Search guidebooks
Visit International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ)'s website to learn more about their programs abroad
Overview
Overview
IVHQ offers the world’s most trusted and affordable volunteer programs in more than 50 destinations. Programs are available in Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, North America, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East and the Pacific where IVHQ has supported over 100,000 people to volunteer abroad since 2007.
Currently, IVHQ has programs in Bali, Costa Rica, South Africa, Greece, Fiji, Nepal, Peru, Jamaica, Madagascar, Spain, Cambodia, Kenya, Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Italy, Tanzania, Cambodia, Victoria Falls, India, Vietnam, Portugal, New Zealand, Laos, Belgium, Morocco, Romania, Brazil, China, Ghana, Colombia, Zambia, Uganda, Ecuador, Argentina, Jordan, USA, Croatia, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Mexico and Thailand.
IVHQ has the largest range of affordable volunteer programs, ranging from 1 week to 24 weeks. Visit www.volunteerhq.org for more information.
Write a review
Editorial
By Sarah Vandenberg
Director of Partnerships
Sarah has worked in the volunteer travel industry since 2004. She supports all of our partners, and shares stories, trends, and advice for travelers who want to volunteer, intern, or teach abroad.
International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is a leader in volunteer travel, working in 50 countries worldwide, and placing travelers on projects that contribute meaningfully to the community they are visiting.
An awesome organization
Launched in 2007, IVHQ connects knowledgeable and skilled travelers with responsible, high-quality projects that heighten global awareness and cultural understanding.
IVHQ prides itself on being a values-led organization, and places four values above all others: Responsible, Innovative, Trusted, and Awesome.
IVHQ equates “awesome” with being ambitious, tenacious, and youthful – the goal is to use size and scale to have a significant global impact, and to be flexible to adapt and respond to volunteer and community needs.
Marine conservation with IVHQ
More than volunteering
IVHQ offers more than volunteer placements abroad! This organization also provides services like fundraising advice, scholarships, service activity ideas, online TEFL courses, customized flight itineraries, a carbon footprint calculator, volunteer travel insurance, and even an online store.
Some of IVHQ’s achievements include:
- Helped volunteers to contribute more than 860,000 hours of support to community programs abroad
- Enabled volunteers to spend more than 410,000 hours supporting education and literacy projects
- Invested over $11 million in communities abroad through IVHQ program fees
- Grew its overall volunteer numbers to more than 100,000 since 2007
- Reduced its carbon emissions by 15%
Teaching abroad with IVHQ
A trusted provider
Volunteers rave about their experiences with IVHQ, leaving more than 3,500 verified reviews on IVHQ’s website, and hundreds of reviews on Volunteer Forever.
From solo volunteers to families to students, the consensus is that IVHQ is organized and makes travel fun. Read on to see what volunteers have to say about this amazing organization!
IVHQ volunteers in Spain
Top projects
Gallery
IVHQers in Spain
Volunteering in Madagascar with IVHQ
IVHQ volunteers on orientation in Colombia
IVHQ volunteers in South Africa
IVHQ Teaching project in Bali
IVHQer Teaching English in Bali
Marine Conservation in Madagascar
IVHQ construction volunteers in Bali
Location
Clear
Thanks for signing up!
Your first email will arrive shortly
Annika Wells
21 Dec 2022
This was my first time traveling abroad, and I felt super safe with the help of the staff and other volunteers. I would definitely recommend this trip to other students...Read more
This was my first time traveling abroad, and I felt super safe with the help of the staff and other volunteers. I would definitely recommend this trip to other students who are on a tight budget! :)
Steve Jupp
13 Dec 2022
For my first such volunteer trip, IVHQ were superb in providing all the information I'd need to prepare me for the trip of a lifetime! The Project Supervisor and the...Read more
For my first such volunteer trip, IVHQ were superb in providing all the information I'd need to prepare me for the trip of a lifetime! The Project Supervisor and the my local contact in Zambia were always on hand to answer any further questions I had to ensure that I always felt supported with the information I needed. My project itself could not have been better! I thoroughly enjoyed my working experience and also had plenty of time to explore the local cultural and natural treasures. I was able to make many friends from both the school and the other volunteers, where I have made some friends for life! If you are thinking whether or not to try such an experience, don't think too hard - just DO IT!! Steve - A Happy Volunteer :-)
Ginger Crow
30 Nov 2022
I was in Quito, Ecuador teaching for their Music Project for nine weeks. It was such an amazing and eye-opening experience. This was my first time out of my country,...Read more
I was in Quito, Ecuador teaching for their Music Project for nine weeks. It was such an amazing and eye-opening experience. This was my first time out of my country, and IVHQ made it so manageable and comfortable for me! I loved it so much that I am going on another trip through them for teaching music this coming year! My favorite part of the entire trip was getting to meet all of the new people. You make so many connections you would not think of. I have made new best friends that I know I will keep for a lifetime. I highly recommend going through them for your future international travels!
Jessica Limer
30 Nov 2022
I previously volunteered in South Africa on a 12 weeks mixed programme doing sports development and surf outreach where I fell in love with the children and met so many...Read more
I previously volunteered in South Africa on a 12 weeks mixed programme doing sports development and surf outreach where I fell in love with the children and met so many new friends all over the world. I then went onto volunteer on the woman’s education in Arusha Tanzania straight after my programme in SA. This made me truly fall in love with Africa. The way the programme was run was insane and I can’t thank all the hosts enough. From enquiring about programmes to still now weeks after finishing the programme, the support I’ve had from IVHQ and the hosts in Tanzania has been amazing. I really enjoyed my time and placements and I would always look at volunteering with IVHQ, I don’t think you can get any better than this.