Program Reviews

I was really nervous before the Program. I was anxious about a lot of things: who I would meet, if I was prepared enough...
But in the end it all worked out very well. The staff was extremely welcoming and thorough in explaining what we would do but my placement also allowed me to give a lot of input and suggestions.
The most important thing is just to be open. My personal recommendation is to talk to everybody and get as much human experiences as possible. That will make your trip a very interesting experience and it will make you grow personnally as well.
My Program was only two weeks and it wasn't really enough to feel like I made a difference. It takes time to get into a routine and adapt to your work but take that time and ask questions.
All in all the trip was a personal challenge for me and an amazing experience. I met people who will stay with me my entire life and I want to thank them and the Projects Abroad staff for making that possible.

I joined the building project in Tanzanie, Arusha this year from March to June and those were the best three months in my life. I learned more from the people there than I could have ever imagined. building a dinning hall for maasai children was as challenging and beautiful as it was. to see those children everyday being happy, smiling at you, playing with you warmed my heart in a way I can't even describe. i learned what physical work means there and I even learned some things and I am pretty confident that I could now renovate a house myself with the things I learned. i would recommend everyone to go volunteer with project abroad because not only to they guide you every step of the way, they also ensure your safety and that you have a good time. you get intergrated into that community immediately and feel like you belong. i could write a whole book about all the things that I experienced but thanks to my volunteering experience I found out what I want to do in my future and am now a student and sadly don't have time yet to write my whole experience down. but if anyone wants to go volunteer and doesn't know with which organisation I can only recommend projects abroad and I checked every organisation before I chose them and I have never regretted my decision. not only is it an eye opening experience, where you learn and laugh like never before, you also meet some of the most amazing people in this world from all around the world!

It's been a while since I volunteered with Projects Abroad but I still hold the memory very close to heart! My confidence grew and I became so much more independent, which has really helped shape me into the person I am today. The staff were incredible and so accommodating: when I asked to switch to the teaching programme for a couple of weeks (just because I wanted to experience as much as possible whilst I was over there) they were able to do this for me immediately and at no extra cost. It was amazing to see another culture first hand and even get glimpses of other ones through meeting the other volunteers there who came from all over the world. I still have friends that I am in contact with and we were able to go on numerous trips together at weekends in order to experience as much of Nepal as possible. I would recommend this trip to anyone!

I went to Fiji to take part in the shark conservation project. Once arriving I met some of the most amazing people and had the experience of a lifetime! Getting to scuba dive twice a week was amazing and seeing wildlife such as turtles and sharks is something I’ll never forget! Also at the project you complete other take such as helping out in the mangrove nursery and then when they’re big enough, planting them in communities. Shark tagging is another thing that is done once a week as it aims to help track the location of sharks so we know which areas need protecting the most. At the weekends there is time to go off and explore the other island or the main island so there is plenty to do and to see when not on the project. Overall I recommend this project and company as this is the second project I’ve done and I’ve loved them both so much!

I volunteered at Ebenezer Home now Ebenezer Rehabilitation center. The center is amazing the staff care about the clients, the men have as much independence as possible and for a non profit they are doing their best.
I recommend the project but I feel split because the money I paid doesn't go to the project itself. Which is a shame as they needed this. Projects abroad did but Ebenezer some items when I was there but I feel for the amount I paid more could have been done to help. When I return I will be doing so independently so I can help the project more.
Socially- you get to go around with other volunteers at weekends to different parts of the island. I would say plan where you want to go beforehand as some volunteers get to other parishes and don't know what's there. Research first.

I completed the HSS Football Coaching project back in 2016. It was an amazing experience which I will never forget (hence why I'm writing this review almost 4 years later!).

I worked in a marginalised area of the Captial, Accra. In the mornings we trained with a local senior team and in the afternoons we coached the younger children.

I volunteered alongside 7 others from Holland, Japan, US, Canada and the UK - communication was not an issue and we bonded quickly and became the best of friends which really enhanced the experience even more.

We were all in charge of our own group of young footballers, we ran training drills and coached them with our knowledge. At the end of the placement a 6 a side tournament was held, my team came 2nd.

I loved every moment of it and met some amazing people! The staff were very fun and helpful and they made the stay even better. I found it to be a really great experience living with a real Fijian family and getting to know and spend time with them and get to learn and experience their unique culture (meeting the chief, trying the food etc). All the work we did was so rewarding and developed team working skills etc...
we also did lots of fun activities such as going on a day trip to South Sea Island, mud pools, into Nadi and lots of other things.
I would definitely recommend this volunteering opportunity to anyone who is considering it! You will make the most amazing memories and friends as well as having a incredibly rewarding time helping out!

I have a PhD in archaeology, and so when a one-month career break became possible I jumped at the chance to volunteer on an international project. Projects Abroad were so easy to deal with, and within a week my trip to Cusco was all booked.

A friendly volunteer coordinator met me at the airport, my host family were absolutely top notch, and the induction to getting into and around Cusco my the lead on the archaeology team was perfect. Soon I had a local sim card and phone number, and was all ready to go.

Made lots of friends, and had a life-changing experience. The archaeology in Peru is *amazing* and it was a total privilege to work with professional archaeology teams on World Heritage sites in and around the capital city of the Incan Empire.

Highly, highly recommend this programme!

Last May I headed off for a month without anyone I knew with me to dig in the dirt. Hands down, it was the best experience ever. Projects abroad staff inside and outside (back in the UK) made me feel safe and protected but at the same time encouraged and allowed me to experience and learn a brand new culture of people who weren't tourist friendly. The country is beautiful and the supervisor's knowledge of the country and culture made me feel like I already knew the country!!
The good and accommodation was perfect for what I was using it for, basic hotel with food that was mixed with local produce and authentic Romanian dishes. It was all tasty!
I cannot wait to do another projects abroad project, it was one of my best decisions I've ever made.

I value my stay in Sri Lanka extremely highly, the ability for me to be able to travel abroad as a high school student gave me the ability to experience travelling without family in a safe environment. Staying with a host family really allowed me to connect to the experience more than if I was in a hotel, and they were great with cooking vegetarian food for me, and it was incredibly rewarding to see the work we were doing. The staff were helpful and friendly and helped me go on spontaneous market trips before leaving, they definitely also helped lessen the culture shock. The other participants were great and it allowed me to meet new people from across the world and have a good group atmosphere for working and travelling on the weekend. It was an amazing experience that shaped me as a person.