Want to volunteer abroad on your gap year? Whether you want to explore the world before starting college, take a semester break or even a career break, International Volunteer HQ allows you to make a real impact with your gap year. It’s an opportunity to get out of your comfort zone, enhance your global perspective and gain more independence, all while having a positive impact on communities in genuine need of volunteer support.
With students all over the world deciding to put their college plans on hold due to COVID-19 distruptions, IVHQ is supporting a growing number of students in making plans for gap year volunteer programs as a meaningful college alternative. For the ultimate gap year adventure, many students choose to mix and match gap year programs from IVHQ and our sister organisation Intern Abroad HQ. By combining volunteer programs with international internships and virtual internship programs, you can easily build a gap year that enables you to give back while making a positive impact on your career.
Our team of experienced Gap Year Planners are here to help build your dream itinerary, customized to your experience, life ambitions, travel goals and the causes you care about. To get a personalized gap year plan, all you need to do is contact us and tell us about the destinations or programs you’re interested in. To get inspired, browse our recommendations for the best gap year volunteer programs below.
Why join a volunteer gap year program?
Every year, thousands of volunteers set off on a volunteer gap year program with IVHQ, seeking not just adventure, but the opportunity to make a positive impact within their host communities.
Gap year volunteering is a highly rewarding experience, giving you the opportunity to join like-minded impact-focused travellerss on a diverse range of volunteer programs while engaging in meaningful exchanges with the local community - whether you’re teaching English in Bali or working on animal convervation projects in Africa.
Keep reading to learn more about how to make the most of your gap year and how to find the top gap year volunteer opportunities for 2023 & 2024. Know what you’re looking for? Jump straight to it:
- When can I take a gap year?
- How to volunteer abroad on your gap year
- What should I do on my gap year?
- Best gap year volunteer programs abroad
- Why should I go on a volunteer gap year in 2023 or 2024?
- What does a good gap year volunteer program include?
- What are the requirements to volunteer abroad on your gap year?
- How long can I volunteer abroad for?
- How I spent my gap year volunteering abroad
When can I take a gap year?
Traditionally, a gap year is when you make a conscious decision to take a year off from your formal education between high school and college/university, however you can take a gap year trip with IVHQ at any time of year. Our volunteer programs are available year-round in more than 50 destinations, so whether you want to take a gap semester or spend your summer break on a meaningful adventure, we make it easy to customise a gap year volunteer program for you. A growing number of travellers are now taking grown-up gap years in the form of a career break or to take a breather before beginning a new job.
Whether you’re exploring gap year programs after high school or looking for a long-term gap year volunteer program after college, it’s important to remember that a gap year is anything but a gap, it’s an extension of your education, an accumulation of experiences, new perspectives - and ultimately the discovery of a new you. So if you’re trying to establish where you fit into the world, or simply what your life goals are, taking a volunteer gap year is the smart option.
What can I do on my volunteer gap year?
With IVHQ, you can give back on gap year volunteer programs that support everything from Wildlife and Animal Care to Teaching or Community Development. Explore the full range of volunteer opportunities here.
Gap year volunteer work equips you with valuable life skills and encourages personal development opportunities unlike any other experience, while also ensuring that you have a positive impact on the places you visit and the people you meet. IVHQ offers the world’s largest range of gap year volunteer programs to suit your unqiue skills and interests. Some volunteer programs are skills-based while others don’t require specialised skills or previous experience. Let your personal interests, your study or career experience and skill-set influence your decision.
How to volunteer abroad on your gap year?
Many gappers are first-time travellers who are volunteering abroad solo - something that can seem daunting at first. By choosing to volunteer abroad with IVHQ, the world’s most trusted provider of safe and affordable gap year travel programs, you’ll take the stress out of organising your gap year volunteer program. We support the meaningful adventures of thousands of travellers every year and provide you with everything you need to have the best experience. We’ll support you every step of your journey - guiding you through how to get started, to advising you on visas and vaccinations, and organising everything from your airport pick-up, right down to your volunteer orientation, accommodation and meals.
What are the best gap year volunteer programs?
On a gap year program with IVHQ, you can give back in Africa, Europe, Asia, South America, Central America, the Caribbean, the Pacific, the Middle East and the USA. This means that when you’re looking for your gap year volunteer program for 2023 or 2024, you have a wide range of options to ensure you can find a program that aligns with your travel goals and the causes you care about. Here are some the most popular options for gap year volunteering:
Bali Gap Year Volunteer Programs for 2023 & 2024
At some point in life, absolutely everyone needs to experience Bali. Its rich culture, laid-back lifestyle and focus on health and wellbeing, make it the perfect destination to experience on your gap year travels. There are two Bali gap year volunteer programs available: the Bali - Lovina program is based in a small coastal village on the northern coast of Bali, while the Bali - Ubud program is located in Ubud, Bali’s cultural centre. Between 40 and 80 gap year volunteers start in Ubud each month, making it a social and fun atmosphere that’s perfect for first-time and solo travellerss taking their 2023 or 2024 gap year abroad!
Apply For A Bali Gap Year Explore Bali
Fiji Gap Year Volunteer Programs for 2023 & 2024
What’s the thing you’ll love most about your time on a Fiji gap year volunteer program? The people! Fijians are incredibly welcoming and quick to embrace you into island life! Regardless of which Fiji gap year projects you choose to support, Teaching and Sports Education, Kindergarten, or Construction and Renovation, the focus is firmly on the people and the needs of the community. Between 20 and 70 IVHQ volunteers start a gap year program in Fiji each month, making it a vibrant program complete with like-minded explorers with a passion for impactful travel. During your weekends, you’ll be able to make the most of exploring the pristine coastlines or lush rainforest, and everything in between!
Apply For A Fiji Gap Year Explore Fiji
South Africa Gap Year Volunteer Programs for 2023 & 2024
Gap year volunteering in Africa is one of our most popular options so put South Africa gap year at the top of your list! There are two IVHQ programs based in Cape Town and our volunteering in South Africa guide will help you figure out which location is right for you. Each program is based around 30 to 45 minutes from Cape Town itself, so you’re always in easy reach of the iconic Table Mountain. With no shortage of incredible things to do in and around the city, it’s no wonder why Cape Town is growing in popularity as a gap year travel destination: pull on your hiking boots and make your way up Table Mountain, lounge around on one of the stunning beaches, or gather your IVHQ fam together and head out to the winery country.
Apply For A South Africa Gap Year Explore South Africa
Portugal Gap Year Volunteer Programs for 2023 & 2024
With the beautiful coast on your doorstep, a buzzing cafe culture and plenty of weekend adventures to be had, basing yourself in Lisbon as a volunteer traveller in Europe is an amazing idea. You can give back to the community by participating in a number of gap year volunteer projects, including Construction and Renovation, Environmental Scuba Diving, Food Rescue, Wolf Conservation or Youth Support projects. If you’re interested in gap year volunteer programs with animals, the Wolf Conservation project is a must! There is no shortage of activities to keep your weekends bursting with adventure, check out the UNESCO World Heritage Site - Sintra, the Moon Hill, stroll the streets of Cascais and enjoy a beverage at one of the many outdoor cafes along the way, get amongst the surf in Ericeira - the first surfing reserve in Europe. If you like the laid back atmosphere of coastal life and being in touch with nature and history, then the Portugal gap year volunteer program is perfect for you.
Apply For A Portugal Gap Year Explore Portugal
Peru Gap Year Volunteer Programs for 2023 & 2024
It’s legendary for the must-see Machu Picchu, but there’s far more to Peru than this Insta-famous sight. There are two program locations in Peru: Lima, the capital and largest city in Peru which is a juxtaposition of high-rise condos built alongside pre-Columbian temples. And, Cusco, one of the oldest cities in South America, lined with stone streets and a rich history. If you decide to volunteer in Lima, there are four gap year projects to choose from, including Teaching English, Special Needs/Childcare, Medical and Construction and Renovation. Or if you center yourself as a volunteer in Cusco, there are 10 project options, including Teaching English, Childcare, Medical, Construction and Renovation, Animal Care, Jungle Conservation, Special Needs, Andean Immersion and a Spanish Service Learning project. Regardless of which location you choose, setting off to Machu Picchu is easy to coordinate with your newfound volunteer friends.
Apply For A Peru Gap Year Explore Peru
Philippines Gap Year Volunteer Programs for 2023 & 2024
If you’re looking for an authentic off-the-beaten-track Asian experience, then you can stop your search. The Philippines gap year volunteer program is based on the safe and beautiful island of Palawan, away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. Here you will come face to face with the captivating culture, cuisine and people as you live like a local. It’s a hidden gem just waiting to be explored and with more than 7,000 islands at your doorstep, it doesn’t get much better than this archipelago! The volunteer projects are all about making the most of your gap year travel. It doesn’t matter if you choose the Kindergarten, Teaching, Construction and Renovation, or Environmental project, the emphasis is on volunteering while enjoying yourself. Downtime can be spent exploring Palawan and weekends island-hopping.
Apply For A Philippines Gap Year Explore Philipines
Zambia Gap Year Volunteer Programs for 2023 & 2024
Volunteer gap year in Livingstone, Zambia, is a mix of traditional charm with all the modern amenities, friendly locals, easy access to a myriad of incredible tourist sights and a local team that is on hand 24/7. Gap year volunteers have the opportunity to give back on Teaching, Kindergarten, Medical, Elderly Care and Construction and Renovation gap year projects. During your free time, you have the opportunity to explore the local markets and shops, have a lazy day in a hammock at the accommodation, pop over to nearby Botswana for a safari, venture to Zimbabwe to check out the amazing Victoria Falls, or take advantage of the amazing array of adventure sports on offer.
Apply For An Africa Gap Year Explore Africa
Why should I go on a volunteer gap year volunteer in 2023 or 2024?
- You’ll be giving back on meaningful projects: There are hundreds of gap year ideas out there but none that will have the profound impact that volunteering abroad will. IVHQ’s gap year volunteer programs are established in partnership with local organisations in communities with clearly defined social and environmental needs. Regardless of where you choose to be a gap year volunteer, you’ll be matched to a placement which will allow you to make a valuable contribution to the project and community you are volunteering in.
- It’ll be the experience of a lifetime: Taking a gap year and volunteering will shape your future. It’ll help you figure your life out - maybe that means helping you find your purpose and passion, empowering you to be a change-maker or developing your self-confidence.
- You’ll make friends for life from around the world: You will quickly forge a bond with the other international volunteers as you roll up your sleeves together and get stuck in working on your project and while exploring in your downtime.
- You’ll go to change the world, but it will change you: When we asked our volunteers how the experience of gap year volunteering impacted them, 83 percent said their sense of perspective had changed, while 94 percent agreed that gap year volunteering volunteering abroad had made them more resilient, and 44 percent strongly agreed that their career aspirations had changed for the better.
- To get out of your comfort zone: Living in a country different from your own means that you will be immersed in a new culture, lifestyle, and way of thinking. Volunteering exposes you to a number of situations and experiences that you will be able to learn and grow from. You will be working alongside people from different parts of the world - fostering global understanding, cross-cultural communication and developing how you work in a team.
- For your resume: People that take a gap year often find the experience makes them more successful during their college years as they’ve had the time to refine what they want to do and become more focused and driven. Gap year travel also allows you to explore a potential career field - you will walk away with valuable experience and a unique insight into a possible career path while making a meaningful contribution to a community abroad. Explore 2023 & 2024 gap year volunteer opportunities in fields such as: teaching, environmental and conservation, working with animals, community development, medical and health, and NGO support.
What does a good gap year volunteer program include?
As the world’s leading volunteer abroad organisation, when you volunteer with IVHQ you can set off knowing you’re travelling with the experts. IVHQ volunteer abroad programs include the following:
- Dedicated support to get you started and help you choose the right volunteer program so your time abroad is worthwhile
- Online pre-departure training and comprehensive information booklets
- Support to keep you on track and put key elements such as travel insurance, vaccinations, visas and what to pack top of mind
- Ongoing support from your personal volunteer mentor
- Round-the-clock support while you are on your volunteer abroad program
- Orientation in the country you are volunteering in to ensure you know everything from safety tips to best things to do in your free time
- Responsible volunteer programs that are vetted and have a sustainable focus
- A proven safety record and a 95/100 rating from thousands of independent reviews
- A team of like-minded volunteers. During this experience more than any other, your peers become an important source of support and inspiration.
Chances are if you’re taking a gap year before college, your parents will also be interested to learn more about IVHQ, so make sure they read our information for parents as you continue to explore volunteer abroad programs. No doubt you’ve already fielded questions from your parents about your safety while abroad - you aren’t alone! Having placed 85,000+ volunteers abroad, we’re always happy to speak with your parents to ensure all their questions are answered and they feel comfortable with your volunteer trip plans.
What are the requirements to join a gap year volunteer program?
For many of our gap year volunteer projects, the only requirements are fluency in English, a clean criminal background and a willingness to learn. This means it’s a great way to gain experience that will set you apart from others, and stand out on college and job applications. Keep in mind that for the majority of our Medical and Healthcare projects, gap year volunteers must be qualified or training in a relevant medical field.
How long can I take a gap year trip for?
Thousands of volunteers have chosen to join multiple programs with IVHQ as part of their gap year volunteering abroad. With program options starting from 1 to 24 weeks and programs in 50+ destinations, there is something for everyone. You could spend a full volunteer year abroad, or add a 2-week volunteer program onto your extended travels - it’s all about what works for you. And, because we believe that affordability and meaningful travel should go hand in hand, we have the most affordable program fees starting from £16 per day.
How I spent my gap year volunteering abroad
I decided to volunteer during my gap year so I could travel and at the same time help the community and the environment. I’m going to study veterinary medicine which is a long degree so I decided to take a break from studying and do a gap year - it was the best decision I could have made. I volunteered on the Bali Kindergarten project, the Madagascar Forest Conservation project and the Wildlife Conservation project in Victoria Falls.
The time I spent volunteering really made me realize how lucky I am to have the life I have. And made me want to help give equal opportunities to everyone no matter where they were born. If you want to take a gap year really consider volunteering. It is such a rewarding feeling when you can make a difference while traveling the world. - IVHQ volunteer Miguel Lopes van Uden
Still can’t decide on a single destination? Many gap year volunteers choose to register for a number of different volunteer programs across a range of destinations to gain a diverse gap year experience. If a gap year in South East Asia is on the agenda, you have the capacity to volunteer in Vietnam, jump the border and become a volunteer in Cambodia, before finishing off as a volunteer in Laos. Or if gap year charity work in Africa, Central America, South America or Europe sounds more like you, explore your options with IVHQ here. Otherwise, take this quiz to find a recommendation for where you should take a gap year. Be aware: Taking a gap year as a volunteer won’t cure your travel bug, it’ll only make it grow.
