About us
The name UBELONG is a call for action. It reflects the values of our organization. UBELONG is the simplification of a simple but powerful statement: “you belong”.
UBELONG comprises an international team of great people spread across four continents. We started in 2009 working in Asia and Latin America. Two years after we established programs in Africa. In 2013 we opened our European office in Lisbon, Portugal. We are a global organization but we think local. UBELONG is a social organization with the goal to have a positive impact on the communities, on the world and on you. In order to do this we offer affordable volunteering opportunities abroad and bring people from all over the world together.
There is no gender, nationality, ethnicity, skill or age preference to enroll in our projects. We appreciate and embrace diversity.
Being a UBELONGer is much more than just working on a project, it is about building a better self by improving your confidence, your leadership skills and fortifying social ties. Traveling is the best way to get to know the world we live in.
When we say “you belong” we are talking to the thousands of people who yearn to make a difference abroad.
Also, when we say “you belong” we are talking to the people who live in the communities across the world where we work. Through our programs, we seek to strengthen a sense of social inclusion in these communities, a sense of global belonging.
We believe...
What divides people is no match for what unites us - our humanity. Human collaboration, more than anything, can change the world for the better. Everyone can make a difference. We believe in people.
Our Values
Bottom-up - We understand people know what is best for their own communities. Our programs address issues that have been identified by local communities as opportunities to engage people in meaningful action.
Impact Through Sharing - We believe that the energy, ideas and skills that people share with each other, across borders and face to face, can support advancement in key areas such as conservation, education and health.Opportunities For All: We embrace diversity. We offer varying programs to ensure that regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, nationality or skill, everyone can find an opportunity to make a difference.
Personal Growth - We believe that traveling with UBELONG is as much about engaging in meaningful work as it is about building self-confidence, shaping leadership skills and strengthening social ties.Hands-on: We recognize that the best way to understand global issues is by traveling, doing things on the ground, and gaining firsthand experience. Our programs emphasize immersion and experiential learning.
People To People - People learn from each other through direct human exchange. We offer programs that instill a strong sense of shared humanity and global citizenship.
Why UBELONG?
Flexibility - We offer programs across many areas because we believe everyone has something valuable to contribute if they are given the chance. Whether you are looking to volunteer abroad for the first time or are a corporate professional with years of experience, we have a program for you.Impact: We are a social organization. Everything we do is rooted in making a positive difference on you, the local communities you visit and the world. We empower you to take concrete, measurable steps towards positive global change, while giving you the opportunity to step out of your comfort zone and grow.
Experience - Our team consists of recognized professionals at the top of their field. Our learning and volunteering programs are built on practical knowledge gained through years of international experience and our team’s extensive background. We also rely on our deep relationships cultivated around the world with a range of professionals.
Affordable - We are founded upon the belief that learning and volunteering abroad should be accessible to people of all backgrounds. A fundamental part of our mission is to offer the highest quality experiences at the lowest possible cost.
Network - Our most important asset is our people—our employees, partners in the field, hosting communities, the range of individuals and corporations that work with us, and you. When you join a UBELONG program you become part of an exciting global community linked together by an insatiable desire to discover new horizons and make a positive impact on the world.
History
UBELONG was founded in 2009 by Cedric Hodgeman and Raul Roman, who met 2004 in Cornell University. Before giving life to the idea, Cedric and Raul experienced it first hand, they travelled and volunteered around the world. The motivation was simple: to change the way people engage with the world. In 2009, UBELONG was founded in Washington, DC. Our home is one of the world’s most important centers of international affairs. We are surrounded by influential international organizations, government agencies, embassies, think-tanks and universities.