Paid Volunteer Abroad Guide

Paid Volunteer Abroad
A Guide to Paid Volunteer Abroad ProgramsTravellers Quest

Table of Contents
Chapter 1: Introduction – Paid Volunteer Abroad
3
Chapter 2: Popular Paid Volunteer Abroad Programs
The Peace Corp
VSO
UN Volunteers
Volunteering for International Development from Australia (AVID)
European Youth Volunteering
Special volunteer paid volunteer abroad program
The ‘English Opens Doors’ Program – Chile
The ‘World Teach’ Program – The Marshall Islands
4
4
5
5
6
6
7
7
Chapter 3: Alternatives to Paid Volunteer Abroad Opportunities
Teach abroad
The benefits of paid teaching abroad work
Teach English abroad
Teach English in China
Teach English in South Korea
Teach English in Taiwan
Teach English in Japan
Teach English in other Asian countries
Teach English in the Middle East
Teach English in South America
Combine TEFL training with paid work
Short term paid work abroad opportunities
Au pair abroad
Paid Internships abroad
Paid seasonal work abroad
8
8
9
9
10
10
11
11
12
12
13
13
14
14
15
Chapter 4: What are the Limitations of Paid Volunteer Abroad Programs?
16
Chapter 5: Paid Work and Travel Abroad Programs
17
Chapter 6: Conclusion
18

www.travellersquest.com 3
Chapter 1: Introduction - Paid Volunteer Abroad
Are you interested in or planning to volunteer
abroad? If you have checked out the program
fees charged by companies who organize vol-
unteer abroad placements you may have been
surprised to find they range from $200-$3000 for
a two week program.
On top of that did you calculate the other costs
involved, like airfare, vaccinations, visa expens-
es, and pocket money?
Are you worried that this level of cash invest-
ment makes volunteering abroad something you
can never hope to make a reality?
The good news is you don’t have to let the high
cost of volunteer abroad programs stop you
from making plans, as there are many paid vol-
unteer abroad programs available which cover
all or some of the costs involved. Plus, although
not volunteer programs, there are many other
options such as low cost volunteering abroad,
teaching or working abroad which provide the
same opportunities to travel, explore the world,
and experience foreign cultures.
In this article we explore some ways you can
volunteer abroad and get paid; or pursue a
similar opportunity which covers some of the
expenses, so your dream of volunteer travel can
come true.
Photo Credit: rideindia.org

Chapter 2: Popular Paid Volunteer Abroad Programs
Photo Credit: workingabroad.com
Paid volunteer programs offer the same exciting opportunities for travel, personal growth and skill-
sharing as other volunteer projects, but they also cover pretty much all your related expenses and
offer a salary or living allowance on top. The catch is that particular qualifications and/or experi-
ence are usually required, and competition for places can be intense.
The Peace Corps
www.peacecorps.gov/volunteer
The Peace Corp is a volunteer program created in 1961 to deepen cultural understanding between
Americans and citizens of other countries. This mission is achieved through the provision of techni-
cal assistance which contributes to economic and social development. Around a quarter of a million
Americans have served in the Peace Corps, in over 130 countries around the world.

VSO - Voluntary Services Overseas
www.vsointernational.org
Since 1958 this UK based organization has been working to rid the world of poverty by providing
people with a way to work together on development issues. Although it was once easy to get a
place on a VSO scheme, regardless of your experience or background, since 1980 only skilled and
professional applicants are considered. However, an alternative program (ICS) is in place for under-
graduates who would like to get involved.
Plus points: Drawbacks:
• This is a paid volunteer abroad opportunity
so return international travel costs are fully
covered, along with medical and dental
insurance fees.
• Volunteers receive both a modest regular
living allowance to cover daily expenses,
as well as a decent lump sum of cash when
they complete their service term.
• Volunteers must make a long term commit-
ment of 2 years, plus participate in an initial
training period, which brings the total com-
mitment to around 27 months.
• The screening process is very thorough and
time consuming, so expect to apply at least
nine months before you’d like to depart.
• Many projects only recruit volunteers with
specific qualifications, educational back-
grounds or experience.
• A great chance to get directly involved with
community work in several areas, such as
education, the environment and agriculture,
while gaining experience that will boost any
resume.
• Couples are welcome to apply, and all volun-
teers get to choose where they go and what
they do.
• An allowance –around what a local graduate
would earn – is paid to volunteers to spend
on things like personal toiletry items or so-
cial activities.
• As VSO is a paid volunteer abroad program.
food and housing costs are covered by the
organization.
• Long term volunteer opportunities are re-
stricted to professionals with relevant train-
ing and experience.
• (Potential volunteers aged 18-25 can apply
for a place on the short-term International
Citizen Service (ICS) program).

UN Volunteers
UN Volunteers is the organization responsible for recruiting and placing willing helpers into devel-
opment programs operated by the United Nations. Established in 1970, each year more than 7000
people participate. Around 75% of all volunteers are themselves from developing counties, some
being local to the area where a project is running. This reflects the focus on promoting social, eco-
nomic and cultural growth through volunteering at a grassroots level.
• 30 month placements allow volunteers to
experience true immersion in a country and
project, which they are carefully matched
to, based on their professional experience,
abilities and background.
• As UN volunteers is a paid volunteer abroad
program all volunteers get a settlement
allowance, and a regular living allowance
which covers housing, utility charges, daily
living expenses, comprehensive insurance
and return airfare.
• Opportunities are limited for anyone with-
out certain desirable skills or qualifications.
(Currently: a university degree or equiva-
lent; 2+ related work experience and a
decent level of either English, Spanish or
French, and personal qualities including an
open mind and the ability to adapt to new
situations easily).
• Although great for solo volunteers, here are
fewer opportunities for those who want to
bring their family along.
Volunteering for International Development
from Australia (AVID)
dfat.gov.au/people-to-people/avid/pages/avid.
aspx
This year long government program is open to
Australian citizens and permanent residents,
(and New Zealanders with a Special Condition
Visa) who are aged over 18 years old. Volunteers
are managed by either Scope Global or Austral-
ian Volunteers International, two long estab-
lished organizations in the field. Participants
work largely with communities in developing
countries across the Indo-Pacific region. Like
other paid volunteer abroad opportunities, all
costs are covered, and both a living and an ac-
commodation allowance are provided.
European Youth Volunteering
europa.eu/youth/volunteering_en
Potential volunteers located in Europe and aged
17-30 should look seriously at EVS Volunteer
opportunities. Opportunities run from 2 weeks
right up to a year, and cover a good range of
interest areas, including culture, youth, sports,
children, cultural heritage, arts, animal wel-
fare, environment and development coopera-
tion. Similar to other paid volunteer abroad
opportunities, food, accommodation and pocket
money are all provided, while travel costs may
only be partially covered.

Special volunteer paid volunteer abroad
program
Some volunteer schemes are funded by the
government of the destination country to meet
particular needs. In these paid volunteer abroad
opportunities, various costs related to taking
part in this kind of project are covered. In re-
turn a longer term commitment is expected.
The ‘English Opens Doors’ Program – Chile
www.centrodevoluntarios.cl
The ‘English Opens Doors’ Program is a joint
venture between the Chilean Ministry of Edu-
cation and the United Nations Development
Program. It was developed to help improve the
English language skills of children, which in turn
should help to speed Chile’s development in the
21st century.
Participants on this paid volunteer abroad pro-
gram pay no registration or joining fees. The
providers cover volunteer expenses for health
insurance while in Chile, transfers between
head office and placements and food/accom-
modation. A small allowance is also paid. Vol-
unteers must cover their own airfare, health
checks and vaccinations and personal spending
money.
The ‘World Teach’ Program – The Marshall Is-
lands
www.worldteach.org/site/c.buLRIbNOIbJ2G/
b.6180033/k.A5E5/Program_Profile.htm
In operation since 2002, this Pacific island based
program was developed to improve the English
language levels of students at all stages of the
compulsory education system.
This is a challenging placement, without the
creature comforts or access to supplies you may
be used to, especially if placed on the outer
islands. In this paid volunteer overseas program,
basic housing is provided, along with return
airfare from the USA, health insurance, meals, a
monthly stipend to cover daily personal expens-
es and full support from staff.
Photo Credit: planmygapyear.co.uk

Chapter 3: Alternatives to Paid Volunteer Abroad Opportunities
Photo Credit: www.gvi.co.uk
Teach Abroad
Though not strictly paid volunteer abroad pro-
grams, there are many alternative opportunities
that allow you to travel the world and explore
a different culture, and get paid to do it. As an
English language teacher you may also get free
airfare, accommodation and visa sponsorship,
and of course you’ll have free time to travel and
cash to fund your plans. Teaching abroad is also
a great way to build skills and strengthen your
resume.
The benefits of paid teaching abroad work
There is no better way to experience authen-
tic cultural immersion than to live and work as
a regular person in a foreign country. This is a
point future employers will often pick up on, as
it shows your strength of character and demon-
strates your ability to adjust to new experiences
and environments.
There’s no denying that earning a regular sal-
ary makes living abroad even more rewarding.
In some countries it is possible to save a good
percentage each month, to pay student loans
or save for the future. As many English teach-
ing jobs offer perks such as free accommodation
mot teachers live well by local standards, often
with a decent amount of disposable income.
If money is not a driving force you may wish to
teach in a developing country, combining hu-
manitarian work a job paying enough to cover
your expenses. Some people prefer to find a
fairly well paid teaching job and save some cash
each month, then at the end of their contract

they can pay for a cheap organized volunteer
program anywhere in the world.
Another great benefit of teaching abroad is the
opportunities this creates for both domestic and
international travel. Whether you make several
short trips to neighboring countries or choose to
travel extensively when your job ends, you will
benefit from lower priced airfares.
If you have always wanted to learn another
language, or want to sharpen your existing lin-
guistic abilities, being immersed in a new cul-
ture makes it really easy to achieve either goal.
Nothing can replace hands on practice through
everyday interactions when it comes to improv-
ing language proficiency.
Teach English abroad
English teaching jobs are the most popular alter-
native to paid volunteer abroad programs, and
in fact some companies even offer work-travel
combination programs which are similar to paid
volunteer abroad programs in many aspects. If
you yearn to immerse yourself in a foreign cul-
ture for a year or two but need a regular income
to make this a realistic prospect, then teaching
English as a foreign language is a great way to
make it happen.
Paid teaching in China
China provides a growing market for TEFL teach-
ing, and salaries for English teacher there are
rising to reflect this. Experience is not essential
for jobs in large language schools, and as these
are expanding fast there are always lots of va-
cancies for fresh faces that are willing to learn
as they go.
Language schools offer a structured environ-
ment, and full workloads, with most teachers
being expected to work a 5 day week, which
will probably include one weekend day. In re-
turn teachers get lots of experience, a competi-
tive salary, accommodation, travel allowances
and often other benefits too.
• There are jobs available all around the
world.
• Not all jobs require previous teaching expe-
rience or teaching qualifications.
• Second language skills are not usually essen-
tial, especially for entry level jobs.
• Most jobs expect you to commit to working
for 6 - 12 months.
• Some jobs may involve working long hours
or split shifts, which could leave you short
of time and energy to enjoy the country and
culture you’re living in.
• Be prepared for some pre-trip expenses, as
more and more destinations now require
foreign English teachers to have at least an
undergraduate degree, while visa condi-
tions may also need applicants to produce a
(clean) national criminal record check and
have this, plus their degree certificate veri-
fied as genuine

Experienced teachers often find work at uni-
versities, where the hours and salary are both
lower, freeing up time for lucrative private
tutoring or domestic travel.
Top providers:
www.teachaway.com/teach-english-china
www.reachtoteachrecruiting.com/teach-english-
in-china.html
www.englishfirst.com/trt/teaching-english-in-
china.html
www.englishfirst.com/trt/teaching-english-in-
china.html
Paid teaching in South Korea
College graduates often choose to teach for a
year or two in South Korea to take advantage of
the relatively low cost of living/taxes, and high
percentage of disposable income.
Experience is not necessary for entry-level work
which pays enough for the average teacher to
save 30-50% of their monthly salary. Accommo-
dation and air fare are generally provided.
The TALK program is open to undergraduates
who have completed a certain percentage of
their degree. This scheme involves fewer con-
tact teaching hours and access to a cultural pro-
gram, and positions are generally always in rural
areas, as schools there may have no funding for
a native English speaking teacher.
Most language school jobs use recruiters to
screen candidates. Use as many as you can and
don’t be pressured into applying for every job
they suggest.
Top providers:
www.seoulesl.com/sub/main.asp
www.korearecruiting.com/jobs
www.worknplay.co.kr/index.php/mod/job
www.planetesl.com/
www.asiateachingjobs.com/south-korea
Paid teaching in Taiwan
A fascinating country offering lots of great food,
history and cultural adventure, Taiwan is perfect
for teachers with a TEFL qualification.
Accommodation is not always provided, but
rental rates are reasonable and affordable on
the average teaching salary.
Cities can be quite polluted but the country-
side is clean and beautiful. Motor scooters are
the most popular form of transport, and many
teachers choose to adopt local habits and ride
themselves.
Learn more:
www.reachtoteachrecruiting.com/Teach-Eng-
lish-in-Taiwan.html
www.esl101.com/esl-jobs/country/taiwan
www.tesall.com/feedviewer/taiwan
www.jobmonkey.com/asia/job_sources_in_tai-
wan/
Paid teaching in Japan
Japan is a popular choice for both new and
experienced English teachers, attracted to the
rich cultural landscape and amazing food. The
cost of living is fairly high, especially if living in
the capital city, but the average starting salary
should provide enough income for some travel
adventures and a moderate social life.
It is possible to pick up extra work in Japan,
whether that is through private tutoring, par
time teaching, modeling, acting and so on. Many
English teachers supplement their income in this
way.
Most large language schools (e.g. AEON, ECC,
Shane) recruit only from western countries, so
check their websites for details of any inter-

views planned for your region.
In the past teaching assistant posts in public
schools were often the best deal around, but
these days many are offered through third party
‘handlers’, and conditions or benefits have de-
clined rapidly. If you are interested in ALT posi-
tions do lots of research, especially on the topic
of salary and vacation pay.
Learn more:
www.tefljobsinjapan.com/
www.teflone.com/www.tefljobsinjapan.com/
www.teflone.com/
www.nova.co.jp/hd/teachinjapan/form.html
www.japanenglishteacher.com/
www.aeonet.com/application-requirements/
http://recruiting.ecc.co.jp/
Other Asian countries
Teaching in Asian countries such as Cambodia,
Thailand or Laos is a great way to explore,
travel and fund a fantastic cultural experience,
but it is difficult to save anything on the salaries
offered,
Vietnam is a better prospect for teachers who
want to save a little cash each month, and with
a relatively low cost of living and the freedom
to teach private student in your free time it is
an increasingly popular destination.
Work permits are (officially) only issued to col-
lege graduates, and this rule is being enforced
more than in the past. Most language schools
prefer to hire teachers with a recognized TEFL
qualification.
The best way to find teaching work in any of the
countries mentioned here is in person, so if you
can afford a return ticket and to fund yourself
while job searching, you’ll have much more suc-
cess.
Top providers:
www.asiateachingjobs.com/vietnam
www.teflone.com/
www.eslstarter.com/teach-english-in-cambodia.
php
www.ajarn.com/recruitment/browse_jobs/
www.asiateachingjobs.com/thailand
www.asiateachingjobs.com/laos
Paid teaching in the Middle-East
English teachers with previous experience and
a relevant graduate degree have access to high
paying tax-free jobs across the Middle-East,
while newcomers to the scene are often limited
to working in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Accommodation is usually either provided
(sometimes shared) or funded via an allowance
and the competitive salaries are paid tax free.
In many areas of this region male applicants
will find it easier to find well paid work and
experience a more relaxed lifestyle than foreign
female teachers will.
Top providers:
www.teachaway.com/teaching-english-saudi-
arabia
www.esljobfeed.com/feedviewer/middle_east
www.eslemployment.com/esl-jobs/middle-east/
www.tefl-info.com/middle-east.asp
www.lovetefl.com/teaching-english-in-the-mid-
dle-east/teaching-english-in-the-middle-east-
an-opportunity-of-a-lifetime
Paid teaching in South America
Look at South American locations if you are
happy earning enough to cover your daily liv-
ing expenses, have some kind of social life and
travel domestically or to nearby countries.
Though it’s unlikely you’ll save lots of cash, your
monthly salary will be enough to guarantee a
comfortable lifestyle.

Top providers:
www.tesall.com/feedviewer/south_america
http://teflsearch.com/job-results/region/
south-america
www.tesol-job.com/teaching-jobs/tesol-jobs-
latin-america.html
http://esl.com/jobs
www.lovetefl.com/teaching-english-in-latin-
america/teaching-english-in-latin-america-liv-
ing-la-buena-vida
Combine TEFL Training with Paid Work
Although there are English teaching positions
open to completely inexperienced native Eng-
lish speakers, securing a related qualification
definitely opens more doors. If you’d like to get
certified it makes sense to study while actually
doing the job – especially as demonstrating your
new skills in the classroom is often a part of the
process anyhow.
There are lots of companies around who offer
either TEFL training followed by a guaranteed
job, or run the course alongside the work place-
ment.
Top providers:
www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/work/esl/
index.shtml
www.workingabroad.com/tefl-teaching/gotefl-
thailand
www.englishfirst.com/trt/gudlp/free-TEFL-cer-
tification-ts.html
www.realgap.co.uk/china-paid-teaching-with-
tefl
www.eslstarter.com/teach-english-in-vietnam.
php
Short Term Paid Work Abroad Opportunities
As an alternative to paid volunteer abroad
programs, you can consider short tem paid work
abroad programs. If you are interested in spend-
ing some time abroad, want the opportunity
to really immerse yourself in the language or
culture, and also want or need to cover your
expenses the best solution is to explore short
term paid work options. These jobs may be tem-
porary or seasonal but they offer you the unique
chance to truly experience another country in

a way tourists cannot, along with practical experience to boost your resume and enough cash to
cover your living expenses.
Au Pair Abroad
If you are reliable, love children, find it easy to adapt to living with other people and have a sense
of adventure this is a great option to consider. Working as an au pair abroad involves making a
short term commitment to care for a family’s young children, and in some cases to do some light
household chores. Au pairs work part time, leaving plenty of opportunity to go sightseeing, learn
the host country’s language – independently or in a language school, or pursue any other interests
you may have.
Top providers:
www.interexchange.org/working-abroad
www.aupairworld.com/en
www.findaupair.com
• There are thousands of positions available
around the world, and specifically across Eu-
rope. This is great news for non-EU citizens
- who have fewer opportunities to combine
work and travel in that region.
• Au pairs are provided with a private bed-
room and all meals, along with a monthly
salary which could range from 75 – 450 Eu-
ros, depending on the country, and the hours
they are contracted to work.
• Both long and short term au pair positions
are available, so there’s lots of choice and
flexibility out there. From a few weeks to
several months – you get to decide where
and how long for you work.
• Entry level jobs – open to applicants without
childcare experience and/or qualifications
are harder to find, and pay lower salaries.
• If you choose to find work through a special-
ist recruitment agency you’ll need to budget
for the cost of their services – which include
thorough checks on host families and sup-
port throughout your employment term.

www.aupairinamerica.com/
www.aupair.com/
Paid Internships Abroad
|
Paid internships abroad can be a great alternative to paid volunteer overseas program. If you have
a clear vision about your future career path, and like the idea of getting some direct experience
in an international setting, then a paid internship offers the best of all worlds. Live abroad while
gaining hands-on work experience and a salary to boot.
Top providers:
www.allianceabroad.com/work-in-australia/work-australia
www.kone.com/en/careers/students-and-graduates/international-trainee-program/
www.oneworld365.org/activity/internship
Paid Seasonal Work
Unlike paid volunteer overseas program, you will actually work on paid seasonal work program.
Bartending at a tropical beach resort, running an activity program for children, picking fruit and
working at a stunning ski destination – these are just a few of the fun seasonal work opportunities
available around the world.
Applicants with proven experience and/or qualifications in areas like childcare, cooking or sport
have more choices, but there are less financially lucrative jobs available to unskilled workers too.
Top providers:
www.anyworkanywhere.com/jobguides.html
www.seasonworkers.com/summerjobs/summer-resort-jobs.aspx
www.oysterworldwide.com/projects/paid-work/
www.oneworld365.org/activity/jobs
• Internships abroad provide a unique oppor-
tunity to gain practical experience and make
valuable contacts without losing out finan-
cially.
• Interns, who may be either under or post-
graduate, are generally given an allowance
which is more than competitive within the
local economy.
• Places on paid internship abroad schemes
are very popular, so be prepared to fight off
a lot of competition.
• Internships are often restricted to applicants
with a high-achieving educational record.
• Compared to volunteer abroad programs,
paid internships usually have longer working
hours and a more demanding workload.

• There are lots of jobs offering decent rates
of pay, and many also offer related perks
such as free food and accommodation, a ski
pass or access to leisure facilities.
• Seasonal work is often available in regions
like Europe, where volunteer opportunities
are often thin on the ground.
• Seasonal workers are generally expected to
work hard for several days a week, so time
off may be limited or non-existent.
• While accommodation and food will proba-
bly be provided it is likely to be fairly basic.
• There are fewer opportunities for workers
without any particular skills to offer.
Photo Credit: yearoutgroup.org

Chapter 4: What are the limitations of paid volunteer abroad
programs?
Photo Credit: frontier.ac.uk
Although these paid programs offer lots of
amazing opportunities and benefits, they are
not without their drawbacks.
When you volunteer abroad and get paid you
may not feel you are participating in truly
humanitarian work in the way you would if you
were unpaid.
Some paid volunteer abroad programs require
certain qualifications, a fairly long term com-
mitment, and sometimes several screening
processes. This may mean your choices are more
limited than if you were looking for unpaid op-
tions.
The fact that you can volunteer abroad and get
paid sounds exciting, but not all opportunities
pay very much, or cover all expenses, so be
prepared to either contribute to the expenses in
some cases.
On a paid volunteer abroad program your prima-
ry commitment is to the work project you join,
which may mean you have less time to travel
around the country in your free time.
TEFL teaching can be quite a challenging experi-
ence, often because communication is not easy
without a shared language. Experiencing culture
shock while adjusting to a job with the extra
responsibilities a paid volunteer abroad commit-
ment brings can be a little stressful.

Chapter 5: Paid Work and Travel Abroad Programs
Photo Credit: www.projects-abroad.org
One of the most cost effective ways to see the
world on a budget is to combine paid work and
travel. Those eligible for a working holiday visa
can choose to seek casual work in several des-
tinations, or, if a more structured experience is
preferred there are work-travel abroad organi-
zations who can arrange paid employment for
you ahead of time.
In between periods of work and travel there is
usually time to join a local volunteer organiza-
tion, if that is something you want to try, with-
out the expense of a long term program.
Working holiday visa rules differ depending on
your nationality, but in general applicants need
to provide evidence of having enough cash to
fund the trip, so it’s not an option to those with
absolutely no cash at all.
Top providers
www.smallerearth.com/uk/work-abroad/
www.backdoorjobs.com/adventureabroad.html
www.backdoorjobs.com/adventureabroad.html

Chapter 6: Conclusion
Photo Credit: realgap.co.uk
Now you have lots of information and leads on
ways to get paid for volunteering abroad you
should be able to find a great option that suits
your needs, lifestyle and wallet! And if there
are no perfect all expenses covered volunteer
schemes available there are plenty of other
things you can do that provide a volunteer like
service to others, without leaving you out of
pocket.
The most important message to take away from
this book is that there will always be a way to
get paid to volunteer abroad, regardless of your
financial situation.
Have you already completed a paid volunteer
abroad program? If so, let us know which one
and what you thought of it. Your views and
experiences will help others looking to make a
similar decision.

This free eBook is just written to help volunteers. So please use this book just as a general reference or source
of information. We cannot guarantee the validity of information as changes in the field can be sudden. As it is
impossible to provide a definite or authoritative guide it is vital you verify information directly with a relevant
and up to date source. We cannot be held liable in any way for damages caused should you choose to overlook
this advice.

Paid Volunteer Abroad Guide

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