Non-USU Service Abroad Opportunities

General Information

A work or volunteer experience abroad can be a world-opening experience that will improve your language ability, look great on a resume, and give you a chance to learn about another culture and meet people from a variety of backgrounds while living and working in another part of the world. There are a wide variety of opportunities available for students and recent graduates to work or volunteer abroad. However, there are a few considerations to keep in mind when considering the possibilities.

  • Visas: frequently countries will not allow entry under tourist status and will not allow you to (legally) work or even volunteer under a tourist visa. Most service-abroad programs will help you get the necessary visa to participate. In addition many organizations exist to provide help with visa requirements to those who are interested in finding employment abroad.
  • Program Fees: many volunteer abroad programs charge a program fee and these fees vary drastically from program to program. This may seem strange since many volunteers assume that their time and hard work is payment enough; however, these are not fees to volunteer but rather fees to cover the costs of getting you integrated safely and efficiently into an unfamiliar program in an unfamiliar country and culture. Many programs will encourage you to fundraise to cover the cost and will provide you tips on how to fundraise more effectively.
  • Finding the right program can take time, thought, and effort. Many programs have deadlines ranging from a few weeks to several months before the actual departure date, so start searching early. In addition, there are so many possibilities available through independent organizations that it can be difficult to make a choice. To begin, ask yourself questions such as: Where do I want to go? How long can I go? What type of work do I want to do? Do I want to work in a group or independently?

    • Links to Non-USU Service Abroad Providers

    A wide variety of organizations that organize service abroad opportunities can be found online. A number of these are listed below for your reference. Feel free to visit the Study Abroad Office if you would like to discuss general questions about safety abroad, reliability of programs, or other concerns; however, since the links provided as reference here are non-USU programs it is recommended that you contact the program provider with specific questions.

    A word of caution:

    This listing is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as endorsement by the USU Study Abroad Office. Most programs do their best to provide a high quality experience to participants; however, IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to make sure that you understand what your programs of interest offer/ do not offer, and that their particular offerings will meet your needs. Contact the program organizers with questions, and request to contact former participants in the program for more information. Any reputable organization should be able to put you in contact with former participants who will be able to give you an unbiased assessment.

    Links

    AIESEC:
    http://www.aiesecus.org/
    This is a student-run organization that requires students to first join the organization and participate in some way before pursuing an international internship or exchange. Offers networking possibilities as well as connections to a wide variety of organizations and businesses abroad.

    American Scandinavian Foundation:
    http://www.amscan.org/
    ASF is a nonprofit that promotes international understanding between the US and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden which provides training programs for students who wish to work in Scandinavia, particularly those in agricultural and technical fields and can also provide help in obtaining work permits for students who have independently found work and housing in a Scandinavian country.

    Amigos de las Americas:
    http://www.amigoslink.org/
    A summer volunteer program in Latin America in which volunteers live with host families and work on sustainable health, construction, and environmental projects. Fundraising assistance is available. Two years of high school Spanish required.

    British Universities North America Club (BUNAC):
    http://www.bunac.org/usa/
    This non-profit facilitates work/internship opportunities for students from the US in England, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, and France as well as offering volunteer programs in Peru, Cambodia, and South Africa.

    CDS International:
    http://www.cdsintl.org/
    CDS International is a nonprofit organization that supports intercultural understanding through professional development programs in Argentina, Germany, Russia, Spain, and the United States. Programs include international internships, professional fellowships, State Department public diplomacy initiatives, J-1 visa services, work-study programs, and study tours.

    Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE):
    http://www.ciee.org/study/programs/internships.aspx
    CIEE offers traditional study abroad programs along with a number of internship opportunities in locations across Africa, Europe, Latin America and Australia. Offers additional internship opportunities for those fluent in a second language.

    Cross Cultural Solutions:
    http://www.crossculturalsolutions.org/
    This non-profit offers Volunteer Abroad programs that last 2-12 weeks (volunteer's choice) in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania and Thailand. Offers internship opportunities at the same locations with the exception of Brazil.

    Global Volunteers:
    http://www.globalvolunteers.org/
    Offers volunteer programs both in the United States and around the world, ranging in duration from 1 to 3 weeks, with the option also to participate in longer projects ranging from 6 to 24 weeks.

    The International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE):
    http://www.iaeste.org/
    Organizes paid international internships for qualified students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Agriculture or Applied Arts.

    Institute for International Cooperative Development (IICD):
    http://www.amscan.org/
    This nonprofit organizes long-term team volunteer projects in Africa and South America.

    International Partnership for Service Learning:
    http://www.ipsl.org/
    offers service-learning study abroad programs for semester and summer.

    Interexchange:
    http://www.interexchange.org/content/7/en/Working%20Abroad.html
    Provides listings of volunteer, teaching, au pair, work and travel opportunities in countries around the world.

    International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA):
    http://www.volunteerinternational.org/index.html
    IVPA is an association of organizations that facilitate volunteer programs abroad. Under "current members " a search page can be found that lists all of the programs offered through associated organizations.

    Nambu Foundation Pasona Internship (Japan):
    http://www.nambufound.com/
    Facilitates two month paid internships with Japanese companies for qualified students.

    Operation Crossroads Africa:
    http://operationcrossroadsafrica.org/indexLand.php
    Organizes summer service / cultural immersion programs in a number of different African countries.

    UN Volunteers:
    http://www.unv.org/en.html
    The United Nations offers fully funded service opportunities to qualified persons over 25 years of age, with a bachelor 's or higher technical degree and 2 years work experience.

    United Planet:
    http://www.unitedplanet.org/
    Offers both short- and long- term service programs to a variety of locations around the world.

    Volunteers for Peace:
    http://www.vfp.org/
    This Vermont-based organization offers inexpensive short-term voluntary service \ programs in over 80 countries.

    World Endeavors:
    http://www.worldendeavors.com/
    Offers volunteer, intern, and study abroad programs on nearly every continent. Attempts to find internships and volunteer opportunities that fit each student's interests and provide homestays whenever possible.

    Search Engines

    Search Engines that provide regularly updated lists of volunteer service and work opportunities abroad:

     
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