Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering opportunities are as varied as the individuals who pursue them.  They can be:

• Anywhere in the world
• Last from 1 day to many years
• Require no skills to highly professional skills
• May provide room & board or other benefits
• May require you to pay a fee for the privilege of volunteering

As you think about volunteering on an international level, consider:

• Where you want to live
• What you would like to do
• The type of people you want to work with
• The type of organization you’d like to volunteer for
• The "cause" or issue which concerns you
• How much time you want to spend
• Your financial situation

There are literally thousands of agencies and organizations through which you can volunteer from local churches helping new residents learn English to governmental agencies like the Peace Corps.
Peace Corps 
The number one "employer" of Americans working abroad is the Peace Corps which offers two year experiences throughout the world. Individuals with health, agricultural, and business experience and knowledge are particularly sought. The Peace Corps can be a stepping-stone to a career in international development or state department work.  .

• International YMCA Go Global Program
  Offers international volunteer opportunities throughout the world in such areas as teaching English, health education, swimming instruction, child care, computer training, etc.
  
• Voluntary Services Overseas
  Offers information on 150 global justice organizations. 
  
• Youth for Understanding   
   Offers an international exchange program.
  
• Cross-Cultural Solutions
  Provides short and long-term volunteer opportunities for humanitarian aid in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Eastern Europe.
  
• The Idealist
  15,000 service organizations "under one roof." The most comprehensive nonprofit and volunteer resource listing on the web.
  
• Institute for International Cooperation and Development (IICD)
  Offers volunteer solidarity work lasting 6-19 months in development or community projects in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. All involve preparation and follow-up periods at the Institute in Massachusetts.
  
• International Volunteer Program (IVP)
  Provides students the opportunity to do volunteer internships in France or the UK with tourism offices, summer camps, hospitals, environmental projects and local city governments. Room and board provided during work period.
  
• Volunteer Match
  Matches individuals with volunteer internships (some of which are international) based in the US. Click on "international" under career categories when you search for opportunities.
• United Nations
  Check out the Vacancies section of this website for more information about volunteer opportunities.

Content for this page provided by:
Dr. Kate Brooks, Director, Liberal Arts Career Services, University of Texas at Austin