For new experiences: AIESEC
AIESEC is among the most popular overseas volunteer program. As the world’s largest youth organization, AIESEC “is a global platform for young people to develop their leadership potential through practical experiences of many kinds, including internships, volunteering opportunities, and more. Founded in 1948, AIESEC is a non-governmental and not-for-profit organization entirely run by youth for youth.” The website, aiesec.org, has listings for various positions throughout the world, ranging from teaching to awareness-raising roles.
Get to know Fiji: Think Pacific
Focused on Fiji, Think Pacific offers volunteers the opportunity to work with Fijian communities and Fijian youths on local initiatives in partnership with the Fijian Government. To find out more, check out the website https://thinkpacific.com/. Think Pacific offers various internships, programs and expeditions, all in the beautiful nation of Fiji.
Heading to Latin America: Maximo Nivel
Moving over to the western hemisphere, Maximo Nivel operates in Costa Rica, Peru, and Guatemala. The organization offers a variety of programs for volunteers, including teaching and childcare, animal health and agriculture. For more information, check out the website https://maximonivel.com/. Maximo Nivel also offers international internships and Spanish immersion classes.
Unforgettable memories: Foundation Maarja Village
Back to Europe and to Estonia, home to the Foundation Maarja Village. A competence center for people with learning disabilities, Maarja Village provides assistance in supporting people with learning disabilities to become equal members in Estonian society. These programs include supported living services, vocational training programs, rehabilitation programs and work-life services. For more information on how to volunteer at Maarja Village or at its sister location in Tartu, check out .
Volunteer in the field that suits you: IVHQ
The New Zealand-based International Volunteer HQ offers more than three hundred programs across 52 countries, including projects focused on senior care and childcare, education, health, women’s empowerment and refugee support. Other projects are directed towards environmental protection or construction of homes or schools. People of all ages are welcome to volunteer – check out https://www.volunteerhq.org/ for more information.
The most entertaining form of cooperation: the European Solidarity Corps (ESC)
The European Solidarity Corps sends young people aged 18-30 to any country in Europe for up to a year, regardless of education level or language proficiency; volunteers are placed in ongoing projects within the organization. For many of these projects, volunteers are provided with language training and other support services, including a stipend to cover basic expenses. For more information, check out https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity_en.
Working with children: Freie Schule Linz
One of the projects covered by European Solidarity Corps is a volunteer role at the Freie Schule Linz in Linz, Austria. The private school is open to children between the ages of 5 and 16 and focuses on students’ individual potential development and needs. For more information, see https://www.freie-schule.at/index.php/startseite.html.
