Travel tends to have a genuinely life-changing impact on people, creating memories that last for a lifetime. But too often, these experiences come at a cost to the host country. Fortunately, there’s a way to redress the damage of unsustainable tourism: social work abroad.

Not only does international social work help conserve the environment and community life, but it also allows you to connect with local people in a way that’s simply not possible as a regular tourist.

Volunteering abroad will develop your sense of social responsibility in untold ways and create lifelong friendships. Psychologists even suggest that volunteers are happier people too! What’s not to like about the prospect of social work abroad?

To help you learn more about social work overseas, we’ve put together five of the best volunteering opportunities on offer around the world in 2022. Let’s dive right in!

5 of the Best Social Work Abroad Opportunities

We pored over volunteering resources from the best providers and shortlisted five of the most exciting social work abroad opportunities available right now! The factors we took into consideration were community engagement, environmental conservation, skills development, and affordability.

From rehabilitating endangered Amazonian species to teaching English in the Andes, here are five of the best international volunteer opportunities for you to explore.

1. International Volunteer HQ’s Volunteer in Colombia Program

With networks in over 50 countries, International Volunteer HQ is one of the world’s most popular providers of international volunteering. If you’re working with a tight budget or schedule, don’t worry: IVHQ’s programs are also some of the most affordable and flexible around!

The organization’s volunteer program in Colombia is highly-rated among IVHQ alumni and offers plenty of choice for aspiring social workers, with options for teaching, childcare, construction, sports development, and feeding the homeless.

You’ll be based either in the historic capital of Bogotá or the dazzling coastal city of Cartagena. Both give you the chance to soak up the best of Colombia’s vibrant culture and learn some Spanish along the way. It won’t break the bank either!

Program: International Volunteer HQ’s Volunteer in Colombia Program

Locations: Bogotá or Cartagena

Starting Price: $270 per week

2. IPBio’s Biodiversity Research in Brazil Program

Here’s one for nature lovers. If you’ve ever dreamed of working with wildlife in the Amazon rainforest, this could be the program for you. Delivered by a UNESCO-accredited NGO, IPBio’s Biodiversity Research in Brazil program draws rave reviews from former volunteers.

Based at a reserve in the state of São Paulo, volunteers engage in a range of eco-oriented projects including sustainable management, species research, and habitat monitoring. There are also opportunities to support the organization’s marketing and coordination efforts.

Working alongside the institute’s expert scientists in one of the most biodiverse parts of the world, few volunteer programs are able to offer such an enriching international experience for participants. When you factor in the highly-competitive price, it’s hard to look past IPBio’s program.

Program: IPBio’s Biodiversity Research in Brazil Program

Locations: Iporanga

Starting Price: $115 per week

3. United Planet's Quest Volunteer Abroad in Peru Program

United Planet is another well-established name in the field of social work abroad. The organization provides a variety of customizable volunteering projects across more than 20 countries, but few are more exciting than its program in Peru.

Volunteer social workers choose between healthcare, education, or animal rescue initiatives and live with a host family in the former Incan capital of Cusco. With the legendary Machu Pichu and Sacred Valley right on your doorstep, adventure is never far away during your free time.

United Planet does a great job bringing together the best parts of volunteering and travel. Through your efforts, you’ll be making a big difference to the local community while also gaining first-hand insight into the intricacies of Peruvian culture.

Program: United Planet's Quest Volunteer Abroad in Peru Program

Locations: Cusco

Starting Price: $1995

4. Máximo Nivel’s Volunteer in Costa Rica Program

Máximo Nivel is a locally-based social work provider with roots in Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Peru. We’ve selected its Costa Rica program thanks to the diversity of projects on offer; whether you’re interested in marine conservation or healthcare, there’s something for you here!

Costa Rica is well known for its biodiversity, so it’s no surprise to see that a range of environmental projects, including eco-agriculture in the Monteverde cloud forest and sea turtle conservation, are available.

If you’re more interested in community-based social work, Máximo Nivel also supports critical childcare, construction, and medical functions in underserved areas of the capital, San José. In your downtime, escape the city and explore Costa Rica’s unparalleled natural beauty.

Program: Máximo Nivel’s Volunteer in Costa Rica Program

Locations: San José or Manuel Antonio

Starting Price: $725

5. Global Volunteers’ in Ecuador

Owing to its warm culture and unique geography, Ecuador ranks as a favorite for many travelers visiting South America. With the Global Volunteers’ program, you’ll be able to see this for yourself while also improving the lives of locals in need.

Based in the charming capital city of Quito, volunteers engage in a number of key community development projects including early childhood education and childcare as well as repair and maintenance work on daycare facilities, all alongside other international social workers.

There’s so much to soak up in the historic center of Quito during your free time, but beyond the capital lie indigenous Andean villages, mesmeric cloud forests, the striking Cotopaxi mountain, and the world-famous Galápagos Islands.

Program: Global Volunteers’ Volunteer in Ecuador Program

Locations: Quito

Starting Price: $2723

Community-based Travel

Please feel free to get in touch and we will connect you with a nonprofit in Latin America that could use your services.

Volunteering is a great way to travel responsibly, but there is one alternative that achieves the same end. Some travel providers offer community-focused travel programs, which actively support the development of local groups and the environment.

These programs allow travel enthusiasts to immerse themselves more deeply in the places they visit and foster real connections with the people they find there—much like volunteering.

For these opportunities, look out for travel providers that are well-connected with local groups and charities. At Learn from Travel, we offer a range of customizable programs that bring you to the heart of the community. Explore some of our sample programs below:

Our programs provide unique learning experiences for young people while also supporting host communities with financial aid and many include a service component.

Planning Your International Social Work Program

As you can see, travel doesn’t have to damage local communities. There are so many international opportunities out there for students that want to reduce their footprint, and we hope this blog post has fuelled your desire to pursue social work abroad.

All that remains now is to identify prospective organizations and plan your trip!

To aid this difficult decision, consider what causes motivate you. Are you interested in improving literacy among young children, improving mental health, or building infrastructure in underserved areas? Find an international development program that aligns with your ambitions.

Of course, there are other practical factors to consider, such as your budget and any cultural barriers that may exist. It’s important to take all of these into account to come to a measured decision. Trust us: all the planning will be worth it!

Learn from Travel provides a range of culturally immersive travel programs that play a key role in local development. If you’d like to find out more about our community-based travel programs, don’t hesitate to contact us.