Use your experience and skills to actively make a difference as a professional volunteer with Projects Abroad. As a professional, you’ll work toward the long-term, sustainable goals we’ve set at all of our projects. You won’t just be part of a quick fix.
If you're interested in professional volunteering abroad, we can help you use the skills you've honed throughout your career to make a difference. It's a great way to break away from your 9-5 routine and adapt to a new environment and challenges. Or, you can do something completely different during a career break. We'll be able to help you realize your potential and discover what you're capable of regardless of the project you choose.
We have various options for you. You can work more independently on a Flexi Trip, or you can work with a group to tackle a challenge together in a fixed period of time on a Team Trip. No matter which trip you choose, our in-country staff will be there 24/7 to support you when you need it.
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We’d be happy to talk about creating a custom project for you. Most of our staff have been volunteers themselves, so they’re well placed to answer your questions, big or small.
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Career Break Ideas
Volunteering abroad is an exciting way to take a break from your career. If you’re in need of some time off, or would like to gain experience working in a new field, volunteering gives you that option.
A volunteer program lets you see the world while using your experience in the workplace to contribute to a specific area of need. This is the perfect opportunity to try something different and acquire new skills. For example, if you’ve always had a love for nature, you can help at a Conservation Project. Or, if you want to learn basic medical skills, you can work with local medical professionals on a Public Health Project.
Our projects are a good fit for those on sabbatical or if you want to change careers. You can use your time abroad to re-energize before the next chapter of your life or career. We also welcome retirees. If you’re a senior interested in volunteering abroad, we strongly recommend our Grown-up Special group trips.
Let us know what you want to get out of your career break and we’ll help you choose the right project.
How can I contribute as a professional volunteer?
Put your professional skills and years of experience to good use on a volunteer program. Your expertise will go a long way in benefiting the project you join. We set long-term, sustainable goals for each project, and you can provide valuable input in helping us work towards these goals.
Not only will you use your skills to help those in need, you can also play a key role in training others to continue with work efforts once you leave.
We recommend joining a Flexi Trip as a professional volunteer. You can decide how long you want to volunteer for, and will have more freedom to focus your work to your particular skill set.
If you’re a medical or healthcare professional, you can volunteer in a rural clinic or community hospital. We also have a number of Childcare and Teaching placements that would benefit from having professional social workers, teachers, and psychologists. You can also choose to work in law and human rights or as a business consultant on one of our Microfinance Projects.
To find out which of our projects are suited for professional volunteering abroad, you just need to look at the project page, like Medicine in Ghana. We’ll say on the page if the project is available for professionals.
I chose a Teaching Project as I thought that it would make best use of my skills. Although I’m a qualified teacher, all of my experience has been with students in college or university, so when I found myself teaching a class of two to four year olds, I felt a bit out of my depth at first. The local teachers were lovely, friendly, and supportive and soon I felt completely at home. The children were enthusiastic and receptive to my ideas, especially my homemade play dough and carrot printing. It was so rewarding to see them learning and developing, even in the short time I was there. - Kathryn C, Teaching in Tanzania
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