Updated for 2018-2019
Winter break is approaching again, and with it the promise of weeks of free time away from your busy school schedule. Now, you could spend quality time with your Netflix account during December and January, feasting on leftover Christmas cookies and generally reveling in the unstructured time, but why not do something more meaningful with your break and return to school or work with fresh perspective and energy?
There are dozens of acclaimed volunteer abroad programs offering travelers the chance to make a difference in countries all over the world. After a few weeks abroad, you’ll be ready to take the New Year by storm with riveting stories about your experiences volunteering in a faraway place. Bonus: many of these programs double as the perfect escape from frosty winter days. There’s no better way to escape the winter blues than by jetting off to places such as Ghana, Costa Rica, Thailand, or Bali!
It’s quite common for volunteer abroad programs to offer flexible start dates. While some programs do have fixed dates, many others will work with you to find the most convenient timeframe for your schedule. This often means you can maximize your time off and spend more of it engaged in rewarding volunteer activities.
Here is just a small sampling of some of the incredible international volunteer experiences offered in December and January.
International Volunteer HQ
If you’re on a tight budget for your winter break travels, International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) offers lots of affordable volunteer opportunities starting from only $180 for your first week overseas. Since 2007, IVHQ has placed more than 80,000 volunteers all over the world on programs ranging from child care, to medical care, to teaching, to environmental conservation and much more.
Volunteer in Bali
One program that you can sign up for right now with IVHQ brings you to Bali, where you can help out with a variety of meaningful volunteer projects. Based in Lovina on the northern coast of Bali, a few initiatives that you can help with include construction and renovation, environmental education, healthcare education, teaching, and kindergarten. During your weekends and free time you can go snorkeling and diving along the coast, go on a cycling tour, and visit temples and waterfalls. This program starts at $320 for one week. Learn more here!
Volunteer in Fiji
For another island adventure, travel to Fiji with IVHQ, where you can take part in a construction and renovation project for a local school. This program aims to renovate classrooms and build libraries and resource centers for students. A few tasks that you can help with include painting, cleaning, repairing fixtures, and gardening or landscaping. During your free time, you’re invited to visit the beach, go shopping, and even try out adventure sports like whitewater rafting and shark feeding in Pacific Harbor. This trip starts from one week at $340 – click here to sign up!
Volunteer in Peru
Tired of the snow? Spend two weeks in the tropical Amazon jungle, living and working at a conservation camp as an IVHQ volunteer in Peru, one of the most biologically diverse areas on Earth. Peru has the largest number of bird species in the world and the third-largest number of mammals. While there, you’ll participate in reforestation projects, trail and home-base maintenance, basic research, and taking inventories of native animal species. Based upon field conditions and need, you’ll be placed at one of three different locations. Accommodations are in rustic bungalows or dormitory-style rooms. Orientation in Cusco will introduce you to Peruvian customs, language lessons, rules, safety, travel opportunities, and in-depth information about your project and placement. Program fees for two weeks start at $295. Learn more here!
Volunteer in Greece
Spend your winter break on the sunny island of Chios in Greece, situated in the Aegean Sea. You can choose from four IVHQ projects: Food Outreach, Kindergarten, School Support, and Special Needs Care. The Food Outreach program supports more than 700 people per day, distributing food to churches and community centers. Volunteer duties include food preparation, cooking, cleaning, packing, and distribution. IVHQ volunteers with School Support, Special Needs, and Kindergarten projects work under the supervision of teachers, assisting with administrative tasks and playing with the children during break time. Accommodations are in a Katarraktis apartment, in shared rooms with up to six other IVHQ volunteers. IVHQ’s Greece program starts from $340 for the first week. Click here to read more!
Plan My Gap Year
Since 2011, Plan My Gap Year has provided affordable placements for travelers who would like to volunteer in childcare, teaching, wildlife conservation, community projects, medical care, and mental health in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. Plan My Gap Year prides itself on transparency and accountability, with all programs personally inspected and vetted by the team to ensure safety and to be sure that you are matched with an initiative that complements your skills and interests. And with recognition such as the Shell LiveWire Grand Idea Award, Thailand Green Excellence Award, and Special Recognition from the United Nations in Sri Lanka, Plan My Gap Year is a wonderful organization to check out if you want to make sure you’re helping with sustainable, impactful initiatives.
Teach English in Fiji
Spend your winter break in sunny, beautiful Fiji! With more than 750 primary schools in this island nation, there’s a need for assistance from volunteers, especially those who speak English. Volunteer in Suva with Plan My Gap Year where the children are eager and excited to learn about your culture and life experiences. Volunteers assist a local teacher, but will occasionally have an opportunity lead lessons throughout the day. Younger students enjoy a relaxed and informal teaching experience, so be creative and include singing, storytelling and dance in your lessons. Fees start at $390 for a for a two-week stay.
Mini India Experience
Travel abroad during winter break for a whirlwind Mini India Experience. You’ll appreciate the diversity and beauty of India when you take on Plan My Gap Year’s two-week adventure and volunteer program. You’ll spend five days in Kerala volunteering to teach English to India’s poorest children, and then you’ll explore the rolling countryside and tea plantations. Highlights of this trip include learning yoga, seeing a Bollywood movie, sleeping on a houseboat drifting on the backwater, trekking through Munnar’s tea-growing countryside, learning about the iconic Mahatma Gandhi, trying exotic foods, and wandering through the seaside town of Kochi. This enriching, inspiring program is a two-week journey with fees starting at $435.
Marine Conservation in South Africa
Another excellent program with Plan My Gap Year brings you to South Africa on a Marine Conservation volunteer program – here, you will monitor southern right whales, bottlenose dolphins, great white sharks, and seals in Plettenberg Bay. Boat trips on the bay are spent observing and recording marine wildlife and taking fin profile photos. While in South Africa, other conservation tasks include alien vegetation removal, bird ringing (a catch-record-then release activity), river health assessments, elasmobranch egg case collection (shark, skate and ray eggs), beach cleanups, and community education. Program fees begin at $525 for one week.
Teach English in Morocco
For another African adventure, travel north and teach English in Morocco! As a volunteer, you’ll work with disadvantaged children from communities with the highest dropout rates in the world. Due to a decline in governmental spending, the public education system is failing, and literacy rates for Moroccans ages 15-24 are as low as 87%. You can help reduce this rate by volunteer work with students in the primary school system, where attendance is high and steady. Your presence can influence younger children to stay in school and continue their education. Program fees are $225 for one week.
Love Volunteers
With more than 20,000 volunteers placed overseas since 2009 (and 4,000 just in the past year), Love Volunteers is one of the fastest growing volunteer abroad organizations in the world. Love Volunteers works in 34 different countries worldwide, and hosts more than 120 projects – a few of their most popular destinations include:
Love Volunteers’ trips are affordably-priced, starting from only $199 for your first week abroad, depending on where you go. Most of Love Volunteers’ projects start from one to two weeks, giving you the perfect amount of time to volunteer during your winter break.
Construction Volunteering in Cambodia
If you’re looking for an active and impactful adventure abroad this winter break, check out Love Volunteers’ construction volunteer trip to Siem Reap, Cambodia! On this program, you will help build a home for a family in need – you don’t need experience in building or do-it-yourself projects, as you’ll work with a local team that will guide you throughout the whole program. During your weekends and free time, you can hang out at the shared volunteer house or explore the area. Learn more here!
Childcare and Development in Albania
Travel to Europe on a different style of winter break by volunteering with children in Albania – on this placement, you will work with a care center that provides educational and social support to disadvantaged Roma children facing racial segregation and neglect. As a volunteer, a few ways you can help include teaching basic English, helping students build their computer skills, arranging lessons in arts and crafts, organizing sports activities, and planning games and excursions. With your help in building their confidence and skills, the youth of Albania will have a better chance of a successful future. Learn more and apply here!
Projects Abroad
As one of the largest volunteer abroad organizations that you can be a part of right now, Projects Abroad sends more than 10,000 volunteers overseas every year, with projects ranging from medicine and healthcare, to teaching, to environmental conservation, and much more.
Make the most of time off on a Winter Break Trip with Projects Abroad. They have been offering volunteer projects for over 25 years so you will be assured an eventful and impactful holiday season. Their volunteer projects run all year round but they have several trips that run over your winter break. These two-week fixed-date projects have a set itinerary and include all accommodation, in-destination transport and meals. This means you can spend your time in the Philippines making a difference and enjoying yourself instead of worrying about all the planning and logistics.
Work with Children in Cambodia
Head to Asia to enjoy the tropical climate of Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where you’ll spend your days organizing educational activities for the children at a local daycare center with Projects Abroad. If you want to work with children in another country overseas, Projects Abroad also offers similar projects in Nepal and Sri Lanka.
These placements provide children from disadvantaged communities with a safe and affordable place to learn while their parents are at work during the holidays. You can offer English lessons, play games, read books and conduct other activities that encourage their learning creativity. When you aren’t at the Cambodia daycare center, you can visit the Royal Palace, walk through the markets and sample fish amok in Phnom Penh. During the weekend, you might even choose to take a trip to Angkor Wat in Siem Reap. Learn more here.
Gain Medical Experience in the Philippines
While everyone is indoors cuddling on the sofa, you can get a head start on your future medical career in San Remigio, Philippines. You’ll learn basic health checks,which you can put into practice at community outreaches. Under supervision, you’ll measure blood pressure and blood sugar levels, monitor heart rates and record heights and weights. Doctors and nurses will use the information you gather to diagnose and treat patients, or refer them for further treatment. You’ll even talk to families in their homes about making healthy lifestyle choices.
San Remigio has plenty to offer during your free time too. It is a stunning location for diving and offers some of the prime spots for beachgoers. You can spend your days island hopping, grabbing fresh food at farmers markets or visiting the more modern malls. Learn more here.
Agape Volunteers
Travel to Africa with Agape Volunteers and contribute to humanitarian efforts, including teaching, sports coaching, medical volunteering and HIV counseling, and environmental conservation. Founded in 2011, Agape Volunteers is a UK registered charity that offers high-quality volunteer abroad experiences in Africa. Its low-cost program fees include administration and support, orientation, housing and meals, and even travel insurance and tours, making Agape Volunteers the most affordable option if you want to volunteer in Africa.
Music Teaching in Ghana
Spend your winter break with Agape Volunteers, teaching music to youth in Ghana. You’ll support established musicians at the JayNi school, helping to plan and run music classes for students of all ages, and work with full-time instructors in order to make use of resources available. Small classes focus on basic keyboarding, singing, and music theory. Old or secondhand instruments are always welcome, so consider bringing one along with you. Program fees start at £510 for one week. Sign up here!
Animal Conservation in South Africa
Support endangered species on an animal conservation program in South Africa. This meaningful and educational experience places you at Marakele National Park, monitoring the movements and behaviors of lions, elephants, rhinos, and more. Take part in anti-poaching activities, such as looking for suspicious tracks, reporting low-flying aircraft, and camping out overnight. Daily tasks include game capture, invasive plant removal, road restoration, trash removal, fire control, and bush clearing. Spend two weeks or longer on the project starting at £1,530. Read more and apply here!
Sports Coaching in Kenya
Teach youth the value of teamwork and help them develop their skills in soccer when you volunteer as a sports coach in Kenya. Your presence and coaching ability can help foster in your players a sense of family and identity. Soccer’s popularity in this region is a result of its accessibility – it does not take much money or great resources to play, but direction is needed to help children become strong players and learn teamwork. If you have experience, you also can help to coach older players on community leagues and be a positive role model. Program fees start at £590 for one week. Learn more here!
Fronteering
If you’re looking for a winter break volunteer experience that’s exotic and off the beaten path, look no further than Fronteering. With volunteer projects located in 16 different countries worldwide, Fronteering offers wonderful trips for those who want to visit unspoiled locations and get involved in environmental conservation, wildlife research, indigenous community development, and more.
Bat Rescue in Australia
Head down under for your winter break with Fronteering! On this trip, you will visit Northern Queensland, Australia and volunteer with a bat hospital that rescues sick, injured, and orphaned bats and flying foxes. Volunteers are needed year-round for this trip, though demand is especially high between October and February – perfect for a winter break trip. Your day-to-day tasks can vary depending on what’s needed, but a few ways that you can help include preparing food for adult and orphaned bats; feeding, cleaning, weighing, and measuring the orphan bats; cleaning cages, doing laundry, helping to release bats into the rainforest, and more. This program starts from one week at $1,095 – click here to sign up!
Amazon Guide in Brazil
Another trip that you can sign up for during your winter break with Fronteering brings you to Brazil, where you’ll learn Portuguese, teach English, educate locals about rainforest conservation, and more. On this program, you will volunteer as part of an ecotourism organization that educates travelers and the public about the importance of protecting and preserving the rainforest during overnight survival trips – where you can serve as a guide. This program starts from two weeks at $1,595 – learn more here!
GoEco
Since 2006, GoEco has offered affordable volunteer abroad programs and internships in over 45 countries throughout Africa, Asia, Australasia, Central America, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and South America. With more than 170 different programs, GoEco is a great organization to check out if you’re looking for a variety of impactful trips to choose from, from wildlife conservation to teaching English. GoEco was recently recognized as the Top Volunteer Abroad Organization from GoAbroad, Top Eco-Enthusiast by Greenmatch, and has been recommended by Buzzfeed, Huffington Post, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification and more. As a volunteer, you will have 24-hour support from the GoEco team, from start to finish.
Zambia – Christmas in Victoria Falls
Spread holiday cheer in Livingstone this season! Volunteer on this unique program make holiday greeting cards with the local school children and go to elderly homes to deliver gifts. Volunteers also help to manage a special program for students during this holiday time, with fun activities such as arts and crafts and sports games. Read more here.
Komodo Dragon Park Ranger Assistance in Indonesia
Few creatures are as incredible and captivating as Komodo dragons. For this project, you get the chance to work on conservation efforts designed to protect indigenous Indonesian wildlife, including the 5,000-plus Komodo dragons that call Komodo Dragon Park home. Daily tasks including trekking through the park with rangers and tourist groups, researching and recording information, preparing education materials, and helping with park maintenance.
From the deep green forests to the soft sand of Pink Beach, you’ll be surrounded by marvelous nature throughout your volunteer time. Make the most of the wonderful weather and scenery! To find out more, click here (fees from $950 for two weeks).
Amazon Conservation and Machu Picchu Expedition in Peru
Volunteer at an ecological reserve in the Amazon rainforest and then take a tour of Peru, including a visit to Machu Picchu. A 15-day adventure ($2,200 for two weeks), your main volunteer duties include working at an animal rescue center, conducting biodiversity research, and assisting in turtle repopulation efforts. The project takes you through various areas of Peru, from the coast to the highlands of the Andes Mountains to the Amazon jungle. Expect to be in awe of the beauty you encounter.
Already packing your bags for Peru? Find out more and register here!
Teaching and Sports Facilitation in Mangochi District, Malawi
Go with GoEco to the southern end of Lake Malawi, where you’ll help implement effective teaching methods and host extracurricular activities at an under-resourced and understaffed school. By teaching English, arts, science, and other classes, as well as coaching football and netball after school, you’ll help improve education quality for children that are eager to learn. You can play a major role this winter break in empowering the youth of Mangochi District to brighter futures.
During free time, immerse yourself in the local culture and explore Lake Malawi, which is simply stunning. Ready? Warm and inviting Malawi awaits here (fees from $1,500 for four weeks).
Frontier
For over 25 years, Frontier has sent volunteers on impactful trips that combine community development, capacity building, ecosystem protection, economic growth, and the development of civil society. From their first volunteer project – a marine park in Tanzania – Frontier has expanded to include over 400 different initiatives in more than 60 countries worldwide. A nonprofit scientific research organization, Frontier’s staff have been published in over 450 articles in peer-reviewed journals. Whether you’d like to volunteer for a week or for your whole winter break, Frontier has amazing opportunities for adventurous travelers all over the world.
Marine Conservation and Diving in Fiji
Looking for an island getaway for your winter break? Apply for Frontier’s marine conservation and diving trip to Fiji, where you will volunteer with an initiative that enables Fijian communities to sustainably manage their coastal ecosystems. During your stay, you will learn about marine research skills and techniques such as conducting an underwater visual census of fish and coral, determine the extent of coral bleaching, record observation of marine feeding habits and behavior patterns, and much more. This is a wonderful way to see a wide variety of sea life, such as rays, starfish, octopus, flying fish, sharks, and dolphins while learning all about marine conservation. This trip starts from one week at $2,095 – learn more here!
Laos Volunteer Adventure
Another meaningful volunteer adventure you can take on your winter break brings you to Laos, where you’ll help out with a variety of community development initiatives while also exploring the backpacker town of Vang Vieng and the Nam Song river. While tourism has been steadily developing in this area, there’s also a need to sustainably manage its natural resources while growing the livelihood of its locals. During your trip to Laos, you will be able to get involved with organic farming, sustainable building, environmental awareness, teaching, and much more. This trip starts from two weeks at $1,245 – learn more here!
Abroadly
Want a way to search for winter break volunteer abroad programs all in one place? Check out Abroadly, Volunteer Forever’s new booking platform. All organizations and projects on Abroadly have been carefully vetted for quality and safety, which eliminates the need for you to do extra investigative research.
When you find a winter break volunteer abroad program on Abroadly, don’t hesitate. Just apply—because the application fee will be fully refunded if you’re not accepted. When you apply, you’ll be entered for a chance to win a $500 scholarship. To make your Christmas break trip more affordable, you can also use Volunteer Forever’s crowdfunding platform for free as an Abroadly applicant.
Start your search on Abroadly for a winter break volunteer program today!
Volunteer for Sea Turtle Conservation in Guatemala
Maximo Nivel’s sea turtle conservation program in Guatemala is your chance to spend winter break supporting local biologists and researchers performing important conservation work. Your main duties will include nightly beach patrols, relocating nests into hatcheries, tagging turtles, and taking part in community outreach to raise awareness about the dangers facing sea turtle populations.
You’ll be working on the beautiful Pacific coast of Guatemala, and have ample time to explore the surrounding jungles, mountains, and beaches. It’s an absolutely beautiful region. Program costs begin at $1,005 for two weeks, with stays up to 12 weeks available. Find out more and apply here!
Volunteer on a Big Five Game Reserve in South Africa
This winter break, spend your time helping the Big Five: lions, leopards, rhinoceroses, elephants, and Cape buffaloes! Global Vision International’s Big Five volunteer program in Limpopo gives you the unique experience of working with these majestic creatures. The program, which has goals that fit under the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, aims to provide consistent data for Karongwe Reserve Management, increase local awareness, and improve in-country capacity for environmental and wildlife education and conservation. Your main tasks will consist of tracking wildlife, conducting research on them (especially predators), doing data entry, and assisting with camp duties.
Does this sound like an awesome way to spend your winter? Program costs begin at $2,390 for two weeks, with stays up to 12 weeks available. Find out more and apply here!
Volunteer for Environmental Conservation in South Africa
Travel to Cape Town with Love Volunteers, where you’ll work to preserve the local environment. A great way to spend your winter, your primary responsibilities during the project will be to remove alien vegetation, clear pathways in natural areas, build community awareness through education programs, and assist with research projects, such as counting animal populations. Your help will go a long way towards conservation initiatives in South Africa.
During free time, you’ll be able to explore Cape Town, a marvelous city with scenic beaches, great dining, historical sites, and the iconic Table Mountain (in the mood for a hike?). Program costs begin at $748 for two weeks, with stays up to 12 weeks available. Find out more and apply here!
Volunteer with Endangered Animals in Bali, Indonesia
Indonesia’s diverse wildlife is dwindling due to deforestation, poaching, and trafficking. Help conserve endangered animals in Bali by joining Plan My Gap Year’s program. The main goal of the project is to rehab these precious creatures and release them back into the wild. You’ll be able to have personal encounters with all sorts of animals, including the southern pig-tailed macaque, Javan lutung, grey-headed fish eagle, and others. You’ll feed the animals, clean enclosures, and spend time socializing with primates and birds to help them overcome their mistrust of humans.
When you’re not busy saving endangered animals, go experience Bali, a place known for its laid-back beaches, shopping and nightlife, active volcanoes, like Mount Batur, and temples (such as Uluwatu Temple). Program costs begin at $519 for one week, with stays up to 24 weeks available. Find out more and apply here!
Cross-Cultural Solutions
Founded in 1995, Cross-Cultural Solutions offers internships, gap year experiences, volunteer trips, and high school volunteering programs in 9 different countries worldwide. Projects include child development, girls’ and women’s empowerment, and global health, and to date, nearly 35,000 volunteers have traveled with Cross-Cultural Solutions. CCS holds a year-round presence their host communities, a full-time team of local expert staff to support their volunteers, and among the highest standards of safety and well-being in the volunteer travel industry.
And with a 99% approval rating from participants, Cross-Cultural Solutions truly strives to make an impact, having received recognition including Special Consultative Status with the United Nations, GreatNonprofits’ top award for the third year in a row, and is accredited by the American Gap Year Association. CCS currently offers a variety of volunteer trips starting in December, perfect for winter break volunteering.
Syrian Refugee Program in Greece
For a timely and unique experience, consider Cross-Cultural Solutions’ Syrian Refugee Program in Greece, where you will help bring renewed dignity and sense of purpose to displaced people living in refugee camps near Chalkida, a town just north of Athens. A few ways that you can help include distributing food and supplies, developing camp infrastructure, providing structured activity and lessons for children, and working in female-friendly spaces to provide health information and other services. You also will have the opportunity to become an Advocate for Refugees – a position where you will put your photography, writing, and marketing skills to good use by telling these people’s stories to the world, dispel myths, and share the realities of their plight. Learn more and apply here.
Global Health Volunteering in Ghana
If you are interested in global health initiatives, Cross-Cultural Solutions has a wonderful opportunity for you to volunteer in Ghana. For 20 years, CCS has worked in Ghana to alleviate poverty and help people build brighter futures for themselves and for their families. While important advances have been made in healthcare, hygiene, and other areas of public health throughout Ghana, there’s still much to be done to combat malnutrition and disease. As a global health volunteer, you will take part in malaria prevention campaigns, vision screening for children, oral health campaigns, and promotion of hygiene in schools. Learn more and sign up here.
Global Vision International (GVI)
For 20 years, GVI has committed to providing high-quality conservation and community development initiatives worldwide for travelers who want to make a difference. Every year, more than 2,000 volunteers participate in GVI’s award-winning projects in Asia, Latin America, Africa, and beyond. GVI also has a variety of great opportunities for volunteers looking for somewhere to go during winter break!
Volunteer with Buddhist Novice Monks in Laos
On this trip, you will head to the city of Luang Prabang – a UNESCO World Heritage site – in Laos to teach practical and conversational English to Buddhist novice monks as well as to other local students. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to plan and carry out English lessons, which will help these students find future employment opportunities and build a better socio-economic status within their community. There are two temple schools and a local library where you may be teaching during your stay, and in your free time, you’re invited to go to the Kuang Si waterfall, visit the Pak Ou Caves, tour the Royal Palace Museum, and much more. This trip starts from two weeks at $1,900 – learn more here!
Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand
Another wonderful volunteer opportunity you can take on this winter with GVI brings you to Chiang Mai, Thailand, where you will work with elephants in a local rehabilitation center. During your stay, you’ll volunteer alongside mahouts to care for elephants that have been rescued from the tourist industry by bringing them back to their natural habitats and letting them live a full, healthy life. A few ways that you can help include conducting health inspections on the elephants, walking the elephants through the forest to help them socialize, and collecting data on elephants’ social interactions and food preferences. This trip starts from one week at $1,840 – learn more and sign up here!
Ready to Travel?
If you’re ready to plan your next adventure, sign up for a Volunteer Forever account here and begin fundraising for your winter break overseas!
Looking for more inspiration? Check out these articles:
Teen & High School Volunteer Abroad Programs | Under 18 Mission Trips
Short term volunteer abroad programs & mission trips (1 week & 2 weeks)
Volunteer Forever · Guest Author Contribution
The mission of Volunteer Forever is to make it easier for people to volunteer, teach, intern, and travel around the world by helping them find and fund their trips abroad.