Following the success of our previous online GVI events, we’re back with a monthly Global Digital Open Day. 

In honour of Earth Day, we’ll be focusing on conservation work. We’ll also take a closer look at our locations that work in wildlife conservation and community engagement. And, we’ll be joined by experts, staff and past volunteers to answer your questions and talk about each of their individual experiences with GVI.

Why join a GVI Global Digital Open Day?

Well, why not? 

Not only are our open days fun and free, but they’re also a great way to learn more about what we stand for at GVI, and how you can help make a positive impact with us. 

During our open day, you’ll have the opportunity to find out more about the options we have on offer like:

• ethical volunteer abroad programs 
• virtual and in-person internships 
• online experiences for career development.

So come and have a listen to presentations about joining the GVI family, and have a chat with our staff and ambassadors who’ll be more than happy to answer anything you might want to know. 

The Open Day is very informal. Seriously, you can even stay in bed dressed in your pyjamas. 

You can join the Zoom room any time you want, or stay for the whole day – whatever your schedule allows for.

So, if we’ve got you thinking about attending this digital event, here’s everything you’ll need to know before the big day.

Global Digital Open Day

Keen on a career in conservation or community development?

Learn more about GVI, and what it’s really like to volunteer abroad or pursue a career in these fields during our Global Digital Open Day.

• Date: Saturday 24 April 2021
• Time: 13:00–16:00 (GMT)
• Where: Online via Zoom (a link will be sent to all those who sign up via email and SMS the night before the event) 
• How: Sign up to attend via our website, and we’ll email you the event link. 

Our staff members and alumni will run the open day – conducting presentations and sharing insider knowledge on all our different programs focusing on wildlife, marine and environmental conservation, as well as community development and gender equality work.

Their personal experiences working with GVI make them the perfect people to ask any specific questions you have about conservation and career development. So, don’t be shy and ask away in the Q&A sessions after the presentations!

Ready to spend some time with our staff?

This month’s Open Day will feature staff and experts from our bases in Ghana and South Africa. They’ll be sharing their insights from our wildlife conservation and ethical community engagement work in these locations.

You’ll also be hearing from Nicole Watson – the director of institutional relations at GVI central support – during this online event. Nicole received her honours degree in development studies from the University of Cape Town, followed by a master’s in strategic management and planning at University College Dublin.  

Nicole is passionate about social development, social entrepreneurship, and social innovation. As director of institutional relations, she manages GVI’s university partnerships in North America and works closely with leading institutions of higher education to develop impactful programs. She’ll be talking about how you can make an impact on a remote program.

Overseeing the open day is our UK Outreach Manager, Brooklyn Norton. Brooklyn has been part of the GVI family for more than six years, and has a wealth of knowledge and insider information to share with you. She’s spent time volunteering and working on various projects with GVI in locations like Seychelles, Cape Town, Nepal, Ghana and Thailand. Brooklyn now leads the UK outreach team offering support, and empowering and overseeing all of our UK-based ambassadors. She also organises events like the one you’re reading about, and more. 

Brooklyn will be leading our open discussion at this Open Day, as we consider the impact that education can have on women’s empowerment.

And – as if all of this insider information wasn’t enough – we’ll also be offering a few specials for those of you who attend our Global Digital Open Day!

By attending the open day, you’ll be eligible for a reduced deposit of only £100 (if paid by midnight GMT on Monday 26 April) to secure your spot. You also qualify for £100 off your total program booking fee, and have the option to pay for your program in instalments leading up to your trip – at no extra cost.

So, whether this blog has inspired you, or you’re already signed up to one of our volunteer abroad or online programs – this is your chance to hear about all your options in one place.

Come along and join us to hear about what the GVI experience involves, from people with firsthand experience and stories to prove it!

Let us know if you’re planning to attend by signing up for our online Global Digital Open Day. If you have any questions, feel free to get in touch. We can’t wait to e-meet you there.

With its sought after scenery, smorgasbord of cultural influences, and a south-easter that could sweep you off your feet, South Africa is a destination that offers adventure and the chance to make a meaningful contribution to sustainable community development. 

Take a look at ten of the best volunteer programs in South Africa, and see how you can set out to experience the country as a volunteer. 

1) Early Childhood Development in South Africa program

You can volunteer in South Africa and gain even more insight into the country’s culture and attractions than a long-term tourist. 

How? Well, getting to know this land of fynbos and world-renowned fauna can’t be done by just snapping a picture or watching five minutes of a Cape Town festival. 

If you’re spending time in South Africa, volunteer work can help you learn about the country from the local people, and see and experience parts of the city of Cape Town and its surroundings in a way that you never would as a tourist.

Work with children from local informal settlements, and add to their sports and social skills by engaging with them in physical activity sessions and drama lessons. Add to the access that these future leaders of South Africa have to quality education, and build on the well-being of the broader community by contributing towards the empowerment of its children. 

And, while you’re teaching a child how to project their voice, or refereeing your classes first soccer match of the season, you’ll get to know about South Africa from the local children, parents, teaching staff, and community members that you interact with on a daily basis. 

2) Wildlife Research in South Africa expedition

Now, let’s get to the other obvious drawing card of travelling to Africa. 

If you’re volunteering in South Africa, you could experience the African savannah while adding to projects aimed at conserving the Big Five, or the many other species of animals who find sanctuary amongst the tall grasses of this region.

With wisps of fresh air wicking the sweat off your forehead, and the sun keeping you a couple of degrees above cool, being in the African wild is an adventure you’ll feel on every inch of your exterior.

And, it’s also quite likely that the thrill of the distant roars, or first close-up sighting of a hefty savannah creature will set your insides aflurry, and give you a true sense of how small we can seem in the greater scheme of things. 

What makes this one of the best volunteer programs in the country? Living the life of a field guide or safari guide becomes a reality. You’ll stay in the heart of the African bushveld, alongside an international research team that’s working towards the conservation of the savannah’s plants and animals. 

As a South African wildlife volunteer, you’ll not only be adding to the research done by these professionals. You’ll also learn how to identify and track megaherbivores like elephants and rhinos, as well as large predators like lions and cheetahs. 

In your free time, you can navigate your way across the sea of golden grasses to experience even more of the Karongwe Private Game Reserve. Or, venture further away from base and explore the Kruger National Park.

3) Volunteer Public Health Project in South Africa

Can’t chase the idea of the South African coast out of your mind? Well, lucky for you, you can volunteer in South Africa and live in a seaside town while contributing towards global public health initiatives.

For any volunteer, South Africa sets the scene to gain a deeper understanding of the social and economic factors that feed into health and well-being. In Cape Town, aspects like the history of apartheid governance and the booming tourist market, add to the complex health setting seen in this city.

So, what do South African citizens need to build on their own health and well-being? Well, they would know best wouldn’t they?

Public health programs look at preventative measures that can be taken to stop the spread of disease and promote the health of local communities. 

And, the best volunteer abroad programs in public health are developed in collaboration with local people. While volunteering in South Africa, you’ll play an important role in adding to the community’s health. 

But, South African citizens are the ones who’ll take charge of this project in the long run, which is what makes for a sustainable community development solution. 

Working with local primary schools in South Africa, volunteer work on our global health projects focuses on adding to children’s understanding of what affects their health and how they can build on their own well-being.

You’ll be part of sustainable community development projects that include:

• facilitating physical activity workshops that encourage exercise among primary school children
• engaging with girls and women in reproductive health workshops 
• working with nursery children to build on their hygiene practices.

4) Women’s Empowerment project in Cape Town 

The best volunteer abroad programs in South Africa are those that focus on addressing the world’s biggest challenges. Our women’s empowerment program in Cape Town is one of the South Africa volunteer programs that aims to improve the access that women have to equal educational, healthcare, and employment opportunities. 

If you add to this program as a volunteer in South Africa, you’ll be building on achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) in a big way. 

Be part of a team that facilitates workshops on health, gender equality and income initiatives. Build on the empowerment of local women by engaging them in sessions where they can speak openly with other women about their goals and their development. 

5) Volunteer Teaching in South Africa

Take your contribution to UN SDG 4: Quality Education to a new level when volunteering in South Africa in teaching.

Get to build on local childrens’ numeracy and literacy skills, and add to their confidence in school, which will spill over into their everyday lives.

In South Africa, volunteer work like this draws on volunteers’ comprehensive grasp of English and allows local communities to sharpen their English speaking skills. This builds on local peoples’ ability to engage with English-speaking tourists, and gain access to the economic opportunities that come from tourism. 

If you’re headed for a career in teaching, this is one of the best volunteer abroad programs for you to get involved in. Not only will it introduce you to what working as a teacher is really like, it’ll also help you gain the types of skills that will add to your CV in a meaningful way. 

6) Camera Trapping and Data Collection

And, if you’re keen to get a closer look at African wild animals, then you should consider becoming a South Africa wildlife volunteer on our Camera Trapping and Data Collection program. 

On this all out adventure experience in the wild, you’ll see and contribute to the conservation of lions, cheetahs, leopards, hyenas, elephants, and some of the savannah’s most elusive species.

Get comfortable with setting up and monitoring camera trapping equipment in the field, learn how to analyse remote motion-sensitive shots with help from field professionals, and gain experience in tracking African animals using telemetry equipment. 

And, don’t forget that all of this will take place against the rugged backdrop of the Drakensberg mountain range, with the scent of South African wildlife seasoning your everyday adventures. 

7) Childhood Development and Wildlife Conservation in South Africa 

As a volunteer in South Africa, you can be part of making a positive impact in the development of young children by facilitating craft and sports lessons, assisting with English classes, and engaging children in storytelling sessions. 

You can also get involved in educational workshops with local children that will build on their environmental awareness and equip them with the knowledge they need to make a positive contribution to the conservation of plants and animals. 

And, after experiencing the culture of a South African community, you’ll get to travel to the Limpopo province and learn more about the animals that call this country home. 

Living in the city, communities may not see the direct effects of human activity on natural environments or wild animals. But, this doesn’t mean that activites like the overdevelopment of natural spaces don’t have an impact on life in urban areas. 

In fact, by clearing more and more green spaces for construction, human beings are reducing the overall oxygen production of plants, and adding to global warming.

In the stillness of the savannah, you’ll have the chance to reflect on your experience in the city, and gain a deeper appreciation for how cities and wild spaces are interlinked. 

8) Elephant Research in South Africa

If you have your heart set on seeing elephants up-close and working towards their conservation in South Africa, volunteer work is the perfect choice for you. 

You can spot this creature for yourself, trunk raised to pick fruit off a tree, unaware of the wildlife conservation volunteer lurking nearby. All you need to do is sign up for one of the best volunteer programs in South Africa, GVI’s Elephant Research in South Africa program. 

You’ll be volunteering in South Africa in collaboration with Elephant’s Alive – an international elephant conservation organisation – as well as GVI’s field experts. As a South Africa wildlife volunteer, you’ll get involved in practical work in elephant conservation. 

Working as part of a team, you’ll track elephant populations around the Karongwe Private Game Reserve. You’ll be responsible for keeping records of elephant numbers, ages, sexes, and the behaviour and characteristics that they display. 

This work builds on international efforts aimed at achieving UN SDG 15: Life on Land, and is part of ongoing elephant conservation efforts.

9) Hyena Conservation and Research in South Africa

While you may not have travelled to South Africa just to see a hyena, hyenas are savannah creatures that can tip what you think you know about this country on its head. Why?

Well, these animals are part canine, part feline, and contrary to what we thought we knew about hyenas, they’re one of the world’s most successful hunters. 

In South Africa, volunteer work on this program adds to hyena conservation, and lets you learn all about this creature’s behaviour. 

Get involved in hands-on activities aimed at rehabilitating their natural habitat, or take safari conservation drives where you’ll track and keep records of the hyenas you spot around the savannah. 

Why is this one of the best volunteer programs out there? Because it’ll broaden your knowledge of the species that live in the South African wild, and give you insight into what makes hyenas an important part of local and global ecosystems. 

And, after your South Africa wildlife volunteer experience, you may leave feeling that getting to know hyenas better has taught you heaps about the country too.

You see, at first glance, you may think you’ve figured out all there is to know about the country – just like with hyenas. But, dig a little deeper as a volunteer in South Africa, and you’ll leave with an even more meaningful understanding. 

Uncover GVI’s sustainable community development projects in South Africa, and pick from some of the best volunteer programs around.

While the volunteer work you do is priceless, volunteer trips abroad do come with a price tag. Between program fees, flights, travel insurance, visa costs, and spending money, the total expenses of your trip might be out of your budget. 

If you don’t have the funds, what you need is an action plan instead. If you plan ahead and think creatively, you can fundraise to make your trip happen. 

How to fundraise for volunteer abroad programs

The first thing you need to do is lay out a budget and set fundraising goals.

Tally up how much you’ll need to cover fees, flights and other expenses. Set yourself a clear goal. This will make it easier to track your progress. 

You’ll also need to consider your payment schedule. Your fundraising timeline should fit in with your payment deadlines, rather than the date you’re actually planning to leave for your trip. 

For GVI programs under 12 weeks, you’ll need to pay a deposit and the first installment 16 weeks before your start date. For programs longer than 12 weeks, the first payment installment is due 12 weeks before your start date. 

So, that could mean you’ll need to start fundraising 10–12 months before your program start date. 

The next step is to plan your fundraising activities. Every fundraising strategy requires time, effort and a lot of outreach. 

So, with a plan in mind, you can start reaching out to your social, school, or professional networks. Find any opportunity to share your fundraising story with an audience. 

Make sure you clearly share your purpose. People will be more willing to support you if you show a passionate desire to make a positive impact in the world. Explain how donations will help you work towards a larger cause, such as a specific United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (UN SDG). 

Finally, show appreciation to you donors through shout-outs on social media, follow up emails, or even postcards sent from your destination. 

Start planning with these five ways to fundraise for volunteering abroad. 

1) Create a profile on a crowdfunding website 

If you’re not sure how to start a fundraiser, a crowdfunding website can take all of the hard work out of it for you.

All you need to do is create a profile on a crowdfunding website such as GoFundMe or FundMy Travel. Tell a compelling story and clearly explain what impact your volunteer work will have.

Then, you just need to share your crowdfunding effort with your networks. 

The earlier you start collecting funds through crowdfunding, the better your chances of reaching your goal will be. So it pays to be organised. Ideally, you should allow at least six months for the duration of your fundraiser. 

2) Ask for alternative gifts 

One simple way to raise funds is to ask your friends and family to swap gifts for financial contributions on your birthday or at Christmas. 

They will be donating the money they would have spent anyway, and this way they don’t need to come up with original gift ideas, so it’s a win-win. 

As well as helping you to reach your savings goal, the people who contribute will have the satisfaction of knowing that their monetary gift to you will be adding to a positive impact in the world, through your actions. 

3) Host an event

Use your own talents, or reach out to your friends and family for their support with holding a small event (virtually, or in person, depending on COVID-19 safety regulations). 

For example, you could host a gig where your musical friends play for a small audience in an intimate setting. You can ask all attendees for a donation, which you can split between paying the artists and contributing to your fundraiser. 

With fairy lights and cushions on the floor, you can easily create an intimate and welcoming environment. 

If you don’t know any musicians, you can create the same event with other talents. For example spoken word poetry, stand up comedy, or a small theatre production can all be played out in small spaces. 

The planning, set up and execution for an event takes time and effort. But, as well as meeting fundraising goals, you’ll support local artists. 

4) Host a potluck dinner

A potluck can be a great fundraising alternative to a dinner party. Instead of taking care of all the food preparation yourself, everyone brings a different dish, making for a diverse meal.

If COVID-19 regulations allow, invite a group of people, and ask each guest to bring either an entrée, main course or dessert. 

You can ask each person to contribute a small amount, for example $5, to join the feast. For this small amount, plus one dish, they’ll be able to enjoy a meal of epic proportions. 

As the host, all you’ll need to do is ensure there are enough plates, utensils, serving dishes and glasses available. 

You can also decorate the space where you’ll be hosting in line with the country you plan on volunteering in. For example, in Nepal meals are traditionally eaten seated on the floor. This creates a cosy atmosphere for your dinner party, and is a great way to start conversations around your intentions for your trip and why the funds you’re asking for matter. 

If you’re looking for a socially distanced alternative to, you could host a virtual cooking lesson where you teach participants how to prepare a local dish from the community you’ll be volunteering in.

5) Hold a book sale

Many of your friends and family might be keen to support your volunteering endeavours, but not be in a position to give you a monetary donation. 

But, almost everyone has a few books that they no longer need, but haven’t found time to drop off at the charity store yet.

Reach out to people you know to ask for donations in the form of second-hand books. Explain that you’ll use the proceeds from the sale of these items to do volunteer work. You can describe the UN SDG your chosen project is working towards, and talk about how your actions will contribute to this. 

With the books you collect, you can then host a garage sale. You can set this up on your front lawn, or sell the items online. 

Inform the people buying the books about your reasons for fundraising. This can help you drive success. People are always more motivated to make a purchase when they know they are supporting a worthwhile cause. 

This fundraising idea takes some planning. Allow one to two months to collect the books, and set at least two dates for the sale. 

This idea can also work for other types of second-hand goods, such as good quality clothing. For an extra fundraising boost, you can also sell home-made cupcakes and cookies on the side!

Now you know how to fundraise for volunteering abroad, you can choose your program with confidence. Browse GVI’s range of ethical volunteer opportunities abroad today.

Together, we’ll deep dive into the world of this vulnerable species. While submerged, we’ll learn interesting facts about them and their habitats too. 

Are sicklefin lemon sharks dangerous?

Sicklefin lemon sharks are known to be cautious when approached and will often retreat. However, as with any wild animal, they can be dangerous when provoked.

They have a reputation for defending themselves persistently and vigorously when they feel they’re being attacked, for example, if they’re touched, poked or speared by divers or spearfishers. But, they’re usually very shy.

Where are they found around the world?

Sicklefin lemon sharks are found in Australia, Fiji, Madagascar, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Seychelles and Vanuatu.

Historically, they were found in India and Thailand. Now they are locally extinct in those places, because they were overharvested. They used to be recorded frequently in Indonesia, but that’s no longer the case. 

Original photo: Julien Bidet

How endangered are sicklefin lemon sharks?

In 2003, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) assessed the global population of sicklefin lemon sharks, and listed it as decreasing. The global population is classified as vulnerable on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species.

After all these years since this assessment, known threats to these sharks have been increasing, meaning they could be more at risk now. And, the IUCN has since identified the need to update the global assessment. 

The sicklefin lemon shark is also an understudied species, which hampers conservation efforts. To know how to best conserve a species, you need to know why numbers are decreasing. Is it due to habitat loss? Do they take a long time to reach sexual maturity? Or, are they overharvested, for example?

Scientific data from projects like our sicklefin lemon shark and turtle conservation project are critical when this species is assessed by the IUCN again. It’ll help answer these types of questions, so the next assessment is better informed.

Why are sicklefin lemon shark population numbers decreasing globally?

The reason for the decrease in sicklefin lemon shark population numbers is multifaceted, from the threats they face to the species’ reproductive traits.

GVI staff and participants attach a transmitter to a sicklefin lemon shark juvenile to collect data on the understudied species

They are susceptible to overharvesting and local depletion

Sicklefin lemon sharks are “homebodies”. A landmark study done in 1984 in Seychelles, showed adult sicklefin lemon sharks roam about 1,3 kilometres from their habitats. This is different from great white sharks, for example, that undertake transoceanic migrations.

Home for adult sicklefin lemon sharks is coral reefs, and the waterlogged, sandy plateaus nearby. Newborns, known as pups, and juveniles are found in coral atoll lagoons, and in mangrove estuaries.

Their small, coastal habitat range and limited movements mean sicklefin lemon sharks are susceptible to overharvesting at a local level.

Original photo: MissMegido

Populations once depleted, can’t recover quickly

Sicklefin lemon sharks have a low reproductive capacity. Their gestation period is ten to 11 months and they have between one and 12 pups per litter. They also have slow growth rates and only reach sexual maturity when they’re around 2,2 metres long.

In the areas surrounding Curieuse island, they grow just 5,4 centimetres per year. We know this from the data our wildlife conservation participants have collected in partnership with Seychelles National Parks Authority staff.

Take this growth rate and their required size for sexual maturity into consideration. Since pups measure 60 centimetres when born, it could take up to 29 years before sicklefin lemon sharks are ready to breed. However, this needs to be confirmed via further research.

So, what does all of this mean? Well, basically, once sicklefin lemon shark populations have been depleted, they’ll have limited capacity to recover.

GVI participants humanely catch and release juvenile sharks to collect valuable data on their population numbers and growth rates.

The sicklefin lemon shark’s habitat is being destroyed

Coral reefs are one of the places that sicklefin lemon sharks call home. The IUCN ranks coral reefs as one of the most threatened ecosystems in the world. Between 2014 and 2017, we saw mass bleaching events affecting the world’s coral reefs. When this happens, the coral often dies, meaning this habitat type is lost.

This was the result of increased global surface temperatures due to climate change. Over one-third of the world’s coral reef species are now threatened with extinction.

Sicklefin lemon sharks’ other key habitat, mangrove forests, are also one of the fastest disappearing habitats worldwide (with 0,3–0,6% being lost per year). Globally, 20–35% of mangrove area has been lost since approximately 1980. This is due to a combination of coastal development, climate change, agricultural development and logging.

GVI is running marine conservation programs around the globe, some of which focus on coral reef research and mangrove monitoring.

How is the GVI project on Curieuse island making an impact?

To effectively conserve and manage a species, we need to know more than where they live. We need to understand how a species uses the different habitats in which it’s found, throughout its various life stages.

GVI’s participants investigate how juvenile sicklefin lemon sharks make use of their habitat in our project on Curieuse island. Participants humanely catch juveniles and once caught, they’re fitted with acoustic transmitters. They’re then released back into the water, and their movement patterns are tracked using a hydrophone.

Gathering this data will help make a lasting impact for sicklefin lemon sharks by contributing to the body of scientific knowledge about them.

Government agencies like our partner, the Seychelles Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change, use the scientific data we collect as well as data from other reputable sources. This is so they can make well-informed decisions, like creating fishing strategies that don’t cause over-harvesting. 

Our participants also plant mangrove seedlings on Curieuse island and other Seychelles locations. This is to contribute to the restoration of degraded mangrove forests in partnership with the Terrestrial Restoration Action Society of Seychelles.

When you’re not participating in our sicklefin lemon shark and turtle conservation project, you can still make a meaningful impact on the well-being of sicklefin lemon sharks. When you travel, make proactive, informed choices that add to the well-being of marine ecosystems. Avoid shark-fin soup and purchasing shark-tooth souvenirs.

You can also donate funds to GVI Charitable Programs that invests in our on-the-ground activities that build on the conservation of the sicklefin lemon shark, as well as hawksbill turtles and Aldabra giant tortoises.

Take a look at our sicklefin lemon shark conservation program in Seychelles and see how you can learn more facts about these creatures first-hand.

Volunteer work for teens is about development in every sense. GVI’s volunteer programs benefit not only communities and environments, but all our participants.

Each project works towards advancing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The UN SDGs are 17 global goals that target issues such as health, education, poverty and the climate crisis. Joining in on a project that sets out to achieve these goals means you can play an active role in making an impact in the world.

Personal development is also on the agenda. Teen volunteer programs are an ideal way to build practical skills and cultural sensitivity outside of the classroom.

You and your parents can be confident that during our teenage volunteer summer programs, you’ll receive all the training, support and mentorship you need from world-class experts.

On top of that, the work you’ll be doing comes with a generous helping of adventure. 

You might scuba dive while completing coral reef surveys, explore the jungle as you track wildlife, or learn another language as you carry out community work. And, there’ll be plenty of chaperoned excursions over weekends to spend learning about local cultures and going on adventures to boot.

So, without further ado, let us introduce 12 exciting volunteer opportunities for high school students.

1) Go on a remote island expedition in Seychelles

If you can’t get enough of Insta-posting travellers like the Blonde Abroad, or your desktop background features waving palm trees, and you’re pretty sure there was a mermaid somewhere in your family tree, a youth volunteer program in Seychelles will fit you to a T.

GVI’s Seychelles project is an island experience like no other. Forget roads and towns – on Curieuse Island, it’s just nature unfiltered. 

Seychelles is every bit as beautiful as glossy travel magazines would have you believe, but there is a great deal of conservation work that needs to be done on this island.

This volunteer program focuses on Aldabra giant tortoise population studies, mangrove distribution surveys, and habitat restoration in Curieuse Island National Park.

2) Get involved in cultural immersion volunteer opportunities in Ghana

A cultural immersion volunteer program for high school students in Ghana will allow you to soak in the culture of a seaside city on the West African coastline. 

Accra is made up of plains that were once home to some of Africa’s greatest kingdoms, like the Ashanti Kingdom. It’s also a land of undulating hills and valleys, bustling rainforests, and coconut palm-lined sandy beach stretches.

And you can draw motivation from the stunning setting as you lend a hand with projects like women’s empowerment workshops and English language lessons.

Every day that you’re on this program, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the role that women’s empowerment and quality education play in community development. You’ll assist with skills and English language development workshops to assist women to empower themselves in their communities.

3) Contribute to whale and dolphin conservation in the Canary Islands

A landmass created three million years ago from volcanic activity, the island of Tenerife is part of the Canary Islands archipelago and is drama in a landscape. 

With expanses of the Atlantic Ocean stretching out to the horizon, it may seem like the best part of teen volunteer programs in Tenerife is the scenery. 

But, get started in conservation work aimed at protecting dolphins, whales and porpoises and you’ll soon see how adding to a positive impact can make a trip abroad so much more meaningful.

On daily boat trips off the coast, you’ll contribute to surveys that monitor the behaviour and characteristics of pods of cetaceans – marine mammals. And when you’re on land, you’ll get involved in work aimed at addressing plastic pollution and the challenges of climate change alongside field experts. 

Some chaperoned activities over the weekend might also include exploring the islands and taking part in the many adventure activities they have to offer – like snorkelling and sea kayaking. 

4) Assist nesting turtles in Greece

Can you picture yourself working with one of the most endangered species in the Mediterranean, in one of the most eye-catching locations on the planet?

This project is based in Giannitsochori, where you might witness the breeding cycle of loggerhead turtles before your very own eyes: from the laying of eggs through to triumphant hatchlings breaking out of their shells.

Your duties as a teen volunteer will be to record the turtle nesting activity and help safeguard the hatchlings as they wobble their way to the sea.

Plus, if you have a case of wanderlust, this project might just provide the cure. You’ll be camping right next to a white-sand beach, and you’ll have plenty of time to hang out along the seaside.

Weekends spent walking around will give you the chance to experience the history, architecture, and food that Greece is famous for.

5) Build friendships and learning centres in Thailand

Earn your traveller’s stripes by volunteering with a Thai community in the lush surroundings of Phang Nga. This community-based project is ideal for teens looking to make a tangible impact and be immersed in the culture of another country.

The tasks you take up during the project will depend on the needs of the community at the time. You could get stuck into painting classrooms or help out with renovations to improve the learning environment of a local school. You’ll also assist staff at a local turtle conservation centre and add to the well-being of injured or ill turtles before they’re released back into the ocean. 

Not far from the village, you’ll find a turquoise ocean bordered by pristine beaches and limestone cliffs. With an island-hopping or sea kayaking adventure included in the program, you’ll have ample opportunity to witness some of Thailand’s most spectacular coastal treasures.

6) Answer the call of the wild in Costa Rica

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet. With turtles, birds and jaguars, animal-lovers should make a beeline for GVI’s wildlife conservation project.

Based in Tortuguero National Park, the youth volunteer program is focused on safeguarding sea turtles and surveying other forms of wildlife. 

This is an opportunity to not only learn more about wildlife conservation, but to share your passion with the local community by raising awareness about environmental issues.

While staying in the camp accommodation, you’ll be fully immersed in jungle life: surrounded by sounds of wildlife, a tropical climate and lessons in living sustainably.

7) Reach new heights with a volunteer and adventure experience in Nepal

Aim high and take on this top-rated youth travel program, set among the tallest peaks in the world.

In the mountainous surrounds of Nepal, you can get involved in community service projects that assist in building healthier learning environments by upgrading existing educational facilities.

You could contribute by assisting in building facilities or installing water tanks for clean drinking water.

As well as being immersed in Nepali culture, a highlight of this youth volunteer opportunity is a four-day trek into the Annapurna mountain range. Climbing through the mountains, past lakes, Buddhist monasteries and villages will be an exciting and rewarding experience for every volunteer.

8) Jump for joy on an active education program in South Africa

Calling all kinetic learners! Come share your passion for movement with children in a coastal community in South Africa.

In your role as a volunteer on this program, you can teach children how to lead healthier lifestyles through participating in sports, and how to be part of a team by facilitating group sports lessons after school.

By connecting with students through sport, lessons are interactive and fun, and boost their learning experience.

You’ll also be assisting teachers with lessons in English during the week, and enjoying the sights of Cape Town over weekends.

9) Learn about wildlife in South Africa

Ever wanted to navigate by the stars, learn how to survive in the wild, or discover more about some of the most interesting animals on the planet?

Be surrounded by stretches of nature as you learn how to safeguard the wildlife in South Africa’s bushveld.

This conservation awareness project offers an unfiltered look at African wildlife: a front-row seat to one of the greatest experiences in the world. Watch lions stalk their prey, giraffes peer out from behind trees, and elephants rumble across the veld.

This is an active education program focused on the challenges facing Africa’s wildlife. It’s a chance to get involved in implementing solutions, and may even inspire you to continue wildlife conservation work long after the program is over.

10) Build schools and better opportunities for education in Costa Rica

Quepos is a coastal town located in Costa Rica where lush jungle and rolling Pacific waves collide. Here, you’ll live among local people while getting involved in simple construction projects that meet the needs of local schools in the community.

These projects can include basic maintenance, renovation, or building work that will better the learning environment for students. Volunteers will never be tasked with construction tasks that require skilled labour. 

Higher-level construction tasks are done by skilled labourers in the community. Read more about our stance on construction volunteering.

On the weekend your days will be full of surf lessons, hikes through Manuel Antonio National Park, or hours basking on the beach. After your volunteering experience, you’ll go on an adventure-filled week-long trip that might include white-water rafting and zip-lining.

11) Dip a toe into marine conservation in Mexico

Where better to get a taste for aquatic life than in the waters off the coast of Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula? Here, you can explore conservation while learning to dive.

This program takes you into the watery heart of some of the best dive locations on the planet, where you can learn about efforts to protect this underwater realm.

The data collected by GVI’s monitoring program, and volunteers like you, is aimed at contributing to the long-term conservation of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System. 

Meanwhile, the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Open Water Diver course teaches you how to dive, so you’ll return home a certified diver.

12) Dive a little deeper into marine conservation with a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver course in Mexico

Take your dive skills to the next level and earn your PADI Advanced Open Water Diver certification. The course is one step up from the PADI Open Water Diver certification, and will prepare you for adventure dives.

With your new-found skills you can dive even deeper into the underwater world and get more involved with coral reef research. During dives, you’ll record vital data, and learn how to identify dozens of fish and coral species.

This program could steer you into a career in marine biology, professional diving, or conservation. You’ll be working alongside seasoned experts who can mentor you and give you an exclusive glimpse into what working in the field is really like.

Plus, with Mayan cities and tropical jungles on the shore, and swirling shoals of fish below sea level, you’ll be swimming in fun activities.

These teen volunteer projects abroad make it clear that you don’t need to be old enough to vote in order to make a positive impact in the world. The only prerequisites you need to volunteer are curiosity about the world and motivation to make a meaningful contribution. 

Browse GVI’s top-rated volunteer opportunities for teens and see how you can put your passion for adventure and volunteering into action today. 

Here at GVI, we want to use this month to highlight the powerful, bold and compassionate women who have created a better world for us all through their efforts to make an impact.

And, who knows, maybe these five women will inspire you to make an impact of your own too?

Women who’ve made an impact in conservation

1) Jane Goodall 

Original photo: Jane Goodall at MU by Mark Schierbecker is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

One of the most prominent figures in wildlife conservation is 86-year-old English primologist and anthropologist, Jane Goodall, who is most famous for her studies and expertise on chimpanzees. 

Jane is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, through which she has spent her life working tirelessly on animal conservation and welfare issues. 

The Jane Goodall Institute is a non-profit organisation which focuses on community-centred chimpanzee conservation programs. 

Jane has also been a board member of the Nonhuman Rights Project – a civil rights organisation in the United States dedicated exclusively to securing rights for animals – and is an honorary member of the World Future Council. 

Her life’s work in the conservation and research of chimpanzees, as well as her contributions to the conservation of other wildlife, has led to her becoming the recipient of more than 44 awards. The most notable of these include: 

• Medal of Tanzania
• National Geographic Society’s Hubbard Medal
• Kyoto Prize of Japan
• Prince of Asturias Award for Technical and Scientific Research
• Benjamin Franklin Medal in Life Science
• Gandhi/King Award for Nonviolence. 

In 2002, Jane was named the United Nations Messenger of Peace, and a year later in 2003, she was conferred the title of Dame of the British Empire by Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace. 

Now, we’re not sure about you, but the achievements made by this powerhouse conservationist make us want to play our part in wildlife conservation.

2) Greta Thunberg

Original video: Tom Mustill

She may be small, but Greta Thunberg packs a massive punch – exploding into the international environmental activism scene in late 2019 at the UN climate action summit in New York. 

Her words were simple but filled with power. 

“You have stolen my dreams and my childhood with your empty words.”

This tenacious teenager is seemingly unperturbed by any audience and is willing to do whatever it takes to spread her message and increase the urgency at which climate change is being dealt with. 

The Swedish-born environmentalist first gained local attention in 2018 by founding a movement aimed at addressing the lack of urgency surrounding climate change called “Fridays for Future”, also referred to as a school strike for climate. 

Further reading: Environmental awareness and how you can get involved

Greta used these protests to build climate awareness, initially standing alone, but as each week passed she gained more and more support from her peers and students all over the world.

Original photo: “Climate Change” by cubicroot is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

Shortly after these “Fridays for Future” protests, Greta’s name became increasingly popular and she was invited to speak at climate conferences across the world. But, it was her words at the UN climate summit in New York that made the rest of the world aware of this influential young woman.

Greta has been recognised for her efforts in environmental conservation and activism, receiving the following awards:

• Right Livelihood Award
• Glamour Award for The Revolutionary
• Rachel Carson Prize
• Ambassador of Conscience Award
• International Children’s Peace Prize
• Nordic Council Environment Prize
• Shorty Award for Best in Activism.

If you want to follow in Greta’s footsteps, but aren’t too sure where to start, GVI offers a diverse range of teenage volunteer opportunities that contribute towards sustainable development and climate awareness. 

3) Isatou Ceesay

Original video: Max Riché

Isatou Ceesay – or the “queen of recycling” – was born in the small village of N’jau, Gambia in 1972. Here, she grew up among towering heaps of rubbish and plastic bags polluting the area which started to cause more serious problems in the village as the years passed. 

Goats would mistake plastic bags for food, and get plastic stuck in the lining of their stomachs – which often turned fatal. There were malaria outbreaks from the shallow pools of water collected by plastic bags polluting the streets, and worst of all, people had started to burn the plastic bags to start fires, letting off toxic fumes. 

Having learned how to crochet from her sisters, Isatou started to upcycle the problematic plastic bags – making bags and purses that could be sold to generate an income, while reducing the plastic pollution problem.

Further reading: Seven facts about plastic pollution and how you can minimise your contribution

Original photo: “Garbage” by RitaE is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

In 1997, determined to do more about the issue of waste, Isatou sat down with four of her friends and founded a recycling movement to reduce the amount of plastic bags littering the streets of N’jau. Together they collected plastic bags, washed and dried them and used the bags to create “plarn”, or plastic yarn, to create more purses and bags. 

After only 12 months, Isatou’s small recycling project had grown to over 50 women and she named it the N’jau Recycling and Income Generation Group (NRIGG). 

In 2012, Isatou won the Making a World of Difference Award from the International Alliance for Women. Two years later, the NRIGG became the Women’s Initiative Gambia. Today, Isatou has trained and educated over 11,000 people throughout Gambia on the dangers of plastic pollution and the opportunities that can come by upcycling waste. 

And, what was her biggest achievement? Well, in 2015, Gambia’s government officially banned the import and use of plastic bags in the country – a definite win for the environment. 

Further reading: Five ways to reduce your plastic pollution while travelling

Women making an impact in conservation at GVI

1) Zoe Biggs

Zoe Biggs is the program manager at GVI Limpopo, but grew up in central Queensland, Australia where she completed her Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Zoology.

Zoe’s first experience with GVI was way back in 2016 when she signed up to a 6-month wildlife internship and, well, just never left. 

Now she’s been working at GVI for over three years, and has recently joined our GVI Virtual Internship team as the remote intern supervisor for wildlife conservation. 

Her role on Karongwe Private Game Reserve involves conducting research like collecting data that helps the reserve management to understand the impact of predators on prey in an enclosed reserve, and therefore maintain a healthy ecosystem with a balance of natural resources. 

Under her guidance, volunteers are taught how to use radio telemetry equipment to track and collect data which is then presented to Karongwe reserve management and landowners on a weekly, quarterly and annual basis.  

In addition to this, Zoe and GVI participants assist with rhino anti-poaching efforts through tracking as well as maintaining the park’s roads and fences. 

Not only does Zoe contribute directly to wildlife conservation herself, but through her role as project manager, Zoe facilitates the next generation of conservationists – inspiring the participants who become part of our GVI family to pursue a career in conservation. 

2) Jazzy Taberer

Jazzy has been with GVI Curieuse for almost two years now, after previously working on another island in Seychelles – Aride Island. 

She has been a keen diver for many years and completed an undergraduate level degree in Geography and a master’s in climate change before moving out to Seychelles in 2018 to pursue a career in terrestrial and marine conservation. 

Jazzy now coordinates research and volunteer projects focused on tagging and biometric collection of a number of different animals including sicklefin lemon sharks, sea turtles and Aldabra giant tortoises. These research and volunteer projects aim to:

• increase scientific knowledge and baseline data on the health of ecosystems on Curieuse Island 
• increase awareness of GVI Seychelles projects and the ecological value of the Curieuse Island National Parks 
• build local capacity to support long-term conservation of biodiversity and sustainable community development in Seychelles
• continue to minimise our environmental impact on Curieuse Island and raise awareness of environmental issues among participants and visitors.

Jazzy is also the remote marine internship supervisor for GVI Virtual Internships.

So, if any of these five incredible women have inspired you to want to make an impact yourself, why not join us on Saturday 20 March for a women-inspired GVI Virtual Open Day.

So you’ve heard about the many benefits of taking a gap year? Perhaps this is because of Malia Obama’s well-publicised decision to take a break before college, or because your college application letter recommends it?

You’ve weighed up the pros and cons of taking a gap year. But what you haven’t answered is the question of what exactly you’ll be doing during your gap year.

Many graduates taking a gap year are high-performers looking to think beyond the four walls of the classroom. They know that landing coveted spots at prestigious colleges and companies doesn’t just depend on having excellent grades anymore. 

Admissions advisors and hiring managers are looking for candidates with practical experience and a list of real-world accomplishments.

If you’re a student who knows where you’re heading, but needs help choosing a gap year program that will help you get there, then read on. 

We’ve looked at some of the most popular career choices among last year’s graduates and selected GVI programs specifically suited to developing skills essential for excelling in each particular field.

To use this guide, scroll down to your profession of choice and select the matching program that appeals to you most. 

If you don’t find your chosen line of work listed below, simply request to speak to one of our enrolment experts. They’ll be able to help you choose a program based on your interests and the skill set you’re looking to build during your gap year.

You can also browse programs at your convenience and make your own shortlist before requesting to speak to an enrolment expert.

Gap year before medical school

Young students in Nepal are taught the importance of washing their hands.

Most graduates entering Duke and Harvard medical schools have taken about a year or more off before starting their program. There are many reasons for this shift in sentiment in favour of the gap or transitional year.

The first is that students prefer to complete their undergraduate degree and take some time during the extra year to study for the all-important Medical College Admission Test (MCAT). The second is that medical programs are incredibly intense and rigorous. 

This means that students who have selected this path have to be incredibly certain of their choice before continuing their studies.

If you’re interested in pursuing medicine as a profession, a GVI global health internship will allow you to test the waters and see what this kind of career might actually be like. 

These internships are most suited to high school or college graduates looking to specialise in public or global health as well as occupational therapy. But, students looking to specialise in other medical fields like dentistry, pharmacy and oncology will also benefit. 

On a GVI global health internship, you’ll help teach groups from local communities about how to avoid the spread of communicable diseases (such as tuberculosis, colds, flu, and HIV and AIDS) through effective daily hygiene practices. 

You’ll also help communities learn to minimise the risk of non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disorders through healthy living.

Previous medical experience isn’t required to join our global health internships as volunteers will not be participating in skilled, hands-on medical or diagnostic work, as per our medical volunteering policy. However, any teaching experience will be beneficial. 

We operate in countries with a need for public health assistance such as South Africa. In a World Health Organization (WHO) survey, which ranked health systems in 190 countries across the world, South Africa ranked at 175.

Lack of awareness about the prevention of disease and a scarcity of the resources needed to address the high incidence of disease, means that education and support can assist South Africa’s population with improving their well-being.

To support people in these communities in cultivating a greater sense of wellness, join GVI’s global health program in Cape Town. You can also look at joining our global health programs in India, Mexico, Fiji, Thailand or Nepal.

Gap year before law school

GVI volunteers work with a women’s group in Kerala, India.

Like with most aspiring doctors, most entrants to law school have taken at least a year or more off. This gap year is specifically encouraged by legal education specialists. 

Law, like medicine, requires students to achieve high scores on a profession-specific exam, in this case the Law School Admission Test (LSAT), while also being an incredibly demanding program.

Pre-law students need the time off that a gap year can offer to study for the LSAT.

A bonus is that they can also take a short break before continuing with the challenging program each would-be lawyer needs to undergo. 

GVI projects will teach you valuable skills to help you work with people, like the ability to communicate effectively with people who don’t share your language or culture. This will serve you well once you pass the bar. 

We recommend that future legal professionals choose a gap year program focusing on one of the following fields: global health, conservation or women’s empowerment. 

These programs will help you gain experience in three of the fastest-growing specialities in law, namely healthcare law, environmental law and immigration law. 

For those keen on immigration law, you might find it interesting to learn that most of the immigrant population in America during the 90s hailed from Latin America or Europe. Today the biggest group is of Mexican origin.

We run sustainable development programs in Mexico, Costa Rica and Greece. If you are looking to be at the cutting edge in your field, we recommend volunteering in locations like India, Nepal, Thailand, Laos and South Africa.

Joining one of our women empowerment internships in these locations will allow you to learn how to communicate better with adults from these regions; the same people whose rights you’ll be helping to protect as an immigration lawyer.

Gap year before studying engineering or computer science

Buddhist novice monks in Laos work on their computer skills.

While it’s important to focus on getting good grades, it’s also essential to develop your ability to understand others and communicate well with them. 

Computer science graduates can excel in the field by improving communication and intercultural fluency, in order to exchange information with people from all around the world.

For computer science students looking to improve these skills, we recommend joining one of our teaching programs in Laos and Thailand. You’ll learn how to improve your non-verbal and intercultural communication skills through teaching Lao- and Thai-speaking students English and mathematics.

Future engineers should also look at improving communication skills. You can also benefit from working on our teaching projects, which will build on your teamwork and leadership skills. Any of our internships worldwide will provide you with these invaluable competencies.

Biomedical and environmental engineering are two of the most rapidly developing fields of engineering. For that reason, we would suggest that future engineers take a look at our global health and conservation projects. 

For those looking to specialise in civil engineering, you can take a look at hands-on infrastructure development projects in Fiji and Nepal.

Gap year before applying for an investment banking role

Several incredibly successful hedge fund managers have endorsed the idea of taking a gap year rather than landing an internship immediately.

The reason for this is that talent scouts at prestigious firms are looking for individuals who have insight into real-world situations. 

The ideal candidate is someone who isn’t afraid to take risks, but takes responsibility for their mistakes and displays business savvy far beyond their years.

If you’re keen on a career in investment banking and are looking to improve your chances of being picked up by your dream firm, why not join one of our volunteer projects in India during your gap year?

India’s economy used to be the fastest-growing economy until recently. Choosing to work on women’s empowerment projects in India will allow you to assist women in setting up alternative income initiatives in their communities. This will give you in-depth insight into the socio-economic realities of the region.

Gap year before studying psychology

Primary school students in South Africa enjoying a game of soccer.

Psychology is an extremely popular subject choice at college-level, but very few of these students will actually complete the many years of study required to become a licensed psychologist.

One of the ways to ensure that you take part in a program you’ll want to see to the end is to take a gap year at some point in your academic journey. At the same time, you want to ensure that what you’ll be doing during your gap year still adds value to your resume. 

Further reading: How to take a gap year: before, during and after

For students interested in traditional counselling, we would recommend our women’s empowerment internships, which allow you to work with local women on personal empowerment.

If you’re more interested in sports psychology you can also join our sports programs. A global health project might also appeal to you if you’re looking to become a health psychologist.

There is value in teaching communities about healthy behaviours. When people understand the importance of health, it makes it easier to live a healthier lifestyle.

Gap year before studying journalism or media

Maybe you dream about travelling to exciting destinations, speaking to new people and documenting breaking news. A good way to get a taste for what this will actually be like is to join any of our volunteer projects abroad and be sure to document the experience. 

Be sure to take a good camera along and speak to your base manager about contributing to the GVI blog, YouTube, Facebook and Instagram. 

While you could choose just about any volunteer program, two of the best would be our teaching projects in Mexico and Costa Rica. 

On these two projects, you’ll get the chance to improve your Spanish, the second-most widely spoken language in the world. This is an excellent idea for anyone looking to get ahead in the media and communications field. 

Further reading: Going straight to the heart: learning a new language when you volunteer abroad

Gap year before studying fashion design

Many people don’t realise how competitive securing a spot at a respected fashion school or publication can be. Student admissions officers and editors are looking for fashion graduates with an entrepreneurial spirit and awareness of marketing and brand management.

One of the best ways to build these skills during your gap year is to join one of GVI’s volunteer in Peru programs. While the main focus of the program is to work with local people to conserve natural resources such as springs and forests, you’ll also get involved in creative activities. 

You can learn about handmade crafts such as Peruvian weaving, which will give you first-hand experience in how these products are made. Understanding how textiles are locally produced will also give you a better awareness of the international trade in handmade textiles and crafts.

Fashion students taking a gap year with GVI are encouraged to continue working on their portfolio by exploring their sketching, photography and digital publishing skills while on the project.

Further reading: Top ten gap year ideas to inspire you

Gap year animal conservation projects

Volunteers at a turtle sanctuary in Phang Nag help to prevent disease by cleaning a young turtle.

Conservation can be a demanding career and the path to becoming employed in wildlife conservation is not always clear. The best way to find your path, is to see what fieldwork is really like. 

You’ll get to see if you enjoy it and gain the experience you need to get a placement at a conservation institution.

We have a range of wildlife conservation internships where you’ll be able to study a variety of ecosystems: from the rainforests of Costa Rica to the South African savannah. You’ll be able to work with a range of species, from tropical birds and jaguars, to cheetahs and elephants.

Some of our most popular wildlife gap year programs are our turtle conservation programs in Thailand, Greece and Seychelles. 

On these projects you’ll help to track and increase the global turtle population by measuring and tagging mother turtles, setting up protection for turtle nests, guiding baby turtles to the sea and assisting in maintaining a turtle sanctuary.

Marine biology gap year program

Volunteers on our marine biology project in Mexico learn how to conduct underwater surveys.

If your passion is more directed at preserving life below water we suggest taking a look at some of our marine conservation internships.

GVI projects allow you to study coral reefs and marine species like sicklefin lemon sharks. Many of our marine biology projects also allow you to earn a Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Divemaster certification, a requirement necessary for working on any well-respected underwater research study.

We offer marine conservation internships in locations where you’ll get the opportunity to study some of the most exciting underwater ecosystems, in locations like Mexico, Seychelles and Fiji.

Take a look at GVI’s many award-winning gap year programs and get started on growing your personal and professional development in a meaningful way today.  

The languages spoken in Peru are a reflection of how physical borders and historical events have shaped Peruvian society. 

Let’s take a look at how location and language go hand-in-hand in Peru.

What the terrain has to do with language in Peru

Peru is a South American country that stretches across 1,285 million square kilometres, with a coastline that looks out over the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. 

Its sparsely populated borders rub up against Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil and Bolivia. Peru is also home to part of the Andes mountain range and the Amazon Rainforest. 

With access to the sea, views of some of the most beautiful mountain slopes, and even the world’s largest tropical rainforest, this type of terrain can get anyone excited about travelling to Peru. 

Further reading: 12 awesome things to do in Peru

But, this layout also made it easier for whole communities in Peru to stay isolated for many centuries. 

Even today, mountain communities living in the Andes live off of the land. And they survive the cold winters on the slopes by making use of the alpaca wool they farm for a living. 

And, after calling it home for centuries, Peruvians living in the Amazon Rainforest are able to coexist with wild animals and see to their everyday needs in the heart of the lush forest terrain. 

These communities and others like them, saw little reason to venture beyond their neighbourhoods for survival. And so, they developed into isolated groups with distinct social characteristics.

For example, the Andes-based people of Cusco wear the types of clothing that represent their Incan heritage. They also speak Quechua – the most commonly spoken indigenous language of Peru.

Further reading: Going straight to the heart: Learn a new language when you volunteer abroad

Quechua is a language of Peru that originated with the Incan empire and is one of the Peruvian languages that spread across the country before the Spanish colonised Peru in 1532. 

But, other secluded communities also developed their own types of Peruvian languages. So, Quechua wasn’t the only native language spoken in Peru before the fifteen hundreds. 

Here’s a list of some of the other native Peruvian languages that are still spoken today. 

What languages do people in Peru still speak today?

1. Quechua and Aymara spoken in Taquile

If you’re travelling to Peru to see Lake Titicaca, you can stay in Taquile and catch a view of the water from your bedroom window! 

This island can be spotted poking out from the surface of the lake and is located along the southernmost stretch of the Andes mountain range. 

Because of its position, the people who called Taquile home in the past would have lived in close proximity to the Inca Empire. So it’s no surprise that Quechua is one of the most commonly spoken Peruvian languages here. 

But, there’s another language of Peru that you may hear the local people chatting in – Aymara.

Aymara is a language spoken in Peru by people who live around Lake Titicaca, as well as those who settled along the Peru–Bolivia border. So this Peruvian language gives us a good sense of how some languages are still restricted to certain areas today. 

2. Jaqaru in the Tupe District

While variations of Quechua and Aymara are still commonly heard while travelling in Peru, languages like Jaqaru are at risk of extinction. 

When travelling in Peru, Jaqaru is a language you’ll hear spoken in the inland regions. It’s the language of the inhabitants of the Tupe District. 

Those who speak this native language of Peru are said to be descendants of the Wari people – a civilisation that was around even before the Incas. 

Today, less than 1,000 people speak Jaqaru.

Further reading: Four reasons to visit Lima when volunteering in Peru

3. Languages of Peru spoken in the Loreto region

The Loreto region is home to part of the Amazon forest. The Amazon is a place of diversity, with tons of different species of plants and animals calling this forest home. 

And there are lots of different Peruvian languages spoken here too. 

Urarina is what’s considered an “isolated” language of Peru, because it has no relation to any other language in the world today. 

If you travel to Peruvian communities set along the Pucayacu, Chambira and Urituyacu rivers, you’ll hear this language spoken by local people. Today around 3,000 people speak Urarina. 

Iquitos is another river community that you can travel to if you want to stay alongside the well-known Amazon River. The Peruvian language that stemmed from this city goes by a similar name – Iquito. 

The city of Iquitos was a booming trade port during the nineteenth century. But by the early nineteen hundreds, trade had slowed and the city was all but empty. 

Because most of the inhabitants migrated from Iquitos, many of them are thought to have adopted other native languages in Peru as their first language. 

So, Iquito became one of the least spoken languages of Peru and you probably won’t hear it very often while travelling in Peru. 

Now, you may be wondering which one of these is Peru’s official language?

Well, the answer is, none of them.

In fact, the official language of Peru was only brought over during the fifteen hundreds. 

What is the national language in Peru?

Spanish is the official language of Peru.

It was introduced by Spanish colonisers during the colonisation of the Incas in 1532. Spain took over the governance of the country and ruled Peru for almost 300 years. 

And, because of this, the Spanish language spread across the country, and became a second language to many Peruvian communities. 

And since so many of Peru’s communities lived in isolation, there wasn’t one native language that could be spoken, from Taquile to Iquitos. 

So, Spanish became the most used means of communication for those travelling in Peru. 

After Peru gained its independence in 1821, Spanish had already been in use for hundreds of years, and it remained Peru’s official language. 

How to learn more about the languages of Peru

We’ve scratched the surface of how history and terrain led to the languages spoken in Peru today. But there’s so much more to learn!

Further reading: Three of the best ways to experience total language immersion

Travelling in Peru and getting involved in language-immersion programs is one way that you can get to know even more about Peru’s history and cultures.

But, beyond just satisfying your curiosity, taking part in a language-immersion program can be one of the easiest ways to learn Peru’s official language – Spanish.

Travel to Peru and contribute towards volunteer projects in Cusco. Here, you’ll get to experience language immersion by being surrounded by people who speak the official language of Peru every day.

This will make it easier to gain insight into Peruvian culture and achieve your language-learning goals since you’ll be working closely with local people. 

Further reading: Ten tips to make language learning fun

Participating in a language-immersion volunteer opportunity in Peru can also deepen your travel experience and make for a more meaningful trip abroad. 

Find out more about GVI’s award-winning language-immersion programs in Peru, travel abroad, and see how you can find even more answers to the question, “What languages do people in Peru speak?”

If you’re asking yourself “How can I volunteer abroad?”, you should consider teaching English. When you volunteer to teach English through GVI, you’ll gain valuable skills, fulfill an international demand, and support underserved communities. 

Volunteer teaching abroad has the potential to make an impact in people’s lives. You can play a role in shaping young students’ futures and contribute to reaching global goals, such as quality education for all and gender equality. 

Learn more about the best way to volunteer abroad as an English teacher. 

Why volunteer in teaching English?

By volunteering to teach English, you can help to alleviate wealth and gender inequalities around the world. 

Education is a powerful tool for making a positive impact. By joining a teaching program abroad, you make a direct impact on the lives of community members.

English classes are one of the most common types of volunteer work needed. Native or near-native English speaking volunteers can bring value to language lessons by supporting students in conversational classes and cultural exchanges.

Being able to speak and understand English is a sought-after skill. Learning the most widely spoken language in the world can increase both academic and employment opportunities for people in lower-income areas. 

And, there are plenty more reasons why you should volunteer to teach English abroad. 

Teaching English is a professional-level skill that you can add to your resume. You’ll develop your planning, communication, and leadership skills, which are all highly desirable in the job market. 

Another major benefit of teaching English abroad is the opportunity for cultural immersion – learning about cultures that are different to your own and understanding your place in a global context. 

When teaching in a country different from your own, you’ll learn how to work and communicate effectively with different types of people. 

How to find volunteer opportunities: Should you travel independently or with an organisation?

English teachers are in high demand in many countries around the world, so volunteer placements are abundant. 

You can find volunteer opportunities independently or through an organisation like GVI. 

If you don’t have a huge amount of travel experience, and you’re not sure how to volunteer abroad, joining an organisation is definitely the way to go. 

The best volunteer abroad programs offer support for volunteers every step of the way. 

GVI’s teaching abroad volunteer programs offer 360-degree support, which is especially important if it’s your first overseas teaching expedition. Whether it’s getting your head around the ins and outs of visas, ensuring that your actions will make an impact, or figuring out how to adapt to the local culture, GVI is there to support you all the way. 

Other benefits of volunteering with an organisation include being able to meet like-minded people from different cultural backgrounds. This enables you to share and learn skills with others and bringing a range of ideas into the classroom. 

You can also be confident while doing practical work and feel reassured that you will always have an experienced staff member with you to guide and support you. 

Volunteer teaching opportunities abroad with GVI

GVI offers volunteer teaching programs in countries in Africa, Latin America and Asia. 

In these locations, you can work with students with a range of ages. The schools and education centres where GVI’s projects are based often have limited resources, so you can provide support to local teachers. 

It’s important to note that the work we do is guided by our Child and Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy on each program, which will require you to complete a background check or get a police clearance.

You can find a teaching English abroad volunteer program in one of GVI’s international locations. Let’s find out where you can volunteer to teach English abroad.

Laos

Teach English to novice Buddhist monks, or children and young adults, when you volunteer in Laos. This teaching program will help you to gain a deeper understanding of Lao culture while contributing to sustainable development initiatives in the region. 

Adding to young students’ knowledge of English will boost their future academic and employment opportunities. It means it’s easier for learners to pursue higher education and increase their employment opportunities in the English-speaking tourism sector. 

Thailand

Volunteer teaching is an excellent pathway to becoming a certified English teacher. 

In Thailand, you can complete a 6-month internship to become TEFL certified, while supporting English education in a local community. 

As a TEFL-qualified teacher, you will have access to a wider range of teaching positions. Your training will also help you manage lesson planning and give you experience in different classroom environments around the globe.

If you don’t have the time to commit to an internship, you can choose to volunteer from anywhere between 1 and 12 weeks. Even in a shorter space of time, you can deliver engaging and impactful lessons, while developing your teaching and leadership skills.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is another popular destination for studying towards a TEFL certification. 

With a tropical setting covered by jungles and golden beaches, its compact size makes it easy to travel around. 

Costa Rica is a great place to learn how to teach English while developing your Spanish skills. All volunteers on this program are required to have a basic level of Spanish, or to go for Spanish language lessons if you don’t. You can speak to your enrolment manager for advice on finding a place to go for lessons. As a volunteer, you’ll work closely with members of the local community like teachers and school children, and have the opportunity to pick up some more Spanish phrases in the classroom.

Costa Rica is also one of the few countries in the world that provides equal access to education for both men and women. This makes Costa Rica the perfect opportunity to learn about bridging the gender-gap in education.

India

Education has a powerful part to play in gender equality. In India, you can contribute to women’s empowerment by supporting the education of women from local communities. 

As a volunteer, you can lead conversational English classes with local women. This will increase their employment opportunities in the tourism sector by helping them to communicate with international visitors. 

When combined with other skills-training such as computer lessons, English proficiency can mean more opportunities for these women to find skilled employment, helping them to become financially independent. 

South Africa

In Cape Town’s informal settlements, you can contribute to teaching projects in early childhood development. As well as assisting with English language lessons, you will also be involved in other classes like maths, with educational games, song and dance, and arts and crafts. 

You will work in a local primary school and a local nursery, where you will assist local teachers in the classroom. You will do one-on-one tutoring with school children to meet the individual needs of each student. And, you will even run sports lessons after school to encourage healthy lifestyles. 

This is the perfect opportunity to broaden your skills as a teacher and to learn about the communities that the children come from. You might even pick up a few phrases of Afrikaans!

Fiji

Fiji’s Pacific island setting makes it a scenic location for volunteer trips abroad. You can teach English to children under five years old and support the development of their cognitive, social and physical skills. 

As part of the program, you’ll receive comprehensive training in topics such as TEFL techniques, how to plan and structure a lesson, and the importance of early childhood development. 

You’ll also work with local community members to raise awareness about the importance of early childhood development. This will help parents and guardians to continue to support their children’s development at home. And, you will gain valuable insight into Fijian cultures and learn how to work with people across cultural contexts.

Cambodia

Teaching and early-years education in Cambodia is a great program for anyone wishing to teach in early childhood development, and visit Siem Reap at the same time. You’ll be helping to provide young children with a foundation in both education and play, through engaging and creative lessons.

Here, you will also learn about Cambodian culture and education, and gain insight into the work we do to broaden access to quality education in the region.  In your free time, you can visit the Angkor Wat temple complex and learn about the history of Cambodia.

Choose from sustainable and impactful volunteer teaching programs around the world. Explore volunteer opportunities abroad with GVI today. 

GVI’s volunteer trips to Africa give you the chance to make an impact in local projects in some of the world’s most exciting destinations.

The vast expanses of the African continent are the ultimate backdrop for adventure. From the glittering beaches of Zanzibar, to the golden savannahs of the Serengeti, and the thundering Victoria Falls in Zambia, each country is filled with natural wonders. 

Add to this the incredible cultural diversity between myriad African nations that together boast thousands of Indigenous groups, cosmopolitan cities, and mighty wildlife such as elephants, lions and rhinos – and you get some of the best travel destinations on the planet. 

To experience all of this in a sustainable and meaningful way, consider taking part in a volunteering program with GVI. 

Volunteer opportunities in Africa are equally challenging and rewarding, transporting you to the heart of local communities and giving you unique insights into life on the continent. Find out how to become a volunteer in Africa, and how you can have a lasting impact through carefully selected projects. 

Where to volunteer in Africa

With a varied tapestry of countries spanning an entire continent, there is a rich diversity of places to volunteer in Africa.

GVI has volunteer bases in six locations around Africa. 

You can experience the culture of West Africa at our Ghana base, in a coastal village close to Accra. 

Or, choose French-influenced island life in the Indian Ocean with a program in Seychelles.

Travel to East Africa to see Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, or to drink in the ocean vistas of Zanzibar. 

Or, in Southern Africa, you can volunteer in Zambia or South Africa. 

No matter which country you choose, your volunteer trip to Africa will be an opportunity to learn more about cultures different to your own, have incredible wildlife encounters, and experience sustainable international development in action. 

Is it safe to volunteer in Africa?

One of the most common concerns people have around volunteer trips to Africa is the level of safety. One-sided media portrayals and persistent developmental challenges mean perceptions of African countries as dangerous are widespread. 

Doing volunteer work in Africa might concern your family and friends. However, GVI ensures that volunteer opportunities in Africa for high school students, mature adults, and everyone in between, come with a high level of security and support. 

Your personal safety is of the utmost importance on our volunteering programs, no matter the location. 

There are 54 countries in Africa. Like any other continent, safety and security will vary widely between nations, regions, cities and towns. But you can be confident that all of our volunteering locations are carefully chosen with risk mitigation and stringent health and safety standards in mind.

We also offer 360-degree support to all participants, ensuring you have support for every step of your volunteering journey, from application all the way to the end of your program on the ground.

The best volunteer opportunities in Africa

If you’re wondering how to volunteer in Africa to have the maximum impact, GVI’s programs will suit you perfectly. 

Our projects have been designed to specifically meet local needs and make progress towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). And thanks to our frequently reviewed ethical standards, you can be confident that you’re taking part in an ethical project with genuine impact when choosing any of our volunteer placements in Africa. 

Here are six projects in Africa that will allow you to add to global goals. 

1) Add to the empowerment of girls in Zambia

Travel to the landlocked country of Zambia, where you can support the empowerment of women and girls through education. Your efforts to provide easier access to educational opportunities will contribute to the goal of increasing gender equality in Zambia. 

As a volunteer in Livingstone, near Victoria Falls, you can take part in projects focused on teaching girls about relevant health risks and prevention. 

2) Contribute to community empowerment through education in Tanzania

In Tanzania, more than 40% of adolescents are left out of lower-secondary education. Obstacles such as a lack of secondary schools in rural areas mean these young students might not have access to good employment opportunities as adults, and be trapped in a cycle of poverty. 

You can help to break this cycle by volunteering in the community of Moshi, located at the foot of Mount Kilimanjaro. Help to provide quality education in the region, by teaching language and literacy skills to children, teenagers and adults. Through classes and workshops, you can help to boost community development, increasing future employment opportunities for your students. 

3) Research coral bleaching and climate change in Seychelles

Like in many coastal regions, the delicate corals that grow in the warm waters around the islands of Seychelles are under threat from rising ocean temperatures. 

This program is a chance to learn more about the impacts of climate change on marine environments. You can help collect vital data on coral reef damage and recovery in the wake of bleaching events. At the same time, you can earn your Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Advanced Open Water and PADI Coral Reef Research Diver (a certification that’s unique to GVI). 

4) Carry out elephant research in South Africa

For the ultimate volunteering in Africa experience, you can observe African elephants in the wild as you support ongoing conservation efforts. Based on a South African wildlife reserve only an hour from the Kruger National Park, you can help to track elephants through the bush in safari vehicles. 

The data you collect on elephant populations and behaviour will contribute directly to research carried out in partnership with the conservation organisation Elephants Alive. 

During your safari adventure, you’ll also spot big cats, such as lions, leopards and cheetahs, as well as endangered rhinos.

5) Take part in dolphin research and marine conservation in Zanzibar

On the island of Zanzibar, tourists flock to see dolphins frolicking through the waters of the Indian Ocean. But, there are minimal regulations on how dolphin tourism operates, and few conservation initiatives to protect these marine mammals. 

You can volunteer in Africa to contribute to conserving Zanzibar’s dolphins by monitoring their numbers and behaviour, and analysing their reactions to human interactions. 

Your research will help to inform effective conservation guidelines for the tourism industry. 

6) Gain teaching and early childhood development experience in Ghana

Some Ghanaian schools struggle with challenges such as scarce resources and overcrowding. 

As a GVI participant, you can contribute to improving education by assisting with classroom tasks, such as one-on-one tutoring. You can also help to boost staff development, or participate in extracurricular activities for students ranging from kindergarten to junior school level. 

If you’re interested in other aspects of sustainable community development, you can also get involved with projects such as vocational training or women’s empowerment. 

Learn more about GVI’s sustainable volunteer projects in Africa by browsing our range of programs today.