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Volunteer Abroad Mission Trips

Mission Trips Abroad

Mission trips abroad are the perfect opportunity to join an international and meaningful cause, even if you unfortunately have less time...

Mission trips abroad are the perfect opportunity to join an international and meaningful cause, even if you unfortunately have less time. Mission trip organizations are aware of these time constraints. They have created non religious mission trips where you can make a difference in short term.

College students or medical professionals can even choose a mission trip to Africa, clean up the coral reefs in the Caribbean, support local NGOs in South America or build activity camps for the youth community in Nepal. Short term mission trips is your guarantee for an amazing time abroad!

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 Animal Wildlife Rescue
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Guácima, Costa Rica
Rescue Center Costa Rica

Animal Wildlife Rescue

Very Good 4.4
(144)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
317 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  16+ · Has Wifi

Join us in the crucial mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and, whenever possible, releasing injured and displaced wildlife. Your support is vital for our shared goal! Details >

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 Sea Turtle Conservation Ambassador
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Quepos, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Sea Turtle Conservation Ambassador

Great 4.4
(251)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
271 €  per week · 2  ‑  30  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Volunteer and save turtles, make a difference and meet one of the most beautiful beaches in the world! Join us in Pacific Costa Rica! Details >

Airport Taxi
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 Animal Keeper Assistant
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica San Jose, Costa Rica
Refugio Animal de Costa Rica

Animal Keeper Assistant

Perfect 4.7
(44)
⭐ Popular Video Flex Option
309 €  per week · 1  ‑  50  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Hands on contribution with everyday chores like feeding, cleaning and giving animals any care they need, to help them recover and go back to nature! Details >

Airport Taxi
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 South Africa Wildlife Reserve Volunteers
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
South Africa Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Plan My Gap Year

South Africa Wildlife Reserve Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
Video Flex Option
643 €  per week · 1  ‑  4  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Be part of a life-changing experience that allows you to work behind the scenes on a world-class wildlife reserve in South Africa! 🦏 Details >

Airport Taxi
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 Reforestation and Community Development
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Matapalo, Costa Rica
WeVOL

Reforestation and Community Development

Excellent 4.9
(63)
Flex Option
421 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Be part of and spearhead a variety of community and reforestation projects in a tropical beach town. Join the fun & make a difference in beautiful Matapalo, Costa Rica! Details >

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 Whale Shark Conservation & Diving
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Belize Placencia, Belize
ReefCI

Whale Shark Conservation & Diving

Excellent 4.9
(86)
Video Flex Option
884 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  16+

Feel the thrill of swimming with a whale shark, the excitement of spearing the invasive lionfish, and the satisfaction in helping protect coral reefs. 🐋 Details >

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 Sloth Monitoring and Turtle Conservation
Life Below Water Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Quepos, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Sloth Monitoring and Turtle Conservation

Great 4.4
(251)
Video Flex Option
280 €  per week · 2  ‑  28  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Join us in Quepos to actively conserve sloths and turtles, monitoring these beautiful creatures. Make a significant impact on wildlife and nature! Details >

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 Sri Lanka Turtle Conservation Volunteers
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Sri Lanka Ambalangoda, Sri Lanka
Plan My Gap Year

Sri Lanka Turtle Conservation Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
Video Flex Option
380 €  per week · 1  ‑  12  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Help protect and rehabilitate at-risk sea turtles whilst also taking part in community development projects. Experience a different side of Sri Lanka. Details >

Airport Taxi
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 Eco Nature and Coastal Conservation
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
South Africa Kenton-on-Sea, South Africa
Sibuya Wilderness Experience

Eco Nature and Coastal Conservation

Excellent 4.8
(41)
Flex Option
798 €  per week · 1  ‑  6  weeks · Age  16+ · Has Wifi

Eco Volunteering in Wildlife & Marine Conservation. Uncover the whole big picture of our Eco-System for a better understanding of Nature & learn how to make a difference! Details >

Airport Taxi
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 Bali Wildlife Rescue & Environmental Volunteers
Life Below Water Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Indonesia Tabanan, Indonesia
Plan My Gap Year

Bali Wildlife Rescue & Environmental Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
Video Flex Option
428 €  per week · 1  ‑  4  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Help within a number of conservation and rehabilitation efforts whilst participating on the Bali wildlife program in traditional Tabanan. Details >

Airport Taxi
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Food
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 Big 5 Monitoring, Conservation, Sustainable Living
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
South Africa Phalaborwa, South Africa
LEO Africa

Big 5 Monitoring, Conservation, Sustainable Living

Perfect 4.7
(45)
Video Flex Option
693 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Give your vital contribution towards wildlife conservation! Learn about animal behaviour, reserve management and anti-poaching while living a lifetime experience! 🇿🇦 Details >

Airport Taxi
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 Leatherback Turtle Ambassador
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Costa Rica Limón, Costa Rica
Tortugas de Pacuare

Leatherback Turtle Ambassador

Great 4.4
(251)
Video Flex Option
256 €  per week · 1  ‑  35  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Get in direct contact with turtles and help us conserve the biggest turtle in the sea! Here you will have the chance to meet and work with awesome animals! Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Wildlife Shelter Carer
Life On Land
🔥 In High Demand
Australia Australia, Australia
Oceans 2 Earth Volunteers

Wildlife Shelter Carer

Excellent 4.8
(88)
Video Flex Option
599 €  per week · 1  ‑  7  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Support Australian wildlife shelters, nurture injured animals, and contribute to the conservation of local wildlife ecosystems. Make a difference today! 🇦🇺 Details >

Airport Taxi
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 Tanzania Childcare Volunteers
Good Health And Well-Being
🔥 In High Demand
Tanzania Arusha, Tanzania
Plan My Gap Year

Tanzania Childcare Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
Video Flex Option
243 €  per week · 2  ‑  12  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Leave a lasting impression on the lives of some of Tanzania’s most disadvantaged children by assisting with childcare and education in a childcare center. Details >

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 Marine Conservation Research Assistant
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Madagascar Nosy Komba, Madagascar
MRCI - Madagascar Volunteer

Marine Conservation Research Assistant

Very Good 4.4
(29)
Video Flex Option
513 €  per week · 4  ‑  12  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Protect Madagascar's marine ecosystem with MRCI's Marine Conservation Research program. Dive into meaningful conservation work! 🤿 Details >

Airport Taxi
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 Greece Turtle Conservation Volunteers
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Greece Kefalonia, Greece
Plan My Gap Year

Greece Turtle Conservation Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
Video Flex Option
506 €  per week · 2  ‑  4  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Protect endangered sea turtles through hands-on fieldwork on the island of Kefalonia. Partake in the ultimate research and conservation project. Details >

Airport Taxi
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 One earth, our home - Let's prevent global warming
Climate Action Life On Land
Reopening soon
🔥 In High Demand
Iceland Stadur, Iceland
Worldwide Friends

One earth, our home - Let's prevent global warming

Great 4.4
(68)
Video Flex Option
375 €  per week · 2  ‑  13  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Engage in environmental education, sustainability efforts, and vital tasks like beach cleanups, seed collection, and renovation work in beautiful Iceland! 🌱 Details >

Airport Taxi
Housing
Food
Details
 Invasive Species Management
Life Below Water
🔥 In High Demand
Belize Placencia, Belize
ReefCI

Invasive Species Management

Excellent 4.9
(86)
Video Flex Option
884 €  per week · 1  ‑  8  weeks · Age  16+

Make a difference by removing lionfish, an invasive species decimating reef ecosystems. Learn to dive while culling lionfish. Details >

Airport Taxi
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Details
 Bali English Teaching Volunteers
Quality Education
🔥 In High Demand
Indonesia Tabanan, Indonesia
Plan My Gap Year

Bali English Teaching Volunteers

Excellent 4.9
(1307)
Video Flex Option
269 €  per week · 2  ‑  8  weeks · Age  17+ · Has Wifi

Teach English in this amazing location set amongst rice paddies and local culture. Invest your time in Bali’s children and ensure their future is bright! Details >

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 Baby and Toddler Daycare - Child Care Worker
Good Health And Well-Being
🔥 In High Demand
Tanzania Arusha, Tanzania
STEP Africa

Baby and Toddler Daycare - Child Care Worker

Brilliant 4.8
(72)
Video Flex Option
143 €  per week · 4  ‑  26  weeks · Age  18+ · Has Wifi

Care for the babies and toddlers at Tiny Steps Daycare in Arusha whose families face various challenges due to poverty, disease and single parenthood. Details >

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Volunteer Abroad Mission Trips

Non Religious Mission Trips

If you’re short on time but keen to volunteer, we have just the thing for you. Many of us dream of making a difference in the world but are simultaneously working on careers or building a family that also require our attention. What if we told you that you can do it all? There’s no need to quit your job or do anything drastic but you can still make a meaningful difference. Identifying the need for projects that are accessible for limited time periods, Volunteer World has identified the need for short-term volunteer projects. Experience all the benefits of volunteering without any of the sacrifices and volunteer for one of the non-religious mission trips on the website.

At Volunteer World, we believe that volunteering should be accessible to everyone. There are countless volunteer organizations out there and they are all in need of enthusiastic volunteers who are willing to lend a hand to their projects. There’s no need to give up everything to be part of something meaningful. Volunteering is now for everyone willing to help out and spare a few days of their time. Continue reading to learn more about non-religious mission trips and how you can help.

🚩 What's the Difference Between Volunteering and Mission Trips?

Volunteering is when someone decides to dedicate time to a project that is focused on improving the circumstances of a community or the environment. Volunteer organizations generally put in a lot of work to train volunteers. This is why some projects require volunteers to stay for at least a few weeks. There’s a shift going on however in the volunteer landscape with projects welcoming volunteers for shorter periods of time. These are also known as non-religious mission trips.

🧐 What is a Mission Trip

Mission trips are short-term volunteers trips that can be done for 1-4 weeks. This gives everyone the opportunity to volunteer and experience the incredible benefits of a volunteer trip. Students, people on a sabbatical or retirees may be able to dedicate themselves to a project for longer periods of time but there’s a large group of the population for who this simply isn’t an option.

👍 Pros and Cons of Mission Trips Abroad

If you’re determined to make a difference during your next holiday, why not integrate a mission trip into your holiday plan? This way, you get the best of both worlds. The freedom to travel while taking the time to do something for the community of your holiday destination. With non-religious mission trips entering the picture, being short on time is no longer an excuse for not volunteering. There are countless projects and programs waiting for your help. Before you plan your first mission trip, let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons of mission trips.

Pros

  • The opportunity to volunteer and contribute for a limited period of time.
  • This is a great opportunity to try out different volunteer projects and programs abroad.
  • You will learn a lot about the region you volunteer in but also about volunteering. It is a great opportunity for cultural interchange.
  • The chance to connect with the local community.
  • Participants will see a different side of their travel destination.
  • Benefiting from the positive aspects of volunteering without sacrificing career or family.
  • You will meet other like-minded individuals.

Cons

  • The time spent on the program is limited which may not allow you to connect as profoundly with your volunteer organization.
  • It’s always important to do your due diligence with regards to the organization to know where the funds are invested in. It is always advisable to do some research to make sure the local organization is offering a sustainable service to the community.
  • When working with children, it can be hard on them when volunteers come and go. Exposing vulnerable children to volunteers for short periods of time can have a negative impact.

💡 Why should I go on an international Mission Trip?

If you’re eager to volunteer but have a family, a job or other responsibilities that you simply can’t leave behind for long, a mission trip is exactly what you’re looking for. You will gain experience in volunteering, contribute to a meaningful cause and learn a great deal about the challenges others are facing on a daily basis.

Will you be making a difference?
It’s fair to say that organizations prefer volunteers to dedicate themselves for longer periods of time. The longer you stay, the more tasks and responsibilities you will have. This doesn’t mean that a shorter stay is meaningless. The most important thing that will happen during a mission trip program is the cultural interchange and social contact between the volunteer and the locals. Gaining awareness about your volunteer destination will undoubtedly change the way you view the world afterward. Small changes do go a long way.

Is volunteering in developing countries condescending?
There are claims that if you volunteer overseas that you’re portraying a message that these communities are unable to solve problems on their own. This mainly refers to programs that aren’t addressing the root problem and are exploiting both the community and the volunteers for personal gains. The goal of a mission trip should always be to empower local communities and give them the support they need to build a better future. Reputable organizations understand the needs of the community and are dedicated to helping the community progress.

Although the time of your mission trip may be short, that doesn’t mean your efforts are not of help. You will carry this awareness with you and undoubtedly share it with others after your experiences. All mission trips will have an impact. Whether it is a unique connection you have with one of the locals or a lesson you were able to bring across to children during an English class.

Volunteer trips are an excellent opportunity to find out whether volunteering for longer periods is suitable for you. We’re confident that it will open a whole new world for you.

✈️ What can I do on a Mission Trip?

The point of a mission trip abroad is to gain volunteer experience during a short-term period and contribute to one of the projects. There are so many possibilities available that it will come down to where you want to go and what skills you have to offer. Here are some of the possibilities:

  • Teaching children or young adults
  • Work at an animal conservation center or sanctuary
  • Cultural immersion programs
  • Community support
  • Youth development
  • Environmental conservation

There are countless options. It’s a matter of preference and skills that will determine where you will do your non-religious mission trip.

🤔 How to choose the right Mission Trip?

The most important aspect of choosing a great international mission trip program is that you do enough research on the different volunteer organizations and try to answer the following questions:

  • What does the organization stand for?
  • What is their objective and how are they trying to achieve it?
  • How are the funds they receive spent?
  • How do you think you will contribute?
  • What will be the effect of your volunteer work?
  • What are the best mission trip organizations?

Take into account the possible negative effects. Read up on the organization, read reviews and ask previous volunteers about their past experience with the organization. There are some great agencies and non-profit organizations that are doing very responsible work.

Be careful when you choose to volunteer with children. Do your due diligence prior to signing up. There are organizations however that are doing more harm than good. It’s important to take into account that we have attempted to screen these organizations but you make the final call. Choose wisely and you will be in for an incredible experience while supporting a meaningful cause.

🌍 What Are the Best Places for Mission Trips Abroad?

Embark on a volunteer trip and the world is just a click away. Volunteer organizations are aware of the limited time most people have on their hands and are welcoming short-term volunteers. Take this opportunity to explore the world and give back to less fortunate communities. Whether you’re adventurous and want to feel the rawness of Africa or prefer the laidback lifestyle of Asia, there’s something out there for everyone. Volunteers who are afraid of a culture shock can also apply for opportunities closer to home. Unlimited volunteer opportunities are awaiting your support. Start small, start with a short volunteer trip and see what it brings.

🎁 5 Benefits of joining a Mission Trip

It’s hard to name drawbacks when talking about volunteering abroad. It’s almost always associated with feelings of positivity. Both travel and volunteering allow people to get out of their usual environment and open up to new experiences. Join one of the mission trips and you will help the communities of your travel destination. Let’s take a deeper look at some benefits non-religious mission trips may have in store for you:

  1. Valuable Learning Opportunities


    Choosing to volunteer will open up a new world. You will learn about the country and culture and interact with the local community. This will enable a deeper understanding of the people and their situation. Learn new skills during the volunteer program and witness the opportunities that will unfold because of it.

  2. Meet new people


    During a volunteer trip, you will meet other volunteers and travelers who share your taste in activities and interests. You’ll be connecting with like-minded fellow volunteers and locals. This is a wonderful opportunity to build meaningful relationships and allow cultural interchange.

  3. New Experiences


    This is a brilliant way to expand your perspective on life. Issues that seemed huge problems before, may seem trivial after your volunteer experience. Even if it was for a shorter time span. New life experiences make you stronger and will empower you for the future. A mission trip may inspire you to do more volunteer work in the future.

  4. Health Improvements


    Traveling and volunteering are two ingredients that practically guarantee happiness. Research has proven that traveling is beneficial as it puts people in a completely different environment which forces different parts of the brain to be used. On top of that, supporting a project or program will give you a sense a purpose which is a major happiness influencer. Happy people tend to be healthy people. Do an international mission trip and notice the effects it has on you!

  5. Travel


    This is your chance to explore and discover some of the most interesting places the world has to offer. You’ll be doing this while contributing to a meaningful cause. What are you waiting for? Get out your luggage and start packing for your adventure abroad!

🧳 How Can I join a Mission Trip?

You’re ready to do a mission trip but you’re not quite sure where to start? First of all, have a look at the different programs across the globe, and pick a few that have caught your attention.

Once you’ve done that, let’s take a look at the first 3 steps which will send you on your way to do the best mission trips abroad:

  1. Check whether there’s a match between you and the projects by looking at their requirements.
  2. Take a look at the location of the project and decide whether it would be excited to go to.
  3. Get in touch with the organization and see whether your expectations and schedules match up.

Once this is sorted. Let’s take a look at the practical steps:

Insurance (Health & travel)

We recommend getting both health and travel insurance. In fact, this is even a requirement for all volunteer programs abroad. Get in touch with your program contact person to find out if an insurance plan is already in place for volunteers.

Visa, Passport, and Documentation

Once you know your destination, take the following 3 steps before setting off on your life-changing adventure!

  • Look into the visa requirements for the country you will volunteer in
  • Make sure you have a valid passport considering the requirement of the host country
  • Make sure you prepare the correct documents to fulfill the visa application

That’s it! You’re ready for your mission trip abroad! Get ready for a life-changing experience that may be short but will have an incredible impact. The world is waiting for you. Check out the different best international mission trips on our comparison platform!

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