Best Rated & Affordable Volunteer Programs in Spain

My volunteering trip to Barcelona with IVHQ has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life thus far. From the application process to the completion of my project, I received so much support from IVHQ and the local organisation ImpacTrip in Barcelona. The ImpacTrip team in Barcelona are so friendly and will go that extra step to ensure you’re having an enjoyable experience at your project. As my project was Youth Support, I had the opportunity to volunteer in a summer school. The staff at the school made me feel welcomed and part of the school. I was also able to go on excursions with them around Barcelona. My favourite part was meeting locals at my project and the other incredible volunteers. I honestly had the best time and would 100% recommend IVHQ’s Barcelona program. You won’t regret it!

I recently volunteered through IVHQ for the Special Needs Support project in Barcelona, Spain. I am from California, this was my first time volunteering abroad and I am so happy that I went through IVHQ! Planning the trip, the staff made it so simple to organize as a first timer. The staff was very responsive and answered my many questions. They also helped booked my flight with the third party (and with humanitarian rates). Once I arrived in Barcelona, the local contracted staff met me at the airport and in following days ensured that myself and the other volunteers were familiar with navigating the area, staying safe and overall traveled smart and in a way that was condusive for having a successful, fun trip. The project itself was so rewarding and fun! Getting to meet and work with the beneficiaries and their staff was an educational and memorable experience where we were able to make an impact. I was only there for a week but would have loved to stay longer if my schedule allowed. I would recommend going with IVHQ, there are so many locations and projects to choose from. Can't wait for my next one!

The whole experience was amazing and unforgettable. Both the program manager and the local team were always helpful, and they were very experienced in dealing with unexpected situations. Other volunteers from around the globe were passionate and dedicated, and they are some of the most incredible people I've ever met. The most rewarding part was the time spent with the disabled whom I worked with. They made me redefine the way I see people with disabilities and break some stereotypes I thought I didn't have. They expanded my way of seeing the world and made my life and sense of existence more meaningful. Besides, I also had a great time exploring the vibrant city of Barcelona. I'll definitely volunteer with IVHQ again, and I would recommend IVHQ to anyone that plans to volunteer abroad. Be open-minded and open-hearted, jump out of your comfort zone and embrace cultural differences, your experience with IVHQ will exceed your wildest expectation!

IVHQ and local staffs are very efficient and helpful with the application process. Local staffs are also very welcoming and are available to assist you whenever you need help. Although the project requires some last minute planning of activities for the youths and children, the project was very meaningful and it challenges volunteers on a different level. It's a whole new experience of volunteering where you can take charge of your programmes and expose yourself to the different cultures of the country where you are volunteering in. The youths and children there are also very friendly and open to learning. One week is definitely not enough and I will certainly go for longer trips in the future. Accommodation is also clean and modern, although the location of the accommodation might require some travelling time from town. Overall, the experience was great.

International Volunteer HQ

I feel fortunate living in Los Angeles, California. Raising my children to be open-minded with an awareness of the world and others are values I hold dearly. IVHQ is an amazing organization that allows me to instill these values.
My values are about having a moral compass and direction. We live in a place where things can be taken for granted. With IVHQ, we found a way to define our family values through good works, and the chance to be around people from different backgrounds. For the past 2 summers my daughter and I have traveled to do community service outside the US—to see and experience the world and what it means in a different way.
Through IVHQ, my daughter (now 14) was able to choose the countries and work that interest her. My daughter, thus far, has chosen Spanish-speaking countries so she could work on her Spanish skills. She chose Ecuador and this past summer Spain. Further, after choosing the countries she wanted to travel to, she was able to choose the volunteer work. She continues to enjoy working with young children.
IVHQ gives us the opportunity to be aware of the world and the needs of others and to be humble in the face of those who don’t have the opportunities that we have.
IVHQ is a remarkable organization. It is safe and well-run. We intend to go every summer.
We highly recommend!

Cheryl and Alexa

My IVQH experience really left me with my eyes wide open, my mind more clear and my heart more open. At first I was kind of scared and didn‘t know what to expect, but since the first day that I arrived I had nothing but good experiences. From the accommodation, where I met wonderful people volunteering in all kind of projects and tried new and delicious food, to my volunteer placement where I not only helped and learned a lot of new things, but received so much love and gratitude from the people I was helping that made me want to stay there forever. And not to mention the free time I had after my placement where I got to know a wonderful city and an amazing culture and lived there like a local. It‘s just a wonderful experience it almost felt like a dream that I didn‘t want it to end.
Although I was satisfied and comfortable at all times, the IVHQ team were always there supporting us and available at anytime in case we needed something. I couldn‘t ask for more, IVHQ was really one of the best and most rewarding experiences I had in my life. I would totally recommend it to everyone and I would totally repeat it myself.

My IVQH experience really left me with my eyes wide open, my mind more clear and my heart more open. At first I was kind of scared and didn‘t know what to expect, but since the first day that I arrived I had nothing but good experiences. From the accommodation, where I met wonderful people volunteering in all kind of projects and tried new and delicious food, to my volunteer placement where I not only helped and learned a lot of new things, but received so much love and gratitude from the people I was helping that made me want to stay there forever. And not to mention the free time I had after my placement where I got to know a wonderful city and an amazing culture and lived there like a local. It‘s just a wonderful experience it almost felt like a dream that I didn‘t want it to end.
Although I was satisfied and comfortable at all times, the IVHQ team were always there supporting us and available at anytime in case we needed something. I couldn‘t ask for more, IVHQ was really one of the best and most rewarding experiences I had in my life. I would totally recommend it to everyone and I would totally repeat it myself.

I am certain I will never find the right words to describe how precious this experience was, so bear with me, my words will not do it justice. I had always wanted to do something like this and I could not be happier that I finally was actually able to. For starters, the house itself exceeded all my expectations, it couldn't´t have been better. My room was in perfect conditions, clean, roomy, comfortable, etc. the bathroom that was part of it as well. I was beyond impressed that my special dietary need were taken care of so kindly and carefully. There was not a single time when a meal was prepared that I wasn't able to eat (because of my allergies) that there wasn't a special dish made for me, the woman who made this possible always had my health in mind and was incredibly kind to me. Our house master was amazing as well, I felt comfortable with her since we first met, she was ver approachable and had answers for every nervous (and even stupid) question I made, before and during my program. Getting the chance to meet so many wonderful people really was so fulfilling, helping me get more and more perspective as time went by. My program itself was beautiful, I know I already used this word but I don't even know what else to call it. I worked with special needs adults, most of them being at least twice my age, in a day/work center. What I did was mainly serve as a companion to these sweet people, talking to them, listening to music, dancing, doing art projects, gardening, and more. Once I had been there for a couple of weeks, they knew who I was and the way their eyes lit up when I would walk into the room is something I will never forget, it's very powerful to feel like just your presence makes a difference in someone's day. It was so humbling to see that people who face all these obstacles continue to do their best and of course display a love and kindness that I had never seen. With all honesty, I loved every bit of it, it is so well organized, it's a dream.