Program Reviews

I would highly recommend UBELONG to anyone looking to volunteer abroad. What originally attracted me to the organization was the affordability of their programs. However, not only was my project affordable, but the UBELONG staff was also awesome at helping me get ready to go, supporting me during my program, and debriefing with me when I returned to the U.S.

In Quito, I was a volunteer with UBECI, a local organization that works with impoverished children in the public markets around the city. UBECI's goal is to help the children they work with to enter into the public school system and maintain their grades in order to be able to stay in school. I thought that the UBECI staff was great to work with, and I really liked being able to play with and teach children every day.

I also lived with a host family while I was there. It seems like UBELONG does a good deal of research of the local organizations that they partner with, especially in terms of the accomodations of the volunteers. I was extrememly comfortbale living in Quito, and getting to know my host family was a great experience.

Of all the places I've been, I loved the Galapagos the most. The physical labor was personally very rewarding and the work environment was very relaxing and friendly. M-Th we would work in the mornings, break for lunch, work for 2 hours in the afternoon and have the rest of the evening off. When we worked we were usually chopping down invasive plant species and replanting native species or working in the nursery. We also got to work at the National Park's nursery and visit the giant tortoises. When we were not working we played a lot of cards, we played Bananagrams, we told stories, there were some instruments to play music, and generally just enjoy each others' company. It was so nice to live somewhere away from internet and cell phones and the buzz of everyday life and just enjoy getting to know people from all over the world. On the weekends we would go into town on the coast and go to the beach, eat at restaurants, go out at night. Sometimes the work was frustrating when directions were vague or it felt like we weren't working very hard, but working on South American time was part of the experience. UBELONG is a facilitator that filters volunteers into local programs. So although the organization at the site could be frustrating, the support from UBELONG was great. Cedric made sure to check in with me on a regular basis and help me with anything I needed. And the prices are UNbeatable. I know there were other volunteers doing the same work I was doing who had paid more through other international volunteer organizations that function similarly to UBELONG. There were more additional costs than I had expected on the island - the Galapagos are expensive so expect to spend around $80 per weekend, including hostel cost for 2 nights. Also, you are in the perfect position to go snorkeling or diving, and volunteers get huge discounts if you buy directly from travel agents on the island, so plan some additional time before or after volunteering to see the other islands.

Normally I don't think I am very good with kids, but I had so much fun with the kids in Cusco. I worked at the after-school center for one week. We were only with the kids for a couple of hours a day. At times it was difficult because many of the children came from difficult homes, and almost all of them were dirty or didn't have more than one change of clothes. The language barrier could be frustrating (my Spanish was limited, and especially more difficult because kids are hard to understand sometimes even in English) but (as cheesey as this sounds) a smile is universal. It didn't feel like we were doing life-changing work, but just making kids smile and laugh for a couple of hours a day is more than they could ever want. It was so rewarding to spend time with them, even when we couldn't communicate.

The location of the after-school house felt a bit unsafe, and you have to take a taxi there. But I always went with other volunteers and felt fine as long as I wasn't alone. The volunteer house is a great space to relax and hang out, and the nightlife in Cusco (especially in the Plaza de Armas down the street from the volunteer house) is wild.

UBELONG has unbeatable prices and the personal attention from Cedric and Raul is wonderful. When you are at the volunteer house you are at the mercy of the local program but Cedric and Raul will do anything and everything in their power to make your experience enjoyable. I had to leave early because of medical issues I had and Cedric was extremely supportive and helpful.

I volunteered through Ubelong for three weeks in January 2012 and it was a really unique experience. I choose Ubelong(After a lot of research) because of their professional appearance, affordability(most organizations charge 4 times more than Ubelong)and support I got from my mentor. I received so much support before, during and after my stay which I really appreciated. These guys know what they are doing and are very passionate about their job.

My three weeks went by so fast and I had such a good time in Laos. I helped around the farm, helped in the bar to raise money, went on excursions and helped develop new tourist attractions, took tourists on farm tours and taught the local children English in the afternoon. Laos is an amazing country and if you really want to get to know the people and the culture there is no better way than to volunteer to help them. The people are so nice and helpful. I really can't recommend it enough, and do make sure you choose Ubelong if you want the best there is!

After looking at many opportunities to volunteer abroad in South-East Asia, my search ended when I discovered UBELONG.

The clear and accessible website gave me an initial indication that the organisation was purposeful in its work, and showed me several other aspects which further captured my interest. Firstly, it was appealing to me that UBELONG was operating in only a small number of locations around the world, as I attributed this to that fact that the places had been carefully selected due to both their genuine need for development as well as their suitability for volunteer work. Reading further about the individual programs, as well as arriving in Vang Vieng, only enhanced this view.

I also felt that it was really important for volunteering opportunities to be affordable, as the enthusiasm and effort offered by volunteers should be valued more highly than their money. This was another reason why I chose UBELONG, as it allowed me to participate in an overseas project at a very reasonable price. Despite this, it was clear that nothing had been compromised in terms of the safety or living conditions put in place for volunteers. The mission and principles which are central to the organisation are not obscured by unnecessary structure in the programs, which may otherwise make them less affordable and flexible than they currently are. That is, I felt I had some control over the timing of my placement and the nature of the work I undertook once I’d arrived at the project.

From the moment my application to participate in the immersion program was accepted, my UBELONG mentor remained in close contact with me throughout my experience. With the uncertainty that comes with overseas opportunities such as this, it was great to be able to have queries answered so promptly, both via regular email correspondence and during a scheduled safety meeting, which addressed all of my pre-project questions. The support from my UBELONG mentor, whose expertise in the field of development was extremely valuable, continued whilst I was staying in Vang Vieng.

My experience in Vang Vieng was one from which I felt I was genuinely contributing to a valuable project in the local community. In the process I was able to challenge myself in new tasks from tending animals and construction to teaching English at the local school. One dimension of the placement which I particularly enjoyed was being able to work and socialise with locals and other volunteers from such a wide variety of cultural backgrounds. Personally, I am grateful that through UBELONG I was able to gain real insight into the wider field of development work which I may choose to study in the near future. I am certainly interested in connecting with UBELONG again further down the track.

The local team was perfect. I felt part of their family. The chance to project and work on a brand new building was thrilling.

The only advice to new volunteers could be: start learning Lao in advance so you can speak with the workers that you're about to working with.

I volunteered with UBELONG for 3 weeks and it was a life changing. I had never volunteered or gone to South America, and I chose them because of their low prices and because they're volunteers themselves who are passionate about service. I also liked how they presented the projects, it was clear they knew what the issues were and focused on putting people into positions where they could make a difference. I liked how UBELONG prides itself on being an international development company and not a tourism company. My UBELONG Mentor was always there for me, especially in the beginning when I was nervous about what to bring, safety and travelling alone. They were also very accommodating in letting me volunteer for 2 weeks in Lima and then 1 week in Cusco. Lima was eye awakening, the project was devoted to helping poor women have more successful lives as mothers and people in general. The other volunteers were from all over the world, I made friends who I still keep in touch with, and it was a very welcoming atmosphere at the volunteer house. There was always someone to talk to or go out with, I enjoyed it a lot. Cusco was hard work and it was difficult to see so many poor children, but they were so friendly and welcoming. I also met a friend from Spain who was also a UBELONG volunteer while I was there so it was very good to work together and also enjoy ourselves&including with a trip to Machu Picchu, which is amazing. I highly recommend UBELONG, they're a passionate and doing a lot of good.

As I prepared to venture to Cusco with six fellow students at the University of Michigan, I experienced a whirlwind of emotions - my excitement and nerves were certainly the most prevalent. I didn't know a lick of Spanish and I had never been to Latin America before, but I knew that I was ready to get out of my comfort zone and experience a culture and a country completely different from my own.

It was ultimately UBELONG that made the trip possible for a guy like me. who was somewhat skeptical about an international service trip. UBELONG was there every step of the way - from when my group first decided to venture to Peru, to our entire time on the ground in Cusco. Their support was outstanding, and made traveling to a place where I didn't know the language or the culture an incredibly comfortable and worry-free process and unforgettable life experience. Furthermore, the materials they provided (which included everything from language learning resources to how to catch a combi) were comprehensive and clear, and every single question our group members had was answered with a prompt and thorough response.

I can't imagine using any other organization to volunteer abroad. The amount of knowledge that the UBELONG staff have, and the passion that they have for their work is amazing, and I look forward to serving abroad again with them in the future!

I volunteered for 6 weeks in Microfinance in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and honestly it has been one of the best decisions I've made. UBELONG and Raul have been extremely helpful every step of the way, and the placement overall exceeded all my expectations, both in terms of the other volunteers I met at the guesthouse and the work I did in Cambodia.

I had the pleasure of meeting Raul and Cedric on a couple of occasions while in Cambodia and received fantastic advice regarding my future career and academic aspirations for which I am very grateful for. I hope to keep in touch with the UBELONG team in the future and I can honestly say that you will not regret going through UBELONG to do any of the volunteering opportunities you're interested in!

A fantastic organisation!

I could not be happier with Ubelong. I am volunteering in the Quito program for 4 weeks and have found the experience very rewarding. I have the opportunity to meet Cedric who is their founder, during his visit to see the projects here and expand them. His passion for volunteering and making a difference is contagious and it shows in how much the organization supports volunteers and schools. I help in a kindergarten in the north of Quito (I am a retired secondary school teacher from Brazil)and have found the work very rewarding. The first week was difficult but when I built a relationship with the local teacher and connected with the children things became easier. The altitude was also very difficult for me and I was nt able to work a couple days but this too passed.The housing with a local family is excellent. Great experience, thank you Ubelong and Ecuador!