ICYE: Asia and Oceania
In Asia and Oceania, ICYE volunteers are received in Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Indonesia
In Indonesia, the ICYE volunteers mostly work in kindergartens and schools. Volunteers are received also by, e.g. special schools and a home for the elderly. Most of the voluntary workplaces are situated on Java island. The volunteers live either in a host family or at their voluntary workplace.
- Places are available in the supplementary application round for programs starting in January 2027
- Start in the 2026–27 season:
- August 3, 2026 (arrival in the country on August 1–2) or
- January 6, 2027 (arrival in the country on January 4–5)
- Age limits: for 18–30-year-old people
- Partner organisation: Voluntary work periods are coordinated by Dejavato Foundation (established in 2005), website: https://dejavato.or.id
Japan
In Japan, volunteers work mainly with children and young people in kindergartens and schools. Volunteering opportunities are also available in the elderly work field, among others. Volunteers live with their workplace or in a host family.
- Start in the 2026–27 season:
- August–September 2026 (The exact date will be announced later.)
- Age limits: for 18–40+-year-old people (The upper age limit is flexible, although ICYE Japan requires consultation before accepting applicants older than the upper age limit.)
- Partner organisation: Voluntary work periods are coordinated by coordinated by ICYE Japan (established in 1958, joined the ICYE program in 1959), website: https://icye-japan.com
Nepal
In Nepal, many of the volunteers work om schools in which they teach English and assist also in other daily school tasks. Voluntary work is available also in, for instance, health care. The volunteers in most cases live in a host family but in some cases at the voluntary workplace.
N.B.! One can volunteer in Nepal for 5 months starting from January or 6/10 months starting from August.
- Start in the 2026–27 season:
- August–September 2026 (The exact date will be announced later.)
- Age limits: for 18–45-year-old people
- Partner organisation: Voluntary work periods are coordinated by ICYE Nepal / NVCYE Program (ICYE program, which is known in Nepal as Nepal Volunteers and Cultural Youth Exchange Program, started in Nepal in 2001, website: https://icyenepal.org
- → Learn about ICYE Nepal and volunteering in Nepal (icye.org)
New Zealand
In New Zealand, many ICYE volunteers work among children and youth, in schools and camping centers, for instance. Volunteers are welcomed also by a living community of people with disabilities, for instance. Most of the voluntary workplaces are situated on the Northern island. Accommodation in most cases at the voluntary workplace.
- Places are available in the supplementary application round for programs starting in January 2027
- Start in the 2026–27 season:
- July 26, 2026 (arrival in the country on July 25) or
- In January 2027 (The exact date will be announced later.)
- Age limits: for 18–30+-year-old people (The upper age limit is flexible up to 35 years, although ICYE New Zealand requires consultation before accepting applicants older than the upper age limit.)
- Partner organisation: Voluntary work periods are coordinated by ICYE New Zealand – Aotearoa Cultural & Volunteer Exchange (ACVE) (established in 1964), wesbite: ahttps://acve.nz
- → Learn about ACVE and volunteering in New Zealand (icye.org)
South Korea
In South Korea, volunteers can get involved in local communities through their work with children, young people, and the elderly in welfare and activity centres. Together with community members, volunteers organise activities such as sports, arts and crafts, and English language classes. In at least one of the centres, people with and without disabilities are involved. Volunteers stay in the YMCA hotel.
Please note: The ICYE database is being updated. Voluntary workplaces in South Korea will be added to the database soon.
- Start in the 2026–27 season:
- August 26, 2026 (arrival in the country on August 24–25) Please note that the dates have changed!
- Age limits: for 19–27-year-old people
- Partner organisation: Voluntary work periods are coordinated by ICYE South Korea – Seoul YMCA International Fellowship Project (established 1986), website: icye.or.kr
Taiwan 🇹🇼
In Taiwan, ICYE volunteers are received especially by schools. In addition, voluntary tasks are available in centers for people with disabilities and in a home for the elderly. The volunteers live either in a host family or at their voluntary workplace.
Please note: The ICYE database is being updated. Voluntary workplaces in Taiwan will be added to the database soon.
- Start in season 2026–27: No spots available for season 2026–27.
- Age limits: for 18–30-year-old people
- Partner organisation: Voluntary work periods are coordinated by ICYE Taiwan (established 1991), website: https://icye.org.tw
Thailand
In Thailand, volunteers assist in teaching English in rural schools. At a learning center, volunteers also get to take part in gardening and maintenance work. Participants with first aid skills can work with a rescue team.
- Places are available in the supplementary application round for programs starting in January 2027
- Start in the 2026–27 season (no vacancies, season is full):
- August 2, 2026 (arrival in the country on August 1) or
- January 5, 2027 (arrival in the country on January 4)
- Age limits: for 18–30+-year-old people (No upper age limit.)
- Partner organisation: Voluntary work periods arecoordinated by Volunteer Spirit Association (VSA) Thailand (registered 2010, became a member of ICYE 2025), website: https://www.volunteerspirit.or.th
See also:
