How to Choose a Reliable & Trustworthy Volunteer Abroad Organization
A reliable and trustworthy volunteer abroad organization should be clear about who runs the program, what you will actually do, what support you can expect, what the program costs and what is included. It should also be able to explain who the local partner is and what happens if something goes wrong.
If you're planning your first volunteer trip, it can be difficult to know which organizations you can trust. A polished website and professional photographs are not enough. Before you book, find out who runs the program, what volunteers do each day, who provides support locally and exactly what your program fee includes.
That is one of the reasons Abroad Escape exists. With more than 20 years of experience in volunteer travel, we help travellers understand what different volunteer programs are really like, who delivers them locally and whether a program is a good fit for their plans and expectations. We work with independent local program partners and give you straightforward advice before you book.
A Note From Our Founder
Kurt, Founder of Abroad Escape
I’ve worked in volunteer travel since 2006, and a polished website has never been enough for me to judge a program.
BBefore booking, I’d want to understand what happens after I arrive, not just what the website promises before I leave. Who will be there to meet me? Who coordinates the project? And who do I contact if the plan changes?
At Abroad Escape, we work with independent local program partners and help travellers compare their options based on the kind of experience they are looking for.
What to Look for in a Reliable Volunteer Abroad Organization
Before you book, ask the organization these questions about the program, the local team, your responsibilities, support and costs.
1. Find out who runs the program locally
Ask who will meet you when you arrive, who coordinates the volunteer work and who you can contact if something goes wrong. You should be able to get a clear name or role for your local contact rather than being told to rely on a general inbox.
If a separate local partner delivers the program, ask who that partner is and what role they have in your accommodation, orientation and volunteer placement.
2. Understand what you will actually do
Ask what a typical day looks like, what your responsibilities will be and who supervises the work. Find out whether the project requires previous experience and whether your duties can change depending on local needs.
The more specific the answers are, the easier it is to judge whether the placement matches what you expect from the trip.
3. Check what the fee includes
Do not assume that the program fee covers everything. Ask whether it includes:
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accommodation
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meals
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airport or arrival transfers
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orientation
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local transportation
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project-related costs
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support during your stay
Also ask which expenses you will pay separately. Knowing the full expected cost before booking makes it much easier to compare volunteer programs fairly.
4. Pay attention to whether the advice feels honest
A good organization should be willing to tell you when a program is not a good fit.
For example, if a project requires experience you do not have, does not match the kind of work you want to do or does not suit your travel plans, the organization should explain that rather than simply pushing you toward a booking.
That kind of honest advice can tell you more about an organization than a collection of testimonials or photographs.
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Ready to start looking at your options? Explore our volunteer programs and see which destinations and projects may be right for you.
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