United Planet
Programs and Reviews
United Planet is an international non-profit organization striving to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another through organized volunteer opportunities abroad. Short and long-term volunteer options are available in more than 40 countries.
Volunteers choose a short-term option or a long-term gap year quest lasting anywhere from 6 months to a year. Programs are offered in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia. Visit the United Planet website for more information on currently available short-term and gap year volunteer programs abroad.
Programs Abroad
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Reviews
100%Overall
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United Planet's Response to aedmier:
Thank you so much for your comments! We are so glad you had a great experience in Chile and we appreciate your important service.
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A Taste of the Middle East
Working with United Planet to be placed in Jordan's Development through the Arts was a great experience. After the initial online application, I was directly in contact via telephone with a representative from United Planet so I always had a personal contact with the program provider. They provided me with correct information regarding what to to expect in Jordan. Jordan is a country full of beautiful people and places. Living with a local host family who was the director of the school was a great experience, because as volunteers we learned a lot about the history of the organization House of Tales and Music. During the volunteer day, there are a variety of tasks to be done such as teaching music and art to the children as well as assisting teachers and guests who come to work with the children. There are also many opportunities to visit Jordan during the stay including a trip to Petra, Wadi Rum (the dessert) and the Dead Sea. There are many locals who make the volunteers feel at home and each volunteer is welcomed. This is a great program for those who want to experience a taste of the beautiful culture of the Middle East.
Critical Feedback:
Prior to departing, I was told that an in country person would be picking me up at the airport. Also, I was given the name on a contact of who to get in touch with if I had problems. The name of the in country contact and the person picking me up were different. Everything worked out alright and it all made sense about how the rides were arranged but I would have had a more peaceful mind when I entered if I would have been informed in advance about the name differences of the driver and the in country contact (that they were two different people).
United Planet's Response to Traveler:
Thank you for your insightful and inspirational comments! Your service was impactful and appreciated in Jordan. We always aim to improve our information and programs and we take your comments seriously.
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Never believe you are too old to do something and go someplace you've never been before.
I already shared my experience through your blog and again I will never forget my trip to Jordan.
I developed a love for the country and people that are mostly unknown in my area of the United States.
Most of the publicity of the Middle East is very negative and I think people are afraid of those countries and the people who live there.
I learned they are just like me, and have many of the same problems I face in the USA.
We have to stop hating and start caring about countries we know little about except through the media.
Volunteering is a great way to get away from those beliefs.
I shared a lot of photos with my facebook friends and family even though I know that some still don't understand that while they have different beliefs/religion they are all GOD'S Children.
Critical Feedback:
Better communication once you are there since you might not have a phone that you can use in another country. Although most spoke English, there is always some communication confusion.
United Planet's Response to RCohlmia:
Thank you for taking the time to comment about your time in Jordan. Your insights are inspiring!
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I find it difficult to express in words the amazing experience I had volunteering with United Planet in Peru. I took a short, 10 day trip, and had the time of my life. Everything about the program met or exceeded my expectations, and I can confidently say that I made an impact in the local community there.
Working with the United Planet coordinators was easy and took all the stress out of planning my trip. They were responsive to my questions, and followed up with me in a timely manner. They also provided virtual trainings online for me before my trip that answered many questions that I didn't even know I had!
My host family in Cuzco was very sweet and they had two young daughters that were a joy to interact with and practice my Spanish with (and help them with their English). They provided me with three very good, authentic meals per day, but I did get the chance to experience the local restaurants and nightlife in the city as well.
Mafred, the United Planet coordinator in Peru is the owner of a Spanish school in Cuzco. Here, I got the chance to make friends with volunteers from all around the world. This was super interesting and not something I was expecting. Manfred and Niko, who worked with Manfred, were so much fun and helped me in so many ways during my time there. Oh, and the Spanish lessons were top notch too.
I had the chance to volunteer at an all girls orphanage that was just a short bus ride from my host family and the Spanish school. The conditions were pretty bad, but that's why they need volunteers, right? All of the kids were so sweet. United Planet advised us to bring along activities for them to do, so I went to the dollar store and bought a bunch of school supplies, educational workbooks, and some games. We had a blast and I could really tell that the girls enjoyed having someone there to care about them and interact with them in a meaningful way.
Along with volunteering, United Planet provides excursions to sites around your destination. I got to see all of the Inca ruins around Cuzco, museums, churches, and...oh yeah...Machu Picchu!!! Riding the train through the Andes to Aguas Calientes at the base of MP was like something out of a movie. Actually exploring MP and climbing Huana Picchu was just indescribably incredible. Easily one of the best days of my life.
I would highly recommend United Planet for anyone who is looking to travel and make a difference in the world. I plan on taking another trip this year with United Planet.
Oh, and if you do go to Peru, make sure to order Cuy. ;)
United Planet's Response to T.Young:
Thank you for your comments and your incredible service in Peru!
90%Overall
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I work at McLaren Falls Park which is 20km from Tauranga, NZ in the Bay of Plenty. While each day is different I spend a couple of days each week cleaning toilets and BBQs. The other three days I am string trimming, mowing, maintaining walking tracks, picking up sticks, completing construction projects, and other general park maintenance tasks. Each morning I drive around and collect fees from the campers in the park. This is one of my favorite tasks as it allows me to meet people from all over the world. Since I work in a park I am learning about the native plants, trees, and birds of New Zealand as well as the challenges of combating exotic pests. Even though I work outside every day in all sorts of weather this allows me to experience and enjoy the many beautiful facets of the breathtaking nature that is New Zealand.
The environment is a major part of what makes New Zealand and my time here as a participant of the United Planet, ICYE, and ACVE programmes so incredible. The many lovely places I have visited by taking advantage of the excellently organized Department of Conservation tracks and visitor centres has definitely been one of the biggest highlights of my time here. In movies you see gorgeous vistas, but learn that the editors had to digitally remove a town or highway in the distance. In New Zealand such places of unimaginable beauty actual exist, no special effects required.
I am so grateful to United Planet, ICYE, and ACVE for existing and allowing me to have this awesome as experience in such an amazing place. During my time here I have learned so much, not only at work, but in my travels throughout the country. It has allowed me to see the world through a non-American focused lens. This has given me the gift of being able to more objectively see the unpleasant and great aspects of living in America. To understand big and little things that I take for granted and to put my worries into perspective; I am blessed.
Critical Feedback:
As there was a pre-experience camp and informational weekend I would like there to be a post-experience one as well. On our three day weekend I met so many amazing people and while I have kept in touch with a few I would like to meet everyone again a learn how their 6/12 months went and what they learned and enjoyed/disliked about the country they lived in.
United Planet's Response to Katy Schmidt:
Thank you, Katy, for your comments. Keep up your important work and soak in all the Kiwi beauty you can! If there are others from your group interested in getting together upon their return home, we are happy to coordinate this.
Alumni Interviews
Staff Interview
Meet Theresa Higgs, United Planet's VP of Global Operations
GO: Tell us a little about United Planet and your role at the company.
Theresa: United Planet is a Boston-based international non-profit organization devoted to creating a more mutually understanding, respectful, and supportive world. The organization was built upon the premise of Relational Diplomacy - that relationships forged around common interest (in our case the will to create a better world and to exchange cultures) is the building block for a more united world. Our Quest Volunteer Abroad & Intern Abroad programs fulfill this mission through sustainable, cultural immersion experiences and community-based projects.
United Planet draws its expertise from its full membership and leadership within the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) - the longest standing (United Nations affiliated) federation dedicated to international voluntary exchange in the world with a 60-year history.
I am the Vice-President of Global Operations which means I manage our International Programs Team - both the staff in Boston and in our program countries. I oversee our Finance and Accounting Department and build new partnerships worldwide to strengthen and grow our programs. One of my most favorite parts of my job is traveling to our program locations to train staff and vet programs. I am so lucky that I get to travel all over the world and work with people who are passionate about sharing their culture with others and supporting their local communities. I am always humbled by the people I meet who work with our volunteers.
GO: How did you get involved in the volunteer industry?
Theresa: Service and volunteerism was a part of my life growing up, thanks to the values of my parents. After graduating college, I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Niue, a small island in the South Pacific. It was there that I learned the power of international exchange coupled with service. I knew that this was a field I wanted to be a part of.
GO: What makes United Planet unique?
Theresa: As mentioned before, the underlying principle of our programs is the concept of Relational Diplomacy -- recognizing that the relationship between people of diverse backgrounds is the basic building block for uniting the world. This concept drives everything that we do, and our programs are designed to expose our common human bonds, generate respect and appreciation for our cultural, racial, and religious diversity, and enrich lives of our neighbors worldwide, as well as those of our volunteers.
United Planet offers customized programs for individuals and groups. We personally work with all of our volunteers to match their skills and interests with communities in need. We also thoroughly train our volunteers so as to help them respect local customs and integrate into local life as smoothly as possible, rather than reinforcing mutual stereotypes. United Planet is not just another volunteer sending organization. Our mission and programming supports volunteers' involvement both on the ground and when they return.
GO: In your experience, what characteristics make a good international volunteer?
Theresa: There are many characteristics that make a good international volunteer, but the two we have found to be most powerful are flexibility and awareness of expectations. No matter how much one plans for their volunteer program abroad, there will be things that can not be learned or predicted. Being flexible to the local culture and the host community's needs and assets is required for an international volunteer to be successful. Also, being aware of one's expectations going in to the experience, then letting go of those expectations in the moment, allows for for openness to the experience and letting go of trying control the situation.
GO: What does the future hold for United Planet?
Theresa: United Planet has been growing since its inception in 2001 and is poised to continue this trend. Its strategy is to provide more support for our community partners worldwide while offering its volunteers the chance to learn and grow. International volunteerism is a powerful model when executed responsibly and with sustainability in mind.
I went on the United Planet Teaching Quest in Santiago, Chile. The pre-departure support was incredible, they provided me with all the information I needed for a successful trip. I was fully emerged into Chilean culture from the moment I arrived, and had the most wonderful host mother. I constantly reflect upon my volunteer trip to Chile, and am incredibly thankful that I chose to travel there with United Planet.
Critical Feedback:
I would make the volunteer hours more structured, so volunteers always knew what time they were expected, and how long they would be there.