International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) Reviews 

This is my second trip with IVHQ, once in May 2019 and again in April 2026. I will not be waiting nearly as long to make my next adventure. IVHQ made the entire process absolutely seamless on both occasions. My most recent trip being to a rather difficult country/region to travel to. Staff was super responsive, instructions were incredibly clear, experience was brilliant all around. Their trips and goals are clearly defined and well planned.

IVHQ is such a wonderful organization that truly offers the best way to help others

My time volunteering in Madagascar ended up teaching me far more than I could’ve imagined. While I was there to help students learn English, they showed me so much about patience, joy, and making the most of what you have. I built really close connections with my students, we laughed a lot, learned from each other, and those small moments meant everything. I also grew really close to the other volunteers and sharing the experience brought us together, creating friendships I know I’ll have for life. For me, it wasn’t just about teaching, it was about the people and the connections that I know will stay with me and I’ll cherish them fondly. To anyone that is feeling hesitant about volunteering, I’d say just go for it!! It exceeded all of my expectations and I had the trip of a lifetime. Through the friendships and connections I made to the challenges I overcame, I wouldn’t change one second. One of the most rewarding, eye opening experiences that I would encourage everyone to try.

Egypt
Volunteering at a school in Egypt was truly one of the highlights of my trip. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warmth and kindness by both the staff and students. The children were eager to learn, full of energy, and incredibly inspiring to work with each day. Being able to contribute, even in a small way, to their education and daily experiences was deeply rewarding.

What made the experience even more special were the people I met along the way. Everyone I encountered was generous, supportive, and genuinely kind, creating an environment that felt both meaningful and uplifting. I formed connections that I will carry with me long after my trip ended.

I’m especially grateful for my host, whose accommodations were truly exceptional. They went above and beyond to ensure I was comfortable, supported, and able to fully immerse myself in the experience. Their hospitality made a significant difference and allowed me to focus on making the most of my time at the school. I truly have gained a friend for life.

Overall, this experience left a lasting impression on me. It was not only a chance to give back, but also an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect in ways I will never forget.

Until next time Egypt ❤️

They looked after me from when I signed up to the moment I checked in at the airport to go home. Couldn’t have asked for better staff or service

Volunteering with IVHQ in South Korea as an English teacher for children was much more than just a volunteer program. It was a meaningful cultural and human experience that allowed me to connect directly with local students and see everyday life in Korea from a completely different perspective.
Teaching English to children was one of the most rewarding parts of the experience. Their energy, curiosity, respect, and willingness to learn made every activity feel genuine and impactful. Even when there were language differences, communication still happened through enthusiasm, kindness, and shared moments in the classroom. It reminded me that teaching is not only about language, but also about connection.
What I appreciated most about IVHQ was the balance between organization and authenticity. I felt supported throughout the experience, and at the same time I had the chance to truly immerse myself in the local culture rather than feeling like I was just passing through as a tourist. From the structure of the program to the opportunity to engage with the community, everything helped make the experience both smooth and meaningful.
This experience taught me a lot about adaptability, cultural exchange, and the value of showing up with openness and respect. I left South Korea not only with beautiful memories, but with a deeper understanding of volunteering, education, and human connection.

I have just returned from Guatemala where I spent two weeks volunteering at Eco Farms in San Felipe. The daily tasks were exciting for me as I am an avid gardener at home in Canada. I was involved in picking coffee beans for harvesting, working in the spiral vegetable gardens, tending to the beautiful flowers, and spending valuable time with the staff and volunteer mates who made my days so enlightening. Eco Farms has to be seen to even imagine the depth of it's capacities. It is a piece of heaven on earth with its range of possibilities focusing on self-sustainability and environmental awareness to create greater understanding of the importance of permaculture. I was impressed how Eco Farms incorporates ancient Mayan techniques and beliefs to produce high quality crops. My volunteering duties taught me many ideas to bring home and practice in my own gardens. If you are a lover of the outdoors and aren't afraid to get your hands in the soil, consider a volunteer placement at Eco Farms. After a day in the shade of the palms under a sunny sky, you can wash the earth from your hands and sit in Owl Cafe with a coffee made from the beans you helped pick, have a salad made from fresh organic vegetables, and let the juice of a freshly picked mango drip off your chin. I gained a deep respect for the heritage of the Mayan people as I spent another adventure packed week touring the country and all its natural wonders. Give a serious thought to putting volunteering in Guatemala on you next list of amazing things to do. You will be glad you did!

It was without a doubt a life changing experience that I would definetly recommend everyone to do specially if you are young. Its an amazing way to make an impact through every IVHQ program. They are super well organized, its 100% safe and they give right and clear information since the beggining. They are super helpful and a wonderful organazation overall. I would for sure recommend them to travel and volunteer abroad.

It’s a wonderful experience for me to do an overseas volunteer. The program coordinator helped me prepare before the trip and check on me during the trip. I really appreciated I have this opportunity to experience different cultures and immerse in the local culture.
I will continue join the program in the future.

An amazing and meaningful trip for our family of five, two parents and three children aged 9 to 16, starting with relaxing days in Bali before heading to Lombok for the program. The team was incredibly supportive and inspiring, going above and beyond, especially when helping with a medical issue and navigating challenges. Despite some initial discomfort with the accommodation, the experience became deeply rewarding thanks to the welcoming community and other dedicated people involved. The program offered valuable personal and professional growth, sparking reflection on important life perspectives. Overall, it was a truly memorable and enriching experience, leaving a lasting impact and a desire to continue supporting the community.

IVHQ was easy to work with, communicated all information I needed effectively and was very helpful when I had questions. My experience in Guatemala was truly authentic with opportunities to meet and work with local teachers, hospital workers and farmers in an immersive language environment. I felt well supported by IVHQ and would definitely recommend them for a volunteer experience abroad.

I worked the youth support in Barcelona and loved it. The experience with the youth was rewarding and the access to IVHQ and our local team was easy and helpful! Definitely would do it again!

I had an amazing experience during this volunteer program and I am truly grateful that I had the opportunity to be part of it. From the very beginning, the atmosphere was welcoming and positive, which made it easy to connect with the other volunteers. I met many wonderful people and created friendships that I will truly value. Spending time with them helped me learn new things, share ideas, and see life from different perspectives.

Volunteering here made me feel more confident and proud of myself, knowing that I was able to contribute and make a positive difference. It was not only about helping others, but also about personal growth and learning more about teamwork, empathy, and collaboration.

The accommodation was excellent – very clean, comfortable, and well organized. Everything was even better than I expected, which made the whole experience much more enjoyable and relaxing after a day of activities.

Another thing that really stood out was the staff. They were always available whenever we needed help, extremely friendly, supportive, and ready to assist us with anything. Their positive attitude made everyone feel welcome and cared for.

Overall, this volunteer experience was incredibly meaningful for me. I had a lot of fun, learned valuable lessons, met inspiring people, and created memories that I will always remember. I would definitely recommend this program to anyone who wants to volunteer, grow as a person, and be part of a supportive and inspiring community.

IVHQ is an amazing organisation. They are super efficient with communication and making sure that I know exactly what's expected of me and what I need to do.

This was one of the best experiences!! I was coming solo as a 16 year old and I have put my trust in this team and program as I’ve never travelled solo before, and it was really amazing! my local team were super super nice, I knew what to do incases of emergencies because they tell you in the courses. I was doing teaching in South Korea and it was just really great. The kids were super adorable and the guiders that came and took us to the school/daycares they were really really nice!! I will 100% be doing another program with ivhq because the way they planned everything and it was also a reasonable amount of volunteering, and we had a lot of time off to explore the country! The accommodation was amazing, I’ve met so much amazing people there and also explored the country too! We could also do like one day of teaching program and another day of like a dog shelter program, it was very flexible! I 100% recommend ivhq programs, they are so well planned and super helpful and kind!!

Amazing experience with IVHQ, 1st time ever solo travelling at 40yrs old and after initially feeling apprehensive about going on my own and being too old I soon felt settled and excited after dealing with the IVHQ coordinators. It was a great way to travel and see places on the bucket list but at the same time feel like I also had a sense of purpose. Everything was organised so well and they kept in contact every step of the way, the hostel accommodation was better than expected, clean and comfortable with everything needed. Meeting the other volunteers there was very interesting even though we weren't doing the same program we had a great time socialising and the age difference didn't matter in the slightest. It was an excellent way to see other cultures and how other people live.

My experience volunteering in Kenya through IVHQ was truly lifechanging. From start to finish, the program felt safe, well organised, and reliable, which made it easy to focus on the meaningful work I was doing in childcare. Supporting and connecting with the children every day was incredibly rewarding, and it opened my eyes to new perspectives and cultures. The local team was supportive and always available if I needed help, which made me feel comfortable and secure throughout the trip. Overall, IVHQ provided an unforgettable experience that not only allowed me to give back but also helped me grow personally in ways I never expected.

I recently completed a medical program experience in Faridabad (Delhi) with IVHQ. I would absolutely use them again for any future volunteering I may do and certainly recommend them to anyone else thinking about trying volunteering.

The experience with IVHQ was excellent from the very beginning. Easy to use website. Clear information. Fair pricing. The preparation checklist left no room for errors and created a sense of confidence in the program and process before leaving home.

There was clear support before leaving, while away and follow up when arriving home. It makes you feel that IVHQ genuinely care about your experience which is a great thing.

We were well looked after in our home stay and had the best group during our stay. I’m 52, the eldest volunteer at the time was 77, the youngest 24, but we all had a common goal which is a great starting point.
If you are considering volunteering I’d say go for it! With a one week option in lots of programs you can’t go wrong. I absolutely loved my whole time away and have already started looking into my next trip.

Wonderful staff and everyone was so nice. I felt so welcomed.

Excellent support from IVHQ from start to end of my volunteering. Highly recommended and I had a wonderful time in China at the turtle reserve.