New year, new you?
Experience a new culture and broaden your perspective by participating in United Planet’s Gap Year volunteer abroad program or volunteering with us in a 6-month or 12-month Quest program. Immerse yourself in a world outside of your own. Learn the value of hard work, empathy, and compassion while discovering the richness of giving back and helping others. Step out of your comfort zone and gain a new appreciation for the world around you through living, learning, and volunteering or interning abroad.
Learn more about our long-term volunteer program
Top Long-term Quest programs for 2023!
Taiwan
Home to 23 million people, Taiwan (Republic of China) will draw you to glittering skylines and mesmerizing steep mountains and lush forests. Volunteers will be greeted by a sea of friendly faces and warm greetings of ‘jia ba bui?’ (translation: Have you eaten?) which is a connotation in Taiwanese of ‘how are you?’. Of course, with a greeting like that, Taiwan is not short of night markets that can be found in every town and city. Volunteers can savor Taiwanese traditional foods and desserts like oyster omelets, Taiwanese fried chicken, stinky tofu, soybean pudding, glutinous rice cakes, and more.
Volunteer in Taiwan
Kenya
In Kenya, volunteers will find a dynamic melting pot of languages, cultures, wildlife and landscapes. The Kenyan Highlands make up one of the most successful agricultural production regions in all of Africa and contribute to Kenya’s stability. Kenya is roughly the size of France and contains considerable geographic diversity – you will see mountains, deserts, volcanic highlands and wide savannas enroute to the Indian Ocean. Kenya is comfortably warm year-round with heavy rainfall in the spring. Wildlife habitats, including Maasai Mara, protect many native wildlife species including lions, rhinoceros, leopards, buffalo and elephants. Rural areas are rich with tradition, and volunteers can expect to be welcomed again and again by friendly locals.
Volunteer in Kenya
Mexico
Approximately 1/5 the size of the United States, Mexico’s large land area is made up of extremely varied regions. The weather, geography and culture of each land area can differ considerably – from the mountains to the deserts, and agricultural villages to urban city-centers. Volunteers in Mexico find joy in the tremendous variety and wealth of customs. The mountains that divide Mexico have helped keep each region’s unique culture in-tact by making it difficult for outside influences to spread. Architectural sites and traditional celebrations like Dia de los Muertos are enjoyed by locals and volunteers alike.
Volunteer in Mexico
Denmark
Seafaring, Vikings, castles, and quaint harbors beckon volunteers to Denmark’s chilly shores. Denmark is a small but mighty Nordic nation in Scandinavia, surrounded by the Baltic Sea to the east and the North Sea to the west. The Kingdom of Denmark includes Greenland and the Faroe Islands. It has the longest continuous coastline in Europe, with no location further than 52 km from the ocean. In the Middle Ages, Denmark was an agricultural, Christian kingdom, but after the Reformation and 300 years of losing territory, Denmark ultimately adopted a democratic constitution in 1849. Now, hard work, the protection of civil liberties and traditional family life dominate Denmark’s lifestyle.
Volunteer in Denmark
Ecuador
Experience the sights and sounds of this microcosm of South America – Mountains, jungles, beaches, ancient ruins and the Galapagos Islands are just a few of the most sought-after destinations in Ecuador. Wandering cobblestone streets and exploring 17th-century monasteries can give you some insight into the complex history of this beautiful land. Ecuador’s natural and cultural diversity and ancient Inca heritage appeal to many volunteers.
Volunteer in Ecuador
Costa Rica
Costa Rica is known for its amazing natural beauty, biodiversity, eco-tourism, and warm, relaxed culture. As a volunteer in this Central American republic, you’ll immerse yourself in a nation of undisturbed rainforests, peaceful atmosphere (the Costa Rican army was abolished in 1948) and “Pura Vida” lifestyle. Costa Ricans are friendly, relaxed, and willing to lend a hand, or even a home, in times of need. Slow down and appreciate a different pace of life – you’ll feel at home in this family-oriented culture.
Volunteer in Costa Rica
ABOUT UNITED PLANET
United Planet is a non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. Established in 2001, United Planet offers volunteer abroad, virtual internships, internships abroad, gap year volunteering, and global virtual exchange in more than 40 countries.
