Program Reviews

Overall, Great Experience!
This summer I took the Bar Exam to become a lawyer. After taking the exam, I wanted an opportunity to gain legal experience while going abroad. Projects Abroad was the perfect combination of that. On the project, I learned a lot which taught me how to manage a high case load of indigent clients who cannot normally afford paid legal advice. The supervisors on the project were great. They were easily approachable and always answered my questions. I worked mainly property, family, consumer, and employment types of cases. The Human Rights Office also handles claims from refugees who have settled in South Africa. On Mondays, I would go to the Townships which are low income communities and I would meet with clients and give advice to help achieve their objectives. I also continued to meet with the same clients as they would come to our office for appointments. I felt like a gained a great legal experience working abroad, and I would definitely love to do another project!

My host family was amazing. They truly cared about me and made me feel welcome. I enjoyed sitting at the dinner table with them each day and talking to each other the day went.

The other volunteers were great. I met new friends from various countries around the world. Outside of the project, I would go to dinners, do tours, hikes, and social events with the volunteers that I met.

Cape Town was amazing. So many activities to do there from several hikes on Table Mountain, walks on the beach, surfing, scuba diving, shark cage diving, whale watching, wine farm tours, peninsula tour, etc.

I had a truly memorable experience and really enjoyed my time in Cape Town!

Nepal was my first time out of the country, but it was an experience I will never forget. I knew that if I ever needed anything in Nepal, I had 20 different people I could call for help. The Projects Abroad staff was so awesome and helpful. They made sure to place us with a caring and kind family, and with supervisors who wanted to teach us. My time in Nepal is something I value very much, but the knowledge and background that I now have for physiotherapy and foreign countries is so much more.

My favorite part of Nepal was my host family. I stayed with 3 other volunteers and now have 3 new best friends from around the world. My host mom was the absolute sweetest human being I had ever met. She was constantly making sure that we were all comfortable and happy. Her three sons were always there to help and even pick us up from town if we needed a ride. My roommate could not figure out how to get home from her placement, and kept getting lost. My host family was always ready to pick her up when she was lost and even walked to and from work with her for a week. My host mom had a knack for making maps to help us to get work and to town and I will never forget them. The food was impeccable and we experienced true Nepali culture. My host mom will always hold a special place in my heart.

Outside of work and home, I got to get really close with the other volunteers. Going to a foreign country for 5 weeks could be a taxing challenge, but having 30 other people to do it with made it so much easier. Every Friday, the staff at projects abroad organized a group activity. We learned about Nepal culture and food, while getting to see all the volunteers. This allowed us to get to know each other and have friends to hang out with on the weekends. Besides our Friday night activity, the staff also organized outreaches weekly. This meant that typically once a week, we went out to the community and participated in something related to our placement. In physiotherapy, we typically went with the medical volunteers to talk to schools and kids about hygiene, health and activity. Other times, a doctor or physiotherapist would come in and teach us something new. I valued this experience because it was constantly challenging me in my field. Along with the challenge, I got to exchange information and knowledge with people who valued the same stuff as me. The Projects Abroad staff always made sure that our outreaches pertained to our field and were important for the community or us. Overall, my experience in Nepal is something that I will never forget.

I flew into Nepal with much excitement and very few nerves having been well prepared and briefed on what to expect in Kathmandu by Projects Abroad. I was warmly welcomed into my host families house by my host parents Ram and Mina as well as 13 other volunteers. It was amazing to have so many people to introduce you to the way of life in Nepal, how to best get around the city, a few words in Nepali as well as helping you out on the build site.

Work was physically challenging however our onsite coordinator was amazing in looking after our general well being as well as aiding communications between the local staff (engineers, painters, masons etc) and the volunteers. The work was very varied, volunteering for 3 months I was able to see the project in its many stages. Music was always playing to keep us pumped up as we demolished, moved rubble, mixed cement, lay bricks, painted and sanded.

Weekends were always busy with plenty of temples, markets and gardens to see around Kathmandu as well as being able to enjoy weekend trips away to the jungles of Chitwan or the lakeside city Pohkara. The volunteer community built by Projects Abroad meant that there was no shortage of people to meet and travel with, it was incredible being able to live and work alongside people from over 10 countries. Projects Abroad ensured that you felt comfortable and safe whilst keeping you busy for the entire trip and I could not recommend joining one of their trips more highly.

I came from Canada and did a solo trip so I really didn't know what to expect; lots of nervousness in preparation. That feeling quickly subsided with the incredible helpful staff from project abroad (PA) who gave me guidance in many areas including travel insurance set-up and recommended flights.

The actual trip was even greater. Though I was only there for 2 weeks, I managed to make a bunch of memories and friends with people from all over the world in our host family's accommodation. The host family was set-up from the workers from PA who gave me a thorough description of the home I would be staying in. They made sure to double-check if I had any questions continuously throughout the trip and made themselves available on demand.

The city was beautiful (Cochabamba) and it was well-guided my first few days to figure out the intricacies of the city along with the routes to work.

Could not be happier with my trip and highly recommend using PA for any future endeavours.

Volunteering in Cordoba, Argentina through Projects Abroad was an amazing experience! I specifically chose to go to Argentina because I had prior interest in Spanish and South American culture. Growing up as a huge football fan, I idolized Messi and was immediately drawn to Argentina when I found that they had the placement I wanted. My project was a two week high school special for medicine and spanish. By being in a high school special, my parents were reassured that I would be safe at all times, and I was also relieved that I would be with others since I came to Argentina knowing very little Spanish. Projects Abroad staff was amazing, and all of my questions before and during my trip were answered promptly.
I was picked up at the hospital and taken to my host family. Even with my minimal spanish knowledge, I was comfortable and became friends with my fellow volunteers. The doctors I shadowed were kind, and I learned a lot during my time there. Also, we did many outside activities such as salsa dancing and shopping at the flea market that made me connect to local Argentinian culture. I found my trip to be meaningful and still one of the greatest things I’ve done.
Volunteering abroad teaches you the differences between American culture and other cultures. Even in hospitals, I can now appreciate the advances the United States has compared to developing countries, and I will take this knowledge with me as I continue into college and further studies. Everyone that entered with an open mind succeeded in Argentina. Overall, I would definitely recommend volunteering through Projects Abroad. While it was expensive, I felt that the experience was meaningful and worth the money. Time really flew by but I loved every day I spent there.

I spent a month in Córdoba, Argentina volunteering in Project Abroad's Law and Human Rights program, and it was such an enriching experience! I had always wanted to travel abroad while at university, but my class and extra-curricular schedule did not make it possible. Spending a summer with Projects Abroad (PA) was a great alternative. The Law and Human Rights program gives you great exposure to human rights at the grass roots level, and living and working in Argentina really helped me to improve my Spanish. As a Political Science and Spanish major, this project was the perfect combination for me. I learned so much about the political struggles in Argentina and also feel like such a stronger Spanish speaker now!

My host family was so kind and caring. My home was comfortable and safe, and my host family was experienced with hosting volunteers. The program directors at Projects Abroad (PA) went above and beyond to make sure I was safe and knowledgable about how to get around and what was expected of me. Work was fun but still educational, and I felt that my time there did help the vulnerable populations we got to work with. The Human Rights project taught me a lot about the human rights challenge, but it also taught me a lot about compassion and humility. Weekly volunteer social events help you to make friends with other volunteers, learn about the city, and experience Argentinian culture in a non-touristy way. By the end of my month in Argentina, I could get around the city on my own with no problem. PA is also great in that its volunteers come from all over the world. I got to make friends with people from England, Italy, Canada... It enhances the cultural experience even more!

I gained a lot from my time with PA and found my trip was so worth it. I also felt safe and taken care of. I would highly recommend this program, especially to college students looking to go abroad!

My experience in Kenya is one I will certainly never forget. From the outstanding staff, to making friends from all over the world; seeing elephants and giraffes, to helping improve the living conditions for less fortunate people, this experience opened my eyes to a whole new world. During my four weeks in Kenya, I stayed at a beautiful home with a welcoming family. The kids in the house kept me on my toes, and the adults provided authentic Kenyan meals.

When I wasn't at home, I was spending an average of 6 hours a day at a school called The Fountains. There, I was working alongside a teacher to help 2-4 year olds learn English. This, being my first real experience as a teacher, helped me to build up my confidence being in front of a class. I learned how different schools work in Africa, and was able to give suggestions based on what I have learned in college as an Education major.

To be honest, I was quite nervous going into this experience. I have never really left the country before, so this was a big step for me. My mother was even more worried, but those nerves got put to rest when I told her how outstanding the staff was. There are four main coordinators in Nanyuki, Kenya, and they all exceeded my expectations. This experience wouldn't have been nearly as great without their hard work, dedication, kindness, and perseverance. They were constantly catering to our needs, and making sure we had the best experience possible. They organized medical outreaches, a day to teach a kindergarden in the slums how to properly wash their hands and brush their teeth, a soccer day with an orphanage, a renovation day, and much more. We even ended up getting so close that all of the volunteers and volunteer coordinators went to dinner before we all had to leave. Overall, I would highly reccommend this experience, and push for you to choose Kenya as your destination!

I had the great opportunity to volunteer in Mongolia with Projects Abroad and could not have had a better experience. Traveling to Mongolia was very daunting and I was nervous about traveling abroad independently and trying to adjust to a new standard of living and new customs. My apprehensions immediately diminished once I stepped off the plane and was greeted by a cheerful staff member. She introduced me to my host family, took me around Ulaanbaatar, explained Mongolian traditions, and helped me become comfortable with public transportation. The support system provided by Projects Abroad was phenomenal. Besides feeling safe and well adjusted, my volunteering experience was wonderful. Projects Abroad connected me to a Primary Care Center and I worked for two weeks with infants and toddlers. The staff at the center didn't speak English but we still managed to communicate with hand signals and I gained such an appreciation for nurses and their hard work. Projects Abroad also organized a volunteering excursion to a ger camp where, working with other volunteers, I taught some very basic English, set up arts and crafts, and played basketball with some local children.
The host family Projects Abroad connected me with was so welcoming and kind. They gave me my own room, made large family dinners every night, and taught me about Mongolian history. I am so grateful to Projects Abroad for setting up such a life changing experience and making sure I felt comfortable for the entirety of the trip (except when it was necessary to feel uncomfortable, because sometimes that discomfort is most needed!)

I feel so grateful to have been given the opportunity to travel with Projects Abroad to Tanzania this past summer. I have say that this program will definitely change your perspective on life.
I did the medicine in Tanzania High School Special, for volunteers between the ages of 16-19. I was the only 16 year old on my trip; most volunteers were 17 or 18. However, I really didn’t have trouble fitting in. As most did other volunteers, I came by myself. If you’re worried about coming by yourself, it really doesn’t make a difference whether you bring a friend or not because everyone wanted to meet new people and have a great time! As for the flight, I travelled from Canada to the Netherlands to Tanzania. It was my first time flying alone and getting around the airport was fairly simple. Knowing that the Projects Abroad support was available 24/7 really made me feel safe!
My accommodation was perfect! I stayed at the Haus. The family, the food, the beds and the rooms were way above the standards I had in mind! We became very close with Mama’s kids. One of her daughters was my age and it was extremely fascinating to have so much in common with a teenager across the world.
The culture shock was easily managed with the support of the other volunteers and our guides. The best part was definitely my project itself! It’s truly incredible how much knowledge I gained over two short weeks. Each day, we would have a workshop or a medical outreach. The workshops were very educational and we would be able to actually apply each workshop to our outreaches. For example, we had a workshop on first aid and then an outreach where we visited a school to teach teachers first aid. With Projects Abroad, I really felt like I was making a difference and that I was actually helping others. I definitely want to return to Tanzania as an adult volunteer (maybe even in Medicine!) when I’m older. I’m still in touch with the other volunteers on my trip and we hope to someday meet up! The experiences and the friendships you will take with you from Projects Abroad will really last a lifetime!

Last year I volunteered in Samoa, and it was the most amazing experience I have ever had.

The staff at the Projects Abroad office were wonderful. It was my first time travelling overseas on my own so I was so far out of my comfort zone. The team helped me settle in and showed me around the town, explaining how to get to and from my placement and house. They offered 24/7 support (thankfully I didn't need it) which was a great comfort.

I didn't know what to expect with Samoa, but I was blown away. Samoa is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Everywhere I looked I saw green and the houses were so colourful. It's nothing like my home in Australia. On the weekends I went out and did as much as I could. One of my favourite places was the Ocean Trench. It was so beautiful, definitely a place I would recommend everyone go.

When I first arrived I was so nervous and honestly a bit scared. My host family were fantastic. They comforted me and helped me with anything I needed. They were s friendly and always up for a chat and were so bubbly all of the time. The food they prepared was amazing and I missed it so much when I returned home.
I love my host family and Samoa so much, I went back for a holiday this year. I was lucky enough to stay with the family again and go out exploring with them as well.

At my placement the children were wonderful. It was quite difficult with the language barrier but they were always smiling and respected me. I was teaching them sports so after a few demonstrations they picked up what I wanted them to do and had a ball running around, kicking a ball in the dirt. It was so rewarding.