Gap Year
Volunteer
Abroad
Gap Year
Volunteer Aboard
A gap year volunteering abroad is your chance to step outside your comfort zone, explore new cultures, and make a real difference — all while discovering more about yourself. Whether you’re fresh out of school or taking time off before starting your career, these gap year volunteer programs allow you to work with communities, protect wildlife, support health and education, and contribute to environmental conservation.
You don’t need prior experience or qualifications — just an open mind and willingness to learn. These programs offer flexible starts, multiple project types, and activities tailored to your interests.
Why Choose a Gap Year Volunteer Program Abroad
- Personal growth & independence: Live abroad, adapt to new cultures, learn resilience and self-confidence.
- Skill development: Gain transferable skills in teaching, leadership, teamwork, cross-cultural communication, project management.
- Academic & career boost: A gap year volunteer project makes your résumé stand out; helps with college or job applications.
- Meaningful travel: Instead of being a tourist, you contribute to positive change — through volunteer gap year opportunities with education, wildlife, medical, and community projects.
Top Destinations for Gap Year Volunteering
We offer gap year programs in some of the most vibrant and impactful countries:
- Gap Year in India: Affordable cost of living, a rich cultural tapestry, projects in English teaching, women’s empowerment, healthcare.
- Gap Year in Nepal: Mountain landscapes, community projects, medical or childcare volunteering
- Gap Year in South Africa: Wildlife, animal care, and education projects.
- Gap Year in Costa Rica: Marine conservation (sea turtles, coral reefs), and education.
- Gap Year in Peru: Indigenous communities, reforestation, child welfare, cultural immersion.
- Gap Year in Sri Lanka: Elephant Conservation and English teaching.
Types of Projects You Can Join During a Gap Year
Depending on your passion and aim, you can choose from:
- Teaching & Education Programs: Teach English, computer skills, or life skills in schools or community centres.
- Wildlife & Marine Conservation: Help with sea turtles, reef restoration, animal rescue or wildlife sanctuaries.
- Healthcare & Medical Internships: For people interested in medicine or public health — clinical placements, health awareness campaigns.
- Community Development & Social Projects: Women’s empowerment, infrastructure, sustainable agriculture, childcare.
No Experience Required — Who Can Join
Everyone is welcome on our gap year programs — whether you are:
- Recent high school or university graduate
- Someone taking a break before or during your studies or career
- Medical, teaching, or non-medical backgrounds
- Eager to learn, volunteer, travel, and grow
Gap Year Volunteer Abroad Destinations
Gap Year in India
Gap Year in Nepal
Volunteering in a gap year program is the best way to explore Nepal and to learn and begin to understand the culture, customs, and people. Our gap year programs offer the right balance between gaining real-life skills that are marketable while truly exploring the country up close. A mention of gap year volunteering not only looks great on your CV but will set you on the right path to gain self confidence in interacting with different types of people. Popular programs involve teaching english, childcare, or taking up medical or nursing volunteering.
Gap Year in South Africa
Taking up a gap year program in South Africa is a rewarding and mind expanding experience. The country is a melting point of natural beauty and a rich culture. The country has recovered fairly well from several challenges it faced in the last 20 years but poverty and wealth gaps are still widespread. Investing time in a gap year program enables you to truly help people in need and give them a solid footing to take on life’s challenges. Gap year volunteers can work in education and social work or health care and animal conservation.
Gap year in Costa Rica
Home to captivating landscapes, exotic animals, stunning beaches and vibrant cities, Costa Rica is a truly fascinating country for a gap year. People taking up gap year programs get to split their team in a balanced way in taking part in volunteer activities as well as exploration. Costa Rica suffers due to urban poverty, gender inequality, and child labor issues. Many volunteer programs work to protect the nesting turtles that return to the beaches of Costa Rica each year while many others help the rural populations with education, women empowerment and other initiatives.
Volunteer Abroad Video Reviews
Medical Electives in Sri Lanka
Our Medical Elective Program in Sri Lanka is based in the coastal city of Galle, in Southern Sri Lanka. Medical students will be placed in one of our partner public teaching hospitals, a prestigious institution with a wide range of clinical departments.
Teaching In Vietnam
Join our Teaching Volunteer Program in Vietnam and inspire the next generation of young learners. With your help, children in Da Nang can improve their English, gain new skills, and dream bigger for their future.
Medical Electives in Cambodia
Join out Medical and Nursing Electives or Internships in Camdodia where you will be given a placement in large hospitals. Learn about healthcare, learn about the culture in Cambodia and make memories of a lifetime.
Volunteering Abroad
Volunteering Journeys is for the go-getters, adventure seekers, and travelers looking for immersive volunteer abroad experiences. Our programs let you explore a country from the inside out while making a real impact.
Medical Electives in India
Join our medical internship programs in Kerala, India, designed for medical students seeking global experience. Gain exposure to procedures and surgeries rarely seen back home while learning in local hospitals. These medical electives abroad are ideal for final-year and 5th-year medical students looking to enhance their clinical knowledge and skills.
Safety in India
Safety is often a concern for young travelers, especially female volunteers in India. In this review, our volunteers share their first-hand experiences of volunteering in India safely, from daily life to cultural immersion. They also provide helpful insights on what to expect with Indian food during your stay.
Volunteer with Sea Turtles in the Maldives
Make a difference in marine conservation by volunteering with sea turtles in the Maldives, where you’ll help rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured turtles back into the wild.
Over 50s Volunteer in Kathmandu
Linda from Scotland joined our disability volunteer program in Nepal, supporting children and adults with special needs. In her volunteer review, she shares how this volunteering abroad experience in Nepal has been both rewarding and life-changing.
Nursing Internship in Nepal
Some of our students from France joined the Nepal Nursing Program, gaining hands-on experience in hospitals and clinics. This nursing volunteer abroad opportunity is perfect for students who want to develop clinical skills, learn from international healthcare systems, and experience life in one of the world’s most inspiring destinations.
Family Volunteering In Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka is an ideal destination for family volunteering abroad. Known as the “Pearl of the Indian Ocean,” it offers breathtaking landscapes — lush jungles, pristine beaches, national parks — together with rich culture, warm communities, and wildlife. For families seeking volunteer opportunities, Sri Lanka delivers not just impact, but also adventure, learning, and connection.
Over 50s Volunteer in Nepal
Linda from Scotland joined our disability volunteer program in Nepal, supporting children and adults with special needs. In her volunteer review, she shares how this volunteering abroad experience in Nepal has been both rewarding and life-changing.
Career Break Volunteer in Sri Lanka
Meet Chris from Alaska, who joined our career break volunteer program in Sri Lanka. Over four weeks, he dedicated his time to teaching English to Buddhist monks, gaining cultural immersion, meaningful experiences, and the chance to give back while traveling abroad.
Family Volunteering in Kerala
Experience meaningful travel through our family volunteering abroad programs. Join exciting adventures where you and your children can give back while exploring new cultures. Kids learn to appreciate diversity, grow more mature, and become globally aware citizens. As a family, you’ll make a positive impact together.
Dental Volunteer In Nepal
Join our dental internship abroad in Nepal designed for dental student groups. Work alongside local dentists in community clinics, assist with basic procedures, and gain valuable international experience while making a meaningful impact on oral healthcare in underserved communities.
Medical Interns In India
Join our Medical Elective Program in India and gain clinical experience in hospitals. This medical internship abroad allows you to learn about India’s healthcare system, observe diverse patient cases, and network with medical professionals while developing essential clinical skills.
Volunteer In India, Kerala
Thinking about joining a volunteer abroad program in India? Watch this video to see what volunteering in India is really like. Discover volunteer experiences, cultural immersion, and the impact you can make in this beautiful destination.
Teaching English In Maldives
Watch our over 50s volunteer share her inspiring story of teaching English in the Maldives. Her experience as a volunteer teacher abroad was life-changing, combining cultural immersion with meaningful impact through our teaching volunteer program in the Maldives.
Family Volunteering In South Africa
Our Family Volunteer Program in South Africa focuses on community upliftment. Families with children can take part in a variety of meaningful activities. This family volunteering abroad opportunity is ideal for parents who want to combine travel with giving back and creating lasting memories together.
Sports Volunteer In South Africa
Our Surf & Sports Volunteer Program in South Africa is perfect for those passionate about sports and youth development. Volunteers work with local children, leading activities such as swimming, boxing, spike ball, surfing, and skateboarding. This sports volunteering abroad opportunity combines outdoor adventure with meaningful community impact.
Nursing Placement In Sri Lanka
A group of final-year nursing students from France joined our nursing internship program in Sri Lanka, gaining valuable clinical experience in hospitals. Under the guidance of expert nursing teams, they rotated across departments and practiced essential procedures. Beyond their hospital placement, the students also explored Sri Lanka.
Dog Care Volunteer In Sri Lanka
Our volunteer from Canada joined our Dog Care Volunteer Program in Galle, Sri Lanka during his gap year. He was supporting a local dog shelter dedicated to the welfare of stray dogs in southern Sri Lanka. This animal care volunteering abroad opportunity is perfect for dog lovers who want to make a real difference while gaining meaningful experience in animal welfare.
Engineering Internship In Nepal
Two friends from Norway joined our Engineering Placement in Nepal. They worked alongside local engineers on structural design projects and supported community development. This engineering internship abroad gave them valuable real-world experience, strengthened their resumes, and taught them how to adapt to the challenges of working with limited resources.
Women Empowerment In India
Two friends from the UK joined our Women’s Empowerment volunteer program in Kerala, India. They taught English and life skills to women in Fort Kochi, helping to build confidence and opportunities. By living and working alongside locals, they experienced authentic Indian culture, explored Kerala, and made a meaningful contribution to the community.
Medical Internship In Nepal
A group of medical students from the University of Newcastle, Australia, joined our medical electives placement in Nepal. Over four weeks, they rotated through various hospital departments, gaining exposure to patient cases rarely seen back home. This medical internship program provided valuable hands-on experience and learning in an international healthcare setting.
Family Volunteering In India
The Stoddart Family from Canada joined the India Family Volunteer Program. With children aged 10 and 7, they spent two weeks volunteering on our kindergarten teaching project in Kerala. Supported by our local team, the family balanced meaningful volunteer work with cultural exploration, creating unforgettable memories together.
How to volunteer abroad with us
1. Choose a destination or project
Select a program in Asia or South America related to community or conservation. If you are not sure what to do just contact us and we can guide you
2. Apply Online
Fill an online application form and pay your deposit so we know you are committed to coming out. Don’t worry all your personal details will stay confidential.
3. Confirmation of placement
Once we get your application form we will contact you and confirm your spot and also share your details with our local team.
4. Support in preparing
Our team will send material to help you prepare for your upcoming program and to support you and answer any questions related to your location.
5. Getting ready
We recommend you get your visas, insurance, flights as well as packing list organised well in advance so you are not rushing last minute.
6. Come out & start the adventure
This is the exciting part! Once you reach us in the country everything is taken care of. All you have to do is focus on making a difference & enjoying the experience.
Have more questions? Get in touch
