Projects Abroad Reviews

So I am currently planning to do a month abroad on a volunteer trip. I am focusing on programs with Projects Abroad and am looking for comments from fellow members with experience with this, or other, similar organizations to share insight.

I am planning to take a career break after figuring out that being an attorney is not all it is cracked up to be (I know, go figure)! I'm pretty much over that, but looking for a break before moving on to the next venture in life.

Good god! You must be loaded! They are ridiculously expensive.
Did you ask them how much of your program fee EXACTLY goes towards helping the NGOs in your chosen host country?
I would like to see that kind of financial contributions info BEFORE I paid that much cash to work abroad for FREE.

But I guess keeping offices in both New York and Toronto must get pricey...

Having said that, I'm sure they do excellent work, and provide excellent customer service. But if I had that much money to burn, I'd be looking for a slum school in need of books and supplies. And then hand-deliver them.

I just wrote an article for Intelligent Travel on voluntourism, it will be published sometime next week, but I can email you a copy if you want.

Have you looked into SCI or VFP? I have not worked with any of them, but they get rave reviews from my friends who did.

I did a Consvervation Project in Mexico and a teaching placement in Nepal both with Projects Abroad. I had an excellent time in both places. In terms of organisation almost everything was flawless except for some details where i couldn't blame the company, you know things work differently in the developing world.

What i liked about Projects Abroad Projects Abroad was the fact that they have offices in their destinations, they helped me with everything i asked, specially in Nepal where the cultural shock was rather overwhelming.

Anna_ET, mentioned that the fees can be expensive, im not saying is cheap but i think is worth value. When i was in Mexico i got food poisoned and went straight to the hospital, they took care of everything, hospitals, doctors, insurance, transports, my parents, etc.

If you ask me i would recommend this company.

Good luck!

For those who are interested, here's a link to a site with 73 reviews of Projects Abroad. Pretty handy when you're comparing their volunteer programs with other organizations. Overall, they look pretty good!

http://www.go-volunteerabroad.com/projects-abroad-reviews

Good luck!
Andrew

I went to Senegal with Projects Abroad in 2006 and overall had a great experience. They're pretty hands-off, which I liked, but I got the sense that they would definitely be available if I needed anything. All of the host families I met (my own and the other volunteers') were fantastic.

That said, there are much cheaper ways to volunteer overseas.