Volunteer Holidays

Volunteer Holidays Abroad

Conservation Volunteers

Volunteer Holidays: Giving of Your Time and Talent for the Benefit of Others

Looking for an opportunity for personal growth and fulfillment all while aiding a worthy cause? then working holidays abroad may be for you. Volunteer holidays are time set aside to help others; to use your skills and time to aid in the change or development of society. This volunteer travel will likely be more transformative than you imagine. But how do you begin and what options are there? There are opportunities for all ages and all skill sets, so you just need to pick what interest you.

Teaching Others

If you have an educational background you can volunteer to teach others. If not, then you can still volunteer as a teaching assistant. There are many opportunities in Asia, Latin America and Africa and other places for native English speakers willing to teach English as a second language. If you are charismatic and patient with the unique ability to convey information in an understandable and approachable way, then teaching abroad may be an excellent fit for you.

Requirements – educational background or most people are suited to volunteer as a teaching assistant.

Helping Endangered and Trafficked Animals

If you love animals and often find yourself wondering how you can do more to ensure that your children get to see all of the beautiful species you have grown up with, then plan your alternative holiday working with animals. All over the world, there are species that need your help, and you don’t have to be a veterinarian or zoologist to do it. Observation, construction, cleaning and feeding are some of the tasks of typical volunteers at rescue centres. Whether you want to help protect the elephants in Thailand, bears in Cambodia or trafficked animals in Laos, wildlife conservation is noble work in need of volunteers.

Requirements – Physically fit and a love for animals

Community Development Projects

Volunteer holidays supporting community development is a great way to volunteer and give back. Community programs often include educational projects as well as health programs, farming, infrastructure, sports and clean water projects. Whether you are a skilled laborer or just a concerned citizen, these projects are in a constant need for able-bodied individuals willing to give of their time and talents. There are opportunities in nearly every region in the world to help, so volunteer today and help build a better tomorrow.

Requirements – Various tasks available so many volunteers can get involved in community projects

Domesticated Animal Care

Man’s best friend is in dire need around the world. It is estimated there are more than 200 million stray dogs in the world. If you love dogs, then you can do your part to help to end the suffering of dogs forced to live a life on the streets. There are many shelters rescuing dogs from the streets and the lucky ones get looked after by volunteers from around the world. There are programs where dogs are neutered and vaccinated to help prevent more street dogs and the suffering from preventable disease.

You can also volunteer with domesticated elephants. Elephants have been domesticated in Asia for thousands of years and they are still taken from the wild today to be exploited in the tourism industry. Many elephant sanctuaries exist to rescue the elephants from a life of hard work; to allow them to live a life as close as possible to their wild brothers and sisters. Live and work up close to these magnificent creatures. When you travel to volunteer, you can care for these magnificent animals and give them the life they deserve at elephant conservation projects.

Requirements – Physically fit and a love for animals

Child Care Programs

In many parts of the world, children are forced to grow up too quickly. War, poverty, hunger and illness are just a few of the ways that children are victimized worldwide. You could make a difference in this epidemic by planning your volunteer holidays around child care issues. Working with children can be an extremely rewarding experience. If you are qualified and able to provide a long term commitment, then you may be able to volunteer directly with the children.

Additionally, if you have experience in marketing, advertising or business, you may be able to help behind the scenes. You may be able to assist with planning and development of community centers, feeding programs and other after-school programs. If you only have a short time and have no experience in working with vulnerable children; then child care projects are probably not for you, as described in this article about orphanage volunteering.

Requirements – Long term commitment, qualifications and experience in caring for vulnerable children

Aiding the Environment through Conservation Projects

As concern grows for the effect of humans on the environment, the number of volunteer holidays focused on conservation rise. In any of these volunteer travel programs, you will be aiding in the research, upkeep and restoration of the environment. From restoring coral reefs in Borneo to species monitoring in the Peruvian Amazon, there are volunteer opportunities for the whole family. Becoming a conservation volunteer should be at the top of your list i you are interested in protecting the environment or raising your children to be aware of their carbon footprint.

Requirements – Physically fit and a passion for conservation

Healing Others - an alternative holiday

There are a few volunteer holidays that encompass the idea of health and medical assistance. From providing vaccines to providing first aid, the world is in a dire shortage of health care professionals and volunteers. Many developing countries have significant public health issues that need to be addressed. Do you have a medical background and are looking for a way to give back? Then use your years of academic and professional experience to benefit the well-being of communities worldwide. Many developing countries and impoverished communities have low life-expectancies because they cannot provide or receive adequate medical care.

Requirements – Professional qualifications and experience in the medical field.

Volunteer charity holidays are an excellent way to give back to the world. By working holidays abroad, you will garner deeper relationships with people all over the place and gain insights into the world’s most pressing issues. Volunteer travel in the pursuit of personal growth and fulfillment is noble; but the work you do in aiding cultures and people outside of your own is a reward beyond words.

Lets Get Started on your Volunteering Holiday Journey

Teaching & Community Projects

Volunteer at a community project abroad or as a teaching assistant.

Animal Care Volunteer

Volunteer with rescued animals from Wildlife, Elephants or Dogs.

Volunteer at Conservation Projects

Volunteer to support conservation projects in their essential work.

How to Choose a Volunteer Organisation

How to choose a volunteer the perfect volunteer organisation for you.

How to Volunteer Responsibly Overseas

Learn how to Volunteer Responsibly and have a positive impact.

All Volunteer Our Volunteer Holidays Abroad

View all of Globalteer's Ethical Volunteer Programmes.

What are our volunteers saying about us?

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  • The staff working there are dedicated but also good fun. What an amazing experience! We spent a week with this... read more

    Hercules Moriarty Avatar Hercules Moriarty
    9/22/2018
  • The trip has changed my outlook on life and I believe that this is only the start of my volunteering career! Mid-life crisis? Mid-life adventure? It could have been either.....or even... read more

    Geraldine Parkin Avatar Geraldine Parkin
    2/06/2018
  • Globalteer were there every step of the way to help facilitate everything. Such a rewarding experience. Candice and Globalteer were there every... read more

    Peter DiFrancesca Avatar Peter DiFrancesca
    7/10/2017
  • Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend Globalteer!!!! I had the pleasure of volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor... read more

    Katrina Baxter Avatar Katrina Baxter
    7/04/2017
  • The most eye-opening and inspiring experiences I have had. My time spent volunteering in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with Globalteer... read more

    Colin Elkington Avatar Colin Elkington
    1/14/2018
  • If you go there, you would definitely love it. I stayed in Picaflor House for like one month and... read more

    PICKLE SMART Avatar PICKLE SMART
    8/31/2019
  • The whole experience was fantastic from start to finish. All the Globalteer staff made me feel really welcome. I spent a couple of weeks volunteering at the Helping... read more

    Holly Bygrave Avatar Holly Bygrave
    7/26/2018
  • It was a huge eye opener and I would do it again in a heartbeat! I volunteered with Globalteer in Cambodia last year and I... read more

    Fiona Mehmet Avatar Fiona Mehmet
    1/16/2018
  • I think it speaks volumes for the quality and impact of the experience, that I returned for a second trip! I first volunteered at Picaflor House Children's Community Project in... read more

    Katharine Hughes Avatar Katharine Hughes
    2/28/2018
  • Would highly recommend them to anyone considering volunteering abroad. A wonderful organisation that's truly dedicated to helping the communities... read more

    Anna Hilbert Avatar Anna Hilbert
    9/30/2019
  • Great program, great volunteer opportunities, would recommend to anyone. I volunteered for a month with Globalteer in Peru and... read more

    Eli Joshua Echt-Wilson Avatar Eli Joshua Echt-Wilson
    3/15/2019
  • It was a life-changing experience for me, one that I will never forget. I absolutely loved my time volunteering in Cambodia with Globalteer!... read more

    Ann Quinlivan Avatar Ann Quinlivan
    5/31/2018
  • I had the privilege of working as an Intern in Peru with Globalteer I had the privilege of working as an NGO Assistant... read more

    Milly O'Connell Avatar Milly O'Connell
    10/04/2023
  • It was organised so well and I felt so comfortable throughout the whole process. Late last year I was able to spend a month... read more

    Tiarne Biviano Avatar Tiarne Biviano
    2/02/2019
  • Plenty of people you can ask for guidance. Great place to do your internship. Good atmosphere in the... read more

    ragnhild helgesen Avatar ragnhild helgesen
    11/29/2019
  • All the staff and volunteers I worked with were very friendly and supportive. My time spent volunteering in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with Globalteer... read more

    Colin Elkington Avatar Colin Elkington
    1/13/2018
  • The benefits of doing this work through Globalteer were many. I worked on the clean water project in Siem Reap... read more

    Justine Auton Avatar Justine Auton
    1/14/2018
  • This trip was very well organized by Globalteer. I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer with Globalteer at... read more

    Kayla Lynne Kiteley Avatar Kayla Lynne Kiteley
    1/25/2018
  • Had a great time and was happy to support such a worthwhile project. Having done lots of research on volunteer projects, I decided... read more

    Diego Alonso Avatar Diego Alonso
    11/13/2017
  • All the Globalteer staff I have worked with have become friends and I value their support and encouragement. I have volunteered with the Globalteer Cambodia Community Project in... read more

    Sally Bateman Avatar Sally Bateman
    1/17/2018
  • Everything was well organised from day one and any special requirements were met with ease. Volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor House was an incredible experience... read more

    Hannah Verity Stone Avatar Hannah Verity Stone
    6/30/2017
  • Wish others would also be as lucky as I am to have such an amazing experience! I can’t stop talking & thinking about this amazing experience... read more

    burcu eren Avatar burcu eren
    1/10/2019
  • Globalteer employ members of staff who themselves have a passion for travelling. Having chosen to spend three-weeks volunteering on a Cambodia Community... read more

    Nathan Crook Avatar Nathan Crook
    1/25/2018
  • I felt very much taken care of and I met amazing people who worked on other Globalteer projects. Coming from a country with very few organisations that offer... read more

    Eva Deix Avatar Eva Deix
    1/14/2018
  • Globalteer in Cusco was one of the best summers of my life. This was one of the most life changing experiences i... read more

    Paxton Perry Avatar Paxton Perry
    10/09/2023
  • Would absolutely do it all over again! Amazing! They matched me with the perfect project and went... read more

    Casey Scholl Avatar Casey Scholl
    1/12/2018
  • Accommodation was perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Perfect mix of authenticity and safety. Stayed with the best... read more

    Crystal Moniz Avatar Crystal Moniz
    2/13/2018
  • The staff really made me feel welcome. I had a great experience with Globalteer in Peru. The... read more

    AJ Rodney Avatar AJ Rodney
    11/05/2017
  • 100% recommend to volunteer with them Globalteer is a great charity that will help you every... read more

    Elise Mousset Avatar Elise Mousset
    10/03/2019
  • Each morning I woke up excited and full of energy to meet the other amazing volunteers and start our work! This experience was one of the most rewarding things I... read more

    Robert Bisson Avatar Robert Bisson
    1/12/2018
  • If you’re considering getting involved, just do it! I guarantee you won’t regret it. I had an AMAZING experience volunteering on two different projects... read more

    Jess Robinson Avatar Jess Robinson
    1/12/2018
  • The Globalteer staff was extremely friendly, helpful, and made me feel right at home. One of the best experiences I've ever had! The Globalteer... read more

    Anna Von Foerster Avatar Anna Von Foerster
    6/30/2017
  • They are great in every way. I have worked with them twice and I am counting down the days until I return next. Working with Globalteer and Picaflor house is amazing. They're great... read more

    Jeff Bartlett Avatar Jeff Bartlett
    6/30/2017
  • Great organisation making a real difference. Great organisation making a real difference in Peru.

    Nick James Avatar Nick James
    12/20/2017
  • I would most definitely recommend Globalteer to anyone who is interested in volunteering. My experience with Globalteer was amazing and I've volunteered with... read more

    A.N. Barry Avatar A.N. Barry
    1/14/2018
  • Could not fault the hard work these people put in to support people less fortunate than myself. Great experience in Peru, couldn't fault the hard work these... read more

    Mark Catling Avatar Mark Catling
    6/30/2017
  • I would really recommend them to anyone... Great company who genuinely want to improve the lives of... read more

    Evie Rollinson Avatar Evie Rollinson
    12/26/2019
  • I met a fab group of people and they made the trip even better! I had the best time volunteering, especially with a background... read more

    Hope Wilson Avatar Hope Wilson
    1/16/2018
  • I had an amazing time and look forward to volunteering with Globalteer again in the future! I volunteered with the Peru Community Project out of Cuzco... read more

    Lauren Franklin Avatar Lauren Franklin
    6/30/2017
  • Well organised, really helpful and welcoming staff. I had an amazing experience volunteering with Globalteer earlier this... read more

    Jessica Robinson Avatar Jessica Robinson
    1/12/2018
  • Accommodation was perfectly chosen and I made friends for life during my month working there. Learnt so much in an authentic and safe environment. Accomdation... read more

    Crystal Avatar Crystal
    2/13/2018