Learning Beyond Borders: School Group Volunteer Abroad Programs
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Are you a teacher or a mentor, thinking of organizing a school group volunteering trip abroad? Well, then let me thank you first, and tell you that I feel really happy that you’ve given this a thought. Back in the days when I was in school, excursions meant going to a hill station, observing plants, birds, and insects, and then coming back to make a project on it. Although it was fun, I now feel that maybe if I had the chance to volunteer while I was in school, I would probably have a different way of looking at life.
I took my first volunteer trip abroad to Kenya when I was 28 years old, and I felt grateful for having a chance to serve those who needed my support. I worked at a childcare center on the outskirts of Nairobi, and it was a great learning journey for me. I was lucky to meet a bunch of college students who were volunteering in Kenya with me, and their enthusiasm and compassion always inspired me.
Over the last 17 years, Volunteering Solutions has been hosting school group volunteer tours across the world, with India, Nepal, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Spain, and Ireland being the most popular destinations.
The main motto of these specially curated volunteer programs is to ensure a wholesome experience for the participants so that they can contribute effectively towards the lives of those living in the underprivileged parts of the world, and simultaneously, gain first-hand work experience while working alongside professionals. We completely believe that learning cannot be restricted to the classroom, and thus, students should step out of their comfort zones, to embrace the world.
What are the benefits of volunteering abroad as a student?
- Stepping out of your comfort zone to explore the world and contribute to social development.
- Enhancing peer learning opportunities through group volunteering trips.
- Encouraging the development of leadership skills.
- Fostering compassion and humility by engaging in volunteer work and understanding the challenges in developing nations.
- Opening doors to the world through school trips abroad.
- Expanding understanding of diverse societies and people beyond your own community.
- Gaining first-hand work experience abroad through meaningful mission trips.
Why choose a school group trip abroad with Volunteering Solutions?
Volunteering Solutions offers a range of volunteer programs tailored for school students, including customized trips for school groups. Accompanied by a teacher or mentor, students receive support and encouragement throughout their journey. Our programs are available in various countries worldwide, with dedicated team members at each destination ensuring the safety of volunteers.
We have already hosted several school groups, including –
- Universal American School, Dubai
- QSI International School, Kosovo
- Abraham Lincoln High School, USA
- Canadian Bilingual School, Kuwait
- Millenium High School, New York, USA
Here are the most popular school group volunteer abroad programs:
1. Street Children Volunteering Program, India
It’ll be an eye-opening journey for school students to volunteer in India and immerse in the culture of this country. As a part of this program, volunteers will have to work at a shelter home, teach kids, play with them, tell them stories, and most importantly, share some love and happiness. No prior experience is required to be a part of this program.
As a group, volunteers can also take them on educational tours of the city, and fundraise for their food, clothing, stationery, and other basic essentials. During this group volunteering trip in India, students will also get a chance to explore the heritage sites and ancient monuments such as the Taj Mahal in Agra, as well as Qutub Minar, Red Fort, India Gate, etc, in New Delhi.
2. Turtle Conservation Volunteering Program, Sri Lanka
Truth to be told, this is one of the most popular programs among school groups – because the conservation center is in the beach town of Galle, and volunteers get a chance to enjoy the sun and the sand while contributing meaningfully. Volunteers play an active role in beach cleaning and promote responsible tourism while preserving the turtle eggs from predators and poachers.
Apart from that, there’s a scope to learn surfing, enjoy delicious local cuisine, and experience the thrill of wildlife adventure at any of the several national reserves, including, Sinharaja Forest Reserve, Bundala National Park, Minneriya National Park, and Yala National Park.
3. English Teaching Program, Vietnam
TEFL certification is not required for this program – hence, volunteering for the English Teaching Program in Vietnam is perfect for high school student groups, looking for a meaningful mission trip abroad. Volunteers will be teaching English to students in schools and assisting local teachers as well. Also, this is a great opportunity to bring underprivileged families out of the vicious circle of poverty as English is a professionally rewarding language to be learned, especially because of Vietnam’s dependence on tourism.
4. Wildlife Conservation Program, South Africa
The conservation program in South Africa is perfect for wildlife enthusiasts eager to volunteer abroad with animals, and it’s a perfect opportunity for students to live amidst nature. We encourage school group volunteers in South Africa because it’s a great place to learn about the Big Cats, as well as the rich flora and fauna of the country.
Volunteers will work at a reserve that is home to a variety of game, birdlife, and wild animals, including the BIG 5. This wildlife program will capture students’ imaginations, leaving them physically and mentally rejuvenated, soulfully inspired, and in awe of this magnificent part of South Africa.
5. Community Development Project, Spain
Volunteering Solutions, in association with local NGOs in Barcelona, is hosting this program that’s perfect for teen volunteering abroad and aptly curated for school groups. As a part of this program, volunteers will get the opportunity to immerse in the Spanish culture, learn the local language, and at the same time, manage project work that includes administration, marketing, human resource management, hosting workshops, working with children, etc.
6. Art Projects Volunteering Program, Ireland
Perfectly curated for students pursuing arts, this volunteering opportunity at an arts center in Ireland offers a range of visual arts exhibitions in gallery space. Volunteers will get a chance to work directly with children and young adults, encouraging them to pursue various forms of arts. Arts festivals in Ireland are quite common, and they come in all shapes and sizes, contributing to making Ireland a cultural center for the arts.
These festivals present and produce programs across various disciplines, including theatre, music, film screenings, visual arts, opera, street spectacle, and dance. It’s apt for school groups who wish to volunteer abroad and learn while engaging with the local community.
So what are you waiting for? If you wish to take your students on a meaningful vacation, then write to us at [email protected] and we would love to host you. If you’re a school in London, you can also drop us a mail, and we can visit your school. We genuinely feel that the world needs more volunteers, and it’s the young adults who have the zeal to make a difference.
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