IVHQ Globe

International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ

Why choose International Volunteer HQ - IVHQ?

International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) brings people together from all walks of life to make a difference on the adventure of a lifetime. We offer the world’s #1 rated and largest range of volunteer programs with 300+ projects across 40+ countries - from teaching and working with children to medical missions, conservation and wildlife volunteering.

For the past 6 years, we've won the "Top Volunteer Abroad Provider Award" from GoOverseas, so you can trust that you're in good hands! With over 17 years of experience, IVHQ provides safe, impactful and affordable fully-hosted volunteer experiences. Our multi-layered support network and flexible booking policy means you can volunteer abroad with confidence.

Our programs range from 1 to 24 weeks across premier destinations in Africa, Asia, South America, Central America, North America, Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East and the Pacific.

Join 130,000+ IVHQ travellers who have spent over 8 million hours supporting local communities.

Reviews

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Byron
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Life changing

Such a unique and amazing experience, first solo travel and travelling internationally. So much support and embrace from not only the co-ordinators, staff, other volunteers but also the locals. When I was cleaning rubbish, A local came up to me named Tut and stopped his taxi service and for an hour there, he helped clean up rubbish in nusa penida and heard what the locals are going through and how was can help. One way is to voulnteer, highly reccomend!! Turtle conservation
Then to top it off with adventure week, what an absoutle blast.

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Snake skin fruit, looks like a garlic but tastes like a pineapple
Pros
  • Culture
  • Nature
  • Experience
Cons
  • Not long enough there 3 weeks
Default avatar
Gillian
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Incredible Medical Volunteer Experience in Tanzania

Volunteering through IVHQ's medical program in Tanzania was one of the most impactful experiences of my life. I spent six weeks living and working in Arusha, where I was placed at a local hospital and also had the opportunity to join a medical outreach in rural communities. The staff were incredibly kind and welcoming, and I learned so much from observing and assisting in real healthcare settings with limited resources.

Before my departure, IVHQ and the local team were very helpful in answering questions and preparing me for what to expect. Once I arrived, I felt supported by the in-country coordinators, who helped us adjust, stay safe, and make the most of our time both inside and outside of the medical setting.

The hands-on learning was invaluable, but what made the trip even more special was the community. I bonded with other international volunteers, formed connections with locals, and even picked up some Swahili! The cultural immersion, from exploring the town to visiting nearby villages and national parks, added so much to the experience.

This program gave me a realistic look at healthcare challenges in low-resource environments and deepened my desire to become a doctor. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me lasting memories and friendships. I highly recommend this program to anyone interested in medicine, global health, or meaningful travel. I hope to return someday and continue contributing to this amazing community.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Be open-minded and flexible, things may work differently than at home. Try to learn some basic Swahili to connect with people. Take initiative, but always be respectful to local staff. Pack comfortable clothes, scrubs, and any medical supplies you can donate. Explore the area and get to know the community. Most importantly, take care of yourself and enjoy the experience, it goes by fast!







Pros
  • Hands-on experience in real medical settings with limited resources.
  • Cultural immersion through local interactions, language, and travel.
  • Supportive staff and community that help you feel welcome and safe.
Cons
  • Limited medical supplies can be challenging if you're used to more advanced facilities.
  • Unpredictable schedules, sometimes there’s not much to do, so flexibility is key.
  • Cultural and language barriers may make communication harder at first.
Default avatar
Annie
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Fun Experience, Great People

Volunteering with IVHQ in Portugal was a truly fun and rewarding experience. I met so many awesome people from all over the world, and it was great going out with them, exploring together, and just having fun while volunteering for a good cause. The whole vibe was very open and social, and it made the experience even better.

One thing I’d say to future volunteers is: don’t be shy — just throw yourself out there. Everyone’s there for the same reasons — to help, to meet people, and to enjoy the experience — so being open and approachable makes it much easier to connect with others.

Default avatar
Natalie
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Teaching in Lovina, Bali

Volunteering in Lovina, Bali, with IVHQ was an incredible experience that I would encourage anyone to do. From the moment I started to look for volunteering opportunities, the website was very informative and the staff were exceptional in replying to my queries. Once I had signed up there is a comprehensive guide, including videos, do's and don'ts and what additional things to factor in before travelling that put me right at ease.

On arrival in Bali, the local team was ready to collect me and were so accommodating. They couldn't do enough to make me feel welcome and part of their family. In addition to my volunteering experience, the local team allowed me to explore Lovina and beyond to help me fully understand and appreciate the Balinese culture.

I work as a teacher in the UK and decided to travel to volunteer on the teaching programme. Having the opportunity to assist in kindergarten was a delight; the children were so sweet and the teachers were incredible at making me feel welcome in their classrooms. In the afternoons, I attended school and had my own class delivering English to the children as an extra-curricular opportunity. The local team provided me with a curriculum guide, classroom resources, a translator, and was able to get any additional worksheets photocopied if required.

The accommodation was perfect, 200m from the beach and located in Lovina, away from the tourist areas so you had the true experience of Bali. The rooms were clean and had an en-suite. The staff were super helpful and the food was superb, varied every day, and also catered for dietary needs.

I strongly urge anyone to take the opportunity to volunteer at least once in their life if you are able to do this. IVHQ will help you from start to finish with a full range of programmes and countries on offer!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
I tried durian fruit!
Pros
  • The local team are so helpful
  • The Balinese people are so friendly
  • Lovina is the 'real' Bali away from tourists
Cons
  • Wish I could have stayed longer!
Default avatar
Seppe
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Wildlife Conservation in Kruger NP, South Africa via IVHQ

I had an amazing experience booking via IVHQ. From start to finish they guide you with excellent help. I had an amazing time during my volunteering project, where I learned a lot, met a lot of amazing people and made even more amazing memories. I made a last minute decision to join a project, but this was no issue. IVHQ provided me with all the assistance I needed to assure I had a spot. Their site is also very easy to work with, giving you a nice overview over your project, and what you need to do.
Stop doubting and go on an adventure!

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
I would stay longer
Pros
  • Amazing help form start to finnish
  • Wonderfull projects

Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Alyn Spector

Alyn Spector is an energy sector professional who spends his free time supporting organizations dedicated to the protection of our waterways and wild spaces.
Alyn Spector with turtles

Alumni Interview

Why did you choose this program?

I chose IVHQ because it was well-reviewed online and seemed like a reliable organization. I appreciated that they were a b-corporation and that the funds that participants pay into their programs support the on-the-ground teams in their home countries meaning our volunteer tourism isn't displacing local staff.

My focus was on the Costa Rican sea turtle program because I care greatly about our waterways and the preservation and protection of marine life.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

IVHQ provided a pretty good briefing of the program along with links to resources like travel insurance, travel medications, etc. There was also a good run-down of visa requirements by country. Program fees and payments covered travel from the airport, 3 meals at day on-site, money for bus tickets to the program site, and a decent orientation. I had to pay extra for the ride back to the airport following my stay, but that was fine. I also had to cover some short bus hops around San Jose before we got to our final location about 5 hours from the city.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

The best advice I can give is to make sure you have at least some basic survival Spanish under your belt. I do and I was grateful because it made travel to and from the bus terminal and the five-hour trip much easier. Many folks in Costa Rica speak some English, but I wouldn't rely on that. It's important to be able to ask for directions, confirm you're going on the right bus, order food or make purchases, and ask for help in an emergency. They do pair folks together in cohorts for the travel, but I was the only person with any level of Spanish. I know I felt a lot better having it, but the more speakers, the better.

Also, on-site, you'll need to be prepared. It's hot. It's wet. You will never feel cool or dry. Pack extra socks. You will not have too many. Bring shoes that you don't mind getting wet and that dry quickly. You will be walking through water and dense mud on night patrol.

If you're someone who doesn't like working at night or pre-dawn, this isn't the program for you. Be prepared to walk anywhere from 4 to 20 miles a day. Be prepared for sudden rainstorms. Be prepared to work hard and challenge yourself.

Bring a high-quality, high-lumen flashlight. Even better, bring two. The folks running the turtle center could always use more. Bring extra-strength bug repellant. If you are sensitive to mosquito bites or tend to attract mosquitos, this may not be the program for you.

Come ready to work. Come with a passion for wildlife and ocean conservation. If you love sea turtles and nature, you'll be headed to the right place. You'll get out what you put in. It is absolutely worth it. If you are a partier, go elsewhere. This isn't a vacation spot, this is a passion project. Bring your passion and keep the liquor at home. This isn't a cheap holiday- it's someone's life's work. Respect it.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

You will wake up around 3-3:30 am for early morning shifts walk about a mile to the beach, and then patrol for about 5-7 miles or so up and down the beach. You may be with a group that's willing to go slow and put in the work to find turtle tracks. If not, you may need to exercise patience with others who are not used to walking or have regrets about their project choice. Either way, bring a good red-light flashlight and put in the work. Be kind to others, but firm about your commitment to finding turtle tracks and eggs. During the search, you may find tracks, or you may not. You may find eggs and notify project leadership. If you find eggs, a group will join you and help you relocate them to the hatchery. You'll dig to about your shoulder to get to the nest. Then you'll carefully collect the eggs and dig another hole of the same length in a clean spot to relocate the eggs.

You'll have breakfast around 7-9 am. If you're not on morning patrol, you will likely be working at the hatchery that day and taking to visitors. You'll walk the mile from your accommodations back to the beach. Again, knowing Spanish helps, although many visitors to the beach do speak English, so not knowing the language isn't a deal breaker. Greet visitors, sell tee-shirts and merch to fundraise for the hatchery.

Lunch follows hatchery work.

Following that you may be given field work. That may include engaging in a "bucket brigade" transporting sand from an empty nest in the hatchery and replacing the nesting spot with clean sand. You'll be digging down to about 5 feet or so for this. You'll be working in a team to haul sand. You may do some training demonstrations for visitors on how to find sea turtle eggs make demo turtle tracks and bury ping pong balls as sample eggs. That's a lot of fun.

Also, you'll be sent on garbage clean-up patrols along the beach. Some of your fellow volunteers may use this as an excuse to hide away and go swimming. Try to be patient and go clean up with or without them. Remember, this is a turtle nesting spot and you are making their home safe from toxins and plastics by cleaning up their nesting areas. It is worth it.

Following that is dinner time and another mile walk each way to your homestay and back.

In the evening you may get an 8 pm or 11 pm night patrol. Sometimes tourists will join you on the beach. Sometimes you may encounter poachers, but they will probably leave you alone since they're more worried about getting in trouble. Occasionally there will be a turtle hatching. This may happen any time in the day or night. If it's during the day, the community will be invited to join the volunteers and help release the baby turtles into the sea. It is an amazing experience.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I was a bit concerned if I could handle the heat and intensive work, but I was surprised by my endurance. I think part of that came from drinking lots of water and pacing myself. Part of it came from an earnest desire to push myself and do the hard work. Also, frankly, all the walking and hydration and avoidance of between-meal snacking was actually incredibly good for me. I think I'll take those habits with me now that I'm back in the US.

Is there a particular type of person that would most enjoy this project?

I think this project is good for anyone who has the physical capacity and endurance to tolerate the heat and exertion. The most successful volunteers I saw during my trip were the ones who were reliable and dedicated to the project. There were folks in their late teens who had the maturity and resolve that far exceeded those of their much older fellow participants. I think at the end of the day it comes down to intention and attitude rather than any other factor.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Why did you choose this program?

The IVHQ program seemed to offer all that I was looking for: destination, available projects, affordability, plus the fact that it not simply an adventure travel company. Their programs were dedicated to helping communities in need. The schools where we worked had all been built by volunteers, and we provided materials and labor to renovate and build toilet facilities for the children. A few weeks of work by a few people eventually build a school.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

IVHQ assists with everything: flight information, visa and health requirements, airport pick up, travel to placement, orientation, daily visits to the worksites, and regular meetings at our residence to discuss any issue.

The website provides most of this information in advance, but it's reassuring to meet "face to face" with the organizers. On our own, we have to arrange emergency travel health insurance, criminal background report, vaccinations, and visa requirements if required.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

In Africa, bring as few clothes as possible, and nothing with long sleeves and long pants. Clothes can be washed daily if necessary. Insect repellents are only required at night, as they simply wash away in the daytime by the heat. Bring anti-malaria medication and personal toiletries, and a small first aid kit.

My advice: DO NOT WORRY ABOUT ANYTHING! You will be with an outstanding group of people and you will have a fantastic adventure.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Because of the heat in Ghana, all 10 of us only worked in the mornings.

In construction, we left for our 30-minute walk to the site around 6:30 am and it was an enjoyable walk, as everybody waved and greeted us. We returned to our compound around noon on motorbikes.

The childcare group prepared breakfast and lunch for the school children and were finished by 1 pm. Their school was only a 5-minute walk. Afternoons and evenings were spent reading, playing games, interacting with the children.

Weekends were for sightseeing, usually gone for 2 days (at our expense).

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I had no fears, no concerns. The website provides all the information that you need about your program. The country website (tourism) provides the rest.

As for safety, always remember that you are in a group. There are no safety concerns at the placement site, and we traveled on weekends in groups for 8 or more. Local people are very hospitable and helpful. You will soon discover that you have no worries.

Enjoy your stay.

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