Volunteer Abroad for 5-8 Weeks

Have life changes left you with some time on your hands? Transitions can sometimes provide that perfect travel opportunity. Perhaps you’re graduating from college, changing jobs, or moving cross-country. Either way, volunteering abroad for 5-8 weeks is one of the best ways to travel in a meaningful way. A timeframe of 5-8 weeks can give you more time to truly engage and do more good for a community in need. Plus, you won’t be just another face in the crowd!

Featured Provider of the Month

#1 Animal Welfare & Wildlife Volunteer Programs Abroad
with GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

1949 5-8 Week Volunteer Abroad Programs

9.54763 reviews

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

Worlds #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

At International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ), we unite people from over 9...

See All 176 Programs

Visit Website View Program

9.44428 reviews

MAXIMO NIVEL

Top-Rated Volunteer Abroad Programs in Latin America

Maximo Nivel is a locally based organization in Costa Rica, Guate...

See All 16 Programs

Visit Website View Program

9.888 reviews

Volunteer for the Visayans

Volunteer and Intern in the Philippines

Find out why it's more fun and meaningful to volunteer with us! V...

See All 12 Programs

Visit Website View Program

99 reviews

Adelante Abroad

Volunteer in Oaxaca, Mexico - Adelante Abroad

Make a positive impact in Mexico! Adelante Abroad offers affordab...

See All 6 Programs

Visit Website View Program

Top Rated Program Volunteer Abroad in South Africa 2025

9.23520 reviews

African Impact

African Big 5 Wildlife Conservation Project in South Africa

Join our Wildlife and Research Conservation Project and immerse y...

See All 19 Programs

Visit Website View Program

9.7777 reviews

GoEco - Top Volunteer Organization

Top Animal Welfare Volunteer Programs & Internships Abroad

GoEco offers more than 60 wildlife and animal conservation volunt...

See All 126 Programs

Visit Website View Program

00 reviews

Kaya Responsible Travel

Big 5 Volunteering in South Africa

Dive into a lifetime opportunity to volunteer at an impressive ga...

See All 49 Programs

Visit Website View Program

9.5256 reviews

The Intern Group

Internships in Melbourne, Australia

Jumpstart your career with Australia’s top internships! Partnerin...

See All 2 Programs

Visit Website View Program

9.35267 reviews

GVI

Marine Conservation Expedition in the Seychelles

Travel to a country known for its equatorial climate and enter a ...

See All 29 Programs

Visit Website View Program

93 reviews

Impact Gap Year

South Africa, France and Thailand Gap Year Exploration

Explore the dream destinations of South Africa, France, and Thail...

See All 2 Programs

Visit Website View Program

9.7218 reviews

The Real Uganda

Village Primary School Teaching in Uganda

The Real Uganda's volunteers assist our partners with a variety o...

See All 5 Programs

Visit Website View Program

9.7970 reviews

Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI)

Giant Tortoise Breeding Center Volunteer in Galapagos

Volunteer at the Galápagos National Park and get the chance to as...

See All 5 Programs

Visit Website View Program

9.9436 reviews

African Conservation Experience

Personalized Veterinary Experience in South Africa

Dive into ethical, meaningful, and practical veterinary work tail...

See All 6 Programs

Visit Website View Program

9.0423 reviews

Raleigh International

Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica - Adventure with Purpose

Joining a Raleigh Costa Rica programme is a truly unique experien...

See All 4 Programs

Visit Website View Program

8.7512 reviews

Volunteer World

Volunteer World: Best Volunteer Abroad Programs Worldwide

Looking to apply your talent and expertise to a good cause? Find ...

See All 76 Programs

Visit Website View Program

Popular Providers

International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]

World’s #1 Volunteer Programs. 40+ Countries from $20/day!

Volunteer for the Visayans

Make a difference. Work on grassroots projects with a registered ...

Adelante Abroad

Volunteer this Fall in Mexico, Chile, Uruguay, Ecuador, & Chile

A child touching the cheek of an older woman

MAXIMO NIVEL

Join our Volunteer projects in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Peru and...

Latest Program Reviews

unique experience

May 13, 2025by: Luana Guse - SwitzerlandProgram: Volunteer with Horses, Antelope Park

Welcoming people and an amazing place! definitely more focused on having a fun experience then actual hands on volunteering work. The animals around the park are all so beautiful and well taken care of! Every day was exciting and gave me a memory that lasts forever

Animal Care in Cusco

May 13, 2025by: Nicolas Masse - CanadaProgram: Top-Rated Volunteer Abroad Programs in Latin America

I absolutely adored the animal care program, this experience was amazing every step of the way. The homestay was cozy, the volunteer work was fulfilling, and the people were awesome and very friendly. Not to mention the amazing staff at Maximo Nivel; I’m currently working on my TEFL certification so I can hopefully come back to Maximo Nivel and become a member of such a great team. Thank you all immensely for this opportunity.

unique experience

May 13, 2025by: Luana Guse - SwitzerlandProgram: Volunteer with Horses, Antelope Park

Animal Care in Cusco

May 13, 2025by: Nicolas Masse - CanadaProgram: Top-Rated Volunteer Abroad Programs in Latin America

A Guide to Volunteering Abroad in 5 to 8 Weeks

Why Volunteer for 5 to 8 Weeks?

Volunteering for 5-8 weeks is the perfect amount of time to jump in and make a difference while not committing yourself to a year or two (*cough* Peace Corps *cough*). Many volunteer organizations want a bit more of a time commitment than just a week and they may tell you that it does more harm than good to show up for a few days to a week. This is why a 5-8 week timeframe is so ideal...not only for organizations, but also for your own personal growth.

5-8 weeks isn’t a huge commitment, but it will certainly give you enough time to gain new insights into a new culture and lifestyle while bringing valuable skills home. Especially communication skills! Many organizations need assistance with tasks involving oral communication and interpersonal skills. If this isn’t something you excel at, spending 5-8 weeks volunteering can really add a boost to your own skills.

Locations

If you are spending 5-8 weeks abroad, choosing a location will definitely be something you want to put some thought into. Doing some research on non-profit organizations is also a must. You will want to find a trustworthy organization; one that puts the needs of the people its serving first. And remember to be on the look-out for organizations that are trying to make a profit off of you! That’s the last thing you want when you are trying to make a difference by volunteering abroad.

Africa. Africa may be one of the first destinations that comes to mind when you think of volunteering abroad. This is likely because there is a lot of need, but it's important to realize that Africa is not one place. It is full of different countries, cultures, food, and (of course) opportunities to volunteer. South Africa is a popular country to visit with programs in healthcare, orphanages, and education. Kenya and Uganda are also two countries with a lot of need and opportunities. Just remember to do your research...Africa is not monolithic and has so much to offer for volunteer experiences.

Central America. If you’re looking for somewhere a little closer to home (AKA cheaper flights) try volunteering in Central America. With a wide range of options in countries such as Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and Costa Rica, you will be sure to find something of interest. You will also find a strong emphasis on youth and educational programs in these countries. More popular in Costa Rica, you will find options to volunteer with wildlife, sea turtles, and other outdoor options.

Canada. While it may not be the first place that jumps into your mind, Canada also has a lot of volunteer opportunities. From conservation, youth and education, to Urban projects, America has a lot of need as well. While Canada might be known as one of the wealthiest nations, it also has a high wage gap with a growing number of people not being able to meet basic needs...especially in some urban areas. And with a large network of nonprofits, it shouldn’t be hard to find a program that fits with your volunteer goals.

Popular 5-8 Week Volunteer Programs

While it's not realistic to fit everything into your volunteer abroad experience, 5-8 weeks is still enough time to get lots in. We certainly can’t fit it all onto this list, so always remember to choose a program you will be happy with and which speaks to your interest and skills. In other words, find something that makes you want to do good and be engaged!

Volunteer in English Teaching. Ask around and you will soon come to find that teaching English can be very rewarding. Not only is an in demand field in many countries, it’s also a fulfilling career for many. Even if you have the slightest inclination of making it a career move (or perhaps you just enjoy working with youth) volunteering for 5-8 weeks is a great way to test out the waters.

Volunteer in Conservation. Conservation is a broad word, but basically it can mean many things. Are any of these adventures calling your name? How about protecting baby sea turtles in Costa Rica? Or protecting the elephant and rhino populations in Zimbabwe? Perhaps you are more inclined to use your business savvy skills to assist wildlife organizations in Africa? Or does getting your hands dirty by protecting forests in the America’s national parks speak to you? These are just a FEW great examples, but do some more googling and you are sure to find something that speaks to your sense of adventure.

Volunteer in Health Care. If you are currently in school for nursing, dietetics, getting your MD, or any other array of medical professions, volunteering in a healthcare setting is a great way to utilize that degree and have your adventure abroad. Many organizations abroad are looking for people with the skills and knowledge to teach about nutrition and diseases or to provide care. However, if you only have 5-8 weeks, teaching valuable health related topics might be a more realistic goal.

Go Abroad’s Inside Scoop

Benefits of volunteering for 5-8 weeks: While volunteering for a week or two is a great way to spend your time, going for a longer, 5-8 week experience will give you more time to bond with the locals and really get to better understand the organization you are working for. Any time you spend a greater length of time in a country will provide that deeper understanding and growth that many travelers yearn for.

Disadvantages of volunteering for 5-8 weeks: It can be a long time, especially if it’s going to be your first time abroad. But don’t let this stop you! Do your research on culture shock and be prepared for those feelings of homesickness. It happens to us all and it’s not something you should let prevent you from trying something new. It’s also a wise idea to make sure you are financially prepared to be away for 5-8 weeks. Without a steady income, it can be a long time to volunteer for and you should plan out a budget before you make that commitment.

Not matter what your hobbies and interests are, a 5-8 week volunteer abroad experience will leave you ready for more travel and open you up to a new part of the world. Because when you get down to it, doing good for others will always make the world a little brighter.