Intenational Volunteer HQ program - Volunteer Abroad

[Bunty27]

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Has anyone done the International Volunteer HQ program? (http://www.volunteerhq.org/) Especially solo?

I have six months off before starting dental school and wanted to travel to a south American country for three months.

Problem is, I can't find anyone who also has this time off from school. So, I am looking to do a good/safe volunteer program that I can do solo.

Any suggestions of programs to look into would be appreciated!

 

[Babyblue57]

I'm sort of in the same boat as you. I'm planning 6 months in the middle east.

Here's a site i was recommended: drinterns.com

What kind of volunteering are you looking into? Is it strictly health? I spent a few months volunteering/researching and traveling in South America. I may be able contact a few people for current opportunities.

 

[AF2Doc]

Hey I did IVHQ solo for a weeks in India. Volunteered at an orphanage for HIV/AIDS kids. Most of the volunteers who I met were there solo, so you will definitely not be alone. In fact, I met another med school applicant who's in his gap year who's going to be there for 6 months. Agree it's a bit nerve-wracking to go volunteering abroad... I ended up doing quite a bit of research before I left, so feel free to ask any questions. Overall, I'm glad I went, but I definitely had some gripes about the IVHQ support I had in India.

 

[nlbaker7]

I used IVHQ to volunteer for 3.5 months in Cusco, Peru earlier this year. I had a blast, I can't recommend them highly enough. PM me for questions if you want!

edit1 - I was also alone, not a problem at all

edit2 - IVHQ just shuffles you to a local organization (one called Maximo Nivel in my case). They were awesome, setting up a dental volunteer placement for me even though they had never done that before. Very nice, very flexible, etc.

edit3 - The way these global organizations work is they set up all the initial stuff and then turn you over to a local organization. In my experience, IVHQ has excellent local organizations and was the cheapest of the global services by far. There were people in Cusco who paid 3x what I did and got funneled to the same exact local organization!

 

[Seamonkey Doc]

Hey I did IVHQ solo for a weeks in India. Volunteered at an orphanage for HIV/AIDS kids. Most of the volunteers who I met were there solo, so you will definitely not be alone. In fact, I met another med school applicant who's in his gap year who's going to be there for 6 months. Agree it's a bit nerve-wracking to go volunteering abroad... I ended up doing quite a bit of research before I left, so feel free to ask any questions. Overall, I'm glad I went, but I definitely had some gripes about the IVHQ support I had in India.

I'm actually interested in doing IVHQ in India but I haven't decided on the city yet. What did you like and not like about it? When did you partake in the program?

 

[wizi]

I am thinking about doing 1 or 2 weeks in Vietnam in the summer.

 

[AF2Doc]

I'm actually interested in doing IVHQ in India but I haven't decided on the city yet. What did you like and not like about it? When did you partake in the program?

I was there last year. I liked that I felt like my presence there had a positive impact on the organization and I was able to demonstrate impact despite my short time there.

I didn't like the disorganized nature of my program. Since then, IVHQ has cancelled the program I was in and has communicated to me that is has taken steps to improve its services in India.

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[AF2Doc]

I am thinking about doing 1 or 2 weeks in Vietnam in the summer.

What type of placement are you interested in?

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[Seamonkey Doc]

I was there last year. I liked that I felt like my presence there had a positive impact on the organization and I was able to demonstrate impact despite my short time there.

I didn't like the disorganized nature of my program. Since then, IVHQ has cancelled the program I was in and has communicated to me that is has taken steps to improve its services in India.

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Thank you for the insight!
Unfortunately I can't do IVHQ at the moment due to health reasons. Kind of bummed but maybe it'll work out in the future. Thanks again 🙂

 

[AF2Doc]

Thank you for the insight!
Unfortunately I can't do IVHQ at the moment due to health reasons. Kind of bummed but maybe it'll work out in the future. Thanks again 🙂

No prob, hope you get better.

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