Are you living in Finland looking for meaningful international experiences? Join ICYE volunteering for 6 or 12 months! The program is open to everyone aged 18 or over.
International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) volunteering gives you the opportunity to learn in many different ways through everyday cooperation, meet new people, deepen your cultural understanding, develop your interpersonal skills and self-knowledge, and make new friends.
In the program, communities and volunteers work together and engage in dialogue in different parts of the world. Together, they challenge assumptions and prejudices and build peace at grassroots level. We have decades of experience in sending volunteers on programs. Go volunteering and let learning surprise you!
You can go to numerous countries outside Europe and start your placement in August–September or January–February. August–September is the main starting period, when an on-arrival orientation is organised in each country. In some countries, an arrival orientation is also organised in January or February. Exact starting dates are given in the country descriptions. You can go volunteering for 6 or 12 months.
Program countries in Africa
Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania
Asia and Oceania
Indonesia, Japan, Nepal, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand
Latin America and the United States
Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, Peru, the United States
“An entire year may sound like a long time, but I recommend it. The first third goes into learning the language and finding your own place, and sometimes life feels like a roller coaster, but it is all worth it!” – volunteer Riikka
There are volunteering opportunities in many fields, such as education and training, youth work, disability work, human rights work and environmental work.
→ Explore opportunities in the database ↗ (icye.org)
You may, for example, volunteer at a kindergarten in Japan, a school in Ghana, a home for elderly people in Honduras, a botanical garden in Ecuador, or a women’s rights organisation in Bolivia.
Accommodation is arranged for all participants. Accommodation varies from one volunteering placement to another. It may, for example, be arranged in a local home, in a shared apartment for volunteers, or at the volunteering placement itself. Information about accommodation is provided in the description of each volunteering placement.
“In Bolivia, I had the opportunity to volunteer with two women’s rights organisations, both in departments focusing on preventing violence against women and helping victims. It was especially inspiring to get a close-up view of how grassroots human rights work is carried out in Bolivia.” – volunteer Mikaela
ICYE volunteering is for you if you want to learn new things. Participation does not require previous volunteering experience, an educational or professional background, or knowledge of the local language. During your volunteering placement, you will get to familiarise yourself with the field of your volunteering placement and learn the local language.
Important qualities include openness to new cultures, flexibility, responsibility, adaptability, initiative, and the ability to interact with people respectfully. Participation requires practical English language skills.
The program is open to people aged 18 and over. There is no upper age limit in Colombia, Ecuador, and Thailand. In addition, in Costa Rica, Honduras, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Mozambique, Peru, Tanzania, and the United States, the upper age limit is flexible, meaning that the local ICYE organisation assesses on a case-by-case basis whether applicants exceeding the upper age limit can participate.
“I definitely recommend international volunteering! During the exchange, you get to discover a new culture at grassroots level, learn a new language or strengthen your existing language skills, make new friends, and at the same time do something meaningful. One of the best things about Maailmanvaihto has been that older volunteers have also been warmly welcomed to take part.” – volunteer Anna-Maija
The program includes comprehensive training:
Pre-departure training
The pre-departure training covers, among other things, the volunteer’s role with its responsibilities, obligations, and rights; adapting to a new cultural environment; and health and safety matters.
On-arrival training
The on-arrival training introduces participants to the local culture and society and provides an opportunity to learn about working as a volunteer in that environment.
Six-month evaluation camp (for the one-year program) and final evaluation camp
At these camps, you can deepen your learning by reflecting on your experiences and sharing them with other volunteers. You will have the opportunity to examine how everyday encounters and cooperation have affected you.
Returnees’ meeting
At the returnees’ meeting, you can reflect on your volunteering placement and share your experiences with peers, as well as identify the skills and competences you have gained.
“If there is even a small possibility for you to go international volunteering, do it! On the journey, you will learn new things about yourself, others and the whole world.” – Kalle
The participation fee covers the arrangements for a safe and rewarding volunteer period, from training and support to accommodation and insurance:
Please note! Participation fees for the 2027–28 period will be announced in September 2026.
For the 2026–27 period, 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
South Korea:
– 6 months 5 400 € (= 900 € / month)
– 12 months 7 300 € (~ 608 € / month)
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)
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
New Zealand:
– 6 months 5 400 € (= 900 € / month)
– 12 months 6 850 € (~ 571 € / 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)
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)
Colombia:
– 6 months 5 200 € (~ 867 € / month)
– 12 months 6 400 € (~ 533 € / 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 can be paid all at once or in monthly instalments before departure.
In addition, you will need to pay for flights and the visa to the destination country.
ICYE does not seek financial profit from the program. Read more about how the participation fee is used
Support for participation: Participants in the ICYE program can apply for a grant from Maailmanvaihto. We award grants (up to €650 per participant) on financial grounds to a maximum of three participants in the 2026–27 exchange year.
Applying is easy:
| Application period | Start | |
|---|---|---|
| First application round | 31 October | August–September of the following year or January–February of the year after that |
| Second application round | 31 January | August–September of the same year or January–February of the following year |
Training and peer support
You receive training for international volunteering and peer support from other volunteers. You can also receive support and tips from former participants, whom you can contact, if you wish, even before deciding whether to participate.
Care and support
We support you throughout your volunteering period. You will have a contact person both in the ICYE organisation in your program country and at Maailmanvaihto. You receive support with everyday situations, adapting to a new environment and dealing with challenging experiences.
Support after returning home
Maailmanvaihto provides support with readjusting after your return and recognising the skills you gained through volunteering. You are also warmly welcome to take part in Maailmanvaihto’s volunteer activities.
Reciprocity
Maailmanvaihto’s activities are based on the principle of reciprocity. We send volunteers abroad and receive volunteers in Finland so that volunteers and work communities can have learning experiences both abroad and in Finland.
Extensive experience
The ICYE network was established in 1949. Maailmanvaihto – ICYE Finland was founded in 1958 and has extensive experience in organising international opportunities.
If you have questions, please contact us!
You can also reach us via e-mail at maailmanvaihto@maailmanvaihto.fi and by phone +358 50 346 0965 (also WhatsApp).
“I saw the world and it permanently changed my attitude towards life. It truly was a unique experience in my life.” – volunteer Emilia
“I know that going abroad alone to volunteer can be really exciting and nerve-racking; I was in that situation myself. However, I can honestly say that it gets easier, and while travelling you learn to handle exciting situations successfully. There is always someone you can call, too; you are never truly alone. This journey was the best thing I have ever done, and I hope that as many people as possible will also be inspired to go!” – volunteer Siiri
