Volunteer Abroad

Types of International Volunteering

Depending on what kind of experience you are seeking, there are different types of international volunteering that you may want to consider:

Study Abroad Service Learning Programs
Volunteer Abroad Programs
Volunteer Vacations
Independent International Volunteering

Study Abroad Service Learning Programs

A study abroad service learning program is the opportunity to participate in an organized service project while also taking a class or classes to complement your service. Different from a more traditional study abroad program, these programs offer participants the opportunity to learn more about the local culture by working and engaging with people of the host community.

For UM sponsored programs, you can receive UM credit for your participation and service.

Sample of a UM sponsored service learning study abroad program:

Cameroon: A Case Study in European Colonialism
Participants on the Cameroon service-learning program will have the opportunity to work directly with EFA (Education Fights AIDS) International, a small NGO dedicated to empowering youth affected and/or infected with HIV/AIDS in northern Cameroon. Students on the program will work alongside Cameroonian youth, assisting them as they develop small income-generating projects to support their group activities. The program is also designed to provide ample opportunity for cultural immersion and integration.

For non-UM sponsored programs with service learning courses, you are not eligible to receive credit for the service learning component though you may be able to receive credit for other courses on the program. If you are interested in a non-UM study abroad program you must attend a study abroad general advising session and meet with a study abroad advisor to ensure that the academic credit is approved for transfer credit.

See the international volunteering resources and programs page for an extensive list of international volunteering options.

Volunteer Abroad Programs

A volunteer abroad program can be compared to a study abroad program in the way it is administered but the core of your experience is outside the classroom. Volunteering abroad through program providers offers an array of services and support to participants such as placement on a local volunteer project, accommodations, board and cultural activities. Often times, these organizations charge a fee for such services.

Sample of a Volunteer Abroad Program:

Cross Cultural Solutions
Cross Cultural Solutions is a nonprofit organization that places interns at 19 different sites project sites in Latin America, Southeast Asia and Africa for 3-12 weeks usually in health, education or social projects.

See the international volunteering resources and programs page for an extensive list of international volunteering options.

Volunteer Vacations

Volunteer vacations are much like the volunteer abroad programs described above except they are typically for a shorter duration.

Sample of a Volunteer Vacation:

i-to-i
Choose from over 34 different countries to live and work with local people on one of 500 volunteer projects for 1 or more weeks.

See the international volunteering resources and programs page for an extensive list of international volunteering options.

Independent Volunteering

You can find a volunteer opportunity by identifying an organization or ongoing project on your own without using a program provider. This option allows participants to work with specific organizations and projects that are of interest to them and to be more independent.

Sample of independent volunteering resources:

Idealist.org
Search idealist.org for ongoing volunteer opportunities throughout the world.

See the international volunteering resources and programs page for an extensive list of international volunteering options.