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Get Free Quotes From 8 Best Cheap High School Volunteer Abroad ProvidersAre you a high school student looking for the best volunteer abroad experiences available out there? Are you intent on finding the highest rated, most affordable and most trusted providers?
Volunteering abroad sets you apart from your peers and also gives you a highly competitive career advantage. If you’re a high school student thinking about making a difference in the world, volunteering abroad is one of the best ways to give back to humanity.
While volunteering abroad as a high school student can be an amazing life-changing opportunity, it can also be very confusing when you’re searching for a safe and affordable volunteer abroad provider. Just starting a search online can be daunting as hundreds of volunteer abroad companies will pop up. Scrolling through lists of companies and comparing costs is a very tedious job indeed and will take up a lot of your time. And in case you don’t realize, all these companies are not equally created. Many are also unreliable and untrustworthy. You might also choose the wrong company, which could threaten your safety and ruin your volunteer experience.
That’s why TravellersQuest is here to help and do all the hard work for you as we don’t want you to pay high costs and ruin your volunteer abroad experience In this article, we have examined hundreds of high school student volunteer programs abroad and have selected the top performers based on their history, online reviews, and the various programs and opportunities they offer.
We highly recommend you volunteer abroad at one of these 8 amazing high school volunteer opportunities all over the world.
| Company Name | Starting Price USD | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| International Volunteers HQ | Zambia – ($385 + $329) |
Go Overseas – 2,229 reviews Go Abroad – 1,675 reviews |
| RCDP International | Mexico – ($258 + $279) | Go Overseas – 62 reviews |
| Maximo Nivel | Guatemala - $685 |
Go Overseas – 1,314 reviews Go Abroad – 1,880 reviews |
| GVI | Nepal - $2,345 | Go Overseas – 705 reviews |
| Global Crossroad | Sri-Lanka – ($300 + $299) | Go Overseas – 94 reviews |
| GoEco | Ghana - $800 |
Go Overseas – 89 reviews Go Abroad – 729 reviews |
| Plan My Gap Year | Ghana – ($375+$249) | Go Overseas – 405 reviews |
| Global Leadership Adventures | Costa Rica - $3,199 |
Go Overseas – 356 reviews Go Abroad – 55 reviews |
Table updated: May 13, 2024
International Volunteers HQ (IVHQ) is widely regarded by many as the no. 1 volunteer organization in the world. A massive team of passionate experts and volunteers work tirelessly at IVHQ to make volunteering easy, comfortable and most of all, affordable. IVHQ is a company that caters to people from all walks of life. They have 304 projects running in 44 countries, out of which you can choose any one to be your ideal high school volunteer program.
IVHQ is not a small company – they have many resources and people working to provide the best volunteer experience and opportunities to eager volunteers. Their high school volunteer programs are some of the best to ever exist.
Marine Conservation in Belize – As a high school student, an opportunity to explore the world while also making an impact should not be missed. This marine conservation program in Belize will take you to an island in the Caribbean where you’ll be shore diving and boat diving with experts. Your duties will consist of monitoring and controlling the invasive Lionfish population, maintaining the beach and keeping track of the diverse fish and coral reef species.
Homeless Support in Portugal – This program takes place in the soulful city of Lisbon. As a volunteer, you will prepare and cook meals, serve and distribute them and help with washing dishes at a local homeless center. This is a down-to-earth opportunity that shouldn’t be missed for any aspiring high school abroad volunteers.
Teaching in Zambia – If you’ve chosen Zambia as your destination, then you’ll get to explore culture, nature and land all in one package! You could opt for this teaching volunteer program where you’ll help out at community schools. Help the teachers in planning exams and lessons, tutoring students and assisting with games and other extracurricular activities.
Part of the reason why IVHQ is so widely-renowned is due to their affordable program fees. They have an initial registration fee of $329 that all volunteers must pay. After that, program fees will depend on destination and length of stay. The programs in Zambia cost $385 and the one in Portugal costs $705 for 1 week of volunteering.
IVHQ has consistently earned good remarks and praise from its past volunteers. The company has always aided those looking to volunteer, especially high school students on their very first high school volunteer trip abroad. You can read some excellent volunteer reviews on IVHQ’s own website as well. This prestigious organization has 2,229 reviews on Go Overseas and 1,675 reviews on Go Abroad.
Read all reviews of IVHQ on Go Overseas.
Read all reviews of IVHQ on Go Abroad.
RCDP International is another great organization that we recommend for your first (or more!) high school volunteer abroad experience. This non-profit humanitarian organization was first established in 1998 in Colorado, USA. RCDP International is among the first organizations to offer volunteer opportunities in countries like India, Nepal and Sri-Lanka. A core philosophy at RCDP revolves around that of grassroots development – they believe that for a volunteer project to be successful, effort must be applied at the most basic and local level. This, compared with the extremely affordable fees they provide, make RCDP International a top volunteer provider on our list.
RCDP has over 200 projects in over 18 countries for you to choose from. We can say with confidence that you’ll find your suitable volunteer program looking through RCDP’s archives. Here are some of our top picks to help make your process easier:
Orphanage Volunteer in Ecuador – This volunteer program will take you to the capital of Ecuador, Quito, where you’ll work at a local orphanage and childcare center caring for needy, impoverished and under-privileged children. Your duties will include helping the kids with their homework, taking them on day trips and outings, teaching them about hygiene and helping with maintenance work around the orphanage.
Childcare in Thailand – Here’s a great opportunity to lend a helping hand to disadvantaged and at-risk children living in constant poverty and struggle in Thailand. As a volunteer, you’ll work to keep the children occupied. Help bring some joy and happiness on these children’s faces through games, activities and all sorts of other fun you can think of!
Special Education in Mexico – Children suffering from all sorts of disabilities and disorders like autism, ADHD, deafness, blindness and cerebral palsy are cared for at a special needs center in Mexico. Make your way over there as a volunteer and help local teachers and therapists engage these children in daily activities. While there, don’t forget to enjoy the soulful culture of Mexico to make your high school volunteer trip abroad even more special!
RCDP International is one of the most affordable organizations on this lost – their program fees can go as low as $150! Even though prices may be low, they do not sacrifice any sort of quality or safety, being dedicated to their volunteers all the way to the end. After paying a registration fee of $279, your program fees can range anywhere from $150 - $400 for a week of volunteering.
RCDP International is a top organization not just because of its values and affordability, but also because of the many positive reviews it has online. Past volunteers often talk fondly of their first ever high school volunteer abroad experience with RCDP. RCDP International has 62 reviews on Go Overseas.
If you’re looking to volunteer in the South or Central America, then there is no organization better to pick than Maximo Nivel. Maximo Nivel is a locally-operated volunteer organization that exclusively works in the Americas, providing excellent volunteer, internship and study abroad opportunities. Their in-country projects are well-organized and maintained with local staffs to support you every step of the way. The company delivers all of its projects with safety, comfort and reliability in mind. Maximo Nivel’s high school volunteer programs will be enriching and fruitful for you as well as impactful for the community you serve.
Maximo Nivel’s volunteer programs are based in 3 countries – Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru. However, in these countries, Nivel is supreme and no other organization offers as diverse and meaningful a program.
Medical Program in Costa Rica – Maximo Nivel’s medical program in Costa Rica will place volunteers in remote places where people struggle to receive basic healthcare services. This program is perfect for medical high school students looking to volunteer abroad. A volunteer’s duties will usually consist of shadowing a local doctor and helping in updating patient records, assisting in general check-ups, taking blood pressure and other vitals and running medical campaigns.
Eco-Agriculture in Peru – Volunteers will get to work in prime coffee, tea plantations with local Peruvian farmers on this program. Help in reforestation efforts, learn more about efficient and sustainable farming practices and learn about how some of the highest quality coffee and tea in the world is made! When you’re not volunteering, you can check out some of the amazing sceneries that Peru has to offer.
Sea Turtle Conservation in Guatemala – Pollution, poaching and whatnot has endangered the lives of many sea turtles. Do your conscious part as a volunteer in Antigua, Guatemala. You’ll work to restore the population by maintaining hatcheries, relocating eggs, taking care of young sea turtles and routinely patrolling the beaches. Your stay at this exotic place in Guatemala will surely be memorable.
Maximo Nivel, being locally operated, does not charge registration and admin fees. This makes them an extremely affordable volunteer provider in South and Central America. Their program fees for Guatemala and Peru are a little less ($685) than that of Costa Rica ($785).
Maximo Nivel is undoubtedly the best volunteer provider in South and Central America, and one of the top ones in the world. Just look at some of their volunteer reviews online! No one has anything bad to say about the high school volunteer abroad trip that Maximo Nivel has organized for them. Maximo Nivel has 1,314 reviews on Go Overseas and 1,880 reviews on Go Abroad.
Read all reviews of Maximo Nivel on Go Overseas.
Read all reviews of Maximo Nivel on Go Abroad.
With over 20 years of experience, Global Vision International (GVI) provides volunteer programs and teenage volunteer summer programs with over 450 opportunities across 25 different countries. To date, more than 25,000 volunteers have joined Global Vision International because their programs focus on teaching participants the skills they need to know in order to change the world for the better. This company is very serious about ethics and sustainability and their volunteer programs for high school students provide a two-way process of cultural exchange, learning and impact for both volunteers and community.
GVI has a wide selection of volunteer programs for you to choose from. However, we took a look at past alumni reviews and came out with a select few of some of the best programs:
Thailand Conservation Experience – The Thailand conservation experience is an amazing volunteering opportunity to go to the southern part of Thailand to discover the wonderful surroundings and beauty of Phang Nga province while greatly helping and aiding in local conservation efforts. Concentrate your efforts on community and conservation projects, such as taking care of turtles and meeting with local Thai students for a cultural exchange.
Volunteer with Elephants in Thailand - In this highly rated elephant conservation program, student volunteers will head to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand to work with elephants that were once used and sadly abused while working in the country’s tourism sector. You’ll be helping to monitor the behavior of the elephants as they are reintegrated into the forests.
Marine Conservation Expedition in Fiji - Marine Conservation Expedition in Fiji is a remarkable chance to not only grasp and discover the wonders of the South Pacific but to also to help contribute to important research that will direct the management of marine protected areas, such as coral reefs and various other ocean ecosystems of Fiji. This is a great high school volunteer abroad program.
GVI may have program fees that are a bit pricier than other companies, but your money definitely won’t go to waste. They provide top-notch quality services that will make your volunteering journey more comfortable, accessible and memorable. GVI does not charge a registration fee – all of their fees are compiled into a single sum. Their program fees for Thailand and Nepal can range anywhere from $2,045 - $2,945.
Global Vision International teaches thousands of volunteers and interns every year the skills they need to succeed and change the world. Past participants praise the company’s constant support, noble values and lasting project impacts. Explore and read through some of the volunteer testimonials yourself. GVI has 705 reviews on Go Overseas.
Read all reviews of GVI on Go Overseas.
Created in 2003, Global Crossroad has already helped over 20,000 high school volunteers experience the time of their lives in one of 18 countries around the world. Global Crossroad places volunteers in local communities where they live with host families, re-establish community norms and promote the well-being and success of orphaned, underprivileged and struggling children and families. Volunteering with Global Crossroad is easy and affordable and we highly recommend this company on your next volunteer trip abroad!
With Global Crossroad, you have a whole host of volunteer programs that you can choose from. From childcare and education to marine and wildlife conservation, GCR’s programs are immaculate in terms of impact, quality and rate.
Teaching English to Buddhist Monks in Nepal - With many Tibetan monks living in exile in Nepal, many are eager to learn English, a very important skill that could help them immensely in the future in life after the monastery. This volunteer teaching English to Buddhist monks in Nepal is a wonderful opportunity to travel to the heritage-rich country of Nepal to give back in a most sacred way to a group of people widely revered in Nepal.
Sea Turtle & Wildlife Conservation in Costa Rica - Volunteering in Costa Rica conserving wildlife & sea turtles is your chance to learn about and contribute towards some of the most cutting-edge research and science that has been and will continue to put an end to the endangering cycles for wildlife and rainforests created by humans, and provide ample opportunity for wildlife and sea turtles to thrive in the future. This is a great high school volunteer abroad program!
Sri Lanka Elephant Orphanage Volunteer – Here is an amazing opportunity for animal-lovers looking to help improve the livelihood of elephants in Sri Lanka that would otherwise become captures and retained by the country’s not always kind tourism industry. You’ll be offering your kind hands to elephants at the Sri Lanka Elephant Orphanage and helping take care of these wonderful creatures in an elephant sanctuary. The prime focus of the orphanage is to protect these elephants from poachers.
Global Crossroad has inexpensive programs for volunteering and interning abroad. A typical high school volunteer trip abroad may cost you upwards of $1000 or even $2000. But with GCR, once you pay the industry standard registration fee of $299, program fees can go as low as $150 (Nepal and Sri-Lanka). Even their Costa Rica volunteering opportunity only costs $455!
With student internship programs across the world, past participants rate Global Crossroad with a 93% satisfaction rate. Their programs adopt a philosophy centralized on providing each participant with an individualized, travel heavy and culturally rich experience. This proud company has 94 reviews on Go Overseas.
GoEco is a leading volunteer tourism company that aims to increase environmental awareness and conservation through ethical volunteering opportunities. With a staff of highly experienced and passionate volunteers, GoEco has been providing top-rated volunteer programs in many countries across the world. GoEco’s aim is not only to help but also turn volunteers into passionate and environmentally-conscious individuals. Volunteer abroad as a high school student with GoEco and make beautiful memories lasting a lifetime.
GoEco has over 150 community and wildlife initiatives. Moreover, your volunteer trip can be personalized to ensure maximum safety and comfort on programs offered by GoEco. Look at some of their top programs below:
Turtle Conservation in Maldives – Experience the oceanic beauty of Maldives while working with marine specialists to restore the population of sea turtles and other marine wildlife. On this program, volunteers work at a Marine Center where they’ll feed and assist turtles, patrol the beaches and clean up, clean turtle enclosures and gather scientific data. This is a must-take high school volunteer opportunity that you shouldn’t miss!
Teaching & Community Work in India – GoEco’s India volunteer program takes place in the city of Goa. A volunteer will typically assist with 2 things in this program. Firstly, a teaching program where volunteers will teach English, arts and music at a kindergarten and secondly, a slum outreach program that is dedicated to raise awareness about hygiene and education among the impoverished people living in the slums.
Teach Children Program in Ghana – You’ll appreciate GoEco’s childcare program in Ghana – it is a wonderful opportunity where you’ll get to work with needy children and help relieve some of their pain. As a volunteer, your placement will be in the village of Accra where you’ll help teach English, engage the kids in a variety of games and activities and even help in light building/renovation work.
GoEco is an honest organization, keeping their fees low and giving volunteers the opportunity to make the biggest impact. Like GVI and Maximo Nivel, GoEco too does not charge a registration fee. Their program in Ghana runs for $800 for a week and 6 days of volunteering. Other programs may vary anywhere from $800 - $1,900.
GoEco is continually upgrading its services and reception and so far, they have impressed their clients and volunteers. Indeed, many have spoken fondly about GoEco and their immeasurable help during high school volunteer trips abroad. GoEco has its own reviews and awards section that we highly recommend you check out. This organization has 89 reviews on Go Overseas and 729 reviews on Go Abroad.
Read all reviews of GoEco on Go Overseas.
Read all reviews of GoEco on Go Abroad.
Plan My Gap Year (PMGY) is a reputed humanitarian organization based in the United Kingdom. Founded in 2011 by a group of passionate volunteers, PMGY’s top goal is to provide safe, affordable and trustworthy volunteer experiences around the world. The organization is dedicated to providing high school students with rewarding volunteer opportunities in many different countries across the world. They have made quite an impact in several under-developed communities and localities - with all of theirs efforts aimed at increasing sustainable development.
PMGY has the perfect blend of cultural exchange, exciting travel and meaningful volunteering planned on their high school volunteer abroad projects. See some of their top programs in the countries of Bali, Ghana and Cambodia.
Childcare in Bali - The childcare volunteer program in Bali is a unique chance to care for, play with, and teach young Balinese children at a local school. The children typically range from 4 to 9 years old. When you join this program, you will work to teach Basic English, along with arts and crafts, physical education, and other fun and enriching activities.
English Teaching in Ghana – Volunteers working for the English teaching program in Ghana will work with young students in a community school in Kumasi. There, volunteers will work to deliver lessons, hold conversations in English and plan fun and creative activities to boost confidence in English-speaking abilities among the students. This is an extremely enriching volunteer opportunity for high school students.
Childcare in Cambodia – Cambodia is a country with a dark and bloody past, with many of its residents still struggling to recover. Take the mantle as a childcare volunteer and work in Hope School in Takeo Province of Cambodia. There you’ll undertake a variety of activities from teaching and organizing games and activities to providing assistance during mealtimes.
PMGY recognizes that, as high school students, money isn’t exactly abundant. Therefore, their high school volunteer abroad programs are relatively inexpensive and accessible to all. They charge an initial registration fee of $249, followed by weekly program fees. Their programs in Cambodia and Ghana costs $375, the one in Bali costs $435.
PMGY is an extremely prolific organization, wholly dedicated to its volunteer base. You’ll find many past volunteers that have taken a volunteer trip sponsored by PMGY and none of them can find anything to complain about! Of course, you can always check more volunteer reviews on their website. PMGY has 405 reviews on Go Overseas.
Read all reviews of PMGY on Go Overseas.
Global Leadership Adventures (GLA) seeks to empower teens and youths, uniting them under a global banner in hopes that they will always strive for positive growth. This volunteer/travel abroad organization originated in 2004 and they wholly focus on creating specified Service Learning Adventures in order to provide the perfect program for each high school student volunteering abroad. Join a team and get to work on community service, hands-on learning and miraculous adventures. Embark on one of their community-led volunteer efforts and discover the joy of helping and supporting others.
The company provides amazing high school volunteer abroad programs definitely worth considering. IF you were to ask us, we’d recommend their programs in Bali, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands. Each of these opportunities is wholly unique and will go down as a memorable adventure in your life.
Bali: Island Education Initiative - Here is an amazing and once-in-a-lifetime experience to journey all the way to the exotic island of Bali and spend an untold amount of beautiful time taking in the wonders of the island while simultaneously giving back to the Balinese people. You’ll be going into a local school to teach English and also bond with the Balinese people. English is greatly needed in a country that thrives on tourism and welcoming English-speaking tourists from all over the world. This is the best volunteer abroad program for high school students.
Galapagos: Preserving Nature Wonders - This is also a magnificent opportunity for nature-lovers and environmentalists alike to restore the marvelous wildlife habitat of the Galápagos. You’ll walk away having come into contact with a plethora of different species living on the exotic island and its ocean life. You’ll also be able to get to learn about efforts made by conservationists to preserve and protect the island’s unique ecosystem.
Costa Rica: Beach Side Adventure – Adventure along the pristine shores of Costa Rica while helping in community service in a rural beach community. Experience “Pura Vida” on this trip, exploring Costa Rica’s exotic wilderness and warm culture. As for volunteering, you’ll be working with conservationists and assisting in beach cleanups and awareness programs. There is also a chance to do renovation and community building work at local schools or other infrastructures.
The prices at GLA’s high school volunteer abroad programs are mid-range and fairly affordable. If you take a look at some of the sample prices of projects we listed, you’ll be able to see for yourself. For the Bali program, the price is US $4,699; for the program in Costa Rica, the price comes to $3,199 and for the visit to the Galapagos Islands, it comes to US $5,699.
While GLA isn’t a company that we talk about all too much on our lists, they nonetheless remain pioneers in the volunteer and travel abroad market. In fact, many of the high school volunteer abroad alumni we met had volunteered with GLA as their provider! GLA has 356 reviews on Go Overseas and 55 reviews on Go Abroad.
Read all reviews of GLA on Go Overseas.
Read all reviews of GLA on Go Abroad.
High school students are some of the most eager and willing when it comes to volunteering abroad. They are full of energy and willing to help in almost anything! High school volunteers are most needed in fields of education, childcare, elderly care where little experience is needed although the impact they can have is still high.
Usually, volunteering abroad opportunities are offered for people above 18. However, there are companies like IFRE Volunteers, IVHQ, Maximo Nivel and GoEco that have special under 18 volunteer programs. These programs are a mix of travel, volunteering and cultural exchange that will surely give teens a memorable and enriching life experience.
Yes, you can volunteer in Africa even if you’re under 18! Some companies like IVHQ, RCDP International, and African Impact have special under 18 programs that are both impactful and enjoyable.
If you’re unsure of how long your volunteer trip should be then this should help you out. We recommend clocking in at least 50-75 hours. If you can, aim for 120+ hours! This will give you plenty of time to soak in a country’s culture, be comfortable in a different environment and learn loads of valuable life lessons and experiences.