Projects Abroad

( 46 Reviews )

Activities: Multiple Program Types
Location: Multiple Destinations

Projects Abroad is a leading global organiser of overseas voluntary work placements. Founded in 1992, we have now sent nearly 100,000 volunteers to projects all over the world!

Our projects run year-round and we offer a high level of flexibility and choice. With nearly 700 members of staff worldwide, volunteers will benefit from the support and back up that Projects Abroad provide both before you leave and whilst you are overseas.

Whether you are on a gap year, a student, a career-breaker or a retiree, we have a project to suit you in one of the 30 fantastic destinations in which we operate! We welcome volunteers of all nationalities and backgrounds on our projects and even have projects for families to get involved in!

We have a huge variety of projects available including community-based volunteering, such as Care, Building and Conservation, and internship-style placements in subjects like Business, Journalism and Law & Human Rights.

Projects Abroad also welcome volunteers who have professional qualifications and experience - we offer projects specifically designed for you to put your skills to the best use!

With placements available in 30 destinations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the South Pacific and Europe, volunteers can enjoy adventurous foreign travel whilst make a positive contribution within a developing country!

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My trip to Cambodia

I spent a wonderful time in Cambodia.
The mission "care" was really great, I took care of children in a school in the middle of the jungle. A super rewarding experience. The project abroad team is very available and caring. The apartment we shared with all the volunteers was very friendly. The delicious food. After our day in mission we went to do many activities together (football, bar, tarantula tasting, card games, water blessing, meditation ...). An exceptional experience, you can leave without fear and live 100% your project.

By: GARES
Nationality: France

Best experience

I strongly recommend to join trip with Projects Abroad. I went to volunteer in Botswana and it is by far the best experience of my life. I arrived at the camp when I was 18 years old, I always lived in Paris in a wealthy family and I wanted to change something in me and see different things. I came back as a new person, mature, with skills of hard labour, team-working abilities, listening and empathy to others. It was hard work under the sun but I loved it.

By: Pierre Jestin
Nationality: French

Rewarding experience

This experience with projects abroad was amazing. Staff was super nice and available, missions were as much interesting and fun as rewarding. I loved meeting other volunteers from all around the world and also local people. I would definitely recommend it.

By: Adèle
Nationality: French

Very good

This is a great organization for first time travelers, especially those traveling alone. You are taken care of and introduced to the local community in a very efficient and good way.
I am very happy that I chose projects abroad

By: Cornelia
Nationality: Norwegian

This trip prevented me from making a huge mistake

I went to Nepal with PA and I couldn’t have been happier :) during the whole duration of a trip I felt safe and I had a great time, experiencing new culture and day-to-day reality of work at the hospital (I went on a medical project for HS students). Almost 3 years later I am still in contact with people I met during the project and I look back fondly at the memories I made.
This trip also made me realize that medical profession is not a good fit for me. Now, as a computer science student I feel thankful that this trip set me on the path to realize what I really want to do in my life.

By: Julia
Nationality: Polish

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Just do it!

I went to Cape town to do the nutrition project for 10 weeks.
The supervisor was amazing and i learned so much about their culture and life. It’s so fare form how Denmark is. I was teaching in different topics regarding health and nutrition. We also went to a baby clinic and measured babies and had a talk with their parents. The whole experience have been amazing and I can definitely recommend it!
I learned so much about my self in a good way, by crossing a lot of boundaries my speaking English in front of many people (I have never been good in language) and been hiking in the mountains. There was a really good relationship between the other volunteers and we did everything together. I really had a of the best times in my life!

By: Josephine
Nationality: Danish

More than I expected!

I went to Argentina for two weeks to study Spanish and human rights issues. I stayed in an Argentinian family with three other students from the United States and the UK. In those two weeks, I took five Spanish lessons per week, went to an elementary school to play with the students using human rights terms, heard a man who lost his sister in the dictatorship in recent history, feed poor people on the street, met a lawyer to discuss the human rights issues in Argentina, and went to the city side to looking the protest against the prohibition of abortion. I learned many things in this project and hope that more students would experience something through Projects Abroad.

By: Momoko Watanabe
Nationality: Japan

Hands down best experience

I went to the Philippines with my university for a nursing placement and worked along side the projects abroad team. We did medical missions and worked within the community. The program was relevant to our studies, well structured and exposed me to things that I wouldn’t have in my own country - it was a real eye opener. The projects abroad team organised everything and even had time for some R&R and fun activities. I would definitely volunteer with Projects abroad again

By: Courtney
Nationality: Australian

Adventure of a lifetime

I did the medical project in Nepal and definitely had great time. Discovering a country that is so different from mine taught me a lot. I've seen things I would never be able to experience anywhere else. Both hospital staff and other volunteers made that trip an unforgettable one. I highly recommend Projects Abroad and hope to go somewhere with them again.

By: Natalia
Nationality: Polish

Fiji - Shark Conservation

This was one of the most amazing experiences ever in the sense of being able to dive with sharks and find out about the issues sharks face today. However I feel that considering the price of the project we were not given the full experience we should of been, especially with the amount of diving not being as much as expected with the price paid.

By: Estha
Nationality: British

Projects Abroad - San Pedro, Belize

Working with Projects Abroad was one of the most fulfilling and humbling experiences. I met so many amazing volunteers from around the world and together we were able to work on several smaller projects and establish some long-term projects on the island. The Projects Abroad staff were so supportive and it easily made my time spent on the island feel like my second home.

By: Regina
Nationality: American

Best Experience of my Life

Even though my experience with Projects Abroad was sadly over a year ago, I still think of it every day. It was the best 3 months of my life and has changed me as a person (as cliche as that is) forever. I made memories of a lifetime and I am desperate to travel to so many destinations as soon as I can. Projects Abroad was such a great way to travel as I got to be a part of something and make the most of my time away by doing my bit to help conserve marine life. I wish I could be back there every day ... But for now I have my amazing photos and memories to keep me going until next time

By: Kassie Starkey
Nationality: British

Medical Internship in Nepal

When I think about my 4 weeks in Nepal in 2016, I think about the small towns we visited on weekends, seeing the Himalayas, the friends I made - and it was an awesome trip. But I think that has more to do with the beauty of the country and the people i was with than Projects-Abroad.
The time spent in the hospital was observational, and while it was mostly interesting, too much of that time was spent standing around bored. For most of my fellow volunteers and I, most nurses and doctors didn't care too much about teaching us or even speaking in English so we could understand. But I don't necessarily blame the staff at the hospital, i have no idea what the agreement with projects-abroad was.
Besides observing at the hospital, we also visited a school to teach the children about handwashing - in hindsight I don't think these kids needed white people to come across the world to teach them handwashing when they had teachers that are more than capable. So that was strange.
In terms of travel, I made so many wonderful memories and saw and did things that were new and exciting and I'd love to go back and visit Nepal again one day! But maybe not with projects-abroad.
I also can't speak for other internships or volunteerships through projects-abroad, but that was my experience. As well, on a whole, during the trip, my perception of Projects-abroad was that they seemed fairly unorganized and distant from us.

By: Amy
Nationality: Canadian

Projects Abroad helped me to volunteer in Africa

I joined a public health program in Tanzania for two weeks. At first I had no idea if it was the right decision especially as my English is somewhat limited being from Japan. My volunteer advisor from Projects Abroad helped me with everything including all the registrations which were in English. The decision to go and do volunteer work in Africa with Projects Abroad was right for me.

By: Maho Hori
Nationality: Japan

Life changing experience

Such an amazing experience. Would recommend it to everyone in the whole world. You learn so much about yourself and the wider world by volunteering!

By: Sarah
Nationality: Australian

Projects abroad review

Great experience

By: Marta lo presti
Nationality: Italian

Cambodian Health Project

The Cambodian health project was a wonderful experience and really allowed you to immerse yourself in the Cambodian culture. We ventured out into the communities and also travelled to places outside of Phnom Penh to provide healthcare and health education.

By: Zara
Nationality: Australian

Projects in Argentina and Fiji - an unforgettable experience!

I did the Animal Care Project in Argentina this may and then in june the care project in Fiji.
I had an amazing time and learned a lot about the country and the culture. Specially fiji I will never forget! We had a great group of volunteers and such an amazing time there. To do volunteering work is a wonderful experiece which I really recommend to everyone. It gives a different view of the own life and how beautiful it is to help! Projects Abroad is the best organisatio and I would book again with them. Everything was well organised. I really think about to do another volunteer project.

By: Nicole Imfeld
Nationality: Switzerland

Two thumbs up!

Projects Abroad was the perfect organization as a first time solo traveler and first time volunteer abroad. Throughout the whole process I had help and assistance whenever needed. They prepared me for my trip and provided all the necessary information to help mediate any confusion/conflicts and culture shock. My whole time abroad I felt safe and little discrepancies. The only thing I would recommend to future volunteers is: make your trip as long as possible (a month isn’t long enough), be ready to have your perspective changed for the better, and prepare to meet some incredible people!
Also, as a volunteer, submerge yourself and be proactive when it comes to your project to get the most out of your money and time.

By: Cassie
Nationality: American

Fiji Shark Conservation

I went summer 2017 for 6 weeks and it was the best trip of my life! The volunteer apartment was great and the staff was fantastic! Lots of diving, and science as well as giving back to the community and being fully submerged into the culture. Natives are extremely nice! The entire mission of the project is amazing! Also Fijian food is delicious! I really want to go again! Doesn't matter how young or old you are I had roommates as young as 17 and as old as 60!

By: Allyson
Nationality: American

Went twice

I volunteered as part of the shark conservation project in Fiji in 2014 and 2016, one month each. Both times I had an amazing time, met people who I‘m still friends with now, and had the chance to help with scientific research that directly fuelled multiple published scientific research papers.

By: Julia
Nationality: German

Fantastic Company

I travelled to Ecuador and participated on two projects in the Galapagos Islands with Projects Abroad. I stayed in the locality for six weeks, hosted by a very kind and very welcoming family. the first two weeks I volunteered in a kindergarten, where I helped an teacher in child care. Fantastic experience. The remaining weeks I took part in the environmental care project, which is very important for the country. Projects Abroad it is a serious organization and organized, always available for volunteers present in the country .

By: Stefania
Nationality: Italian

Most incredible experience

My experience with projects abroad was sensational. I completed the public health program in Cambodia. The program itself was fantastically organised. Every single day I felt as though we were achieving incredible things. Would recommend this program to anyone. I am also looking to go on another program with projects abroad in the future.

By: Milly
Nationality: Australian

Nature conservation in Thailand

I took part in one of the projects back in high school and I loved it! Everything was kneatly planned but we still had much freedom in choosing our activities. I’ve made many friends there as well! I highly recommend the project in Thailand. The price was quite high, but the experience was well worth it.

By: Wiktoria
Nationality: Polish

Galapagos, Ecuador

Did the Childcare and Conservation projects, it was incredible! Stayed with a family for 3,5 monhs and had plenty time off to explore the surrounding islands.

By: Esther Nemery
Nationality: Denmark

Cambodia - Public health

I really liked the project I was in. Travelling in Phnom Penh during the work days was well organized and we always had a coordinator with us. Rehabilitation with two of our patients went really well and all of our patients were very pleased of our help. It was so nice to see how grateful people were for our help.

The apartment I stayed was nice and clean. The food was amazing and all the staff was very friendly and helpful.

By: Elli Reinola
Nationality: Finland

Peru Medical Project

The project has been fantastically organised allowing for experience in hospital and outreach settings. The staff have gone above and beyond and will be missed greatly when I return home!

By: Michaela
Nationality: Australian

Unforgettable

My project with projects abroad in Ghana was a wonderful experience! I met wonderful people and I will never forget these moments! I am definitely going back :)

By: Verheyde
Nationality: French

Parents Approve

We sent both our son (Peru) and daughter (Belize) on Projects Abroad. They had amazing experiences and loved their stays with family and friends. Both kids were early grads from High School and stayed with older college age students. They did great and I will always recommend!

By: Sarah Schuster
Nationality: USA

Great Experience - Especially For First-Time Travellers

I went on two projects with Projects Abroad back in 2012 / 2013 as part of a gap year after graduating from high school. Both projects were extremely well-organized despite being completely different (Teaching in Fiji & Conservation in Botswana). There was constant support prior to the projects as well as 24/7 support during the projects. In fact, the two rangers responsible for the PA project in Botswana even stayed in the same camp as we did and were around all the time.

The placement in Fiji was okay, though no matter what social project your on, you have to show initiative to make most of your volunteering experience. Don't wait for PA staff to organize everything for you once you're there. Work with other volunteers, be open-minded towards local colleagues and be willing to put some effort into your placement. That way you get to have a very rewarding experience!

The project in Botswana was pretty different because everything had been organized beforehand and pretty much everything had been included in the price - accommodation, food, activities. What I loved most about my stay in Botswana is the fact that you cannot get any closer to Africa's wildlife. Volunteering in Botswana was an enriching experience for me, which I couldn't have had by simply going on a safari for one or two days. It's like I went there to live in the bush and when I left the bush lived in me. :)

The main reason I chose PA for these trips is that I had had hardly any experience traveling solo back then and they offered a whole package. That's a huge advantage and saves a lot of time. Now that I've gained experience travelling and planning trips on my own, I'd probably not book with PA any more but organize everything by myself (depending on the project of course) and thereby save some money.

By: Lena
Nationality: German

Can’t wait to do it again

It was a great spiritual and eye opening experience that me and my 9 year old experienced together. In addition, I felt safe at all times and comfortable knowing that projects abroad was available if I needed anything.

By: Soukaina At-Hussein
Nationality: American

Medical Program in Ghana

I went to Ghana last summer for 4 weeks for a medical program. It was an amazing experience that taught me a lot. I had the opportunity to get to know about the health care system. I’ve learned a lot while volunteering in Cape Coast Teaching Hospital. All the volunteers I met there were absolutely amazing so does the family that hosted us. I would recommend it for everyone who wants to discover themselves and help others.

By: Natalia
Nationality: Polish

AMAZING EXPERIENCE AND OPPORTUNITY

I volunteered for 6 weeks in Fiji with projects abroad in 2015 (may-june) in the care project. Along with another volunteer, I worked at a kindergarten from monday to friday, helping the teachers with day to day tasks. I lived with a local family and also had a roomate from USA who fast became a close friend. It was such a growing experience. From the moment I arrived at the airport, project abroad staff picked me up to bring me to my host family, who I adored and were very friendly and welcoming. The locals are so friendly and you always receive a “Bula” (hello) when walking in the streets. The weekly activities organized for all the volunteers allowed everyone to meet up and socialize. On weekends, we had off and could visit other islands in Fiji or do activities with other volunteers. The staff at projects abroad was always just a phone call away, came to visit us if needed and ready to help us with anything. I would redo this trip any day and recommend projects abroad to Anyone who wants to volunteer! You meet people from all around the world, who i’m still in contact with! ONCE IN A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE

By: Alexandra
Nationality: Canadian

Experiencia Peruana

The time flys by! Two years ago I went with Projects Abroad to Peru, made fascinating experiences and got to know amazing people and great places - Lake Titicaca, Machu Picchu, Sacred Valley, Nasca Lines, etc. The whole journey I was supported by Projects Abroad. They helped me to orient myself. They helped me when I was sick. They helped me planning trips. I want to thank Projects Abroad and want to recommend this great organization.

Regards, Osquitar.

By: Oscar
Nationality: German

First hand experience of shark conservation - science and outreach in action.

I only was able to spend a week at the Fiji Project Abroad. But it was a brilliant week filled with everything and more. Not only was it a great place to meet people of like minded-ness, but as a budding marine biologist, I was able to learn how to conduct fish surveys, shark tagging and monitoring and also mangrove rehabilitation. I wish I could have stayed longer to truly have felt like I had given back to this amazing community...

By: Mae
Nationality: British

Maternity in Togolese Hospital

I spent 6 weeks volunteering in the maternity unit of a public hospital in Togo's capital city Lome. The overall experience from start to finish was very smooth, with staff communicating with me from pre-departure to after my return. The staff at Projects Abroad are extremely helpful and are always available to answer questions. The work placements are admittedly a bit hit-and-miss, with some volunteers feeling not totally useful at their jobs. I personally had an excellent placement, although due to the significant culture difference there were tasks I didn't feel comfortable completing as they didn't align with my personal training (this is not at all the fault of Projects Abroad of course). Projects Abroad organized weekly events for the volunteers to participate in- some with an "outreach" purpose and others simply for socializing among the volunteers. The only downfall would be that there is a certain degree of limitation on the experience as Projects Abroad closely monitors their volunteers and at times this can feel slightly overbearing (enforcing curfews, chaperoning trips and outings, etc) although of course this may be a very desirable quality for someone who is traveling for the first time. Overall, I would recommend the organization and feel that the price is reasonable for the experience you get (travel insurance, food, accommodations, airport transfers, 24/7 support).

By: Amy MacNeill
Nationality: Canadian

A great experience for professionals too

I went on the "Lawyer (Projects for Professionals)" programme to Arusha, Tanzania for a month in August 2017. It was an amazing experience! The Projects Abroad office in Arusha is very well run and the programme involved working alongside talented and committed Tanzanians who knew their communities very well to deliver programmes where we made an appreciable, immediate difference. I felt like my skills were well utilised and I also had a great time. I'll definitely be going back!

By: Jane
Nationality: New Zealand

Volunteer in Kenya

I went to Kenya with Project Abroad. It was a project with teens (16 to 19). Sincerely, it was one of the best experience in my life. I worked all the year to be able to go there, because it’s quite expensive for 2 weeks. But I didn’t regret anything. This experience was wonderful, and I have learnt a lot. We spent a lot of time in a recreation center called « Hope & Home ». The story of this place is very moving. They were 20 street children in this orphanage. Everybody was friendly and welcoming. I was so happy to be able to help them. We build a drainage, to bring water to the garden. We also spend a lot of time with children, and it was the best. I gained a lot from this experience and I can’t wait to do it again! (Sorry if there are mistakes)

By: Clara Leporcq
Nationality: Belgian

Great experience!

I volunteered with mountain conservation in Nepal and loved it! Friendly people and great area to go trekking in your free time. I can't wait to get back to Nepal someday!

By: Jinny
Nationality: American

Projects abroad ain't that great

I did projects abroad back in 2009 to south Africa. I was super disappointed because I had done trips with Me to We before that and they were much better organized.
Projects abroad really lacked a team leader. They let you do your own thing which is great if that is what you're looking for. We spent the first week just doing touristy things and then spent the second week just visiting places like refugee camps and after school programs. We never spent more than an hour at each place and that to me is not considered development at all.
The host family was nice but it just kinda felt like we were staying there, not a part of the family.
All in all, projects abroad is NOT a development trip but a good way to travel if you want some cool people to hang out with.

By: Graham
Nationality: Canadian

Amazing experience!

This summer I spent a month in Fiji in the shark conservational program, i really enjoyed all the activities from diving to growing mangroves to tagging baby sharks! It's a great experience!

By: Anna
Nationality: Italian

Projects abroad care and community project review

I went to Ghana with projects abroad as part of a care and community short time special and had the most amazing time! The whole of the project was well planned and there was support available with anything I needed from the moment I booked until the moment I arrived back home again so I felt safe the entire duration. Volunteering taught me a lot about myself and gave me the opportunity to help out an amazing community who well and truly have a special space in my heart now. The project was challenging- living with strangers with no showers or running water and the electricity would turn off regularly throughout the day and the work we did was challenging in the heat and but was definitely rewarding and our supervisors made sure we was always okay if anyone was feeling unwell or upset. I was worried about making friends before I left as it was my first time travelling alone but I made some of my bestest friends in Ghana who I still regularly meet up with and now have friends all across the globe:)
I would 1000% recommend projects abroad to anyone considering it and I can't wait until I get the next chance to volunteer with them!

By: Megan
Nationality: British

Life-Changing Experience

I went on a group volunteer trip to Botswana with Projects Abroad when I was 16 years old. Our project was related to wildlife conservation and I got to work with with animals like baobas and elephants. I would highly recommended the experience to anyone, whether you are a teenager, or adult, just apply!

By: Martina Lautizi
Nationality: Italian

Great experience

I really had a great experience on my volunteering project! Something I'll remember for life :)

By: Ben
Nationality: Belgian

Couldn't Recommend More

Projects Abroad are a great company; I taught English in Costa Rica for four months with them a few years ago and had one of the best times of my life.

By: Alice
Nationality: United Kingdom

Volunteering with Projects Abroad proved to be an extremely rewarding experience

Volunteered taught me things I didn’t even know I did not know. I’d recommend it to any first time traveller or anyone looking to experience a country the way the locals do and not a guide book’s checklist.

By: Jess
Nationality: British