Volunteer Abroad Programs in 21 Countries — From €525
Abroad Escape places volunteers and interns in structured programs across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Every placement includes accommodation, meals, a local coordinator on the ground, and 24/7 support from day one. Programs start every Monday from €525.
Who it's for: Students, gap year travellers, and professionals from Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK looking for structured, ethical volunteer placements — not tourist programs.
What is Abroad Escape?
Abroad Escape is one of the most experienced volunteer placement agencies in Europe — with roots going back to 2006. Here's the full story.
In 2006, we launched GapXperience — one of the earliest volunteer and gap year placement agencies connecting students and young travellers with structured programs across Asia. For 14 years, thousands of volunteers trusted GapXperience with their placements abroad.
In 2020, Covid forced every travel organisation in the world to close. We were no exception. But we never stopped believing in what we do.
We came back as Beyond Volunteer — rebuilt our programs, our local teams, and our standards from the ground up. Then we rebranded as Abroad Escape: a stronger name for a stronger organisation, with better support, better programs, and a London headquarters that has been part of this industry since the very beginning of volunteer travel.
When you book with Abroad Escape, you are booking with a team that has been placing volunteers abroad since 2006 — across three continents, through a pandemic, and back again.
Nearly two decades of operational experience.
Abroad Escape's roots go back to 2006, when we launched GapXperience — one of Europe's earliest volunteer placement agencies. After 14 years of operations, a Covid closure, and a rebuild under the name Beyond Volunteer, we operate today as Abroad Escape. Together with trusted local partners including The Green Lion, we have supported thousands of volunteers across Asia, Africa, and Europe. This is not a startup. This is an organisation that has been doing this since volunteer travel was a new idea.
Where You Can Volunteer
Choose your destination, then choose your program type. Every location page includes a full breakdown of available projects, weekly schedule, accommodation, and local coordinator details. Also take a look at our internships.
Our Popular Programs
Bali
Environmental conservation and education programs in Balinese communities. Work alongside local people & teachers in structured daily placements.
Cape Verde
Turtle conservation and community development across the Cape Verdean islands. Turtle monitoring, ocean conservation, and local education projects.
Thailand
Join our elephant conservation, English teaching, and healthcare programs across Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, and Koh Samui. Weekly and fortnightly start dates available.
Vietnam
Education, healthcare, and community development in one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing countries in Ho Chi Minh City and other locations.
Why Do Volunteers Choose Abroad Escape Over Other Agencies?
Real projects. Not tourist programs.
We do not invent placements to fill volunteer quotas. Every project we work with was running before we arrived and will continue after you leave. We fill gaps identified by our local partners — a role that exists because the community needs it, not because we need to sell a program.
Transparent pricing with no hidden fees.
Programs start from €525. We publish a clear breakdown of where your money goes. The majority stays in the host country — covering your accommodation, meals, and the salaries of local staff who run the project every day.
A local coordinator from the moment you land.
Every destination has a named, on-the-ground coordinator. They meet you at the airport on arrival day, run your orientation on your first Monday, and remain your primary contact for the duration of your stay. You are not navigating a foreign country alone.
Vetted for safety. Audited for ethics.
Every project location is assessed before we place volunteers there. We conduct quarterly audits with our local partners. Background checks are mandatory for any role involving children or vulnerable adults. We adhere to strict child protection policies on every program, in every country.
Five years of operational experience.
Abroad Escape was founded in June 2023, building on two years of prior operations under the name Beyond Volunteer. Together with our trusted local partners, including The Green Lion, we have supported thousands of volunteers across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
How Does Abroad Escape Work? From Application to First Day
From your first search to your first day on-site, the process is designed to be clear and low-stress. Here is what happens between now and your first Monday morning.
Choose your program
Browse destinations and program types. Filter by region, duration, or focus area — teaching, conservation, healthcare, or community work. Every program page tells you exactly what your daily schedule looks like and what the local team expects from you.
Apply and get placed
Complete our application form. We review your background, skills, and availability to confirm the right placement for you. Healthcare and childcare roles require verified qualifications. All roles involving children require a background check before your place is confirmed.
Prepare for departure
Once placed, you receive your volunteer handbook, visa guidance, pre-departure checklist, and direct contact details for your local coordinator. We handle the logistical groundwork so you arrive prepared, not scrambling.
Arrive and begin
Your coordinator meets you at the airport on arrival day. Sunday is for settling in. Monday morning is your first day — orientation, introductions, and the start of your placement. From day one, you have a role, a schedule, and a team around you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Volunteering Abroad
Q1: What is included in the program fee?
The fee covers your airport pickup on arrival day, shared accommodation for the duration of your program, two to three meals per day, a local coordinator and 24/7 emergency support, and a direct contribution to the project site. Flights and travel insurance are not included and must be arranged independently.
Q2: Do I need specific skills or qualifications?
For teaching support, construction, and general community programs, no formal qualifications are required. For healthcare and medical programs, you must provide proof of relevant qualifications or confirmed enrollment in a medical or nursing degree. For any role working directly with children, a background check is mandatory.
Q3: How do you make sure the projects are genuinely ethical?
We conduct quarterly audits with every local partner organisation. We only work with projects that employ local staff, have defined community outcomes, and are designed to reduce dependency rather than create it. We do not run projects that exist solely to provide volunteers with an experience — every placement must serve a real operational need.
Q4: How long are the programs and when can I start?
Programs run from one week to 24 weeks. A new intake begins every Monday, year-round — there is no fixed annual intake. You choose your start date, choose your duration, and we confirm your placement around that.
Q5: How much does it cost to volunteer abroad?
Programs start from €525 for one week. This includes all accommodation, meals, airport pickup, local coordination, 24/7 emergency support, and a project contribution. Longer programs are priced proportionally — full pricing is listed on each destination page.
Q6: Which countries do you operate in?
Abroad Escape operates volunteer programs in 21 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Current destinations include Thailand, Bali, Vietnam, Cambodia, Nepal, Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, Cape Verde, Ghana, and more. A full destination list is available at abroadescape.com/volunteer-abroad/.
Q7: Is Abroad Escape a legitimate and safe organisation?
Yes. Abroad Escape Ltd is registered in England and Wales, Company No. 14937484, with a registered address at 3 Hornton Place, London W8 4LZ. We have been operating international volunteer programs since 2021, initially under the name Beyond Volunteer and as Abroad Escape since June 2023. Every project location is vetted before placements begin. 24/7 emergency support is available for every volunteer on every program.
Is Abroad Escape a Legitimate Organisation?
Yes. Abroad Escape Ltd is registered in England and Wales (Company No. 14937484), with offices at 3 Hornton Place, London W8 4LZ. The organisation's history in volunteer travel dates to 2006 under the name GapXperience — making it one of the longest-running volunteer placement agencies in Europe. Background checks are mandatory for any role involving children or vulnerable adults. 24/7 emergency support is available on every program in every country. Our local partners adhere to strict child protection policies across all 21 destinations.
"The coordinator provided excellent information about the local culture and the people we were working with. I felt prepared from day one."
— Victoria
"Thank you for making this a once-in-a-lifetime experience I will never forget."
— Duygu
"I can honestly say this was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had. The volunteering was so much more than I expected."
— Shilpa
Ready to Find Your Program?
Abroad Escape operates volunteer programs in 21 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe. Programs start every Monday from €525, with accommodation, meals, and a local coordinator included from day one. Browse available destinations and choose the program that fits your goals, your timeline, and your skills.