Volunteer in Asia, immerse yourself in the local culture, and focus on long-term, sustainable development in disadvantaged communities. Through volunteer work in Southeast Asia, you’ll gain a deeper insight into people’s lives and the challenges they face. You’ll experience fascinating cultures, while creating a positive impact for local communities.
On our volunteer in Asia programs, you can do things like:
- Help protect coral reefs and other sea life through Marine Conservation Projects, or volunteer with elephants at a sanctuary
- Give kids the best possible start by volunteering with children in Asia, in countries like Sri Lanka and Cambodia
- Have a truly authentic adventure by living among nomads in Mongolia
Or choose from a range of other exciting Asia volunteering projects. Wherever you end up, our Project Experts will help you find the best volunteer programs in Asia that best fits your interests and ambitions. By choosing the right project, you’ll discover what you’re capable of!
With our Asia volunteer programs, we take care of the details, so you can enjoy a hassle-free experience. Our local staff are available to help you 24/7. This means you can focus all your energy on making a real impact in the community where you’re working.
Why volunteer in Asia?
As the world’s largest continent, this diversity means you have access to an exciting range of Asia volunteering opportunities. Choose from the mountains of Nepal, the jungles of Thailand, or the plains of Mongolia. You’re bound to find a volunteer adventure that takes you out of your comfort zone, offering a boost to your personal and professional skills.
At the same time, Asian countries face a number of challenges and your help is needed to make a real impact. Whether you’re helping local teachers give kids the best start in life, working for women’s empowerment, or protecting vital marine ecosystems, your volunteer work is valuable.
Volunteer trips to Asia offer the chance for you to immerse yourself in the local culture. Through this, you’ll gain deeper insights and have a more authentic experience than you might on a typical gap year or holiday. You’ll gain awareness of the problems that exist and become part of the global effort towards finding long-term, sustainable solutions in Asia.
How to become a volunteer in Asia
Want to know more about how to volunteer in Asia? It couldn’t be easier! Just follow these steps to turn your dreams into a reality:
- Think about the work you want to do, whether that’s helping children, protecting marine life, or a medical internship. If you have your heart set on a particular country in Asia, then choose your favorite from the projects we offer in that destination.
- Reach out to our Project Experts, who can provide more information and help you make the right choice according to your interests and goals.
- Decide how much time you have to travel to Asia, how flexible your dates are, and if you’d rather travel alone or as part of a group. This will determine what kind of trip is right for you, whether that's an independent Flexi Trip, Team Trip, or a High School Special for students aged 15-18.
- Once you know which Asian country you want to visit, what type of work you’d like to be doing, and the length you wish to travel for, there’s nothing left to do but fill in the application form and book your place!
Do you offer volunteering opportunities in Southeast Asia?
Yes! We offer volunteer projects across the continent, but many travelers prefer the idea of volunteering in Southeast Asia. Choose from Cambodia, Thailand, Vietnam, or the Philippines. Maybe you’re interested in animal volunteering in Southeast Asia, in which case check out our Marine Conservation programs in Thailand. You’ll be diving into glistening blue waters to help protect the coral reef.
Volunteer in Southeast Asia and work with children, do a medical internship, carry out volunteer building work, and more!
How old do I have to be to volunteer in Asia?
All our volunteer opportunities in Asia are open to people aged 16 and over. To join a project, all you need to do is check you meet the requirements and apply. Most of our volunteer overseas projects have minimum requirements which are stated clearly on the project page, but feel free to get in touch for more advice and support.
We also offer volunteer programs in Asia for high school students aged 15-18. Our High School Specials are designed to give teenagers the support and care they need as young travelers.
And there’s no upper age limit! We believe you’re never too old to do volunteer work in Asia. In fact, your experience and skills are much needed to support development in Asian countries.
Is volunteering in Asia ethical?
Rest assured you’ll have an ethical experience with us in Asia. We hold all our volunteers to a high standard, especially if you’re working with children, animals, or in a medical setting. As champions of responsible volunteer travel, we follow an eight point checklist for all projects, including volunteer trips to Asia. This guarantees an ethical travel experience for all involved.
Learn more about our policies and approach to ethical volunteering.
Do we offer short term volunteer opportunities in Asia?
Short on time? Our volunteer trips to Asia can all be done short-term. You can volunteer in Asia from a minimum of one week, if this fits your schedule better. If you’re concerned about what kind of impact you can really make in a week, read our blog that explains how we approach short-term volunteering.
We should mention that the longer your volunteer trip in Asia lasts, the better the value for money! Staying for longer also allows you to maximize the positive impact you have on local communities. Either way, we believe in flexibility, so you can do what’s right for you.
Can I volunteer in Asia for free?
People often ask us if they can volunteer in Asia for free. This isn’t possible, for three main reasons:
- We ensure the highest levels of safety for our volunteers with 24/7 staff support.
- To give you the best experience possible, we deal with all the logistics, ensuring a hassle-free volunteer trip.
- We’re committed to long term sustainable development.
All of these features require funding, and that’s why we charge a fee.
Read more about why you can’t volunteer abroad for free.
The cost of a volunteer holiday to Asia depends on where you go, what you do, and how long you volunteer for. But it’s probably not as much as you think. Especially when you consider that our project fees include:
- Three meals a day
- Accommodation
- Transportation to and from your placement
Plus, the longer you stay, the lower the cost per week. If you’re looking for affordable volunteer work in Asia, our trips to Asia start from $1295.
You can also take advantage of our flexible payment plans. We understand that paying in one go isn’t always possible, so we just ask for an initial deposit and then you can pay as much or as little as you like in a series of small installments. We’re completely flexible, but the fee does need to be paid in full before you leave for your project.
We also offer advice and support for volunteer fundraising, so you can get the funds you need. Our staff and alumni are experts on raising funds and we’ll ensure that you’re able to secure the required amount. With the money worries out of the way, prepare for the volunteer trip of a lifetime!
Is it safe to volunteer in Asia?
We understand that safety is important when you volunteer in Asia. When you volunteer with us, this is something you can stop worrying about. We’ll place you in Asian countries that are politically stable and safe to visit, and our local staff keep a close eye on changing situations.
As always when traveling abroad, volunteers in Asia should stay alert. Local staff will be on hand to offer tips and advice on keeping yourself and your belongings safe. They’re contactable 24/7.
Where to Volunteer in Asia
Our volunteer opportunities in Asia include the following countries:
There’s a world of adventures waiting for you in Asia. Immerse yourself in a unique culture and help to improve the lives of people living in local communities.
So, what are you waiting for? Join us as a volunteer in Asia today, and become part of something bigger!
Can't find what you're looking for?
We have the expertise and staff on the ground to create a custom project for you, or simply help you find the best option.
Speak to one of our Asia experts on:
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