Take a break from the textbooks and learn by doing through service learning projects with Projects Abroad. We ensure that the international service learning we facilitate for you does more than support your education. It also lets you make a real difference in the world!
This is what you can expect from service learning abroad with Projects Abroad:
- Go into local communities to help people solve problems
- Learn new skills through hands-on work
- Experience personal growth and broaden your horizons
- Rely on trained Projects Abroad staff who help you reflect on your experiences, work with you through any problems you encounter, and talk about the results of your work
For service learning trips abroad, you need a well-run program you can trust. We’re champions of Responsible Volunteer Travel, and our programs help solve problems that people face every day.
We have strong ties to local communities, and we built these relationships with the help of our staff and through partnerships with local organizations and NGOs. This ensures that we collaborate with local people and address their needs, which makes our long-term work more effective and sustainable.
International Service Learning: What Can I Do?
The goal of a service learning trip abroad is to for you to learn and help others at the same time. We have several types of programs that are perfect for this:
Our Public Health Projects focus on helping people in rural areas that lack access to medical care. You’ll get clinical experience while learning about the healthcare challenges people face everyday. This is what you do:
- Conduct basic health checks, like measuring blood sugar levels
- Raise awareness about illnesses like diabetes and high blood pressure
- Talk about the importance of healthy living
In many rural areas, children stay home during the day because families can’t afford kindergartens and daycare. This means that they don’t get as much stimulation as they need. It affects their development and makes it harder to cope when they start school.
Our Childcare Projects aim to change this by working with kindergartens and daycares that focus on Early Childhood Development and education for disadvantaged children. You help kids learn through play, teach the ABCs and 123s, and get them active outdoors.
Climate change is a growing threat. Coral reefs are suffering from bleaching, and miles and miles of rainforests disappear every day. At our Conservation Projects, we’re working to reduce the impact of human activities on precious ecosystems around the world. Become part of our efforts to protect the environment while you learn from professional scientists and conservationists in the field.
A lack of good infrastructure can hold a community back. Children need safe spaces at school to learn, modern toilets prevent disease and improve hygiene, and shelter fulfills a basic human need. Each of our Building Projects is working toward providing a disadvantaged community with the infrastructure they need.
Do a Building Project, learn about the infrastructure challenges people face, and see immediate physical results from your work!
Service Learning Trips for High School Students
Blend service learning projects for high school students with travel on our High School Specials. Our staff designed these short-term volunteer programs specifically for students ages 15-18.
On our service learning opportunities for high school students, you:
- Live and work with people your own age for 2-4 weeks at a time
- Are supervised and guided by our local staff 24/7
- Participate in a full schedule of volunteer work that benefits you and local people, animals, or the environment
- Attend workshops and lectures related to your program
- Join events and activities to learn more about the local culture and traditions
- Choose from a variety of fixed dates in June, July, and August and pick one that best fits your schedule
Take advantage of the opportunity to see and learn about the world. Have new experiences and learn more about who you are as a person on a high school service learning project!
Service Learning Ideas for College Students
Enter the world of experiential education and apply your studies to real-world situations on service learning trips for university students. Many students who join us for this type of experience opt for an internship abroad, so they can help, learn about global issues, and get practical work experience at the same time.
University students are busy people, and most have tight schedules over the summer. For students with only two weeks to spare, we strongly recommend our Team Trips. You'll be able to team up with a group of people to work toward a specific goal.
Looking for more flexible service learning project ideas for college students? Take a look at our Flexi Trips, where you can choose your own travel dates throughout the year.
International Experiential Learning for Groups
A growing number of schools, educators, companies, and organizations are interested in running service and experiential learning trips. Projects Abroad offers custom group options for students, clubs, sports teams, and colleagues from the same company. Tell us what you need and what you want to accomplish, and we can customize a service learning trip abroad for you!
Service Learning Trips for Families
Give your children the educational experience of a lifetime and volunteer abroad as a family.This is a fantastic opportunity to show your kids the world and teach them about helping people. Talk to us to find which program would work best for your family or customize a service-learning trip to fit your needs and goals.