How much does it cost to volunteer abroad?

The idea of volunteering abroad can be very attractive, and now, more and more people are choosing to take time off to help others in a foreign land.

The experience you'll have is one you'll never forget – you will meet lifelong friends and get to see the world. But this experience does not come for free. Volunteering abroad does cost money, and it's best if you become familiar with all of the volunteer abroad expenses before you pick an organization.

If you've been researching different volunteer abroad organizations, you may have noticed that, generally, there is an application (or registration) fee, and a program fee. Extra fees may apply if you participate in an optional orientation or a very specialized program.

You should also be aware that what you're paying to the volunteer organization only applies to costs associated with your organization and program, therefore you need to cover any additional costs that apply only to you, such as airfare, etc. Volunteering abroad expenses are covered in more detail in the questions below.

How much does it cost to volunteer abroad?

The amount you'll be paying depends on many factors – the organization you're using, the country you're visiting, the program you're taking part in, the length of your stay, and much more.

For instance, volunteering in a poorer country like Nepal will be a bit cheaper than in a developing country like Brazil. Volunteering in an orphanage is cheaper than doing a medical program, which usually has additional charges for supplies, etc.

The cost of a volunteer abroad program can range anywhere from $200 to $3000 just for 2 weeks. It's important to carefully compare programs to make sure you're paying a reasonable price.

What do fees cover?

Although this varies depending on the organization and program, in general your application (registration) fee covers the organization's administration costs, including advertising, utilities, rent, employee salaries, and other business expenses.

Your program fee, on the other hand, will generally cover in-country costs, such as room and board, local office expenses, and a project donation.

Sometimes organizations will have you pay your host families and your project donations directly to the local individuals, so you know that the local community is benefitting from your money. When researching program costs, check to see if your organization's website provides a transparent allocation of fees.

What other costs should I be aware of?

The volunteer abroad expenses you pay to your volunteer organization will not cover everything you need for volunteering abroad.

Some of the main things that you will be paying for on your own are: airfare, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, and any other personal expenses.

If you are participating in a more specialized project, such as a medical/healthcare project, you may need to pay additional costs for things like medical supplies.

Also, many organizations offer orientation programs that include intensive language training and other valuable things. This is usually optional, and will be at an additional cost to the volunteer.

Where does the money go?

As described above, your volunteer abroad costs will be divided in certain ways (as determined by the organization). Money for room and board will be going to your host family or volunteer housing.

The best organizations will insist that the volunteer pay their host families directly, so that they know for sure the money is going to people who need it, rather than for the profit of the organization.

This is the same for your project donation. Many organizations will ask you to pay this directly to the project coordinators. Talk with your organization to see if they do this.

The rest of the fees will go to your organization's needs, such as salaries for its workers, promotional materials, and advertising – things that keep the organization running.

If you find that too much of your money is going to the organization and not to your host family or local community, it may not be the best organization to choose to volunteer abroad.

Do my host family and volunteer project get money? How much?

Your host family and local volunteer project will receive money as part of your volunteer abroad costs. The amount depends on the country and the project.

For instance, research shows that host families get $50- $200 per month depending on the country. In general, your host family receives 60-80% of your monthly program fees, while your project receives 10-20%.

As mentioned above, some volunteer organizations will have you pay this directly to the host family or project, rather than going through the organization.