Volunteer Abroad Opportunities

These are just a few suggestions of outside organizations to consider while looking for volunteer abroad programs. The Boston University Community Service Center neither endorses nor sponsors any of the  organizations listed.  Volunteers enroll and participate at their own risk.

  • China Education Initiative
    • CEI is a non-profit organization partnering with Teach for America, Princeton, and the Ford Foundation to decrease the educational gap between rural and urban areas in China by sending the U.S. and China’s most promising future leaders to teach in Southern China for two years. Contact CEI with any questions or concerns. The deadline to apply is November 11th!
  • Common Tides
    • The organization sponsors trips in May and October to Honduras and Belize. Common Tides provides free marine science programs and sail training to young students that live in developing countries. The goal of the program is to provide children with more education about their oceans so that in the future they can be empowered to fill conservation roles, eco-tourism jobs, and further understand their connection with the ocean. For more information, please see the website or contact Mike Smith.
  • International Student Volunteers
    • These programs range from 2-4 weeks and allow college students from all over the world to travel to a variety of different countries and participate in projects in various aspects of philanthropy from community outreach and children programs to environmental conservation and animal rehabilitation. Please contact Ana Senior of BU’s ISV group.
  • Global Business Brigades
    • The BU chapter will be traveling to Panama after finals this May for eight days! On the brigade, you will have the opportunity to consult under-resourced microenterprises on sustainable business practices. If interested, please contact the Chapter President, Stephanie Stanczyk.
  • Learning Enterprises
    • Learning Enterprises coordinates thirteen programs in eleven countries in which participants live with host families for periods of 4 to 6 weeks, teaching English and getting involved in their village in myriad exciting ways.  For more information, contact Alex Cartlidge.
  • Peace Corps
    • The Peace Corps was founded in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.  Volunteers serve a 27-month commitment in one of 77 countries.  Over the past 50 years, over 200,000 Americans have served in the Peace Corps.
  • NGOAbroad
    • NGOabroad provides frugal, customized international volunteer options and helps people enter international humanitarian work in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. While the positions posted are volunteer positions, the organization also helps people into international careers. To apply, fill out the questionnaire on the website and include it along with a copy of your resume in an email.  Applications accepted on a rolling basis
  • United Planet
    • The organization’s mission is to foster cross-cultural awareness and promote international education. They are seeking volunteers who are interested in volunteering abroad in fields including healthcare, women’s empowerment, or conservation and environmental awareness.  For more information, please go to the website or email the organization.
  • World Connect
    • This organization is devoted to improving the health and wellbeing of women and children underserved and under-resourced communities worldwide, and it is currently has several volunteer openings with its Kids-to-Kids program as well as a development internship opportunity.  For more information, please see the website or contact Jacque Caglia.

To post information about your organization’s volunteer abroad opportunities, please contact Community Outreach Manager  Alyssa Damiani