As spring comes to an end, the summer solstice is upon us: in the Northern Hemisphere, June is the month with the longest daylight hours with its peak on Saturday, June 20. To celebrate the beginning of summer, we’ve compiled a list of the best places to volunteer abroad in June!
June is a month when many take our holidays. Have you finalized your travel plans yet? If you haven’t, you’ve come to the right place. You’ve probably already heard how life-changing traveling abroad can be, so why not use your trip to help improve the lives of the community you’re visiting as well? We’ve already done half the work for you by listing our best places to volunteer abroad in June.
As a volunteer abroad, you do not only get to immerse yourself in a foreign country and its rich culture, but you will also get to change the life of its local community or wildlife for the better. Let’s start your summer off right, and keep reading to get inspired by our diverse volunteer opportunities in our Top 7 destinations!
Volunteer with Amazing Wildlife in Costa Rica 🇨🇷
Filled with gorgeous landscapes, incredible culture, and abundant wildlife, Costa Rica has become one of the best travel destinations for eco-tourists, adventurers, and volunteers. Whether you’d like to join a volunteering program in the bustling capital city of San José or at the breathtaking coast, the tropical country truly has something for everyone when you plan to travel there.
Sea Turtle Conservation
Costa Rica is a sea turtle paradise! Yearly, the four local sea turtle species (Leatherback, Olive Ridley, Green, and Hawksbill,) return to the idyllic beaches at the Pacific and Caribbean Coast to lay their eggs.
Sadly, over the last 200 years, human influences have led to an alarming decline in the sea turtle population. As a volunteer in a sea turtle conservation program, you’ll help the local community protect and rehabilitate endangered sea creatures. Create a safe place for sea turtles to nest and hatch by raising awareness of plastic pollution, doing night patrols during the beach, and protecting eggs from poachers.
This is a great blog post on volunteering with the Leatherback sea turtle in Costa Rica.
Sloth Conservation
Which animal can embody the Costa Rican lifestyle of “Pura Vida” (= “simple life”) more than the sloth? With their smiling faces and easy-going attitude towards life, sloths attract many volunteers to the country.
Even though these tree-dwelling animals are not classified as endangered, they are highly popular targets for the illegal pet trade. Volunteer at a sloth sanctuary and take care of injured, orphaned, or poached sloths. Keep them smiling by cleaning their enclosures, feeding them, and preparing them for release.
Your volunteer experience in the tropical rainforest with sloths will for sure bring a smile to your face as well!
Women Empowerment
International Women’s Day was on March 8th, but let’s be real…it should be an everyday type of thing, right?
In the past, Costa Rica has taken some great actions to reduce its gender gap. However, the majority of girls and women are still in vulnerable situations. Regardless if you’re passionate about teaching English to eager young girls or uplifting determined women through offering leadership skills, our volunteer opportunities in Costa Rica are devoted entirely to marginalized women.
As a volunteer, you get to help underrepresented communities build a better future for themselves, their families, and for the generations to come.
Contribute Your Time in Thailand 🇹🇭
Ancient temples, exotic islands, and magical wildlife – introducing Thailand. When you think of the “Land of Smiles”, it’s easy to be enticed by its dazzling landscape and rich culture. So why not give in to the urge and volunteer in one of the best travel destinations in Asia? Whether you’d like to join a wildlife conservation program or spend your time with the local community, there are a variety of ways to volunteer in Thailand!
Dog Shelters
Work hands-on in local animal shelters and care for abused and injured dogs that were rescued off the harsh streets of Bangkok. For them to be adopted, it is essential for them to learn to trust humans again. That’s why your primary role as a volunteer is to feed the dogs, walk them, and re-socialize the shy ones. If you’re more of a cat person, don’t worry, there are also plenty of rescue cats you can help too!
Teaching Programs
If you’re an aspiring teacher or simply like to volunteer with children, local students cannot wait to spend time with you in their classrooms! It doesn’t matter if you prefer volunteering in a school or in a monastery, teaching underprivileged kids is incredibly rewarding. Once they get a formal education, including English skills, young Thais will have a solid foundation to create a brighter and better adult life.
Elephant Conservation
The elephant is Thailand’s national animal, so it’s fitting it made it on our list! Even though these majestic creatures represent a religious and royal symbol, their population has dropped significantly due to the unethical tourism industry.
Learn about the abuse, exploitation, and protection of elephants by volunteering at our carefully selected sanctuaries in Chang Mai. With your help, elephants will be reintegrated into their natural habitat, and the living standards of the mahouts will be improved significantly.
Discover Volunteering Opportunities in Peru 🇵🇪
What comes to your mind when you think of “Peru”? The ancient citadel Machu Picchu? The mouth-watering cuisine in Lima? The mysterious Inca Ruins in Cusco? The list goes on… So why not tick those sights off while volunteering abroad in Peru with one of our fulfilling community programs?
Teaching Programs
Peru is best known for its rich culture and ancient ruins which draw in many globe trotters every year. Despite the booming tourism industry and economy, the majority of the country’s population lives in poverty. As a result, child beggars spend the majority of their time roaming the busy streets of Lima.
As a volunteer abroad, you will get the chance to make a lasting change in the children’s lives. By assisting local teachers, the kids will learn to speak English which exposes them to better job opportunities in the future.
Childcare Programs
If you rather prefer a kindergarten setting, Peru offers an abundance of local daycare centers as well! Loving childcare volunteers are needed in remote villages as well as big cities like Cusco. Contribute to the children’s daily dose of happiness by spending time with them, playing with them, or assisting them with their homework.
Volunteer with Tapas and Siestas in Spain 🇪🇸
Drenched in captivating landscapes, striking architecture, and rich history, Spain will definitely leave you in awe. Besides, Spain offers a range of volunteer opportunities which will make your travel even more significant. After a rewarding day of volunteering, indulge yourselves in tasty tapas and take a quick siesta before you explore the endless vineyards and learn about the country’s historic sights.
Whale & Dolphin Conservation
Do you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Spain’s mainland? No problem! Travel to the charming island of Tenerife while volunteering with experts on marine species research in the turquoise waters!
Unfortunately, the population of various whale and dolphin species has dropped continuously due to habitat degradation, hunting, and by-catch.
If you’re a marine life lover, volunteer with enthusiastic conservationists who need your help! This will be the best way to work up-close with these friendly creatures!
Horse Conservation
Regardless if you simply love horses, want to learn how to horseback ride, or want to contribute to the horse rescue, our equine rescue programs have it all. Help the Spaniards care for injured horses and maintain their sanctuary while building a long-lasting connection with the horses you work with.
Childcare Programs
Did you know in Spain, children do not wait for the tooth fairy, but for the tooth mouse? Volunteer in daycare centers and get to know more about local culture. Not only you, but the children will benefit from the cultural exchange as well!
Explore Enticing Ecuador 🇪🇨
Ecuador is often overshadowed by its South American neighbors. However, the compact nation is full of stunning wonders! Experience the lively lifestyle of Quito, escape into the rainforest also known as the “lungs of the Earth”, or hop on a boat to the spectacular Galapagos Islands. Make your travel more meaningful by volunteering in Ecuador and discover something new every day.
Rainforest Conservation
Although the Galapagos Islands are the country’s main visitor attraction, the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest is a close second. Rightly so! Home to the most astounding biodiversity on the planet, you will discover hundreds of species like insects, mammals, reptiles, and plants. Immerse yourself in the lush rainforest and volunteer in our various environmental conservation programs ranging from replanting trees to caring for rescued, tropical wildlife.
Teaching Programs
If you’re happier among children, then our teaching programs are the right choice for you! To break the cycle of poverty in Ecuador, kids need the right tools such as high-quality education. As a volunteer abroad, you will support teachers in schools while getting to know the locals and their unique way of life.
Volunteer in Colorful Colombia 🇨🇴
Located at the northern tip of South America, Colombia embodies the term “diversity” like no other nation. Besides hosting 10% of the world’s biodiversity in its verdant Amazon Rainforest, the country’s impressive scenery ranges from palm-lined beaches along the Pacific and Caribbean coastlines, to archeological ruins, and to colonial and sophisticated cities.
Whether you’d like to work off-grid or in buzzing cities like Cartagena and Bogotá, Colombia offers you a wide range of volunteer opportunities that are just as diverse as the country itself.
Community Programs
Due to the country’s varied climate and topography, local farmers are able to grow a diversity of agricultural products such as bananas, sugar canes, and of course coffee. Volunteer on an eco-farm and get your two green thumbs dirty, while learning about sustainable farming. At the end of a rewarding day, you can treat yourself with the produce you harvested – it doesn’t get more local than this!
If you’re a more family-orientated person, volunteering in a kindergarten will be the right fit! Parents rely on daily childcare support, so they can go to work to support their family. Help understaffed daycare centers look after kids and shower them with the genuine attention and love they deserve!
Help out, fellow Australians 🇦🇺
Last, but certainly not least: Australia. It is undoubtedly one of the most exhilarating travel destinations for backpackers. Volunteers will find plenty of purposeful volunteer opportunities at the epic coasts, on heavenly beaches, or in the metropolises like Cairns and Brisbane.
No matter which one-of-a-kind backdrop you prefer to volunteer in, our opportunities in Down Under have got you covered. However, due to current travel restrictions from abroad, most of the projects need to rely on Australian or New Zealand volunteers.
Great Barrier Reef Turtle
The Great Barrier Reef is an ecosystem of superlatives: the largest living structure (astronauts can see it from space!) and the largest coral reef system on Earth.
Besides numerous species of fish, sharks, and whales, the Great Barrier Reef provides a home to sea turtles. Unfortunately, they are facing grave threats such as poaching, pollution, and plastic littering.
Volunteer firsthand at one of the seven natural wonders and join a turtle sanctuary program! Be amazed by the graceful sea creatures and by the awe-inspiring location – even more so when you release them into their rightful habitat.
Wildlife Conservation
Which started as a severe drought in June 2019, quickly escalated to a series of hellish bush fires across Australia with its peak at the beginning of the new year 2020. Tragically, millions of acres have burnt down and nearly one billion animals have been killed.
Although nature is healing, the country’s most iconic wildlife including kangaroos, koalas, and wombats still need compassionate volunteers to care for the sick, injured, and orphaned ones. So make your way Down Under and contribute to the forest recovery and the rehabilitation of its inhabitants.
Marine Life Conservation
Encased by the Indian Ocean to the west, the South Pacific to the east, and the Southern Ocean to the south, Australia offers an extraordinary marine environment for enthusiastic divers.
Help out in our diving programs and encounter the corals, fish, whales, sharks, rays, sea turtles (the list is endless!) up-close while protecting the unique ecosystem from over-fishing and pollution.
Regardless of the Australian coast, you are volunteering at, you will be left speechless! We hope this list of best places to volunteer abroad in June has inspired you for your next trip!
So there you have it! An extensive catalog of the best destinations for coming. What are your best places to volunteer in June? Share your top picks in the comments below!
Make your travel abroad even more worthwhile by volunteering! If you need help to finalize your meaningful traveling plans, do not hesitate to roam our website for the best volunteer abroad programs! Our live chat team always here to answer your questions.