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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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Juliette
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

1 month Volunteering with Lombok Turtle Conservation

After spending 4 weeks in the turtle conservation project in Lombok and reading mixed reviews I was able to make my own opinion on my experience. Working with the amazing local team was rewarding as I was able to learn about their culture and feel more confident on how to act around the island and above. I was placed in a great environment with volunteers from around the world that all were here to make an impact and discover a new culture which created a safe and comfortable space for everyone. In regards to the turtle project itself, the variety of tasks was small but it felt useful and impactful such as beach cleaning or fish cutting but also cleaning the turtle tanks and monitoring the hatchings. Lastly the small but effective introduction to the project and the species of turtles present at the conservation really helped us to understand our impact and how we can help in our daily life for the entire oceanic environment. I would recommend this volunteering experience to young adults looking to make an impact while feeling welcomed within other volunteers and local coordinators.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
I learnt how to cut fish to feed the baby turtles which I was not expecting to do but ended up being the task I was looking forward to the most.
Pros
  • Experiencing a new culture
  • Having a direct impact on the survival of turtle species
  • Making friends from around the world
Cons
  • Repeated tasks
  • expensive
Read my full story
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Faye
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

10/10

I felt incredibly supported throughout my volunteering journey with Volunteer HQ. As my first solo trip, I couldn’t have chosen a better experience. From sign-up to the final day, everything was well-organized. My program manager was always available to help, and the local team made sure I felt safe and welcomed. I was fully immersed in the culture and made unforgettable memories. A truly amazing and enriching experience—I’d highly recommend it to anyone considering volunteering abroad. 10/10 amazing opportunity

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
Purely making friends But I felt right at home at the program with everyone making me feel welcomed
Pros
  • Fun
  • New experience
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Darryl
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

IVHQ is an incredible organisation…

IVHQ is an incredible organisation that truly goes the extra mile for every volunteer. They provided me with the guidance, resources, tips and training a first-time volunteer like me needed. A BIG THANK YOU to my IVHQ Program Manager who personally gave me extra support with her touching supportive email. Even once I was in Nepal, any queries or concerns I had were promptly address and I always felt like I could contact a local member of the Team if I needed. IVHQ is my number one recommendation, you have been absolutely fantastic and wonderfully supportive during every stage of the process!

…nine weeks has now passed since I returned from volunteering with the elephants in the Chitwan National Park, preparing food, feeding & cleaning + staying in Kathmandu…… I daily reminisce of adventuring boldly and making a little difference with sick and abandoned elephants and my walking tour into the National Park, sitting on the edge of the Rapti River watching hundreds of spotted deer, elephants and rhinoceros in their natural habitat.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Just do it, adventure boldly. IVHQ are faultless with their support before and during my volunteering.
Pros
  • Value for money, daily support.
  • Embracing a new culture.
  • An unforgettable experience.
Cons
  • I did not experience any cons.
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Olivia
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Lovely time in Ecuador

I had the most lovely time in Ecuador! My host team was so welcoming and helpful. They went above and beyond to ensure that I had safe transportation to my add ons and they made sure I was happy with my placement. The volunteer house was a friendly environment and I had no complaints about my housing situation. My volunteer placement helped me give back to others while practicing my Spanish. I recommend this trip for solo travelers and students like me for anyone who wants to truly immerse themself in the South American culture!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Go to the Amazon Rainforest! It was the coolest thing I have ever done.
Pros
  • Learned more Spanish
  • Made new friends
  • Tried new food
Cons
  • Language barrier
  • Not safe to walk around alone at night
  • Long travel days
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Jessica
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

First time international volunteer

This was my first time traveling and volunteering internationally by myself. I had a lovely experience with IVHQ. Before my trip, they did an excellent job helping me with whatever I needed to feel prepared for my trip. Honestly, when I got to my travel destination, I didn't know what to expect because I've never been to the country before, and I had no family there at all. It was quite nerve-wracking, but as soon as I met up with the local team, I immediately felt welcomed. It was like a big community and family. On this trip, I had an amazing time volunteering, helping a community, immersing myself into a new culture, and making new friends. Meeting the people in this program was probably the most memorable part. It's like coming together with people who are kind and compassionate, and want to help the world as much as you do. It's really refreshing to be with such amazing and intelligent human beings. The local team was impeccable, as well as the food. I loved everything about it (maybe it was a little too hot than what I am used to, but it was worth it). Do not hesitate and do this, it will be a transformative experience.

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
The most nerve-racking moment was exiting the airport, and being in a country I was a complete stranger to. I overcame it immediately when I met up with my local team person, who was responsible for picking me up and taking me to the accommodations. On the car ride, we talked, and immediately, I felt safe and knew I was going to be in good hands.
Pros
  • The AC was amazing and reliable. Made the weather super bearable
  • The friends I made through this program
  • The food (& prices) Everything was so cheap compared to back home!
Cons
  • Different type of hot than what I am used to (It was very humid hot, rather than dry hot)
  • My stay was too short, should've signed up for longer

Programs

Displaying 55 - 59 of 59

Alumni Interviews

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

1 month Volunteering with Lombok Turtle Conservation

Why did you choose this program? 

I chose this program as I knew I wanted to work with animals and sea animals in particular to have a chance to participate in the global effort of making beaches suffering from tourism and sea pollution more cleaner, more sustainable, and safer for sea animals. I also read in the reviews of the program that it was a new project, and therefore I wanted to contribute to its development, which corresponded with my interest in discovering new cultures in less touristic areas.
 

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

My program provider helped me program my visa request as well as the practical elements I needed to be reminded of when travelling to Lombok, such as the religious requirement, but also what I could expect when arriving at the accommodation and being welcomed by the local team. They also helped me organise my trip by telling me what I needed to take with me.
 

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

That they should be open-minded and should always say yes to any opportunity they are given to enjoy the program as much as they can. Certainly, the other volunteers will offer you to take part in their activities or weekend adventures, and not only will that help you make friends , but it will also help you discover places you might not have had thought of.
 

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

We wake up and get ready to drive to the project area after a stop at the coffee shop for those who need anything. Then we work for a couple of hours either cleaning the turtle nests, assisting the hatchlings, cleaning the beach, or cutting fish to feed the turtles. After that, we go back to the accommodation and have lunch. Then we go back to work until the sunset to enjoy a beautiful bonding time with the whole team. On the weekend, we have free time to discover the island or travel to nearby islands.
 

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 scared of not finding friends or being immersed in a culture I did not know of alone. However, the welcoming environment helped me overcome that fear and made me feel at home. Looking back, I regret ever fearing not feeling welcomed, as I miss that routine and the people I met and lived with.
 

Was the food good and adaptive? 

Yes the food was delicious and fresh, it was very easy to ask the local team for more food and food that was good for vegetarians, gluten free, pescatarian etc…We had access to local dishes but always had a choice to eat more common food we might be more used to so that there was something for everyone.

 

 

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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