• International Student Volunteers

“The Tanzania Program is a great and noble project with great benefits both for the local communities and for the volunteers looking to provide heartfelt service to people in need.  I had the special opportunity to visit and work in Ipalamwa and surrounding communities for two weeks this past summer.  I will forever cherish the honor, and look forward to serving many more times in Tanzania and other Global Volunteers’ programs across the world.”

  • Henry Wambuii
    Professor of Political Science, University of Central Missouri

651.222.9565

Give back to the world and bring back a world of understanding. International student volunteers apply their academic training to comprehensive development programs. Join your classmates and faculty in an adventure in service for one to three weeks. You’ll gain on-the-ground experience and understanding on life-changing work projects – directly serving youth and families. Are you coordinating volunteer opportunities for high school students or a college student group? Group Service Options Explained Here.

As an international NGO founded in 1984, we have the credibility and expertise to engage college and alumni groups in measurable and effective service-learning and for-credit opportunities. We’ve collaborated with over 100 academic institutions such as the University of Minnesota Learning Abroad Office and LGBT campus groups to meet study abroad criteria for international student volunteers abroad!

Spring break, J-term, summer vacation or gap year. Our development projects for international student volunteers enhance your curricula as well as your global perspective.  We’ll certify volunteer service hours so your student group can meet study abroad, service-learning or class requirements.  If you’re coordinating volunteer abroad programs, we’ll help you arrange academic credit through independent study and research. Don’t just meet your requirements; exceed your expectations.

Be The Change. Be a Global Volunteer.

International Student Volunteers in China

International Student Volunteers in Cook Islands

International Student Volunteers in Cuba

International Student Volunteers in Ecuador

International Student Volunteers in Greece

International Student Volunteers in Nepal

International Student Volunteers in Italy

International Student Volunteers in Peru

International Students Volunteers in Poland

International Student Volunteers in Portugal

International Student Volunteers in St. Lucia

International Student Volunteers in Tanzania

Student Volunteers on Indian Reservations

Student Volunteers in Appalachia

International Student Volunteers in Vietnam

International student volunteers change lives – theirs and those they serve. Student volunteer opportunities teach youth and young adults to reach out beyond borders to care for vulnerable and at-risk children, teach conversational English, math, nutrition, and disease prevention, contribute to labor projects, and so much more.

Working together, international student volunteers of all ages help children reach their full potential and learn about comprehensive, sustainable development. Choose opportunities for: high school students, college students and graduate students to advance your cultural sensitivity and global vision.

Apply your academic training on projects to help local parents and organizations in our partner communities deliver one or more of these 12 essential services:

  • Eradicating Hunger (1. School & Household Gardens, 2. Child Nutrition, 3. Micro-nutrient Supplementation, 4. Fuel Efficient Stoves)
  • Improving Health (5. Hygiene, Health and Nutrition Education, 6. Malaria and Dengue Fever Prevention, 7. De-worming, 8. HIV/AIDS Prevention)
  • Enhancing Cognition (9. General Education, 10. Girls’ Education, 11. Potable Water and Sanitation Facilities, 12. Psycho-social Support).

Nearly every undergraduate and graduate discipline is fully utilized for one, two or three weeks (longer in some countries by arrangement) under the direction of local community partners.  Call, email or chat with us today – for information on the many ways your skills are needed.

This is service. Seriously.

We Support and Prepare International Student Volunteers.

  • Professional in-country staff and partners

  • On-site orientation and team-building sessions

  • 24-hour emergency phone contact

  • Emergency medical evacuation insurance

  • Volunteer fundraising assistance

  • Professional skills and work project interest questionnaire

  • Program summary materials and reading lists

  • Conversational English Teaching Guide

  • Global Volunteering Manual

  • Essential Services Prospectus

  • Language and cultural introductions

  • Hotel lodging in most partner communities

Fundraising, Discounts and Credits: We offer generous discounts and fundraising assistance to international student volunteers:

  • Global Volunteers fundraising page Many students raise funds for part or all of their service program costs from family members, colleagues and friends.
  • Apply for a matching gift through your or a family member’s current or former employer.
  • Apply for a scholarship from civic, religious, academic or non-profit organizations such as the Ambassadors Scholarship Foundation.
  • Student Volunteer Abroad Discount – If you’re a full-time student, you receive $200 off your international program or $50 off your USA program with a current school ID and fee statement.
  • Refer a friend – We’ll credit you $100 toward your next service program for every volunteer you refer to us.
  • Group Volunteering – You may be eligible for group leader and team discounts.

College Volunteer Abroad Programs

Volunteering as a student individually or in a group will enhance your college career in many ways! And it may change your life forever. Count on us to maximize your contributions, whether for one week, or throughout a multi-week school break. Specifically, you’ll work on full-day assignments in the areas of hunger, health and cognition. We’ll engage you on the ground floor of long-term community development projects with measurable outcomes. The most important question you can ask about your own volunteer service is: What impact do I hope to make?

Help families and local leaders improve children’s futures. Challenge yourself in serious service! Engage your academic knowledge for the greatest benefit of local people. Gain skills for a fulfilling career. Elevate your perspective on global issues, and refine your life’s goals. Experience new cultures and traditions firsthand— through those who live them.

student volunteers abroad

Group Coordinators and School Administrators

Students work together in Costa Rica

Student Group Planning: Through carefully crafted volunteer assignments, ample educational activities and cultural learning, your students gain life-long skills in our outcome-based service-learning programs.

Service Learning: We take care of the logistics so your group works with and learn from and about local people. Whether it’s helping deliver the UN-prescribed 12 essential services, or teaching conversational English, college and high school volunteer opportunities change lives at the local level.

Year-Round Dates: Volunteer abroad for teens and young adults is available on our standard, regularly scheduled programs, or custom dates to meet your academic needs. You can request an exclusive group program or serve with other volunteers.

One Serves Free: We waive the service program contribution for one faculty/staff coordinator with each international student volunteer group of 10 or more students.

Group Discounts: Your students can add a discount to the standard student discount on most group programs.

Program Logistics: Meals, lodging, ground transportation, orientation, volunteer assignments and safety precautions are managed by our staff. Our country manager and/or team leader guides your international student volunteer group every day – except during your selected free-time activities.

Arrange your International Student Volunteer Group with one Call:  800-487-1074

High School Volunteer Abroad Programs

We’re a recognized leader in high school volunteer opportunities in the USA and abroad.  In over three decades, cooperating with hundreds of community development organizations worldwide, our safety record and itineraries are rated as among the best. Because we’re a 501C-3 tax-exempt organization working in special consultative status with the United Nations, we meet and exceed the highest standards for volunteering abroad. If you’re seeking premier volunteer abroad for teens, we have the programs!

Head over to our high school volunteer abroad programs page for all the details on our opportunities.

high school group teach English in India

“We experienced more than I ever thought we could in one week. This is a great way for a group to get to know another culture. I have visited a number of reservations over the years and have worked with people on a number of them. These have been among the most meaningful and beneficial experiences in my life.” 

Gary SandefurProfessor of Sociology, UW Madison Member, Chickasaw Nation

“Our students were grateful for how truly incredible the trip was. The trip’s logistics were perfect every day, with each detail of transportation and meals and events worked out ahead of time. There were no issues, and our time on group activities and the service projects was filled effectively and manageably. We are so appreciative for how well-planned and under control Global Volunteers was!”

Michael Tormey Northeastern University Resident Assistant

“I realized how my contribution made up a piece of the relationship between the United States and India … and how, when combined with other (volunteers) it’s very influential. This experience gave me a unique and unparalleled educational growth, especially at such a formative point in my life. It definitely will affect my future career plans.”

Sara MarleyIndia student volunteer

“This experience reiterated the importance of service in my life. I now look into traveling that includes volunteering. I hope to bring more college students on Global Volunteers programs. If more people took the time to understand each other’s perspectives, before voicing their own, the world might be a bit more friendly.”

Christy Heaton Associate Director for Orientation and First Year Student Success, University of New Orleans

“Since my Global Volunteers program in Tanzania, I have given talks on the experience throughout the world highlighting the positive contributions your organizations makes.  Thank you for all you and Global Volunteers is doing.”

John AlsupProfessor, Black Hills State University

“It was one of the best weeks of my life. I really enjoyed learning about the Blackfeet culture and getting to know the people. I was happy to help out in the community wherever I was needed, and could not have asked for a better team. I hope to participate in more Global Volunteers trips in my future. My program was amazing!”

Ally ShatzMontana student volunteer

“The program allowed me to re-assess what’s truly important. I taught children who barely had clothes covering their bodies who were happy and laughing. Their smiles were the largest things about them. A warm smile truly transcends any language barriers and creates memories that linger long after the experience has ended.”

Dana Starace-NastasiTanzania volunteer

“This week has been a gift to me. The people I’ve met and gotten to know are a gift to me. I can only say thank you. The things that we are capable of doing for other people shouldn’t be done simply because we feel we should be good, or we feel we should ‘give back.’ It seems to me that everyone here is creating a world of good simply by living outside of their boxes.”

Hannah Baker-SirotyMontana student volunteer

Voices of International Student Volunteers

Learn more about volunteer abroad for teens and college groups:

We need you! Find out where and how your group can help: