Best Travel Volunteer Programs

You can combine good works and your next vacation by looking into volunteer programs abroad. This will enable you to make a difference in others' lives, learn about different people and cultures in a meaningful manner and still have a terrific vacation.

Peace Corps
Peace Corps is looking for adults of all ages to serve in various volunteer programs for 27 month periods in countries around the world. Volunteers help develop private businesses, work with youth outreach programs, teach English and other subjects or promote education on important health issues. In addition, a Peace Corps volunteer might work with HIV and AIDS patients, help develop regional databases or work to increase food production. For more information, visit the Peace Corps website.

EarthWatch
EarthWatch sponsors interesting volunteer work abroad "expeditions." You might be interested in surveying penguins and other birds in South Africa on Robben Island, taking ecological surveys in the reefs off of the Bahamas or collecting data on forest marsupials in Australia. You can volunteer in countries such as the Czech Republic, China, Fiji or Greece. EarthWatch also offers paleontology and archeology programs. Expeditions usually last two to three weeks. For more information, visit the Earth Watch website.

Cross-Cultural Solutions
Cross-Cultural Solutions is looking for people of all ages to participate in their volunteer programs. CCS operates in 12 countries including Brazil, Costa Rica, Russia, China, India and Morocco. You can work with children, teach English, promote health or assist in special education. Other projects include helping women with small businesses, helping the disabled and assisting the elderly. Volunteers usually spend between 2 to 12 weeks at their locations. For more information, visit the Cross-Cultural Solutions website.

Global Volunteers
Global Volunteers offers their services in countries around the world, including Tanzania, India, Vietnam, China, the Cook Islands, Jamaica, Portugal and Hungary. You might choose to teach conversational English, construct or repair buildings or work with infants and toddlers. You can also work with young children and teens. Volunteer programs last for one to 24 weeks. For more information, visit the Global Volunteers website.

Volunteers for Peace
Volunteers for Peace offers opportunities to assist in local communities in more than 100 countries around the world. You can volunteer for two to three weeks or choose a long term placement. Part of the interest in working with Volunteers for Peace is that each volunteer group is multi-national. You might be repairing a home for disabled people, cleaning up coastlines or building classrooms. Other projects might consist of preserving cultural heritage, teaching music or working with disaster relief efforts. For more information, visit the Volunteers for Peace website.