How to Volunteer Abroad This Winter: Your Ultimate Guide to Giving Back
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As the Fall season is already here, and we are already excited about the Winter Break, how about doing something meaningful this year? We know that you’re looking forward to spending Christmas with your friends and family, but how about traveling abroad to make a difference?
And that’s not all. You can actually spend your winter break, soaking in the sun, meeting new people, traveling, and volunteering abroad. Over the last two decades, Volunteering Solutions has been hosting winter break volunteering programs across Southeast Asia and Africa, spreading happiness amongst underprivileged communities.
This is your chance to step out of your comfort zone and turn your winter break into a memorable one.
Here’s how you can volunteer abroad this winter and make a positive impact.
2 Weeks Special Volunteer Program in Thailand
A winter holiday in Thailand is nothing short of a dream – and now it’s time for you to tick it off your travel bucketlist. If you’ve been thinking of traveling to Thailand, then make the most of your winter break in 2024 and join the short-term volunteer program. As a volunteer for this program, you’ll be working at an elephant care center in Chiang Mai, learning to take care of the animals while accompanying the mahouts (caretakers). You’ll also get to learn how to make paper out of elephant poop!
Once you finish your volunteering stint, you’ll get to travel to the beautiful beach town of Phuket, and spend some time exploring the Old Town, hopping around beaches, and chasing sunsets with your new friends! The 2-week special volunteer program in Thailand is designed for those who have a time crunch, and it’s one of the most popular volunteering programs as well.
Coral Reef Restoration and Scuba Diving Volunteer Program in Bali
Feel like ticking off a scuba diving experience during this winter break? We have the perfect volunteering program in Bali for you, which will not just let you enjoy scuba diving but you’ll also get to actively work for the coral reef restoration project. You’ll be volunteering in North Bali, working alongside professional conservationists and local communities. The coral reefs in this region have been badly affected by single-waste plastic pollution and global warming – and as a volunteer, you can play an important role in restoring them.
You don’t need to have an Open Water Certification to join this program. You can do the advanced scuba diving course once you’re in Bali (which will take a week) and then continue with your volunteer work. The dives are largely dependent on weather conditions, so on days when you don’t go for a dive, you can spend your time hosting awareness campaigns for the local communities, telling them about the adverse effects of plastic pollution.
Sea Turtle Conservation Volunteering in Sri Lanka
December and January are the best months to visit Sri Lanka, and the sea turtle conservation program will give you ample scope to enjoy some beach time while working at the hatchery. As a volunteer, your main focus will be to protect the turtle eggs as well as the baby turtles, and subsequently increase their population. This includes preserving the eggs from predators and poachers, providing a safe haven for hatchings to occur, caring for the baby, sick and injured turtles, feeding them daily and releasing the healthy ones into the ocean when ready.
The program is located in the beautiful town of Galle, where you can explore a gorgeous fort built by the ocean. You can also learn to surf during your free time, indulge in eating authentic Sinhalese cuisine, and meet some like-minded travelers.
1 Week Special Volunteer Program in Kenya
If you’ve got just a week to travel and volunteer abroad during your winter break, then we would highly recommend this short-term volunteer program in Kenya. An African gem, Kenya is a country that’s not just a wildlife enthusiast’s dream destination, but a paradise for all, who want to witness the thrill of spending time amidst the wilderness. As a volunteer, you’ll be working at a childcare center on the outskirts of Nairobi, spending time with the underprivileged kids living here. And what can better than spreading some happiness and love amongst them, during the Christmas time?
You’ll also get to explore Nairobi and enjoy a game drive at Nairobi National Park. And if you have a couple of days more, you can always plan a trip to Maasai Mara.
2 Weeks Special Volunteer Program in South Africa
Yet another perfect destination to spend your winter break, South African weather is amazing in December, and this short-term volunteering program is curated for those who love to spend time with children. As a volunteer, you’ll be working at a childcare/ social welfare center, making a significant difference in the lives of underprivileged people and also knowing more deeply about their way of life.
You’ll also get a chance to explore Cape Town, visit the museums and the markets (there are many of them!) and also go for the Table Mountain hike over the weekends. It’ll be a great way to make new friends and turn your winter break into a meaningful holiday.
These are just a few, we have curated a bunch of 1-week special volunteer abroad programs and 2-week special volunteer abroad programs for high school, college, and university students looking for winter break volunteering opportunities.
If you wish to know more about our programs, write to us at [email protected] and our Program Advisors will connect with you.
Also, follow us on Instagram to know more about what our volunteers are up to, and connect with our past volunteers to learn about their experiences.
FAQs:
How to apply for a winter break volunteer abroad program?
You can simply go to our website and choose the program you wish to volunteer for. You’ll find the ‘Apply Now’ button, where you can click and fill out the application form.
As we have limited spots available in our programs and we serve on a first come first basis, it is strongly recommended to apply for the program and reserve your spot in the program well in advance. You can book your spot in the program by filling out an online form and paying the application fee.
Once you complete your application, your individual ‘My Account’ will be active in which you will receive your placement confirmation after which you can pay the program fees. You can pay the program fees later as well in installments, but 45 days before the program starts.
What are the requirements to join a winter break volunteer abroad program?
To join a winter-break volunteer program, you must be:
– At least 16 years or older at the time of joining the project.
– Have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
– Should also be proactive and can take the initiative.
– Should be open to learning, and be friendly with everyone.
If you are a pre-med. medical or nursing student, you should be at least 18 years old and must be enrolled in medical studies (pre-med, nursing, medical) to join. The dental internship opportunity is for students pursuing dental studies/dentistry.
Apart from that, a Criminal Background Check Report is essential for volunteers who are joining Childcare, or Teaching programs.
What is the minimum time duration to volunteer for a winter break volunteer program?
The minimum duration to volunteer for a winter break program is 1 week.
Which would be a good country to travel to during winter break?
While we feel that every country offers a unique volunteering experience, we would recommend the following countries for winter break trips: Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Bali, Kenya, Tanzania, Morocco, and South Africa.
What would be the cost to join a winter break volunteer abroad program?
The minimum cost of volunteering abroad during winter break is 695 USD. This cost would include the following:
- Comprehensive pre-departure information
- Airport pickup and internal transfers
- Program Orientation on Day 1
- Accommodation in a volunteer house or with a host family and two meals every day
- Travel and medical insurance (available at an extra cost)
- 24-hour assistance and support from staff
- Certificate of Completion
Can I volunteer abroad for free or fundraise for the trip?
Like we always say, “There’s nothing as a free lunch” – and the fee that you pay mostly covers the cost of the volunteer trip. You can obviously fundraise (and we’ll be happy to help if you need any). You can host fundraising dinners for friends and family, and talk about your exciting and thoughtful volunteer trip. You can also create an account of GoFundMe and spread the word.
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