Program Reviews

The eight weeks that I spent in Cusco, Peru volunteering at an after-school center were among the most eye-opening, rewarding, and fun times of my life. The UBELONG structure made the whole process of finding, and getting set up with, a volunteer project so straight forward and comprehensible. The kids that I worked with were so sweet and earnest and I knew from day one that they would be giving me far more than I could possibly return. Still, I treasured the time I had with them and tried to leave as much of a positive impact as possible.
The housing situation was also fantastic- by living closely with so many other travelers, I was able to make friendships very quickly and instantly feel happy and at ease upon arrival. I met so many amazing people, many of whom I know I will be in continued contact.
Overall, I had an incredible trip and I would highly recommend UBELONG to anyone who wants to volunteer abroad.

My trip to South Africa through UBelong was my first long term trip abroad. I've been to Africa before for two weeks, but being here for so long a second time had much more of an impact. I learned so much about the country by immersing myself in the culture instead of reading it through a book. I learned by experience what things were normal in the country and the differences they had compared o my home town. I cannot put into words the quality of friendships I had made in Cape Town. The people I lived and worked with were so amazing and I couldn't have asked for a better stay. UBelong did a great job of preparing me for my trip and keeping in touch with me while I was there. I recommend UBelong to anyone who wants an adventure that will change your life for the better! :)

Deciding to volunteer abroad can be very overwhelming with all the options that are available, but UBELONG was great in helping me make the decision to volunteer in the Advancing Community Rights project in Phnom Penh for five weeks. UBELONG is a reputable organization that will provide you with all the assistance, information and support that you need to have a positive experience.

I was very impressed with UBELONG and can't speak highly enough about my experience in Cambodia. Thank you to my mentor Cedric and the rest of the UBELONG team for helping me have an experience of a lifetime.

I never thought I would get the chance to volunteer abroad, but when I stumbled upon UBELONG, I realized I had found a gold mine. My experience in Rabat was incredible. The staff in Morocco was supportive, and UBELONG as a whole is a very professional organization, not to mention much cheaper than any other option.

My experience in Morocco was unforgettable, whether it was time spent learning about and from my host family, exploring the neighborhoods, or working with my students. The education project in Rabat was great, and the students were very eager to learn. I’ve learned a lot about the Moroccan people, and the project has left me with a much different perspective. I can’t wait to volunteer with UBELONG again; it was one of the best experiences of my life!

I cannot express enough gratitude and appreciation for everything UBELONG has done for me. I traveled to Cape Town, South Arica for 3 weeks in January 2013. My time in Cape Town was by far the most lifechanging experience of my life. I volunteered in a poor farm school with young children who had little to nothing. A day has not gone by since my trip that have not thought about these children. I am so grateful for UBELONG because they set me up with such an incredible project and host family. Although I was a thousand miles away, I always felt comfortable and right at home in Cape Town. Although I was only there for three weeks, I truly immerged in their culture experienced their diverse foods, traditions, and lifestyle. I recommend the UBELONG organization for anyone who wants to travel and do good in the world. My mentor, Cedric, was there for me every step of the way. He was always available to talk and he guided me through this experience.

Now that I am a UBELONG volunteer, I cannot imagine volunteering with any other organization and I hope to plan another trip through them soon!

I went to Cusco, Peru for 3 weeks in January 2013. UBELONG provide such an amazing experience and not only did I feel like I was making an impact, but I also felt like I gained a lot from the experience. I would recommend UBELONG to anyone. Their staff is wonderful and Cedric is so great at what he does. I am looking forward to volunteering again in the future.

My experience with UBELONG has been overwhelmingly positive. As a student, I don’t have a huge budget, and from my research into other volunteer opportunities I know that UBELONG keeps costs incredibly low. From my experiences as a UBELONG volunteer, I know that this low cost comes with a high quality experience. UBELONG supported me before, during, and after my adventure, providing plenty of information, open lines of communication, and friendly, knowledgeable staff. At the same time, though, I had plenty of flexibility to ensure that my volunteer trip aligned with my personal goals and interests.One of my favorite aspects of UBELONG is their general approach to volunteering abroad. As someone with a keen interest in sustainability issues, I understand that we can’t progress as a planet without valuing all cultures and ways of life. I really appreciate that UBELONG’s volunteering approach is non-intrusive, respecting local norms and knowledge; I felt that, as a volunteer, I participated in a holistic process, working with local organizations toward environmental goals that benefit everyone. This type of atmosphere made my experience all the more fulfilling, transformative, and enlightening. I would not hesitate to volunteer with UBELONG again!

Choosing to volunteer with UBELONG was a very easy decision to make. Not only do they offer a very affordable program, they offer a program that focuses on international development. That was very important to me because I wanted to go as a volunteer and not as a tourist. Cedric and Raul are very passionate about what they do. This is show through the support provided from my first inquiry about the program, to the last day of volunteering, and beyond. My mentor, Cedric, was always willing to answer any questions I might have and kept in touch to make sure I was doing well at my placement while in Rabat, Morocco. UBELONG offers a variety of different programs in a number of countries. There is truly something for everyone. I highly recommend UBELONG as a first choice for anyone interest in volunteering abroad.

I knew UBELONG was going to be a life-changing experience but if I had to choose one word for my experience, it would have to be "dream." Volunteering in Cape Town felt like a dream because although I was only there for 2 weeks, it was probably the most meaningful 2 weeks of my life. It felt like I was there for 2 years and at the end of my stay, I was so sad to leave. There was never a minute where I wasn't bringing a smile to a face of a child or a fellow volunteer. That was the kind of impact I was hoping for: to make my presence felt and to form friendships I can be proud of for the rest of my life. However, there's no doubt in my mind that the one who benefited most of all from my efforts and humanitarianism is myself. To all those who are considering volunteering abroad with UBELONG, there's no question you should do it!!

I volunteered in Rabat-Sale with a group of mates from uni. We are from Europe and volunteering is not a part of the normal options for people here like it is in America. However we found Ubelong because a friend had a connection to one of their founders and so decided to try it out instead of just touring Morocco with our cars. This was a very good decision. We worked with children on the caring for children in need program and the experience was so rewarding. Our typical day started at 8AM when we would wake up and have breakfast with our host family. This experience turned out to be one of the most beautiful of my life. We felt so welcomed and I was so amazed at how warm we were received by our family. They were not rich but still made us feel so good and so welcomed. We would then go to our project, which was in one of Sale´s poorest neighborhoods. Sale is the sister city of Rabat, they are side by side. We workd with the children to help them on their homework, sing songs and lead classes that we designed. We did a little bit of English, but focused more on geography and culture. It was very special to see their faces in the morning, just so eager to see us and appreciating our being there. People in Europe could learn a lot from them. I think many came from very difficult backgrounds and they were not used to foreigners coming to spend time with them. After our voluntary service we would enjoy Rabat, which is a very special city. It is not as well known as Fez or Tangier, but it is still very special. It is much calmer and in my opinion more welcoming as there are not as many tourists there. In total, I recommend volunteering with Ubelong and am very thankful for this great experience.