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Volunteer in the United States

Renowned as the land of the free, the United States holds a challenging, often spotlighted position in global affairs. The United States offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty that provides endless opportunities for personal and professional growth. Volunteers quickly fall in love with the charms of the historic regions and delight in the aura of civic duty and social responsibility. Spend your free time strolling through centuries-old streets, or soaking up the wealth of knowledge that abounds here – home to some of the most elite institutions of higher education in the world.

As a long-term volunteer in the United States, you will live at the site where you are volunteering, which creates an intimate experience of sharing and learning in an authentic setting. If you want to learn English as part of your experience, you can add a few hours of English classes (during your orientation in Boston or online) for a more intensive learning experience.

Note: As our programs emphasize cultural exchange, volunteer projects in Boston are only available to those outside of North America.

The United States Volunteer Project Information

Community & Social Work Volunteer Projects

Volunteers have the chance to make a profound impact by working closely with individuals who have a diverse range of physical and mental impairments. Your tasks won’t just be ordinary duties; you’ll be able to make a positive change in people’s lives! You’ll be assisting with personal care, engaging in arts-based therapies, diving headfirst into fun activities, and even playing a role in maintaining the very home where you’ll reside.

  • Available Dates: Year-round
  • Minimum Stay: 6 – 12 months
  • Requirements: At least 18 years old

Volunteer Voices

United Planet Volunteer shared with us her experience volunteering in the United States of America.

I enjoyed most when many students and working people volunteered together to help people who really need help. It was happy to see our efforts help unify the community. And I really felt the kindness and passion in my mind. This is a wonderful experience for me, which will make a big difference in my life. I want to devoted to helping others and showing kindness to others.

Quick FAQs

The United States Quest is offered year-round. Projects might have limited availability or holidays during certain periods of the year but will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Alternative project options will be provided if your desired placement is unavailable during your intended dates. Be sure to join our cohorts in January and August for a group orientation!

For United States Quests, volunteers can stay 6-12 months.

Volunteers should be proficient in English in order to best immerse and experience American culture.

We ask that volunteers enroll 3-6 months prior to their anticipated departure date. This gives us enough time to schedule volunteer placements, coordinate in-country activities, and provide sufficient pre-departure training. Please also take into consideration any visa wait times within your local embassy. If you are interested in enrolling for a program starting in less than 90 days, please contact us directly.

Quest Fees and Details

United Planet Quests are designed to be immersive, authentic, comprehensive and provide you everything you’ll need to succeed. The program elements allow you to engage fully with a new culture, forge strong relationships, and challenge yourself. Most importantly, we partner with the community to ensure your experience will be important, relevant and helpful to the community you serve.

Included in Your Quest Fee

  • Lodging at your volunteer site
  • All meals
  • Occasional language lessons (optional)
  • Online pre-departure training with our Boston staff
  • In-country airport transportation
  • Orientation upon arrival
  • Public transportation on buses and trains within Boston
  • Emergency medical and travel insurance
  • 24/7 in-country support and supervision
  • A United Planet t-shirt

Health and Safety

United Planet provides emergency travel and medical insurance for all volunteers. All United States staff members participate in extensive health and safety training, and are available at all times by 24-hour phone line. Upon enrollment, you will receive a full emergency contact list. We recommend booking a doctor’s appointment or visiting a travel health clinic a few months out to update your vaccinations.  Read more about health and safety.

Transportation and Flights

Due to varying airline prices, United Planet does not arrange or cover the cost of flights to and from the United States. United Planet will provide you with a bus and subway pass for Boston’s public transit system. You may be required to cover the cost of transport from orientation to your volunteer site.

*If you have your orientation in Boston, we will arrange all ground transportation from the airport and your homestay.

Quest Fee & Payment Plan

 
Start DateDurationTotal Quest FeePayment Plan
1st Installment (Deposit)

2nd Installment (4 months in advance)

3rd Installment (3 months in advance)

Final Installment (2 months in advance)

Winter or Fall6 months$8,130$300$1,000$3,415.00$3,415.00
1-year$15,750$300$1,000$7,225.00$7,225.00

About Our Quest Fee

We want you to succeed. That means having in place the support our volunteers need. We don’t just drop you in country and hope for the best. We provide training before you leave … language exposure … 24/7 in-country support … support for your host family … accommodations, meals and airport transportation … activities and excursions. The whole idea is to make the experience successful and productive for you and the host community, and we have found that these things are crucial. Remember that we are a non-profit, mission-driven organization – we wouldn’t spend money on something that wasn’t important.

*Payment Plan Details: A $300 deposit is due at the time of your enrollment to lock in your spot in our program. After your confirmation in a program, you can choose to pay the Quest Fee all at once or in installments. The total Quest Fee is due 4 weeks before your departure date.

Have questions? We’re here for you. We’d love to help.