The Career Break Site - Search results

Who? Travellers Worldwide
What? Flexible volunteer placements, including teaching (English, sports, drama, and art), conservation work (orangutans, lions, elephants), and language courses.
Where? Worldwide
Requirements None.
More info on Travellers Worldwide
Go to the Travellers Worldwide website

Who? Earthwatch Institute
What? Organises volunteer projects in the areas of wildlife conservation and environmental research looking at global climate change, habitat loss, threatened species, and biodiversity.
Where? Worldwide
Requirements No qualifications or experience required. 18 years old or over, no upper age limit.
More info on Earthwatch Institute
Go to the Earthwatch Institute website

Who? VSO
What? Paid volunteer placements from two months to two years in the areas of business management, education and health.
Where? 34 countries in Africa, Asia and the Pacific.
Requirements Youth programmes for 18-25 year olds. Programmes for experienced professionals (with relevant qualifications and experience) between 20 and 75 years old.
More info on VSO
Go to the VSO website

Who? Madventurer
What? Runs development projects in the fields of construction, teaching, conservation and medicine.
Where? Africa, India, Sri Lanka, South East Asia, Central and South America.
Requirements Minimum age 17.
More info on Madventurer
Go to the Madventurer website

Who? Trekforce Worldwide
What? Organises volunteer conservation and community development projects in remote locations, concentrating on real travel with a real purpose.
Where? South America, Central America and Belize (desert, rainforest and mountain locations).
Requirements Minimum age is 18 years old. Must be determined and a team player. No previous experience is necessary as training is given when you arrive in country.
More info on Trekforce Worldwide
Go to the Trekforce Worldwide website

Who? Sunrise International
What? The specialist for China volunteer projects, offering two weeks to one year volunteer opportunities abroad in social, environment, education, medical, journalism and community areas in China. Offices are in Beijing and the UK to ensure a well-supported placement.
Where? Throughout China.
Requirements Minimum age 16.
Go to the Sunrise International website

Who? Volunteer Action for Peace
What? Affordable placements for people of all ages willing to do voluntary work with local communities. From local development to conservation work, from art festivals to children's play schemes, all projects are organised locally in very close contact with the local populations.
Where? More than 80 countries worldwide.
Requirements Minimum age for most placements is 18, although there are a few projects for 15-17 year olds.
More info on Volunteer Action for Peace
Go to the Volunteer Action for Peace website

Who? Real Gap
What? A huge range of career break and gap year opportunities, including volunteer work, adventure travel and sports programmes.
Where? Worldwide
Requirements No qualifications necessary. Minimum age limit is 17. Basic level of fitness is required.
More info on Real Gap
Go to the Real Gap website

Who? Camphill Communities UK
What? Be a long-term or short-term volunteer in a community with children, adolescents and adults with learning disabilities.
Where? UK and Northern Ireland
Requirements Minimum age 18, no upper age limit; interest in socially creative lifestyle; energy and enthusiasm; empathy with vulnerable people; readiness to shoulder responsibility and grow and train in social care and support work.
More info on Camphill Communities UK
Go to the Camphill Communities UK website

Who? Acacia Adventure Holidays
What? Runs adventure travel holidays, including overland expeditions, small group safaris, volunteering experiences and diving courses throughout Africa.
Where? Southern Africa East Africa North Africa & Jordan
Requirements None - range of tours to suit different styles
More info on Acacia Adventure Holidays
Go to the Acacia Adventure Holidays website

Who? Raleigh
What? Be a volunteer manager in project-and field-based roles to help run community, environment and adventure expeditions for young people aged 17-24 from all walks of life.
Where? Borneo, Costa Rica & Nicaragua, India.
Requirements Aged 25 to 80. Some roles require specialist skills.
More info on Raleigh
Go to the Raleigh website

Who? Camps International
What? Organises responsible volunteer trips to work with rural communities to improve the education facilities. Sustainable projects are running year round and key areas of work are teaching, bringing a clean water supply to schools and the refurbishment and construction of classrooms and desks.
Where? Kenya and Borneo
Requirements Ages 25 and over. No upper age limit but a good general level of fitness required. No formal experience or qualifications needed.
More info on Camps International
Go to the Camps International website

Who? Ticket to Ride
What? Career breaks and gap years combining surfing courses, adventure travel and community development work. Learn to surf, get internationally-recognised qualifications, travel through Africa and do volunteer work.
Where? South Africa, Mozambique and Portugal
Requirements All participants must be over 18 years old
More info on Ticket to Ride
Go to the Ticket to Ride website

Who? Hands around the World
What? Sending short-term volunteers to help in developing countries, making links and encouraging lasting friendships. Some in groups-building for a month, others skill-sharing for 3-6 months.
Where? Mainly Africa.
Requirements Different requirements for different positions. See website for more information.
Go to the Hands around the World website

Who? Quest Overseas and Quest Underseas
What? Group or lone volunteer placements and expeditions on ethical and sustainable projects that support long-term development. Provides community and marine conservation projects for gap years, career breaks or research students - onward 'escapes' also available.
Where? Africa, Central and South America, Spain.
Requirements Ages 18-81
More info on Quest Overseas and Quest Underseas
Go to the Quest Overseas and Quest Underseas website

Who? BUNAC
What? Paid work abroad and volunteer work abroad programmes for people looking for new opportunities.
Where? South Africa, Ghana, Costa Rica, Peru, Cambodia, China, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
Requirements Dependent upon each country's visa restrictions (max age 30 to work in Canada, 35 for New Zealand)
More info on BUNAC
Go to the BUNAC website

Who? Jingando Holidays
What? Flexible career break programmes that show you a different side of Brazil, focusing on full immersion and involvement in local life and culture. Programmes include learning Brazilian dance, percussion, capoeira, Portuguese or surfing. You can also volunteer in local community projects.
Where? Brazil
Requirements Minimum age: 17 years old, unless accompanied by an adult
More info on Jingando Holidays
Go to the Jingando Holidays website

Who? Blue Ventures
What? An award-winning, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to coral reef conservation and sustainable development in Madagascar. Through marine expeditions, volunteers work with the field research team, in partnership with local communities.
Where? Madagascar and the UK
Requirements All backgrounds from 18+
Go to the Blue Ventures website

Who? Bushwise
What? Train as a Safari Field Guide in South Africa. The course is accredited and includes valuable work experience as well as practical and academic training.
Where? The Limpopo province in the northeastern region of South Africa.
Requirements You must be at least 21 years old and hold a valid driving licence.
Go to the Bushwise website

Who? Projects Abroad
What? Projects Abroad offer a diverse range of volunteer projects, plus the opportunity to become part of a local community overseas.
Where? Latin America, Eastern Europe, Africa and Asia.
Requirements From 17 to 70 years of age.
More info on Projects Abroad
Go to the Projects Abroad website

Who? Global Volunteer Projects
What? Worthwhile work experience in medicine, journalism and business, and volunteer projects. Projects include medicine, dentistry, journalism, teaching English, and HIV awareness and counselling.
Where? Latin America, Africa and Asia
Requirements Good spoken English. You should be aged between 17 and 80 years old.
More info on Global Volunteer Projects
Go to the Global Volunteer Projects website

Who? Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)
What? MSF sends doctors, nurses, logistics specialists and engineers to work alongside local staff in developing countries to provide emergency medical aid. Administrators are also needed.
Where? MSF works in over 70 countries worldwide.
Requirements Availability of 9-12 months; at least 2 years professional experience; at least 3 months travelling and/or work experience in the developing world; ability to manage stress (work is often in unstable regions).
More info on Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)
Go to the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) website

Who? Habitat for Humanity
What? Habitat for Humanity's international volunteering programme, Global Village, sends individuals and groups on two-week trips to build a house, alongside a family in need of a safe, decent place to live.
Where? Worldwide
Requirements Age 18+. No building skills are required! You will be working alongside skilled local supervisors. All you need is plenty of enthusiasm and the desire to make a difference.
More info on Habitat for Humanity
Go to the Habitat for Humanity website

Who? Azafady
What? Volunteer placements in the areas of wildlife conservation (including working with lemurs) and community development in impoverished communities. Azafady is a registered charity.
Where? Madagascar
Requirements Minimum age 18
More info on Azafady
Go to the Azafady website

Who? Gap Year Traveller
What? Whether you would like to gain valuable work experience, volunteer with wildlife, work with children or teach English abroad, Gap Year Traveller can help. Programmes available to suit all budgets, from 2 weeks to 1 year.
Where? Worldwide.
Requirements Minimum age 18.
More info on Gap Year Traveller
Go to the Gap Year Traveller website

Who? Pepper
What? Offers tailor-made career break and gap year experiences in South Africa. Travel in a group and choose a mixture of surfing, scuba diving, volunteering and community projects, wakeboarding, yachting, kite-surfing, and safari/game reserve programmes.
Where? Throughout South Africa.
Requirements Minimum age 18.
More info on Pepper
Go to the Pepper website

Who? Apple Languages
What? Organises language courses abroad for Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Portuguese and Greek.
Where? Europe, South America, Canada and the Caribbean
Requirements Enthusiastic and with a passion for languages! Most of our courses are for 16 years and above.
Go to the Apple Languages website

Who? Mondo Challenge
What? Volunteer in rural development programmes. All programmes are community based, meaning that you live and work alongside local people.
Where? Africa, Asia, South America
Requirements For the teaching programmes: good communication skills! For the Business Development programmes a minimum of 4 years of business knowledge is required, in marketing and/or finance.
More info on Mondo Challenge
Go to the Mondo Challenge website

Who? Global Volunteer Network (GVN)
What? Volunteering projects in communities in need.
Where? North, Central and South America, Asia, New Zealand, Africa.
Requirements Minimum age 18.
More info on Global Volunteer Network (GVN)
Go to the Global Volunteer Network (GVN) website

Who? Greenforce
What? Organises global adventures including projects working with in country NGOs such as the Red Cross and Wildlife Conservation Society. Flexible projects also include PADI dive instructor training in Thailand and football in Brazil.
Where? Fiji, Bahamas, Ecuador, Tanzania, Nepal and Tibet, India, Thailand, Indonesia, Red Sea, Gozo, Brazil, South Africa, Spain and Australia.
Requirements Aged 17 and upwards.
Go to the Greenforce website

Who? Outreach International
What? Volunteering projects with grass roots, local organisations. Become part of the community and learn the language. Projects include teaching English, sports, arts, computer studies, working with homeless or disabled children, conservation and development.
Where? Costa Rica, Ecuador, Cambodia, Sri Lanka and Mexico.
Requirements Some projects need volunteers with qualifications in physiotherapy, office management, computers or law, but for others, no experience is necessary.
More info on Outreach International
Go to the Outreach International website

Who? Real Sport Experience
What? A sports travel specialist offering the best gap year sports opportunities abroad. Programmes include: sports training abroad, sports volunteer projects, ski/snowboard instructor courses, scuba diving courses and extreme expeditions for those into adventure travel.
Where? Worldwide
Requirements No qualifications necessary. Minimum age limit is 17. Basic level of fitness is required.
More info on Real Sport Experience
Go to the Real Sport Experience website

Who? Volunteering Solutions
What? Affordable, reliable and meaningful volunteer opportunities in various projects such as medicine, teaching, orphanages and community development. Travel packages also available.
Where? India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Kenya, Ghana
Requirements Minimum age 18
More info on Volunteering Solutions
Go to the Volunteering Solutions website

Who? The Leap
What? A variety of volunteer placements combined with adventure travel, including safaris and sports programmes. From 2 weeks to 3 months.
Where? Africa, Asia and South America.
Requirements None
More info on The Leap
Go to the The Leap website

Who? Gap Year for Grown-Ups
What? Career break and volunteer specialists in over 25 countries for the over 30's.
Where? Worldwide
Requirements No qualifications necessary. No minimum or maximum age limit but all applicants must have a basic level of fitness.
More info on Gap Year for Grown-Ups
Go to the Gap Year for Grown-Ups website

Who? Vivisto
What? Lifetime experiences for those in need of a career break, sabbatical or gap year. Experiences range from conservation work in Africa to adrenalin sports in New Zealand, plus career guidance, CV writing and a job search to help revitalise your career.
Where? Worldwide
Requirements Minimum age 17
More info on Vivisto
Go to the Vivisto website

Who? Global Vision International
What? Volunteer placements in the areas of conservation and community development and career development facilities with in field internships.
Where? Worldwide
Requirements Opportunities are available for everyone from career breakers and families to students and retirees.
More info on Global Vision International
Go to the Global Vision International website

Who? Coral Cay Conservation (CCC)
What? An award-winning not-for-profit organisation that sends teams of volunteers to survey some of the world's most endangered coral reefs and tropical forests. Projects run all year from just 1 week and there is no limit to how long you can stay for.
Where? Philippines, Tobago and Papua New Guinea
Requirements None - Full training in marine and terrestrial surveying techniques (and dive tuition) is provided on location.
Go to the Coral Cay Conservation (CCC) website

Who? Explore Worldwide
What? Small group adventure holidays, with minimal impact on the local community and surrounding area. Discover the beautiful Amalfi coast; journey into Bhutan or trek through African rainforest to see the Gorillas of Uganda. New volunteer projects available. Tours range from 4 to 29 days in length.
Where? Worldwide
Requirements Some Explore tours will require varying levels of fitness.
More info on Explore Worldwide
Go to the Explore Worldwide website

Who? African Conservation Experience
What? African Conservation Experience arranges volunteer placements on game and nature reserves in Southern Africa.
Where? South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe
Requirements Minimum age - 17. No experience of qualifications needed, just enthusiasm and a reasonable level of fitness.
More info on African Conservation Experience
Go to the African Conservation Experience website

Who? Challenges Worldwide (CWW)
What? Use your professional skills and experience as a volunteer in international development opportunities. Volunteer opportunities exist for those in HR, IT, law, admin, finance, marketing, project management and more.
Where? India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Belize, St Lucia, and South Africa.
Requirements You must have approximately 5 years’ work experience and be aged between 20 and 64.
More info on Challenges Worldwide (CWW)
Go to the Challenges Worldwide (CWW) website

Who? Globalteer
What? Affordable volunteer placements with children and animals. Work with street children, or volunteer in a centre for rescued wild animals. Placements in an elephant sanctuary also available.
Where? Cambodia and Thailand.
Requirements Minimum age of 18
More info on Globalteer
Go to the Globalteer website

Who? IVS GB (International Voluntary Service)
What? IVS works to promote peace through volunteering and to support the sustainable development of local and global communities. IVS offers some 800 short-term projects, and some long-term opportunities.
Where? In 45 countries around the world, including the UK.
Requirements Ages 18-70.
Go to the IVS GB (International Voluntary Service) website

Who? Amanzi Travel
What? Leading UK specialist in volunteer experiences throughout Africa. Amazing opportunities - conserving endangered wildlife, working on community/ medical projects, teaching and sports coaching to disadvantaged children, plus incredible adventure activities. A family-run business, passionate about the projects offered with a service second-to-none.
Where? Throughout Africa.
Requirements Commitment and enthusiasm for chosen project.
More info on Amanzi Travel
Go to the Amanzi Travel website