Becca with participants in a student business plan competition

Name of Organization: Peace Corps
Website: www.peacecorps.gov
Project Duration: 27 Months (3 months training + 2 years service)
Location: The Peace Corps works in countries from Asia to Central America, and from Europe to Africa. It is currently active in roughly 72 countries.
Cost: The Peace Corps covers all travel and living expenses. Volunteers receive a regular stipend, calculated based on current, local living costs.
Type of volunteer work: Education, health, business, agriculture, environment, etc. The country-level Peace Corps office has identified a primary project for each volunteer, which includes a local affiliation like the mayor’s office or the high school or the local health center, for example. more…

New Orleans school girl

Name of Organization: Emmanuel College
Project Duration: 1 week
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
Cost: USD 300 – inlcudes Airfare, Accommodation, Meals
Type of volunteer work: Tutoring, cleaning, labor, helping in school, elderly companionship
Country’s safety level at time of travel: Very safe
Required vaccinations: none
Rate this trip: (1-5 stars) 5
Would you recommend to a friend? Yes

This March during my spring break, I traveled with 13 other students from Emmanuel College (Boston) to New Orleans, Louisiana to volunteer for the week. We stayed with the Sisters of the Holy Family in their convent, where we were immediately welcomed into their home with kindness. more…

Melinda: La Tortuga Feliz

Name of Organization: La Tortuga Feliz
Website: www.latortugafeliz.com
Project Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Costa Rica
Cost: $235 – inlcudes Accommodation, Meals
Type of volunteer work: Sea turtle conservation
Necessary Skills: Just a willingness to be a team player and contribute to the conservation of sea turtles and the community.
Country’s safety level at time of travel: Safe
Required vaccinations: None
Rate this trip: 3 out of 5 stars
Would you recommend to a friend? Yes

This was my first trip travelling abroad solo. It was also my first trip doing volunteer work. The only cost for La Tortuga Feliz is for your bed and 3 meals a day. The cost is $20 per day if you only stay a week, but $15 for 2 weeks or more. It was a great organization and a great experience.

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Smiles on Wings

Name of Organization: Smiles on Wings
Website: www.smilesonwings.org
Project Duration: 1 week
Location: Maeseriang, North Thailand
Cost: Your expenses – airfare, food, gas money etc. You need to organize your travel arrangements, vaccinations and visa yourself.
Type of volunteer work: Assisting dentists with their work
Necessary Skills: Proactive and mature
Country’s safety level at time of travel: Safe
Required vaccinations: Tetanus, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B
Rate this trip: 4 out of 5 stars
Would you recommend to a friend? Yes

My experience volunteering in Northern Thailand was certainly a trip highlight. In my opinion, volunteering the best way to travel if you like to live life to it’s full potential.

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Volunteering Solutions

Name of Organization: Volunteering Solutions
Website: www.volunteeringsolutions.com
Project Duration: 2 weeks
Location: Delhi, India
Cost: $2000
- inlcudes flights, accommodation, meals.
Type of volunteer work: Teaching English to street kids
Necessary Skills: Fluent English
Country’s safety level at time of travel: Safe
Required vaccinations: Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Diphteria
Rate this trip:  1 out of five stars
Would you recommend to a friend? No.

I had an unease about Volunteering Solutions, but went with the program anyway and now I wish I had listened to myself. more…