Go abroad for 6–12 months to volunteer and learn in a new community!
Through Maailmanvaihto, you can volunteer either through the ICYE program outside Europe or with the European Solidarity Corps in Europe.
| International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) | European Solidarity Corps | |
|---|---|---|
| Where? | 23 program countries outside Europe, including Bolivia, Costa Rica, Ghana, Japan, Kenya, and New Zealand | EU member states, as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, and Türkiye |
| Duration | 6 or 12 months | 6–12 months |
| Age | For those 18 years of age and older (no upper age limit) | For people aged 18–30 |
| Participation fee? | Yes. The participation fee covers, among other things, training, support, lodging, meals, and insurance. | No. EU funding covers most of the costs. |
| → Learn more about the ICYE program | → Learn more about the European Solidarity Corps |
You can volunteer in many fields, such as youth work, environmental protection, and social services. The tasks vary from one volunteer opportunity to another. Check out the program pages!
International volunteering might be right for you if you want to
You don’t need any previous experience with volunteering. The most important thing is your motivation for international volunteer work and your desire to learn new things. You can become a volunteer whether you’re a young adult or older.
If you have specific support needs, for example, related to your functional ability, health, or life situation, please don’t hesitate to contact – let’s see together what options we might be able to offer.
“My volunteer placement was a truly rewarding and wonderful experience that helped me develop both my professional skills and my understanding of the world and its cultures.” – Anu, volunteering in Bolivia
“In addition to all the other things I learned and the wonderful new experiences I had, it was rewarding to learn a new language. Thinking about things through a new language opened up a whole new world.” – Alma, volunteering in Vietnam
Maailmanvaihto ry – ICYE Finland is an organisation founded in 1958. We train you before your departure and support you throughout your experience. We work to promote intercultural understanding, equality, and peace.
Check out our frequently asked questions or contact us – we’d be happy to tell you more!
