Gap Year Volunteering

Gap Year Volunteering

After the long hard years of completing high school, more people are choosing to take a gap year before beginning further studies. In recent years, the concept of Gap Year Volunteering has also grown.

While taking a gap year is essentially about enjoying a break after many hard years of study, it is also the perfect opportunity to gain valuable life experiences that will help not only throughout university, but also after by gaining attractive traits and experiences that future employers highly value. And it is not just high school graduates who are choosing to take gap years. University is a hard challenge, and celebrating completing that milestone by taking a gap year before entering the work force is also becoming more common.

What is Gap Year Volunteering?

Simply, gap year volunteering is incorporating volunteering abroad into your gap year. Some people may choose to spend their whole gap year volunteering. Others choose a mix of travel and volunteering throughout their gap year. However you choose to incorporate volunteering into your gap year there are options for everyone. Not only will you have an unforgettable experience, you will also gain valuable life skills and a great additions to you CV that will make you stand out to future employers.

Volunteering during your gap year is also a great way to explore areas of interest; particularly if you are unsure of what path you would like to take with your future studies. Volunteering abroad inspires many people to change their career or study paths, so volunteering abroad during your gap year is a perfect opportunity to explore different fields you would like study or work in. For those taking a gap year post university, it is the perfect chance to gain experience in your field of study or give you inspiration for your high level degree.

What are my Options for Volunteering on my Gap Year?

There are gap year volunteering options to suit everyone. We have volunteer placements from 1 - 12 weeks. So those wanting to incorporate a little bit of volunteering here and there during your gap year you have the option to volunteer for shorter periods. Those wishing to spend more of their time volunteering have the option to volunteer for longer periods. And of course we have the option to combine placements or volunteer at multiple projects for those wishing to explore a range of options and experiences to help determine what path you would like to take after your gap year.

We also offer free internships for those wanting to gain experience in their field of study before entering the workforce. As more and more people choose to go to university, simply having a degree is not always enough to gain your dream job. Employers look for people to have plenty of work and valuable life experience. Taking on an internship abroad during your gap year is great addition to your CV to help you stand out to future employers.

What Kinds of Projects are Available for Gap Year Volunteering?

There is something for everyone. We have gap year volunteer programmes working with children and community development, wildlife conservation, working with animals, elephant sanctuaries and conservation projects. If you are interested in conservation, why not head deep into the amazon jungle of Peru to assist with Amazon Conservation or join the Sea Turtle Conservation project in Costa Rica. Want to see if teaching or working with children is for you? Then we have projects in Cambodia, Peru and Colombia that will give you the chance to try out your teaching abilities by assisting with teaching English, among other activities with the children.

You can also help rural communities by helping to provide them with access to clean, safe drinking water or help an indigenous tribe preserve their traditions and cultures. Love animals, and what experience working with them? Then we have several wildlife and animal projects in Latin America and South-East Asia including 3 Elephants Sanctuaries.

For those wanting to join us in our Peru or Cambodia office we have internships in the areas of Marketing, Communications, Events & Fundraising and Teaching Development.

Heading off to University after your Gap Year ? We also have an ambassador programme that you can become a part of to continue gaining valuable experience after your gap year to help further build your CV.

Where do I start?

Planning your gap year volunteering can seem like a daunting task! But we are here to help. Contact us and our expert team will be able to help you figure out how and where you can incorporate volunteering opportunities into your gap year! The best part about including Globalteer programmes into your gap year? (in addition to learning new skills and an amazing experience of course): our projects are well situated to explore many amazing sites and locations.

Volunteer at one of our projects in Peru and visit the magnificent Machu Picchu at the same time. Explore the wonderful Angkor Temples while volunteering in Cambodia. Relax on beautiful Thai beaches after volunteering with Elephants or Wildlife. In some cases our team may even be able to assist you with some of your additional tours as well. So contact us today and get started on your gap year volunteering journey.

  • Eva Deix Avatar

    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 1/14/2018
    AJ Rodney Avatar

    The staff really made me feel welcome. I had a great experience with Globalteer in Peru. The... read more

    AJ Rodney 11/05/2017
    Hercules Moriarty Avatar

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

    Hercules Moriarty 9/22/2018
  • Paxton Perry Avatar

    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 10/09/2023
    Ann Quinlivan Avatar

    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 5/31/2018
    Fiona Mehmet Avatar

    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 1/16/2018
  • Milly O'Connell Avatar

    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 10/04/2023
    Eli Joshua Echt-Wilson Avatar

    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 3/15/2019
    Jessica Robinson Avatar

    Well organised, really helpful and welcoming staff. I had an amazing experience volunteering with Globalteer earlier this... read more

    Jessica Robinson 1/12/2018
  • Sally Bateman Avatar

    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 1/17/2018
    PICKLE SMART Avatar

    If you go there, you would definitely love it. I stayed in Picaflor House for like one month and... read more

    PICKLE SMART 8/31/2019
    Hannah Verity Stone Avatar

    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 6/30/2017
  • Jess Robinson Avatar

    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 1/12/2018
    Evie Rollinson Avatar

    I would really recommend them to anyone... Great company who genuinely want to improve the lives of... read more

    Evie Rollinson 12/26/2019
    Crystal Moniz Avatar

    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 2/13/2018
  • Robert Bisson Avatar

    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 1/12/2018
    ragnhild helgesen Avatar

    Plenty of people you can ask for guidance. Great place to do your internship. Good atmosphere in the... read more

    ragnhild helgesen 11/29/2019
    Katharine Hughes Avatar

    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 2/28/2018
  • Casey Scholl Avatar

    Would absolutely do it all over again! Amazing! They matched me with the perfect project and went... read more

    Casey Scholl 1/12/2018
    Geraldine Parkin Avatar

    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 2/06/2018
    Nick James Avatar

    Great organisation making a real difference. Great organisation making a real difference in Peru.

    Nick James 12/20/2017
  • Anna Von Foerster Avatar

    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 6/30/2017
    Elise Mousset Avatar

    100% recommend to volunteer with them Globalteer is a great charity that will help you every... read more

    Elise Mousset 10/03/2019
    Kayla Lynne Kiteley Avatar

    This trip was very well organized by Globalteer. I had the amazing opportunity to volunteer with Globalteer at... read more

    Kayla Lynne Kiteley 1/25/2018
  • Nathan Crook Avatar

    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 1/25/2018
    A.N. Barry Avatar

    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 1/14/2018
    Justine Auton Avatar

    The benefits of doing this work through Globalteer were many. I worked on the clean water project in Siem Reap... read more

    Justine Auton 1/14/2018
  • Tiarne Biviano Avatar

    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 2/02/2019
    Jeff Bartlett Avatar

    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 6/30/2017
    Katrina Baxter Avatar

    Anyone wanting to volunteer I would 100 percent recommend Globalteer!!!! I had the pleasure of volunteering with Globalteer at Picaflor... read more

    Katrina Baxter 7/04/2017
  • Mark Catling Avatar

    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 6/30/2017
    burcu eren Avatar

    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 1/10/2019
    Colin Elkington Avatar

    The most eye-opening and inspiring experiences I have had. My time spent volunteering in Siem Reap, Cambodia, with Globalteer... read more

    Colin Elkington 1/14/2018
  • Hope Wilson Avatar

    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 1/16/2018
    Diego Alonso Avatar

    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 11/13/2017
    Crystal Avatar

    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 2/13/2018
  • Peter DiFrancesca Avatar

    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 7/10/2017
    Holly Bygrave Avatar

    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 7/26/2018
    Colin Elkington Avatar

    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 1/13/2018
  • Lauren Franklin Avatar

    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 6/30/2017
    Anna Hilbert Avatar

    Would highly recommend them to anyone considering volunteering abroad. A wonderful organisation that's truly dedicated to helping the communities... read more

    Anna Hilbert 9/30/2019