Volunteering Abroad

If you are planning a trip to volunteer abroad, follow these tips to have a safe and successful volunteer experience.

Look up the organization’s history and experience in leading groups to volunteer abroad. Look beyond the brochures and the organization’s marketing materials. Make sure they have a record of successful and safe trips. 

• Research online reviews to check if the organization has any issues or valid past complaints from other volunteers.
• Check if there is a partner organization in the destination you are traveling to. Review if the project site has a recent safety inspection report.
• Review the latest Travel Advisory for the destination you plan to visit.
• Make sure your U.S. passport and other travel documents or visas are current.  
• Review the health and disease travel information from the CDC for your destination. We recommnd travel insurance that will cover your medical evacuation.
• Review the Child Institutionalization and Human Trafficking PDF if you are volunteering with an orphanage or plan to work with children while abroad.  
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.    
• Identify a point of contact for your trip and an emergency contact who will be in the U.S. during your trip. Your contacts should know how to reach you and your volunteer group in an emergency. When you enroll in STEP, you can give your emergency contact and trip point of contact information. This helps the U.S. embassy or consulate reach you or your group if there’s an emergency.

Before you sign up to volunteer abroad, make sure you review whether the organization has the following:   

Safety Plans  

• Risk assessment procedure, global risk management plan, and country-specific emergency response plans  
• Pre-departure security briefings  
• 24/7 office support in case of an emergency  
• First-aid-qualified staff  
• Emergency evacuation plan  

Volunteer preparation  

• Training to educate volunteers on the country and any safety concerns   
• In-country medical insurance, medical evacuation insurance, pre-trip physicals, and vaccinations  
• Handbooks that include helpful information on history, culture, and language  

In-country volunteer support  

• Works with host nation project leaders   
• Has staff who speak local languages and know nearby police stations and hospitals 
• Has 24-hour local office support