Volunteering Abroad under 18: High School Specials

High School Specials are tailor-made for 15-18 year olds. We help young people to experience life overseas, help disadvantaged communities, and gain self-confidence.

Because these trips are created for this age group, you’ll always be well supported by in-country Projects Abroad staff. They help everyone settle in and make the most of the project, even if it’s your first time abroad.

You’ll volunteer alongside other people your age and get to know them through activities and local trips. High School Specials have fixed start and end dates, as well as itineraries, offering more structure that will suit anyone still in school.

If you want to give back to others, have new experiences and meet people from around the world, a High School Special can help you do this.

What are High School Specials?

Our High School Specials are set trips made specifically for groups of 15-18 year olds. During the week volunteers work on their project alongside Projects Abroad staff, and free time is filled with trips and sociable activities.

Our volunteering opportunities for high school students are designed to give you an experience of volunteering abroad in a safe, well supported way. You’ll also be working on projects proven to have a sustained positive impact on the local community.

The projects are designed to fit into school holidays. They give you just the right amount of independence as you step out of your comfort zone. You'll spend your whole project with the same team, giving you time to get to know everyone and make lasting friendships.

Whichever destination or project your choose, it will be an experience like no other.

Volunteers paint a jungle gym in Kenya while volunteering abroad under 18.

Is a volunteering holiday for teenagers right for me?

If you’re aged 15-18 and want to volunteer alongside other teenagers, a High School Special will suit you. Our volunteering holidays for teenagers run for 1-4 weeks, so can fit in easily around school holidays. You’ll get all the benefits of a volunteering abroad experience, with the confidence and security of well-structured trip.

This trip will suit you if you want to spend your free time giving back and having unique experiences. You’ll find out more about disadvantaged communities, the challenges they face, and how you can help. Throughout the trip you’ll be with people your own age and Projects Abroad staff. Many young people who volunteer abroad under the age of 18 leave these trips with friends for life.

If you’re interested in our High School Specials, but would like a more flexible trip, you may be interested in our Flexi Trips. Read our full list of trip types here.

What will I gain from volunteering abroad as a teenager?

All our trips are designed to help you make the most of your time abroad and your volunteer project. Previous volunteers from High School Specials talk about:

Safety and security of travelling with a trusted organisation with decades of experience.
Benefits of working with in-country staff who know the local community well.
Developing confidence, skills and friendships.
Having a unique experience to talk about at school, job applications and higher education.
Learning about other cultures, less developed countries and the challenges they face.

A volunteers spends time with the children in Cambodia after joining volunteering opportunities for high school students with Projects Abroad.

Can’t find what you’re looking for?

We’d be happy to talk about creating a custom project for you. Most of our staff have been volunteers themselves, so they’re well placed to answer your questions, big or small.

+44 (0) 1273 007230

or email:

Get in Touch

to start planning your project