By: Miriam Bribiesca

There’s a unique combination of growth, satisfaction, and adventure that comes with volunteering abroad. Whether it’s gaining hands-on experience, contributing to communities, or exploring new cultures, the upsides are many.

Southeast Asia, with its beautiful cultural heritage, stunning landscapes, and welcoming people is a hotspot for immersive experiences. Let us guide you through 4 volunteering programs in Southeast Asia, designed for you to make a difference while still enjoying what each country has to offer!

Forest Elephant Santuary in Chiang Mai, Thailand 

Thailand is known for its majestic elephants, and this conservation program allows volunteers to work directly with these beautiful gentle giants. Based in the forests of Chiang Mai, you’ll be working on a project that aims to provide care for rescued elephants from the tourist industry. Look at you!

As a volunteer, your tasks may include:

1. Elephant Observation and Care: A key part of the program is caring for elephants in their natural habitat which includes feeding, bathing, and walking them. 
2. Community Engagement and Education: To ensure long-term success in elephant conservation, it’s essential to educate the local community and other tourists. As a volunteer, you might help conduct workshops, create educational materials, or assist with local events that promote conservation awareness and sustainable practices. It’s giving, Elephant hero!
3. Forest Regeneration and Conservation: Protecting the elephants’ habitat is as important as caring for the elephants themselves. This could involve tree planting, maintaining local trails, and removing invasive species.

Clearly, this is a unique opportunity to interact closely with elephants and make a meaningful contribution to their conservation. Because let’s be real, who doesn’t want to be friends with one of them? 

While the majority of volunteer programs are not free, this program’s fees range around $800 per week. Of course, rest assured that all you would need to have a hassle-free safe trip will be included. Things such as accommodation, meals, airport pick-up and drop-off as well as project equipment. 

Now during your free time you can explore the wonders of Northern Thailand. You can immerse yourself in the local culture or enjoy scenic hikes with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains like Doi Suthep and witness their famous Buddhist temple. The region is also famous for its traditional Thai cooking classes, offering you a chance to master the art of Thai cuisine and bring back home a little piece of your unforgettable experience.

Community Development in Vietnam with Global Volunteers

Up next is Vietnam! A country of staggering natural beauty, from lush rice terraces to sweeping beaches. Global Volunteers’ community development program in Hanoi allows you to contribute to various projects such as: 

1. Teaching English: English is a valuable skill in Vietnam.. As a volunteer, you might assist in local schools, community centers, or universities, teaching English to students of various age groups. 
2. Healthcare Support: Depending on your background and qualifications, you may assist in local clinics or health centers, helping to provide basic healthcare services and truly making a difference in someone’s life. 
3. Infrastructure Development: Volunteers often contribute to renovation or construction projects in the community which helps entire villages. Just think of that! This could involve painting schools, repairing community buildings, or assisting with the construction of new facilities.
4. Agricultural Support: With much of the population in Vietnam relying on farming, as a volunteer you may have the opportunity to assisting with organic farming projects, or helping to implement sustainable farming practices. One small step for man, but a huge step forward for humanity!

When it comes to cost, participating in the Global Volunteers program can vary based on the length of stay. However, a two-week program generally cost around $3,000. This typically includes accommodation, meals, project materials, local transportation, and administrative costs! So all you have to worry about is showing up and helping people. We like the sound of that!

In your free time, take in the bustling city life of Hanoi, its rich history, or delicious street food that is a true foodies paradise. Our mouth is just watering thinking about all the Pho and Banh Mi we would eat! And of course, You can explore famous landmarks such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Old Quarter, or the tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake. 

Rural Healthcare Education in the Philippines with Volunteer World

All over your Tiktok feed and for a good reason, the Philippines is known for its warm hospitality and stunning natural beauty. This time however, it presents a unique volunteering opportunity in the healthcare field for all those who are looking to give back to less fortunate communities. Volunteer World’s healthcare education program in Tacloban City, Leyte, is aimed at promoting healthcare and hygiene awareness among school children and local communities.

As a volunteer, your will:

1. Create Health Education Materials: You’ll conduct workshops and presentations for school children and community members about crucial health and hygiene practices. This could cover topics such as proper handwashing techniques, dental care, nutrition, and the prevention of common diseases.
2. Local Clinic Assistance: Depending on your background and qualifications, you might assist in local health clinics or community centers. That means assisting in  basic medical check-ups, providing first aid training, supporting local health workers, and offering health advice to community members.
3. Sanitation Projects: Improving sanitation can have a significant impact on community health. You might be involved in projects to improve access to clean water, build sanitary toilet facilities, or educate community members about waste management. Little things like this matter and you would truly be part of a big social change!

Once again, the costs associated can vary based on the duration of your stay, the specific tasks involved, and the level of accommodation required. But as of now, a typical four-week program might cost around $1,500. That’s not bad knowing that you’ll be getting real-world experience while also altering the life of community members. 

On the other hand, during your spare time, you can explore the white sandy beaches, try water sports, or venture further afield to visit the Chocolate Hills, the historic city of Manila, or the picturesque terraces of Banaue. Whether you’re interested in history, culture, or natural beauty, the Philippines offers a variety of activities to complement your volunteering experience. Sounds like a win win to us!

Teaching Volunteer Program in Bali, Ubud with International Volunteer HQ

Last but definitely not least, being an education volunteer in Bali with International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) is where it’s at! Truly.

As a volunteer, your tasks would largely center around helping with English literacy levels among local students. Here are some typical activities:

1. Teaching English: You’d assist local teachers in providing English language lessons, focusing on English grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation. Depending on your comfort level and the school’s needs, you might lead whole classes, small groups, or one-on-one tutoring sessions. Who doesn’t love the idea of teaching the next generation!
2. Lesson Planning: You would often be responsible for planning lessons and creating engaging, interactive activities to help students practice their English skills. This could involve designing games, storytelling sessions, and other hands-on activities that make learning fun and effective. We know you got this.
3. Cultural Exchange: Given the nature of being a volunteer, you’ll bring a unique cultural perspective to the classroom. This means you’ll have the opportunity to share about your home country’s traditions, language, or festivals, thereby promoting cultural understanding and global awareness. Cue Party in the U.S.A!

As for costs, IVHQ’s program fees are around $400 a week. The fee covers your accommodation, meals, airport pickup, orientation, in-country support, and program supervision. 

And of course, how can we forget…YOU ARE IN BALI! That means that you are in a tropical paradise that offers a wide range of activities perfect for when you have free time. Some of the most popular activities we recommend are exploring Ubud, taking drop-in wellness classes, as well as diving and snorkeling. There really is no shortage of extracurricular activities you can do! 

Just thinking about all the new experiences you’ll have is making us excited! Now it’s time to remember that volunteering abroad is not just about service – it’s about embracing new cultures, expanding horizons, and making lasting connections. From teaching English in Indonesia to preserving wildlife in Thailand, or supporting community development in Vietnam, these programs offer rich experiences that we promise will stay with you for a lifetime. So what are you waiting for? Time to apply and start booking your flight ASAP!