ICYE: Applying Instructions

Do you live in Finland? Are you interested in volunteering abroad? The ICYE program allows you to travel safely and prepare together. The first step in applying is to fill out the application form, which you can download at the bottom of this page. We invite all applicants to an interview.

Selection criteria
Applying and starting times and countries
Participation fees
Selection day and interviews
After the interview: selection and placement as a volunteer
How to apply

Applying and starting times and countries

ICYE volunteering periods begin annually in August–September and January–February. August–September is the main start date for the program. The exact start dates vary from country to country.

There are two application rounds:

October 31 (starting in August–September of the following year)
January 31 (starting in August–September of the same year)

Selection days and interviews

Two to three weeks after the application period ends, we will organize a selection day to which we will invite all applicants.

For applicants whose application period ends on October 31, 2025, the selection day will be held on Saturday, November 22, 2025. You can participate in person in Helsinki or remotely via Zoom.

During the day

you will receive more information about the ICYE program and World Exchange
you will meet other applicants and have the opportunity to share your thoughts and expectations
you will participate in a selection interview (approx. 45 min., usually 2 interviewers) and a group task. In the interview, we will discuss your motivation and expectations, among other things.

If you are unable to attend the selection day, we can arrange an interview at another time.

Selection criteria

Participants are selected based on their application and interview.

Age limits: The minimum age is 18, and the maximum age varies by country (see country descriptions).
Language skills: Practical English skills are sufficient. It is an advantage but not essential to know the language of the destination country before departure.
Other selection criteria: Participants are selected based on personal suitability and motivation. Attention is paid to factors such as openness to learning about a new culture, flexibility, responsibility, and adaptability. It is also important to be proactive and able to interact respectfully with people from different backgrounds. Volunteers are also expected to have a realistic understanding of international volunteer work and basic knowledge of the ICYE program and living conditions in the program country.

3. Participation fees

Participation fees for the season 2027–28

For the 2027–28 season, the participation fee is €400–917 / month, depending on the duration and program country. See the detailed prices below.

Programme countries in Asia and New Zealand 6 months | 12 months

Indonesia:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 4 900 € (~ 408 € / month)
Japan:
– 6 months 5 400 € (= 900 € / month)
– 12 months 7 300 € (~ 608 € / month)
Nepal:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 4 800 € (= 400 € / month)
New Zealand:
– 6 months 5 400 € (= 900 € / month)
– 12 months 6 850 € (~ 571 € / month)
South Korea
– 6 months 5 500 € (~ 917 € / month)
– 12 months 7 300 € (~ 608 € / month)
Taiwan:
– 6 months 4 900 € (~ 817 € / month)
– 12 months 6 800 € (~ 567 € / month)
Thailand:
– 6 months 4 800 € (= 800 € / month)
– No periods of 12 months.

Programme countries in Africa 6 months | 12 months

Ghana:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 5 050 € (~ 421 € / month)
Kenya:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 4 950 € (~ 413 € / month)
Mozambique:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 4 900 € (~ 408 € / month)
Nigeria:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 5 000 € (~ 417 € / month)
Tanzania:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 5 300 € (~ 442 € / month)

Programme countries in Latin America and the USA 6 months | 12 months

Argentina:
– 6 months 5 100 € (= 850 € / month)
– 12 months 6 800 € (~ 567 € / month)
Bolivia:
– 6 months 4 400 € (~ 733 € / month)
– 12 months 5 650 € (~ 471€ / month)
Brazil:
– 6 months 4 700 € (~ 783 € / month)
– 12 months 6 400 € (~ 533 € / month)
Colombia:
– 6 months 5 200 € (~ 867 € / month)
– 12 months 6 400 € (~ 533 € / month)
Costa Rica:
– 6 months 5 200 € (~ 867 € / month)
– 12 months 6 500 € (~ 542 € / month)
Ecuador:
– 6 months 4 500 € (= 750 € / month)
– 12 months 6 300 € (= 525 € / month)
Honduras:
– 6 months 4 800 € (= 800 € / month)
– 12 months 6 500 € (~ 542 € / month)
Mexico:
– 6 months 4 700 € (~ 783 € / month)
– 12 months 6 300 € (= 525 € / month)
Peru:
– 6 months 4 100 € (~ 683 € / month)
– 12 months 5 500 € (~ 458 € / month)
United States:
– 6 months 5 400 € (= 900 € / month)
– 12 months 6 850 € (~ 571 € / month)

Participation fees for the season 2026–27

For the 2026–27 season, the participation fee is €400–900 / month, depending on the duration and program country. See the detailed prices below.

Program countries in Asia and Oceania 6 months | 12 months

Indonesia:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 4 900 € (~ 408 € / month)
Japan:
– 6 months 5 400 € (= 900 € / month)
– 12 months 7 100 € (~ 592 € / month)
Nepal:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 4 800 € (= 400 € / month)
New Zealand:
– 6 months 5 400 € (= 900 € / month)
– 12 months 6 850 € (~ 571 € / month)
Taiwan:
– 6 months 4 900 € (~ 817 € / month)
– 12 months 6 800 € (~ 567 € / month)
Thailand:
– 6 months 4 800 € (= 800 € / month)
– No periods of 12 months
South Korea:
– 6 months 5 400 € (= 900 € / month)
– 12 months 7 300 € (~ 608 € / month)

Program countries in Africa 6 months | 12 months

Ghana:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 4 900 € (~ 408 € / month)
Kenya:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 4 900 € (~ 408 € / month)
Mozambique:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 4 900 € (~ 408 € / month)
Nigeria:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 5 000 € (~ 417 € / month)
Tanzania:
– 6 months 3 800 € (~ 633 € / month)
– 12 months 5 300 € (~ 442 € / month)

Program countries in Latin America and the United States 6 months | 12 months

Argentina:
– 6 months 5 100 € (= 850 € / month)
– 12 months 6 800 € (~ 567 € / month)
Bolivia:
– 6 months 4 400 € (~ 733 € / month)
– 12 months 5 600 € (~ 467 € / month)
Brazil:
– 6 months 4 700 € (~ 783 € / month)
– 12 months 6 400 € (~ 533 € / month)
Costa Rica:
– 6 months 5 200 € (~ 867 € / month)
– 12 months 6 500 € (~ 542 € / month)
Colombia:
– 6 months 5 200 € (~ 867 € / month)
– 12 months 6 400 € (~ 533 € / month)
Ecuador:
– 6 months 4 500 € (= 750 € / month)
– 12 months 6 300 € (= 525 € / month)
Honduras:
– 6 months 4 800 € (= 800 € / month)
– 12 months 6 500 € (~ 542 € / month)
Mexico:
– 6 months 4 700 € (~ 783 € / month)
– 12 months 6 300 € (= 525 € / month)
Peru:
– 6 months 4 100 € (~ 683 € / month)
– 12 months 5 500 € (~ 458 € / month)
United States:
– 6 months 5 100 € (= 850 € / month)
– 12 months 6 600 € (= 550 € / month)

The participation fee includes accommodation and daily meals, insurance, training (pre-departure orientation camp in Finland, training on the language and culture in the destination country and two evaluation training (in periods of 6 months one evaluation meeting), daily travels to work, the support of ICYE office in Finland as well as in the destination country, small pocket money, and a meeting of the returnees in Finland after the return.

NB! The participant also needs to pay for the flights and the visa to the destination country. The participant is responsible for organizing their travels to the destination country.

Maailmanvaihto grants the participants stipends (maximum of 650 €) on an economic basis.

After the interview

Applicants are selected for a specific country’s program. You will be notified of the selection within approximately one week of the interview. The decision is made by the interviewers’ group together with the Secretary General.

If you are selected as a participant, you will receive

a participation agreement to sign
if needed, another application form for you to fill in and to be forwarded to your program country
instructions for submitting proof of your health status and a criminal record check

We will send a report on your selection interview to the ICYE organisation in your program country.

Your voluntary workplace will be confirmed no later than approximately one month before departure.

How to apply

1) Download and fill in the application form. Please note that this program is open only to applicants who live in Finland.

Application form (pdf)

Application form (docx)

In your application, please indicate the field in which you would like to volunteer. Your preferences will be taken into account when the ICYE organisation in the program country places you in a volunteer position.
If a particular field or organisation is important to you, we can ask the ICYE organisation in the program country to confirm your placement in that field or organisation before you commit to the program (please indicate this in your application).
If you are unable to attach your photo to the application form, you can send it separately.

2) Please attach to your application:

Motivation letter in English
If you live with your parents/guardians, a short recommendation from your parent/guardian

3) Send your application by email (maailmanvaihto@maailmanvaihto.fi) or post (Maailmanvaihto ry – ICYE Finland, Oikokatu 3, 00170 Helsinki). Submitting your application is the first step, but it is not yet binding.

4) Wait for an invitation to an interview – we will contact you soon!

Further information

Would you like to ask us about applying? Please, contact us at maailmanvaihto@maailmanvaihto.fi, 050 452 5660.