Founded in 1997 as one of the first-ever online volunteer agencies – a pioneer of volunteering abroad – WorkingAbroad has grown to support programmes in over 30 countries, focused on wildlife research, nature conservation and sustainable community development. We strive to provide volunteer experiences that positively boost self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction while supporting our volunteers’ education, career and life goals. WorkingAbroad takes action for nature and society and makes a firm commitment to the ethical treatment of animals.
Read more about taking action for nature and society.
Read more about our ethical stance.
We’re striving to be the world’s #1 organisation for ethical and responsible volunteer and internship opportunities abroad.
WorkingAbroad has partnered with international NGO’s at the forefront of ecosystem conservation, wildlife research, biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and sustainable community development. With projects throughout Africa, Latin America, Asia, Europe and North America, we offer meaningful and ethical opportunities to volunteers who want to make a genuine and measured difference across the world at a local level. We place immense importance on the quality of the organisations with whom we partner. Our founders personally vet every programme partner to ensure they are registered and experienced operators with competent and dedicated staff to ensure volunteer care and safety.
The majority of volunteers choose to join our programmes because of our ethical stance:
“I was aware this was part of your policy and it helped give me confidence that the projects you offered were ones I would feel comfortable participating in “…. “All sea turtle programs were ethically correct”…. “It was definitely the main reason I chose to join WorkingAbroad”
WorkingAbroad’s co-founder Vicky McNeil was interviewed in the Claws Out Documentary speaking out against lion exploitation and unethical wildlife practices and they have said:
“Founder Vicky McNeil was kind enough to be interviewed for the Claws Out film and is our advocate and champion for the travel industry, and we are proud to have WorkingAbroad as one of our partners.”
Meet the team
The WorkingAbroad team is located in different parts of the world and united by a love for travel and a passion to take action for nature and society.
Our story
WorkingAbroad was founded in Switzerland in 1997 by two ex-volunteers after they had travelled extensively and worked as volunteers abroad in India, Ecuador, the USA and Thailand and then moved to the UK where it has been established since 2000.
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