Program Reviews

I feel that UBELONG is an excellent organization to volunteer for. Before the trip began my meeting with the UBELONG mentor made sure that I had everything I needed to make my trip happen and for it to go smoothly. I felt like they had done a good job in planning transportation to and from the airport to the destinations. Most of the work that comes with traveling to places to volunteer had been taken care of by UBELONG. Once at the volunteer station I felt like the work we were doing was actually making a positive difference on the surrounding area and that we were never just assigned busy work. I also felt like the amount of food was plentiful for a hard days work. They also knew how to have fun at the volunteer station and made sure we had plenty of free time to relax and explore the beautiful destination that we were in.

I learnt not to compare how things were done back at home and impose them to my volunteer project, as what works for us at home might not for the locals here. Instead, work with the local team to modify the method that is realistic and workable for them to sustain for long term.

UBELONG was absolutely wonderful. Originally, I was a little apprehensive to be living in a new country where I would not know anyone. The UBELONG contacts took time to skype and go over any questions and concerns I had. They also emailed a very detailed preparation packet with a pre-departure checklist and advice for literally everything I could think of. The time and energy they put into preparing you is evident from the moment you become accepted to your program.

This is a review is in regards to a two week volunteer trip that I partook in through UBELONG. UBELONG is a superbly ran organization and having reliable and accessible volunteer staff allowed me to feel comfortable on my first solo volunteer trip. I also want to note that the project and volunteer amenities in Peru adequately reflected the descriptions that were provided and I hope to go on another trip through UBELONG in the near future.

If there was ever a perfect volunteering organization, UBELONG is certainly it. You have to look no further than the name to realize that their mission is all about you and how you can change the world one community at a time. Whether it be their diversity in program offerings or their highly informative support programs, UBELONG enables you to become a change agent and take on challenges in an inspiring manner. They provide you the tools and knowledge to become an effective volunteer, and impassion you to make the most out of your experience.

UBELONG is a first-rate organization for anyone looking for a no-frills volunteer opportunity. This organization provides amazing alternatives around the world for a very low cost and helps give you all the tools you need to succeed within each community. I'm very much looking forward to my next project with UBELONG in the future!

The UBELONG staff - the essence of the organization - are some of the most helpful, humble, and honest people I've had the pleasure to work with. They go above and beyond to make sure they can assist you in any way possible in preparation for your abroad experience, as well as assisting you while you're abroad. I'm so thankful for the team in the U.S. as well as the local team in Merida - Cedric, Raul, Leo, and Martina are all extremely genuine people who will go out of their way to help you thrive in your abroad experience.

I spent 1 month Quito, working at a local primary school and staying with Goevanna and her family. It was the most incredible experience of my life and I would give anything to go back there. My host family were lovely and made me feel so welcome, I truly felt like another member of their family! At the weekends I travelled with other volunteers and had some amazing experiences, especially the cloud forest in Mindo and climbing Cotopaxi volcano. The children at the school loved learning English with us and always wanted to play with us at break time and after school. I felt like I'd been working at the school for a year! Ecuador is a culturally enriching experience and I highly recommend it to anyone who is thinking of going!

UBELONG was a good choice for me. I was seeking something more than simple traveling. I wanted a deeper level of cultural understanding. To understand another culture, I had to get to know its people and immerse myself in the new environment. UBELONG allowed me to do that. They provided me the platform in terms of resources, preparation, and support - both from the UBELONG management, and from the fellow international volunteers that I had an unforgettable time with. From there, I was able to make my experience with UBELONG my own. If you are a self-initiated worker who is passionate about travel and humanitarian work, then a UBELONG program is probably what you're looking for. It wasn't easy, it wasn't always relaxing, and it opened me to a world of conflict and struggle. But there's a deeper benefit to all of that, which you can only really understand by living in it. This experience gave me back ten times what I put into it, and I put in a lot!

UBELONG is a very serious and reliable organization. The preparation to the field and all the work behind make the volunteer experience very enriching and easily enjoyable. Being a UBELONG Volunteer made me more conscious of myself and of the work in the field.
Thanks to international organizations as UBELONG, people have the opportunity to travel and to live unforgettable experiences looking for a common good.