Service-learning Projects for High School Students
Are you a high school student who is looking for a volunteer abroad opportunity that’s affordable, meaningful, and fun? Do you want a meaningful way to spend your vacation? Have you ever thought about traveling and volunteering abroad?
Joining this program is a great way to travel while obtaining invaluable life lesson. This once-in-a-lifetime experience will foster both personal and professional growth as you develop and sharpen skills like adaptability, patience, communication, and open-mindedness. Not only will you travel to a new country and be immersed in a different culture, you will also make a direct positive impact in the lives of individuals every day while you’re contributing to this program.
IFRE offers a variety of international community service-learning opportunities for high school students in over 18 different countries that will fit any students’ needs, interests, schedule, and budget. IFRE offers various programs, such as teaching, street children care, community development, women empowerment, and youth projects for students willing to volunteer. Our goal is to connect you with an organization where you can utilize your skills and passion to make a real change in peoples’ lives.
IFRE Volunteer invites you to start your abroad volunteer adventure today by learning about the different projects we off and contacting us for more information.
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Table of Contents
Benefits of Service-Learning Projects For High School Students
There are plenty advantages of volunteering abroad as a high school student. We have listed a few benefits below to help you understand the possibilities of what these incredible trips can offer.
Personal Growth
Participating in the high school program requires you to step out of your comfort zone, as you will travel to different parts of the world. New environments and different cultures will be challenging to deal with, but during your volunteering time you will learn to adjust and grow.
Teaches you valuable job skills
Volunteering helps you build different skills, such as communication, leadership and other interpersonal skills by interacting with different people, leading projects and assisting in the programs. The skills acquired during the projects will be very useful in your career.
Helps you define your career path
If you’re not sure what you want to pursue as a career, then this is a great opportunity to explore options. On the other hand, if you are a high school student in need a service-learning opportunity because you have repeatedly broken school rules, this opportunity will reflect very well on your resume! No matter why you want or need to participate in an abroad service learning opportunity, you will gain invaluable life experience and stand out from the crowd when you start to apply for jobs.
Learn new skills and boost your self-confidence:
Volunteering abroad provides you with a great opportunity to learn and develop valuable skills that will boost your self-confidence. As a volunteer, you will work in a new country with volunteers from around the world. While working with them, you get to learn interpersonal skills, relationship skills, teamwork skills, problem-solving skills, leadership skills and more. These skills you learn as a high school volunteer will develop your confidence and help you achieve your goals.
Enhances your language skills:
Many times, volunteers are asked to teach English in the countries where English is a second language. While preparing to teach English, you will review often forgotten rules of grammar which will strengthen your command over the language and benefit you in the long run. During your stay you might also learn a new language, which will be a great addition to your resume.
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Popular Service-Learning Projects for High School Students
IFRE has a great selection of affordable volunteer opportunities . Here are some of our most popular service-learning programs to help get you started:
Costa Rica
Sea Turtle Conservation Project (Osa Peninsula)
Costa Rica is rich in its biodiversity, marine life and natural beauty. However, illegal fishing, hunting, construction work, and high impact tourism have seriously threatened marine ecosystems. Sea turtle populations in Costa Rica are declining. These magnificent and important creatures need your help for protection!
Working with conservation specialists in the Osa Peninsula is a great example of a practical service-learning project for high school students. In this program, you to work in collaboration with local staff to protect and care for marine life in Costa Rica. Your role as a volunteer includes protecting areas where turtles lay eggs, catching turtles for tagging, cleaning beaches, and more. You will also get to learn and do community outreach about marine ecosystems and their flora and fauna.
Embarking on this conservation project will give you the experience of a lifetime. You will make a difference in the livelihood of these beautiful turtle species, which in turn indicates a healthier marine ecosystem. Apart from the service-learning aspect of this program, you will also get to experience the vibrant local culture and pristine beaches.
If you are a high school student with a strong passion for species conservation, then this may be the program for you! To learn more about this amazing opportunity to help sea turtles, please follow this link
Other Volunteer Opportunities in Costa Rica
If you would like to explore other service-learning trips for high school students, such as teaching English, working with children, and supporting healthcare efforts just follow this link to read about all the opportunities IFRE offers:
Peru
Work in An Orphanage (Cusco)
Although Peru is a well-known tourist destination, more than half of the population lives on less than $2USD a day. This leaves thousands of children in desperate need for basic care and destined to live in a vicious poverty cycle.
IFRE’s Peru volunteer orphanage project in Cusco aims to provide homes, education, love and hope to these children. The orphanage has an atmosphere of a large family and the local staff are there 100% of the time to support, care for and nurture the children. This service-learning opportunity for high school students asks that you spend 4-5 hours per day teaching English in an orphanage or at the local school. You will support the children with their homework, and you will also be responsible for planning and leading extracurricular activities that help the children express themselves.
The dedication and devotion you extend during your Peru volunteering project will brighten the lives of orphans while allowing you to grow personally and professionally. By providing the love and attention these orphaned children desperately crave and deserve you will let them know that they are not worthless and deserve a bright future despite their rough beginning. Your support will also have long-term results in building social skills and creating awareness of the opportunities available in Peru and beyond its borders.
This is a great opportunity for you to share your passion, expertise and love with children in need. If you feel moved to help these children, please contact IFRE today to start arranging your trip to Peru.
Other Volunteer Opportunities in Peru
If you would like to explore other service-learning projects for high school students, please read about other volunteer opportunities in Peru like working with street children, supporting medical projects, teaching English and more.
Guatemala
Street Children Project in Guatemala
Poverty is a major problem as it restricts many individuals from fulfilling their basic needs. Many people in Guatemala are living in impoverished conditions, and because of this many children are forced to live in the streets. Not only is it miserable to not have a roof over your head, but they also have to live in a dangerous and unhealthy environment.
Joining this high school student service learning projects, you will provide immense support to children in need. You will get to work with local organizations and communities to help rehabilitate children, give them hope, and get them on a better path. You will also share your skills, knowledge and talent with these children to inspire them and help them develop new abilities.
Your support in this project has a direct impact on these children’s lives. When you devote your energy to these underprivileged children, you will make a real difference; many of these little humans will otherwise be condemned to a life of crime, substance abuse, and homelessness. Whether you physically cook the children dinner or morally support them, you have the chance to help get these kids back on their feet and strive for a brighter future.
If you want to use your compassion to help these children, please reach out to us today or read specific details on the program page
Other Volunteer Opportunities in Guatemala
If you would like to explore Guatemala, but want to investigate other service learning trips for high school students, like working in the medical field, teaching English, or empowering women, please follow this link
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Argentina
Medical/Healthcare Project
Many of Argentina’s social issues stem from their country’s violent past. One of the most prevalent issues today is that many Argentinians lack access to health care. This is especially true for rural populations.
If you are a high school student searching for a community service-learning opportunity, this program may be right for you as you will have a direct and positive impact on peoples’ lives. You should expect to work 4-5 hours per day assisting doctors and nurses to treat patients desperately in need of care. You may also help lessen the workload by assisting in administrative work, planning educational workshops, performing sanitation outreach, and more.
You will gain an invaluable professional experience while helping people work toward a healthier community at the same time. You will also provide much need support to overworked and underappreciated hospital and clinic staff. You will learn from observing real-life cases and provide much needed help to patients struggling to navigate an underfunded healthcare system.
If you are interested in enriching your medical knowledge through a unique service learning projects for high school students then contact IFRE to learn more about medical volunteering in Argentina.
Other Volunteer Opportunities in Argentina
Other volunteer opportunities in Argentina include working with an NGO in community development, assisting in a dental project, volunteering with disabled children, and more.
Ecuador
Teach English In Rural Schools
Despite tourism being a leading source of government revenue, many Ecuadorians don’t have the opportunity to learn English, which limits their opportunities for work. Schools in Ecuador are underfunded, and even though English is required, there are a limited number of staff who are qualified to teach it.
Volunteers in this service project will work 4-5 hours per day on weekdays. You will teach basic English in local primary schools, and the rest of the day you will plan and lead extracurricular activities, health education, and potentially even contribute to teaching other subjects like math and science.
This community service for high school students learning opportunity allows you to help you bridge the gap – providing children with English skills and a brighter future. Your support will improve the level of English education in Ecuador and allow disadvantaged children to pull themselves and their families out of poverty.
If you are interested in providing incredibly valuable English skills to underprivileged children in Ecuador, contact IFRE for more information today or view program details by following this link
Other Volunteer Opportunities in Ecuador
Other service learning projects for high school students include working with street children, teaching English, working in conservation in the Galapagos, and more. To browse these other Ecuador programs, follow this link
Brazil
Youth Project in Brazil
One of Brazil’s most prevalent social issue is it’s high poverty rates. Many local youths in favelas (shanty towns) are deprived of education. They get involved in drugs, theft, and other unlawful activities. This project in Brazil is designed to help those youths participate in different sports that will help them gain social, physical and emotional development and keep them off the streets.
As a high school student participating in this service-learning project, you will be working with local schools and organizations to organize and participate in sporting events, like skateboarding, volleyball and other athletic sports.
Your time working with the youth will give them access to an exciting and fun pastime which will stay with them for their rest of their lives. They will get to embrace their new passion for sports and join their country in this fulfilling national pastime. Youth will learn the value of teamwork and hard work while developing communication and athletic skills that will greatly enriching their lives.
If you are you interested in enriching the lives of these youths while exploring Brazil and gaining invaluable life experiences, contact IFRE today! We will guide you through the rest of your Brazilian service-learning adventure.
Other Volunteer Opportunities in Brazil
Other programs in Brazil include childcare, teaching computer skills, teaching English, and more. To learn more about these alternative projects, please visit this link
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Skill and Qualifications
Most community service-learning opportunities for students in high school do not require specific skills or qualification. They only require a good attitude, compassion, and an open mind.
However, there are still some programs where a certain level of skills to volunteer abroad. Medical programs require that you are at least be a pre-med student, and English teaching program quire fluency in English.
The Start Date(s)
IFRE Volunteer programs start on Mondays. If you have a travel conflict, we will work with you to select a start day that works with your plans.
The Fee
Since 2006, IFRE has been the most trusted and respected volunteer abroad organization in the world, and also the most affordable. We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality service learning opportunities for high school students at the lowest fees, which make it possible for everyone, especially students, to volunteer internationally and make a positive impact in the lives of others.
We believe in 100% transparency. Rest assured; we never use middlemen. Your one-time registration fee of $299 covers our administrative costs. The low weekly program fee is paid in the host country directly to your service project (via country coordinator), and includes housing, food, and minor expenses. IFRE is a non-profit organization, so your program fees are tax deductible.
To learn more about volunteer abroad fees, please visit
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Housing and Food
Your housing and food will depend on your specific project. Most students stay with one of our wonderful host families, who provide three meals per day in the style of traditional cuisine. Some student volunteers, however, may be asked to stay in a cabin, hostel, or home with other volunteers.
No matter what type of accommodation you receive, IFRE will ensure that you are happy, comfortable, and safe because we know that your living environment can make or break your experience.
To learn more about food and housing, please follow this link
How can you apply?
You can apply to service-learning projects for high school students through a straightforward online application. We will be in direct contact with you within 24 hours of your application submittal.
To learn more about the application process, please follow this link
Why go with IFRE Volunteers?
IFRE Volunteers is a global humanitarian non-profit who has partnered with over 22,000 people and hundreds of local organizations since 2006 to facilitate outstandingly significant and incredibly safe volunteer and intern abroad experiences.
We offer the most affordable community service projects for high school student learning opportunities, and we use the tax-deductible registration fee to support your experience and enhance local projects while the program fee gets paid directly to your service project.
During your abroad experience you will to create long lasting connections with your home-away-from-home host family, project coordinators, and fellow volunteers. If for any reason you feel uncomfortable during your time abroad, our unparalleled support staff will do everything they can to improve your situation and ensure that you have a good experience.
How can you go as a group?
IFRE Volunteers understand the importance of volunteering abroad with a group. Please contact IFRE directly to customize your group travel and dates. We will work with you to find the perfect project.
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IFRE Volunteers is one of the top volunteering program providers in the world. We offer amazing volunteer programs in 20 countries across Latin America, Asia and Africa. If you are interested to volunteer in other countries than mentioned above, check out our best affordable programs in Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Bali, Cambodia, Thailand, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe and Morocco
Check out A Complete Volunteer Abroad Guide: Everything You Need To Know to learn more about what is volunteering abroad. If you want to know how to volunteer abroad for free, go through our Volunteer Abroad for Free article. If you are a college student and searching for meaningful summer volunteering programs, check out our popular articles Community Service Trips For College Students and Summer Volunteer Programs For College Students.
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