Volunteer Abroad Programs and Possibilities

Welcome to a page of possibilities! If you are interested in doing some volunteer work abroad, then check out some of the websites below. If you are specifically looking for medical volunteer possibilities, then click here.

Cross Cultural Solutions (www.crossculturalsolutions.org)

Cross-Cultural Solutions is a not-for-profit international volunteer organization that operates volunteer programs in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Peru, Russia, Tanzania, and Thailand. Our programs offer a unique opportunity for participants to work side-by-side with local people, on locally designed and driven projects. Our volunteer programs are designed to facilitate hands-on service and cultural exchange in the aim of fostering cultural understanding. As an international volunteer, you will participate in meaningful community development and gain a whole new perspective of the world.

Catholic Network of Volunteer Service (www.cnvs.org)

The Catholic Network is a national association of Christian volunteer and mission programs. They are leaders in promoting domestic and international service opportunities to people of all backgrounds, ages and skills. They are committed to providing our member programs with resources to effectively fulfill their missions. (*Note*: We have a hard copy of their directory of opportunities at the OCSE office.)

The Pangea Partnership (www.pangeapartnership.org)

The Pangea Partnership conducts workshops in developing nations which connect tourists and students with local youth. We teach participants how to construct healthy, ecological and economic buildings such as homes, schools and medical clinics, that are essential to a community's well being. Our workshops bring together travelers visiting host countries with locals who will take what they learn back to their communities to assist others. We encourage travelers to take personal responsibility for global issues through direct involvement. Workshops combine lectures, presentations and hands-on learning with extra-curricular group events designed to give participants an introduction to the natural and cultural beauty of the host country. In the coming season we will be undertaking projects in Nicaragua, Central America. After successfully completing a workshop, participants will have the skills to undertake their own sustainable building projects, and the structures they have built as part of the workshop are donated to the communities where we operate.

Global Peaceworks (www.globalpeaceworks.org)

Our Vision
To bring people of diverse spiritual traditions together for cooperative, charitable service projects.

Our Mission
We create opportunities for people of diverse faiths and spiritual traditions to live together, perform charitable service and explore spirituality. Living as an international, interfaith family, we perform service, focus on interfaith dialogue and visit sacred sites.

We support existing interfaith dialogue and interfaith conferences with a real-world expression of peace-building through action. Our ten day service-projects complement the good work of many wonderful organizations including the United Religions Initiative in which we are a Cooperation Circle.

Aidcamps International (www.aidcamps.org)

Participate in a third world development aid project...
Experience authentic local culture, customs and food...
Integrate with truly local people, not just the tourist industry...
Witness the real situation for many people on the planet...
Visit local and regional heritage sites...
Live amongst the people you are helping...

In addition to the volunteer work involved our two and three week projects provide volunteers the chance to meet, live, and work overseas with local people and experience their culture first hand, while providing a solution to a local problem, as requested by the locals. Our itineraries also include other local problem awareness visits, as well as trips to local and regional heritage sites, national parks, and cultural centres, so that volunteers can get a feel for both the richness of the area and the predicaments faced by its inhabitants.

Global Service Corps (www.globalservicecorps.org)

Global Service Corps (GSC) is a nonprofit international volunteer organization that provides volunteer opportunities for people worldwide to live and work abroad in developing countries. We care about people. We care about the earth. We learn and we teach. Programs: Enjoy cultural immersion service-learning programs in Thailand and Tanzania. Programs in health, environment and/or education year-round - from two weeks to six months. International Internships in all areas including International Healthcare.

World Wide Volunteer Service (www.wwvs.org)

World Wide Volunteer Services (WWVS) offers a unique and interesting internship/field experience for the adventurous and/or humanitarian volunteer. Placements are intended to help you become immersed in another culture, with another people, in another way of life. Through hands-on experience with the local population you can increase language and other skills in an area of special interest to you and assist the locale in specific projects.
WWVS has an extensive listing of programs spanning all the major continents and the U.S.A. WWVS adds a personal touch by assisting you in matching the kind of placement you are seeking with a locale which can offer you a gratifying personal experience. Through your participation as a volunteer it is possible to earn college credit. WWVS is available to Americans and international students, adults (not seeking credit), professionals, and retirees. Volunteering means that you will not be paid for services, that you are responsible for your travel, living, health and liability, and personal expenses. There are some exceptions to these requirements.

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