
Volunteer abroad
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We believe young people can change the world. So, Raleigh Expedition equips young people with the skills, experience, and connections to be leaders of change. Young people who volunteer with us will have the chance to build their skills on an adventure leadership trek, create real lasting change working together with communities on the community project and combat one of the biggest challenges facing us today through the environmental project.
You will work on sustainable development projects in remote communities and partner with host country volunteers to ensure maximum, long lasting and sustainable impact.
Join Raleigh Expedition to ignite your passion for change and equip yourself with the skills to mobilise action on the issues you care about.
It is time for Action Not Excuses. Tomorrow is too late. Change starts here.
Community | Environmental | Adventure
Expedition encompasses a variety of up to three projects and experiences, that combined give our volunteers the opportunity to create change in themselves as well as in the environments and communities where we work.
Community
You will live and work with local communities, improving facilities and influencing new behaviours that will support communities in the future. You will partner with schools and community groups to create awareness about the importance of handwashing and safe water, building water tanks, toilet blocks and handwashing stations; or help improve access to education building schools in indigenous areas.
Environmental
Environmental projects give you the chance to play an active role in combating climate change. You will work to sustain natural resources with reforestation initiatives and infrastructure improvements, giving vital access to protected areas. You will work alongside local communities to change habits, for example, promoting firewood alternatives and encouraging the development of a more diverse range of crops.
Adventure
Adventure projects give you the chance to trek through incredible sceneries whilst developing your leadership and teamwork skills. We start and finish our treks together, but you and your team will navigate the route yourselves. It gives you a chance to go back to basics and learn to be self-sufficient, appreciating the environment we live in.
Don’t just take our word for it, see why people choose Raleigh Expedition by looking at testimonials and reviews from past volunteers.
Where can I go?
Choose where to volunteer abroad below.
Tanzania Covid-19 update: at this time we have ‘paused’ delivering our programmes in Tanzania in 2021. See our Covid-19 update for more information.
We have chosen these countries because they have large youth populations and volunteers can make the greatest impact. They all face issues relating to water and sanitation and are heavily affected by climate change. We work in rural areas because the people that live there are often the most marginalised. They tend to have poorer access to basic services, lower education levels and a worse standard of living than those in urban areas. Women and children are often the most disadvantaged.
How long can I go for?
10 week Expedition | The 10 week Expedition is the most immersive of our Expeditions, allowing you to join us for almost three months overseas. Take part in three different projects, across three different locations. |
6 and 7 week Expeditions | Take part in two different projects in two different locations, where you can choose to work on a Community or Environmental project, alongside an Adventure Leadership Trek. |
4 and 5 week Expeditions | Our shortest Expeditions are our programmes running for 4 or 5 weeks in July and August. On these programmes you will have the opportunity to work on a Community or Environment project, in addition to a short Adventure Leadership Trek phase. |
Expedition dates
Click the dates to choose when to volunteer abroad below.
Secure your place on Expeditions from April 2021 onwards! Please click here for more information on our Covid-19 response and our future plans.
April – June 2021
Nepal
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
---|---|---|---|
27 Apr – 04 Jun | 6 | Full | 02 Mar 2020 |
01 May – 08 Jun | 6 | Full | 08 Mar 2020 |
Costa Rica
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
---|---|---|---|
24 Apr – 01 Jun | 6 | Full | 01 Mar 2020 |
28 Apr – 05 Jun | 6 | Full | 03 Mar 2020 |
July – September 2021
Nepal
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
05 Jul – 22 Aug | 7 | Places available | 10 May 2021 |
09 Jul – 26 Aug | 7 | Places available | 13 May 2021 |
01 Aug – 03 Sept | 5 | Places available | 07 Jun 2021 |
05 Aug – 07 Sept | 5 | Places available | 10 Jun 2021 |
Costa Rica
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
07 Jul – 09 Sept | 10 | Places available | 12 May 2021 |
11 Jul – 12 Sept | 10 | Places available | 17 May 2021 |
07 Jul – 03 Aug | 4 | Places available | 12 May 2021 |
20 Aug – 16 Sept | 4 | Places available | 24 Jun 2021 |
September – December 2021
Please note: these dates are indicative only and subject to change at this time. Please check our Covid-19 update on why changes may be required.
Nepal
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
17 Sept – 26 Nov | 10 | Places available | 22 July 2021 |
21 Sept – 30 Nov | 10 | Places available | 27 July 2021 |
11 Oct – 28 Nov | 7 | Places available | 16 Aug 2021 |
Costa Rica
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
29 Sep – 01 Dec | 10 | Places available | 04 Aug 2021 |
03 Oct – 05 Dec | 10 | Places available | 09 Aug 2021 |
21 Oct – 03 Dec | 7 | Places available | 26 Aug 2021 |
February – April 2022
Nepal
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
---|---|---|---|
08 Feb – 17 Apr | 10 | Places available | 14 Dec 2021 |
08 Feb – 27 Mar | 7 | Places available | 14 Dec 2021 |
02 Mar – 17 Apr | 7 | Places available | 05 Jan 2022 |
Costa Rica
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
---|---|---|---|
16 Feb – 25 Apr | 10 | Places available | 22 Dec 2021 |
16 Feb – 04 Apr | 7 | Places available | 22 Dec 2021 |
08 Mar – 25 Apr | 7 | Places available | 01 Feb 2022 |
June – September 2022
Nepal
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
01 Jul – 07 Sept | 10 | Places available | 06 May 2022 |
01 Jul – 17 Aug | 7 | Places available | 06 May 2022 |
23 July – 07 Sept | 7 | Places available | 30 May 2022 |
07 July – 09 Aug | 5 | Places available | 12 May 2022 |
Costa Rica
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
29 Jun – 05 Sept | 10 | Places available | 05 May 2022 |
29 Jun – 15 Aug | 7 | Places available | 05 May 2022 |
19 July – 05 Sept | 7 | Places available | 24 May 2022 |
29 Jun – 27 July | 4 | Places available | 05 May 2022 |
30 July – 27 Aug | 4 | Places available | 02 June 2022 |
September – December 2022
Nepal
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
12 Oct – 19 Dec | 10 | Places available | 17 Aug 2022 |
12 Oct – 28 Nov | 7 | Places available | 17 Aug 2022 |
03 Nov – 19 Dec | 7 | Places available | 08 Sept 2022 |
Costa Rica
Dates | Weeks | Availability | Application deadline |
09 Oct – 16 Dec | 10 | Places available | 11 Aug 2022 |
09 Oct – 25 Nov | 7 | Places available | 11 Aug 2022 |
29 Oct – 16 Dec | 7 | Places available | 05 Sep 2022 |
If an Expedition is full, call us on +44 (0)20 7183 1270 to talk about your options or +1 833-660-9738 if calling from the US.
How much does it cost?
As a charity we talk about fundraising rather than costs and set a minimum fundraising target. This contributes towards Raleigh’s programmes and secures your place. We encourage everyone to do some fundraising activities for their Expedition.
Our Expeditions are about prioritising long term impact, not profit. By joining you will be contributing towards the long-term goals of Raleigh International.
We offer lots of ways to help with fundraising and we have supported thousands of young people to reach their target. We also offer a limited places supported by our Bursary Fund.
Want to learn more?
If you’d like to find out more about Raleigh Expedition, attend one of our information events or download a copy of our Expedition Guide which shares more information on the projects our volunteers contribute to and the countries we work in.