In the Spotlight

IEP—International Education Programs at Jacksonville University—offers affordable and immersive internship, volunteer, service-learning and study abroad programs in over 20 countries throughout Latin America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania. Customized internship abroad opportunities allow students and recent graduates to focus their academic studies, gain relevant work experience, and immerse themselves in the workplace and society of a foreign country. Service-learning and volunteer abroad opportunities in developing countries around the globe provide students with intercultural experiences and opportunities for meaningful travel. All internship and volunteer programs include a customized placement from 2-26 weeks, housing, travel insurance, airport pickup, on-site orientation and support services. Additional amenities such as Internet, social events, and language training may be included. Traveling overseas is a process that begins long before the plane ride. International Education Programs is committed to working with students individually through the decision-making process as they select and prepare for a study, internship or volunteer program. Learn more about your options and IEP destinations, begin the application process, or connect with IEP through email or by calling 800.IEP.3023 for more information.

• IEP academic and internship/volunteer programs offer experiences for a wide variety of majors and include direct-enrollment programs at large prestigious universities abroad, center-based culture and development studies, and customized internships in everything from Banking in London to Women's Empowerment in India.

Featured Work, Volunteer & Intern Abroad Programs

Volunteer abroad with Cross-Cultural Solutions. Work side-by-side with local people and experience another culture like never before—it's the experience of a lifetime. As an international volunteer with Cross-Cultural Solutions, you're making a meaningful contribution, working side-by-side with local people and sharing in the goals of a community that warmly welcomes you. You're experiencing another culture like never before and really getting to know its people. You'll gain new perspectives and insight into the culture and yourself. It's an exciting and personally inspiring experience, and you'll develop memories that will be with you forever. Enjoy the flexibility of choosing from 12 countries, start dates year-round and programs from 1-12 weeks long. CCS offers international volunteer programs in Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Peru, Russia, South Africa, Tanzania and Thailand. Wherever you choose, the in-country staff welcomes you to the CCS home-base, your home away from home. Cross-Cultural Solutions is a recognized leader in the field of international volunteering. www.crossculturalsolutions.org

• Experience international volunteering in New Delhi, India! Watch Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteers in action—hear their stories, get a glimpse of their daily life, explore the natural wonders of the country and learn more about the positive impact you can make in the world. Watch more CCS videos »

Imagine that you could... live with a Maasai tribe in Tanzania and learn their ancient culture; be part of a marine survey team in the Bahamas or Fiji; teach English in China; work with the Red Cross in Ecuador; or track great white sharks in South Africa! With its roots stemming from the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Greenforce offers volunteer opportunities on marine conservation projects; reforestation programs; animal welfare programs with pandas, penguins, great white sharks, and chimpanzees; community work with orphanages, Nepalese mountain villages and African tribes; and paid work and internships in Ecuador and Thailand. Projects range in length from two weeks to one year, with most programs averaging ten weeks. Volunteers from all ages (over 17), backgrounds and nationalities are welcome to apply. If you are ready to make your adventure a reality—to let these exciting opportunities seep under your skin—then let Greenforce show you the way. www.greenforce.org

• Working on behalf of organizations such as the United Nations, African Wildlife Foundation and the World Wildlife Foundation, Greenforce works with the local communities to develop a long-term sustainable action plan which ensures the region will continue in harmony between nature and human needs.

Greenheart Travel is a division of the Center for Cultural Interchange (CCI), an international exchange nonprofit dedicated to the promotion of cultural understanding, academic development, environmental consciousness and world peace. At Greenheart Travel, students and adults have the opportunity to explore the world through unique cultural immersion programs in over 30 countries. Where will you make a difference?

•	Internships: strengthen your career, language, professional development and cultural understanding skills through a 1-4 month unpaid international internship.
•	Volunteer Abroad: see the world with new eyes by volunteering in a 2-12 week projects are geared to working with children, health care, schools, environmental conservation, social services and much more.
•	Teach Abroad: get paid to share your English language expertise with students in Chile while earning your living expenses and a monthly stipend for 4, 6 or 8 months.
•	Independent Homestays: get inside another culture through an intensive cross-cultural experience; enjoy a home-cooked meal, make new friends and learn new traditions.
•	Language Schools: total immersion makes all the difference, whether in the classroom or with your host family.
•	Gap Adventures: select from any program and build an itinerary that meets both your travel goals and offers you the adventure of a lifetime.

All programs run year-round with flexible start dates; you'll also enjoy housing (most with a host family), meals, medical insurance, program orientation with local coordinator and 24-hour support. For more info, call 888.227.6231 or visit www.greenhearttravel.org.

• More than a vacation: Travel with a purpose. Make a difference on a global level as you learn about the world and yourself through a unique, hands-on international internship, volunteer abroad or cultural immersion opportunity with Greenheart Travel.

Strengthen your professional career experience, expand your cultural knowledge and embark on the work, learn and travel adventure of a lifetime with International Internship & Volunteer Network (IIVN). Whether you are a student, grad student or college graduate with the desire to become more competitive in the academic or professional world or have been out in the work force for a while and need a resume or life-changing boost, you have the ability to explore worldwide programs and career options geared to your interest. Individually customized professional internship placements in every conceivable field and all-inclusive cultural immersion programs are available in twenty-five countries.

Work at a marketing firm in London, participate in a pre-med program in Argentina, or live like the monks do in Nepal. Programs are also geared to your timeframe; typically lasting from 1-3 months—on up to 12 months—throughout the year. Internships are geared to mature, self-sufficient, professional individuals who do not require hand holding and planned social activities, while those who are enthusiastic, self-motivated, dependable, flexible, open-minded and eager to experience new cultures will thrive in the all-inclusive volunteer program. If you're planning your overseas work and learn adventure right away, many programs have immediate openings and are awaiting your application. Let the adventure begin! www.IIVNetwork.com

Sustainable Development Projects. How Will You Touch the World?
With programs that form a comprehensive and challenging experience built around development work, language instruction, cultural immersion and adventure, ProWorld Service Corps offers 2 to 48 week projects in Peru, Belize, Brazil, Ghana, Mexico, India and Thailand. Volunteers develop meaningful relationships with host families and local community members by working and living together. New insights and understandings are forged daily, offering volunteers tremendous opportunities for cross-cultural learning and self-reflection. Whether participating in a semester program or NGO internship, all programs include extensive pre-program contact and personal website; comprehensive onsite orientation; full room and board; airport pick-up and drop-off at program site; all domestic program transportation; funding and staff support of development project; intensive language training (Spanish in Peru and Mexico; Thai in Thailand); academic credit; adventure and cultural activities; and health and travel insurance. Students, recent graduates, professionals, adults and families from all over the world contribute to ProWorld's sustainable development projects. Motivated and curious individuals will thrive in this program. Visit MyProWorld.org.

Hot News: ProWorld Service Corps has just introduced new internship program sites in Brazil and Ghana! Learn more »

ProWorld programs challenge volunteers physically, culturally and intellectually through experiential learning, hands-on development work and cultural immersion. Learn more about one alumni's inspirational return to Belize »

Additional Abroad Programs to Explore

Building a World of Youth Leaders, One Volunteer at a Time.
Are you ready to challenge yourself, make a commitment and a real contribution this summer? Through the unparalleled AMIGOS Experience, more than 20,000 high school and college-aged volunteers have completed extensive leadership and service training programs in preparation to become community development promoters in Latin America. Last year alone, AMIGOS volunteers made a positive difference in over 250 communities in seven Latin American countries. These unique programs give you the chance to take on sustainable health, education, environmental service and technology projects by collaborating with local partners. Immerse yourself in the lives of your host family and community while improving your Spanish. As you build your own leadership and language skills, you'll make a genuine difference and friendships that will last a lifetime. Programs run from 5-8 weeks during the summer months; the participation fee includes authentic food prepared by host families, your airfare to Latin America, training materials and more. To learn more about all 2009 projects email info@amigoslink.org or call 800.231.7796. www.amigoslink.org

Youth Leadership. Multicultural Understanding. Community Development. These are the three pillars for the Amigos challenge. One volunteer shares lessons learned while on her five-week summer experience in Paraguay »

Looking for a way to spend extended time living, working and traveling abroad while adding a line to your CV and gaining real world experience? BUNAC work and volunteer programs offer an easy, low outlay and rewarding way to experience another culture.

Brand new is the exciting Intern in Britain program which enables US students and recent graduates to undertake an internship in the UK for up to six months. Expand your skills while you discover Britain.

Work abroad opportunities for full-time US students include Work Canada (six months), Work in Ireland (four months) and Work in France (three months, summer only). Participants can take almost any job anywhere. BUNAC's Work Australia program, with up to a year for work and travel, is open to US citizens aged 18-30, while Work New Zealand provides similar opportunities for 18-35 year olds in the land of the big white cloud. BUNAC volunteer programs offer challenging and rewarding opportunities to make a difference in a local community project in South Africa, Cambodia or Peru. Placements are in environmental, wildlife, education or social welfare projects and last from 5-17 weeks.

On all BUNAC programs full assistance and support are available throughout your stay.

• BUNAC programs provide you with the opportunity to live and work legally in international countries, gain real world experience and internationalize your resume while making new friends and earning money to travel and explore.

Are you looking for that amazing feeling knowing you've made a difference in the life of a child, assisted a rescued animal so that it can be returned to the wild or built a much needed shelter for the homeless, all while living in the community you are working with and viewing life through different eyes? Whether participating in a short-term volunteer vacation or a prolonged gap year, the Global Volunteer Network provides challenging and affordable international programs in 21 countries; along with fundraising treks to Mt. Everest Base Camp, Mt. Kilimanjaro and Machu Picchu. A minimum time commitment of two to four weeks is required, up to a maximum of 52 weeks. The program fee offers you choice, value and convenience. The in-country fee covers housing and meals, orientation and airport pickup upon arrival to your host country. Volunteers come from all walks of life: singles, couples and families; those with specialized skills or those embarking on a post-college adventure; all of whom want to make a difference, to offer their skills and talents to a community that needs the help of volunteers. Make the big leap today by completing the comprehensive online application.

• Are you seeking more meaning and purpose in your life? Discover the magic of international volunteer work with Global Volunteer Network—connecting people with communities in need.

Seasonal jobs, volunteer programs, internships and au pair placements available in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, India and Central and South America. InterExchange offers placements throughout the U.S. for international citizens and placements for U.S. citizens to travel and work abroad. All programs include job placement, full support and access to low-cost international accident and sickness insurance. Many programs also include housing, meals, orientation and social and cultural activities.

•	Au Pair Placements France, Germany, Netherlands, Spain, USA
•	International Volunteer Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Ghana, India, Namibia, Peru, South Africa
•	Teaching English Chile, China, Ghana, Spain, Thailand
•	Work & Travel Jobs Australia and New Zealand
•	International Citizens Au Pair, Internships, Seasonal Jobs and Summer Camp Jobs in the USA

Go where you want to be with InterExchange Working Abroad »

• Want to improve your second language skills? Experience a new culture? Or simply travel the world? The InterExchange Working Abroad program offers U.S. citizens the ability to work legally while traveling abroad.

Make a Difference with Your Semester or Summer Abroad
Offered in seven countries, IPSL programs fully integrate participants into a new culture through volunteer service, academic studies and living arrangements, creating a powerful dynamic between direct cultural exposure and academic learning. Interaction with the community teaches you how the culture functions. Time in the classroom teaches you why it functions as it does. By testing theory with practice, IPSL participants find their learning and intercultural experience take on greater depth and meaning. They also make a difference in the lives of people in need. You will work up to 20 hours per week in a local school, orphanage, health clinic, community development project or other agency addressing human needs; live with a local family or in university housing; and study at a local university, earning up to 18 credits per semester. Studies range from social sciences, cultural studies and humanities to intensive language study and arts. Programs are offered in: Ecuador (Galapagos Islands, Guayaquil and Quito), India, Italy, Jamaica, Lakota Nation (USA), Mexico and Thailand—for a semester or summer.

• Through studies at a local university, volunteer service in the community and either a homestay or campus experience, IPSL participants are fully immersed in several levels of the culture simultaneously. Guided field trips, reflection, and other support services also help you to understand the culture and your experience of it.

Help, learn and explore with Projects Abroad by participating in a worthwhile international volunteer placement or internship. Spending time overseas with Projects Abroad can last from two weeks to a year in 24 different countries around the world in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe or Latin America and the Caribbean. Whether you teach in a Mexican school, work on a veterinary internship in India, help with English classes in Peru or participate in a medical project in Ghana, you will be joining a community of volunteers and local people, all working together to better their lives and their community. Along with a life-enriching volunteer or internship project, you will also live with a host family and experience the culture of your host country intimately. The full-time, in-country staff will meet you at the airport, introduce you to your host family and make sure you settle in well. Volunteer placements and internships include teaching, care, conservation, culture and community, sports, HIV/AIDS projects, archaeology, medicine and healthcare, journalism, business, law and human rights, and veterinary medicine and animal care. Language courses in Arabic, French, Portuguese, Russian or Spanish and University dissertation research options are also available. The fee includes project placement, housing with a host family, three meals a day, comprehensive travel and medical insurance, in-country staff support (available 24/7) and social activities with other volunteers.

• Whether you are looking to gain international work experience, help others less fortunate than yourself, or simply experience a new culture, Projects Abroad offers unique and worthwhile volunteer and internship projects worldwide.

Are you looking for a unique opportunity to improve and develop your Spanish language skills while gaining real work experience with a business in Spain? The first four weeks of your Tandem Escuela Internacional Madrid experience will be spent at the school improving your Spanish. Located in a 19th century palace with 14 classrooms, a garden courtyard, multi-media room and library, classes are organized into small groups with four intensive language lessons per day. Following the language experience, you will participate in an unpaid internship, with options including advertising, business, engineering, finance, graphic design, humanitarian services, import/export, international relations, IT/Web design, marketing or tourism. You will also have the opportunity to practice with a Tandem Partner and to participate in Tandem's cultural program, including guided tours, cultural exchanges and organized excursions. Opportunities are available throughout the year beginning the first Monday of each month, with a three-month minimum commitment. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, have an intermediate to advanced level of Spanish, and have a professional or educational background that would help them to be a responsible and productive member of the organization. Applications must be received at least 8 weeks prior to start date; email Mercedes Guerrero for more information.

• Improve your Spanish speaking skills through an intensive language course. Gain real world experience through an internship with a local business. Live and play in the culturally-rich city of Madrid, Spain. This is Tandem Escuela Internacional Madrid.

Do you believe that we can learn from and contribute to the developing world by working as part of a community of volunteers committed to social justice in an urban setting? Visions in Action was founded with this conviction and offers 6-12 month volunteer placements in three African countries (South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda), Liberia and Mexico. After a three-week orientation and intensive language study, volunteers work in projects that include business and community development, education, environmental issues, food education and nutrition, health care, human rights, journalism, nonprofit development, scientific research and women's rights. For those who desire a shorter-term placement, a six-week summer program is also an option in Mexico and Tanzania. Fees include coed group housing, orientation and language training, medical insurance, overseas support and a small monthly stipend. Applicants of all nationalities must be at least 21 of age (18 for the summer program) and have two years of college or equivalent work experience. Most volunteers are university graduates, the average age is 27 and married couples are encouraged to apply. Applications are due three months prior to departure, although it's suggested that you apply early so you have time to raise funds before you go.

• Mexico, Liberia, South Africa, Tanzania and Uganda. Grassroots community development projects in urban settings. Intensive language study. Be the change as an international volunteer for Visions in Action.

Unique Resources

View More Work Abroad Programs

Travelers who want to combine a little adventure and personal growth with service to others should include Volunteer Vacations in their research. The 10th edition of this classic profiles more than 250 organizations who need volunteers along with vignettes from previous volunteers. Released February 2009

Explore these insider tips on living, working and traveling abroad.

Get inspired with these stories from the field:
• Service Learning Africa
• Intern Abroad Belize
• Teach in Costa Rica
• Community Building Paraguay
• Volunteer Peru
• Teach in Thailand
• Volunteer Uruguay
• Volunteer Vacations Abroad

Need a passport for your journey abroad? Download helpful passport information, including application forms, from the U.S. Department of State.

If you're looking for the perfect flight, hotel or rental car deal, we recommend Kayak.com.

Hot Links
Explore our hot list of work, volunteer and travel abroad guides and books

Go to the Teach Abroad channel

backdoorjobs.com
Your Home for Short-Term
Job Adventures & More!

Job Channels—Explore Your Options
• U.S. Adventure Jobs	• Camp & Ranch Jobs
• Worldwide Adventure Jobs	• Resort & Hospitality Jobs
• Wilderness Therapy Ventures	• Mind, Body & Soul Quests
• Jobs in the Great Outdoors	• Meaningful Work
• Environmental Education Jobs	• Teaching Gigs Worldwide
• Sustainable Living & Farming Work	• Intern, Travel, Volunteer, Work Abroad