10+ Free or Low-Cost Volunteer Abroad Programs for High School Students

Volunteering abroad while in high school is a fantastic way to travel, make an impact, and widen your perspective at a young age! Whether you're looking to take a gap year before college or want to use your summer break to gain valuable real life experience, volunteering abroad can provide a wealth of benefits.

Read on to find out the best free volunteer programs for high school students abroad, and other low-cost options! 

Yes, you can volunteer abroad for free as a high school student!

There are a variety of free or low-cost volunteer programs available, focused on projects such as conservation, education, and community development, and more. 

However, most volunteer programs do include fees. This is because charities and nonprofit organizations require donations to function and provide volunteers benefits such as training, accommodation, meals, and more. This is especially important for teenagers who require more support and safeguarding abroad.

Read more: Volunteer Abroad Scholarships & Grants You Should Apply For

Although most programs require fees, no-fee volunteer programs do exist. Here are some of the best free volunteer programs for high school students and recent graduates. 

• United Nations Volunteers: Want to help advance global peace, development and humanitarian efforts with a global intergovernmental organization? The UN Youth Volunteer program offers 18-26 years olds the chance to aid humanitarian efforts from Europe to Africa and even online. Most programs require long-term commitment of around 24 months. 
• Student Conservation Association: SCA, one of the largest conservation program providers, offers youth and young adults roles in disaster recovery, urban green spaces, and more across the US and Puerto Rico. 
• Youth Volunteer Corps: The Youth Volunteer Corps allows 11-18 year olds from the US and Canada to volunteer and give back to the community. While most volunteer placements are in the US and Canada, you can also volunteer in Uganda. 
• WWOOF: Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) offers opportunities to work and live on farms - from vineyards to ranches - in a choice of 90 countries. Although volunteers are often required to be 18 years or older, you can volunteer as a 16 year old with WWOOF UK or if a guardian accompanies you in a foreign country.
• HelpStay: HelpStay connects hosts with volunteers to arrange work in exchange for room and board. Although most positions require you to be 18+, programs for junior volunteers do exist. You’ll find projects in hospitality, environmental work, and much more. Safety is a top priority, and each host is screened by HelpStay.
• Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity builds homes and community facilities in over 40 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Volunteers 18 years and above can join, and no prior construction experience is required!

There are undoubtedly many more volunteer abroad programs that may be more to your taste, but require a fee. It’s important to remember that these fees often include benefits such as accommodation, meals, training, and more. With a wide variety of programs with different objectives, roles, and locations, there’s bound to be one for you. 

• IVHQ: International Volunteer HQ is a flexible and affordable option,  with programs starting from $20 USD per day. IVHQ has a range of programs for teens or young adults, from conservation volunteering in Laos and Nepal to healthcare volunteering in Argentina and Belize, and more.
• GVI: Between GVI Planet and GVI People, there are many teen-specific volunteer programs for 15+ year olds to choose from. From wildlife conservation in South Africa to sports volunteering in Costa Rica, volunteers receive comprehensive training, accommodation, excursions, and more. Programs start at around $2,000 USD for 2 weeks of volunteering. 
• Projects Abroad: Projects Abroad’s High School Specials programs are tailor-made for 15-18 year olds who want to experience the world ethically. From childcare, wildlife conservation, sports education, human rights law, healthcare, and more, teens can gain experience in awe inspiring locations like Ecuador, Tanzania, and Nepal from $2,100 USD per 2 weeks.
• Volunteer Solutions: From teaching or childcare volunteer programs to voluntours, Volunteer Solutions offers teen-specific programs to 17+ year olds. Starting at $275 USD per week, volunteers can choose between locations such as Sri Lanka, Kenya, Thailand, Peru, and more. 
• Angloville: If you’re 18+, Angloville is a great way to travel and visit Europe! You’ll teach students across Europe. Volunteers can not only gain teaching experience but are provided with accommodation, meals, and excursions to nearby countries! Programs only require a refundable deposit and a $64 USD administration fee! 

No volunteer experience is ever “free,” as you’ll have to factor costs such as flights, travel insurance, transportation, excursions, and more. However, consider applying for scholarships and grants to maximize funds and limit your expenses. 

• Flights: Flights often take up most of your budget depending on where you’re heading. While some volunteer organizations may reimburse travel costs, most do not. 
• Visas: In some countries you can volunteer on a tourist visa, while others require a special visa, like a charity worker visa. 
• Vaccinations: Consider visiting a travel clinic or medical practice near you to find out what kind of diseases or illnesses are present in your destination country. 
• Accommodation & transport: Most volunteer providers include accommodation, however, short-term free volunteer programs typically require volunteers to find their own housing.

Volunteering abroad can be expensive regardless of program fees. Here’s how you can fund your volunteering experience abroad: 

1. Utilize merit or need-based scholarships: You can find many volunteer and gap year scholarships right here on Go Overseas! Additionally, you can make use of government‑sponsored exchange programs like NSLI‑Y, YES, FLEX that may provide fully funded summer or semester placements.
2. Fundraise: Launching a GoFundMe to fund your charitable goals abroad can be an excellent way to reduce expenses for your venture. Alternatively, you can launch a school‑based campaign highlighting the educational and community value of your mission to gain sponsors.
3. Start slow: You don’t have to travel across the globe in order to make an impact! Consider shorter or domestic volunteer trips to gain experience. This will not only help you understand your volunteer goals, but it’ll enhance your reputation and credibility for opportunities with the Peace Corps or the UN. Remember, you can volunteer for life, not just as a teen! The more experience you gain, the greater your prospects will be. 

With so many options, choosing a volunteer abroad program as a high school student can feel overwhelming. Most programs require fees of some kind, and you’ll also need start-up costs to fund your experience abroad, so it’s best to budget generously. However, with careful planning and preparation, you can embrace a life-changing experience abroad!

Read more about volunteering abroad: 

• Why You Should Volunteer Abroad in High School
• How Much Does It Cost to Volunteer Abroad?
• 10 Best Summer Travel Programs for Teens
• Volunteer Abroad Scams: How to Spot & Avoid Them