before committing to an experience or organization, consider how the work, responsibility, and time align with your interests, academic goals, and program schedule.
Depending on your volunteer opportunity, you may need to:
- Complete training, onboarding, or orientation
- Commit to a regular schedule
- Travel to a volunteering site
- Meet eligibility and/or language requirements
- Pack and wear appropriate clothing
- Follow organizational rules or protocols
- Adapt to shifting responsibilities based on need
- Be prepared to take initiative, be flexible, and work unsupervised
Student experiences
“Volunteering taught me a greater sense of empathy, and an understanding of students’ lived experiences that I had never experienced. These experiences might make us question our identities or the physical spaces we inhabit, something more profound than classroom experiences.”
—Nina R., IFSA Summer in Mexico
“Volunteering has never been a one-sided transaction for me. I always seem to walk away with more than I anticipated. Being a volunteer with this class of Argentine students was no different. They led me to learn more about myself, question my culture, and think hard about the things that make me, me. For this, I am forever grateful. Not only was I able to make a small impact on a few people, but I was able to open up and value my own sense of self.”
—Loren J., IFSA Buenos Aires, Argentina
Programs with volunteering opportunities
If you are interested in volunteering, start by exploring the list below. In addition, tell your IFSA Enrollment Counselor that this is one of your goals. After you arrive for your program and establish your academic schedule, IFSA on-site staff will help you find opportunities that align with your interests and goals.
Frequently asked questions about volunteering abroad
| Questions | Answers |
|---|---|
| Can I volunteer while I study abroad? | Some IFSA programs offer volunteering opportunities for students interested in contributing during their study abroad experience. |
| What kinds of volunteering experiences are possible? | Volunteering experiences may include cataloging information, English tutoring, working on environmental projects, involving yourself with community collectives. |
| Why volunteer abroad? | Volunteering can be a meaningful way to learn directly from the people you will be interacting with, see how others solve problems, appreciate new realities, meet new people in your host country, and learn about issues that challenge their communities. |
| Are there limits on volunteering abroad? | Yes. Some countries limit U.S. student volunteering or you need special permits/visas to conduct this activity |
| Who should I tell if I am interested in volunteering? | If you’re interested in volunteering, let your IFSA Enrollment Counselor know. |
| Can IFSA staff help me find volunteering opportunities after I arrive? | Yes. After you arrive in-country, IFSA on-site staff can help you find opportunities that align with your interests and goals. |