Projects Abroad

Projects Abroad took care of everything. From the zoom meeting with cello volunteers prior to departure to being collected at the airport, we had a representative at our beck and call at all times. We thoroughly enjoyed our work in the school. The first week we painted a few classrooms but after that we got to play with the children and help them with English, sports, hygiene and environment education. No words can describe how beautiful the children are and they nor their teachers could not have made us more welcome.

I loved every moment of my volunteering project. Project Abroad staff is really professional and careful. My experience in kindergarten was wonderful; children were so cute and teachers are very friendly. I suggest this experience to everyone, young and just a little older like me (I’m 55 years old and this is my first volunteering experience). Thanks Project Abroad… I’ll come back again. Adriana from Italy

Projects Abroad offered me a great 6 weeks-stay in San Pedro, Belize! I did the Public Health Internship and learnt a lot about local health challenges, gained some medical skills and enjoyed being immersed in a different culture. It was fantastic how the staff made sure the program was educational, impactful and varied. I was given the opportunity to shadow nurses and health inspectors, to help organize a health fair, to provide information about hygiene in schools, to measure blood sugar, BMI and blood pressure in mobile clinics, to work with Red Cross and the National Emergency Management Organization and more. In the meantime I stayed with the most friendly host family, who were also amazing cooks and were willing to introduce us to various cultural activities and habits. I'm very thankful for the great experience I had and would highly recommend it!

I spent four weeks in a Pacific Harbour, Fiji as part of a small volunteer group focusing on the conservations of sharks and marine life in the area. Through this program, I got my PADI scuba diving license and was able to take part in survey dives, where we would go down as a team with slates and write down all the fish, sharks, rays, and any other interest ing creatures we saw. We dove in a marine protected area so the wildlife was abundent and beautiful. Shark Corridor, where our shark dives would take place (and a personal favourite location), was stunningly beautiful with walls of coral and sharks surrounding us. The experience of diving in the crystal clear water and seeing and being able to identify so many different species of marine life was truly unbelievable.
Diving was not the only thing we did in this program however, we would work in the mangrove nursery, learning about the enviroment and the role we play in helping it, we would help out in the community by building public gardens and painting community centers. We also had some free time to ourselves in which we would explore the island: going to beaches, hiking, going into Suva, the captial for shopping and museums. Our accommodation was very comfortable and each apartment came equipped with a common room and a kitchen which my friends and I would use to host dinner parties and movie nights.
This project was really the right amount of work and play. I made lifelong friends from all around the world and got to do amazing things like cliff jumping, rope swinging, and swimming in the sureal, clear ocean, but I also worked hard and felt like my work made a difference. I can honestly say I wouldn't trade this experience for the world and I hope to return to Fiji again someday soon.

I had an amazing 3 weeks in Cape Town. I went for an internship working on the international development program. I was placed at a community outreach center, Where Rainbows Meet, in a local township called Vrygrond. It was enriching and the best possible way to spend a school break. I loved the opportunity to not be a tourist, but actually, immerse myself in a culture completely unlike mine.

At work, I had a lot of self-direction in what I did, but some of my larger tasks included; researching and drafting a grant proposal, writing a quarterly newsletter, overseeing fundraising, and editing an annual report. I also chose to work with the kids in the Early Childhood Development Center when I had some free time. I was always learning something new at work and felt completely welcomed by the entire staff at WRM. I was touched and left in happy tears on my last day of work as the staff gathered to say goodbye and gave me a lovely handwritten letter with notes from everyone at the staff.

In my free time I explored the area through a peninsula tour (organized by Projects Abroad), I went paragliding, going to local markets, surfing (organized by Projects Abroad). and seeing as many sunsets as possible. All the other volunteers were lovely, it was sad saying bye, but exciting having a network of friends all across the world. It is thanks to Projects Abroad that I had such a flawless tripped, with an exceptional host family, organized social events, great internship placement, and connecting me to other amazing volunteers.

Projects Abroad is a great organization that helps you to volunteer abroad. It is truly a unique experience to travel abroad and help a foreign community in some way! While I was working with Projects Abroad this I was in Argentina volunteering for Human Rights. It’s been a great time working with those who often times lack a voice in modern society, predominantly juvenile criminals and the homeless in my case, and seeing the meaningful impact you can have on a foreign community. Through my volunteer work I believe I made a meaningful impact on and contribution to the communities I visited, which is something rare for many travelers.

Besides having a great experience and wonderful selection of programs across the globe, Projects Abroad has an amazing staff. The Project coordinators and Advisers help you to get accustomed to the local culture and guide you throughout your experience. In addition, you are also placed with a host family. My host mom in Argentina was amazing and extremely welcoming, having conversations with me about her life everyday and preparing meals. My world view has truly changed after this transformative experience.