Student Volunteer Abroad Programs

You join an existing project run by local staff — teaching in a classroom, helping in a childcare center, supporting a clinic, or working on a conservation site — and follow their schedule rather than running the project yourself. Tasks depend on the placement: lesson planning and reading practice for teaching, play and basic care routines for childcare, or monitoring and habitat work for conservation. Most placements ask for enthusiasm and flexibility rather than a specific skill set.

Volunteers need to be 16+ for most programs, though 18+ on some programs such as several placements in Europe. Younger students can sometimes join with parental consent or as part of a supervised group. No previous experience is required for most placements; medical, nursing, physiotherapy or special-education roles ask for relevant study. The programs suit college and university students on a gap year, semester break or summer break.

Fees start from $534 with a $249 deposit, and the total varies by country, project and length of stay. It covers accommodation, meals, airport pickup and in-country support for the whole placement. Flights, visas and travel insurance are arranged separately. You can see exactly where the fee goes before you book.

Placements run from 1 to 24 weeks, so you can fit a program around a summer break, semester off or gap year. Most projects have set weekly or monthly start dates rather than a single fixed date each year, and the next available start is 23 Sep 2026. Check the start dates explorer for a specific country or project.

Student placements run in South Africa, India, Peru and Kenya and other countries across Asia, Africa, Europe and South America — South Africa, India, Peru, Kenya, Tanzania, Ireland and 11 more countries in total. Each destination offers a different mix of project types, so a country page will show which teaching, childcare, medical or conservation options are running there and their minimum age. See all destinations to compare.

Every placement includes an arrival orientation and 24/7 support from the in-country team, who know the local area, staff and emergency contacts. As a certified B Corp, Volunteering Solutions works with vetted local partners and accommodation, and reviews each application before confirming a placement. Students should still arrange their own travel insurance and check government travel advice for their destination before departure.

No. Volunteers support local staff and never take sole charge of a class, a group of children or a clinical task. On medical and healthcare placements you observe and assist under supervision — no diagnosing, prescribing or administering medication. On childcare and special-needs placements, a local staff member is always present. See the child protection policy for details.

You will need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, plus any visa your destination requires. A criminal background check is required for placements involving children or vulnerable adults, which covers most student programs. Travel and medical insurance is also required — see the travel insurance guidance for what to arrange before you fly.

Yes. Groups of students, with or without a teacher or mentor, can be placed together on a shared project, which some universities use for course credit or society trips. If you are organizing travel for a university group or society, see university group trips for how that is arranged separately from individual bookings.

Some students fund their trip through university grants, travel bursaries or personal fundraising. Volunteering Solutions also offers guidance on both routes — see funding and grants for students for options specific to university students, alongside a fundraising guide to help cover the $534 starting fee.

Yes. Volunteers receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the program, which many students add to a CV or résumé alongside details from the in-country team if needed for coursework or job applications. The certificate confirms the project, dates and role you supported during your placement.

Yes. Plans change, especially around exam schedules and term dates, so changes are free up to a set number of days before departure under the flexible booking policy. This covers switching your start date, duration or, in some cases, destination, without a change fee if requested with enough notice.