Formed in 1998, Global Vision International offers opportunities to serve on more than 150 unique volunteer projects in 40 countries around the world. Opportunities span the categories of environmental research, conservation, education and community development. Sample projects include a two-week marine conservation trip on Australia's Great Barrier Reef where volunteers work to restore the Brampton Island National Park to its natural state by removing invasive vegetation, analyzing marine debris, and conducting health checks of the area's coral reefs.
Students can also volunteer in an orphanage in Cape Town, South Africa in a township outside of Stellenbosch or work with school-aged children at an orphanage in Kenya, East Africa. Volunteers can help children with basic literacy skill development, art, music or even social development. Global Vision International's website offers a search function that interested volunteers can use to narrow projects by region, interest and duration. Project costs and details are also presented online.
Habitat for Humanity partners with student organizations in cities across America to provide spring break volunteer opportunities building homes near college campuses for families in need. Students can check with their college or on Habitat for Humanity's website to find a house-building project near them. A list for summer projects in 2011 is included in the resources. Habitat for Humanity has local chapters around the country, and also builds homes in countries around the world. International volunteer project opportunities are available for those interested.
Projects Abroad offers high school students an opportunity to volunteer on medicine or dentistry-related spring break projects in Argentina, India and other countries. A sample medical project in India gives students an opportunity to visit a leprosy clinic as well as to witness traditional Ayurvedic medical treatments at the Sree Ramakrishna Naturopathy and Ayurvedic Center. Students considering careers in medicine can learn directly from doctors and receive invaluable experience.
