Program Reviews

I volunteered with UBELONG to give my help to a local organisation in Laos with building a school in a rural village, but I got so much in return. The experience not only broadened my horizons, but also gave me a greater confidence in myself. The amazing people, beautiful culture, and not to mention the breath-taking scenery - unforgettable.

I googled "construction volunteering" on a whim and UBELONG was first up. Quite frankly, I would have been lost if not for UBELONG; their website offered so many opportunities to help with projects all over the world, and it showed me the dedication they have to make the world a better place. So I applied without hesitation. But the help available in the lead-up to going was even better. From my UBELONG mentor, others' testimonies, and social media, the whole process was made super easy and reassuring.

The experience was definitely the most rewarding of my life and I can't wait to volunteer with UBELONG again!

I think that anybody who is looking to connect with local populations in need should consider UBELONG. It is an economical and meaningful experience for people of all ages. UBELONG sub-contracts with local charity organizations, but that did not cause any problems during my time in Cusco.

UBELONG appealed to me as an organized way to be able to enter an area that was foreign to me and make an impact right away. Their staff was so helpful in each step of the process, from pre-departure planning to making our stay in Cusco as comfortable as possible. I could tell they truly cared about our development as volunteers, and their relationships with the kids at the clinic we worked at were so inspiring to me! I feel so lucky to have been able to work with UBELONG and to come back to the U.S. refreshed and inspired to keep serving!

Already having some volunteering experience I can safely say that UBELONG is a valueless association to work with.

Reliability on the first place: starting from the incredibly efficient support before leaving, to the amazing in-country support, when there always a supervisor to refer to at all times.

The organization is really transparent and does what it promises. In my volunteering work I ended up doing what they had told me and even more! My work was really satisfactory and rewarding, and I had the possibility to learn and do things that I hadn't even hoped for. Furthermore the place where the volunteers live is a really safe and enjoyable environment where you really can feel at home.

Also the price was incredibly good and no hidden costs: by far the best deal I could find.

For sure I will choose UBELONG again when I next leave for another volunteering experience!

As a college student with a limited budget but an immense love for cultural immersion, I didn't know where I could find a reasonably priced international experience until I stumbled upon UBELONG. UBELONG made my volunteer service trip to Ecuador so stress-free. The process was very well organized and everyone on the team was incredibly friendly and answered our questions within minutes. My experience working alongside a local teacher in Ecuador was invaluable. Teaching English to a classroom of about 10 students in Spanish gave me a taste of an education system different from my own. As someone with intermediate Spanish proficiency, the task was challenging however so rewarding. Even though I was just there for a week, I made some meaningful connections with not only the students but the teacher and the principal of the school. I would highly recommend UBELONG to anyone either looking to make an impact or anyone just looking for an adventure!

After my first excursion with UBELONG in Ghana, I fell in love with the message that UBELONG was representing and wanted to be apart of it again. My first experience with UBELONG was filled with passionate people that shared a love for the work we were doing. UBELONG encouraged us to see beyond the differences in each person and left me with every lasting friendships. The care that the mentors have for their volunteers continually gave me confidence that I could make an impact. I really enjoy all of the mentors and their devotion to the program.

After searching extensively on the internet for a volunteer organization, I could find no better program than UBELONG. Highly affordable and well-organized, UBELONG gave me the opportunity to travel and work in a wonderful country. for eight weeks. At every step of the way, someone was there to guide me and make sure I was prepared for the journey ahead. At the volunteer site, local volunteers showed me how to get around, the best places to eat, and what places to avoid. And, as my project progressed, my mentor, Raul, checked in to make sure everything was going well. All in all, I had a great time volunteering in Ho Chi Minh City for UBELONG and I highly recommend the program to anyone looking to do some international volunteer work.

I am extremely grateful to have heard of UBELONG through Cornell. This was my first time travelling alone, and I felt more than comfortable with all the guidance and help provided by the UBELONG staff. They took care of me from the moment I signed up to volunteer, until I returned home from my trip. In addition, the projects they offer are great learning experiences. I came back home feeling inspired and energized. I will definitely be recommending UBELONG to prospective volunteers!

I spent 12 weeks volunteering in Cusco, Peru on the Elementary School Teaching project. I had always wanted to travel to South America and I truly feel that this was the best way to do it. While I certainly wanted to visit all the amazing tourist sites, I was more interested in connecting with people, experiencing life in Cusco, and making a positive contribution. I chose to live with a host family and could not have asked for a better experience. My Spanish improved exponentially, but more importantly, I was able to experience family life in Cusco. By spending birthdays and holidays with them, I gained a much better understanding of the traditions surrounding those special dates. Regarding my volunteer project, I can honestly say that it exceeded my expectations. I had a wonderful time working with the kids and faculty at the school. I felt that I was given the right amount of freedom and structure to be effective.

This was my first time traveling alone outside of the U.S. and I wanted to come with a well-organized program. UBELONG did not disappoint. They provided ample pre-departure support so I felt extremely prepared upon arrival. I can't wait to volunteer with UBELONG again in the future!

I enjoyed my experience volunteering. Everything was painless beforehand so really not much to say. Price was really good and I liked going with an American company. I didn't except much going into the experience so was easy to please, but still came away impressed by the support of all the staff. It was a first time UBELONG experience for me and glad I did it as part of my gap year before freshman year. I signed up to work with disabled children but ended up teaching English. I found the first project to be a bit shocking, the children were in bad shape and I had in trouble adjusting. It was tough to leave but in of itself I learned a lot about myself. I found teaching to be very rewarding and working with the other volunteers very meaningful.