GVI US would be more appropriate.

Take me there!

A wild way to learn

Student volunteering abroad

The world is big, full of beautiful, diverse, exhilarating places and people. Experiencing and exploring this world is an exciting privilege that can broaden your horizons, introduce you to new and life-changing perspectives, allow you to hone a new skill set before entering the professional world, and give you a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see remote habitats and wonderful communities that you might otherwise not have the chance to encounter.

Our projects are driven by a core mission: positive impact. GVI is committed to sustainable, meaningful change alongside both our local project participants and our global partners. If you’re looking to make an impactful difference in conservation or community development efforts while seeing new countries and experiencing diverse cultures, GVI’s student volunteer programs are for you.

Critical science

Critical science

You'll contribute to vital conservation research targeted at protecting the earth's most valuable ecosystems.
Ethical engagement

Ethical engagement

Using the UN's SDGs as a framework, we've made a commitment to positive, constructive and sustainable impact.
Beautiful adventures

Beautiful adventures

You'll spend your days exploring some of the world's most breathtaking, exhilarating and remote wildernesses.

What is student volunteering all about?

Overview
Volunteering
Internships
Locations

You want to see the world. Experience new places and learn about new cultures. We know that travel is important to you – as important as doing something that will make a meaningful contribution to our planet. We get it. That’s why we offer a variety of student volunteering opportunities – where you can boost your personal and professional skills while contributing to sustainable conservation projects around the world.

Our volunteer programs cater to student volunteers with a variety of interests and at different stages of their studies. Maybe you’re looking to take a gap year between high school and college. Or you’ve finished your studies and are looking to gain work experience before starting your career. Whether you’re in search of adventure and looking to travel, or you want to improve your employability by showcasing your international experience, we have the perfect volunteer program for you. International experience shows potential employers you’re able to get out of your comfort zone and handle situations that you wouldn’t necessarily encounter in your home country. This, in turn, shows personal growth and maturity, making you a stand-out candidate when it comes to employment.

Volunteering abroad with us allows you to improve your job prospects and develop yourself through new experiences by learning “soft skills” that are helpful in the working world. Attributes such as social skills, communication, teamwork, responsibility and work ethics will allow you to better interact and work in a professional setting. 

Plus, you’ll meet people from all over the world who are on the same path as you. Our volunteer abroad programs allow for plenty of fun activities and free time, meaning you’ll be able to sightsee, visit the surrounding areas of the country you’re in and spend time with your fellow participants – many of whom become friends for life after meeting on a student volunteer program. 

If you’re in high school, we have a range of under 18 volunteer programs specially designed for teens. Created for high school students between the ages of 15 and 17, when you join a teen volunteer program, you can support environmental initiatives in wildlife and marine conservation or education and community development projects. Included in our teen programs are cultural excursions where you’ll get to see and learn about the country you’re visiting. We’ve been running teen volunteer programs since 2012 (some of which are award-winning) so you’re in safe hands when you decide to volunteer with us. You can visit our page on teen volunteering which outlines all the details of our teen programs – from flights and accommodation to what your daily activities look like, as well as testimonials from past participants. 

All of our student volunteer abroad programs are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and offer 360-degree support from our team. When you join a program we’ll take care of all the details for you – all you need to do is decide which program is the one for you. From wildlife research in South Africa to volunteering with elephants in Thailand, the hardest part will be deciding which program you want to join. Feel free to contact one of our enrolment managers who will be able to assist you with matching the right program to your needs.

Whether you’re looking to further your knowledge in your field of studies or you’re still deciding which career path you want to pursue, we also have a range of online courses and programs to choose from. From ethics in sustainable development to foundations in wildlife conservation, our onlines courses and programs are run by experts in their fields and on completion of the course you’ll receive a certificate. Accredited by the University of Richmond, your certificate can be added to your CV, job applications and LinkedIn profile.

 

See what other parents & participants say

Read reviews and recommendations from all over the world.

Our programs

Planet

Conservation

volunteering
Marine Conservation Expedition in Seychelles

Get your PADI Advanced Open Water and PADI Reef Ecosystem Diver (...

volunteering
Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand

Travel to Thailand’s Chiang Mai Province and volunteer with eleph...

volunteering
Wildlife Research Expedition in South Africa

Travel to a private game reserve in South Africa – home to lion, ...

volunteering
Marine Conservation Expedition in Fiji

Discover the rich biodiversity of the South Pacific while assisti...

volunteering
Volunteer with Turtles in Greece and Conserve Natural Habitats

Experience historic Greece by living and working with an internat...

volunteering
Coastal Conservation Expedition in Thailand

Join us in Ao Nang, Thailand where you’ll work to protect endange...

volunteering
Whale and Dolphin Conservation in the Canary Islands

Travel to Spain’s sun-drenched, subtropical island archipelago, o...

volunteering
Island Conservation Expedition with Snorkelling in Seychelles

Join a group of like-minded changemakers from across the world to...

People

Community Development

volunteering
Women’s Empowerment Project in Cape Town

Step into the heart of the coastal town of Hout Bay, where creati...

volunteering
Women’s Empowerment and Community Development Volunteering in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Journey to Chiang Mai, Thailand and embark on an unforgettable cu...

volunteering
Teaching and Early-years Education in Cambodia

Join us in Siem Reap to assist children to grow and discover thei...

volunteering
Volunteer with Children in Cambodia

Travel to Cambodia and contribute to the social development of ch...

volunteering
Women’s Empowerment and Community Development Volunteering in Cambodia

Travel to the city of

volunteering
Teaching English to Buddhist Monks in Cambodia

Visit Siem Reap, a city in northern Cambodia, and teach English t...

volunteering
Education and Childhood Development in Ghana

In Ghana, while many kids attend school, resources can be limited...

volunteering
Women’s Empowerment Program in Costa Rica

Support women’s empowerment and community development initiatives...

Tailor your experience
Switching between the two options is easy!

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Explore more  or arrange a  free consultation  with one of our program experts.

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