International Volunteer HQ (IVHQ) Reviews 2,425

The people the staff and the environment getting to be in the water everyday

I stayed in a temple for my accommodation to volunteer in the Soup Kitchen in South Korea. The coordinator team was amazing! They were always there to support us in the volunteer hours and very flexible if we wanted to experience a different volunteer program for the day . A great experience to know the locals and to know south korea with a different eye.

IVHQ provided a safe, organised and meaningful volunteer experience for me and my 14 year old son. The program was interesting and we felt useful.

This was my second time volunteering with IVHQ. You receive excellent information prior to your visit and are picked up from the airport by your program contact. I am nearly 65 so like my own space accommodation wise and this has been provided on both trips. The food provided was excellent and IVHQ contacted me to see if I had settled in and everything was OK. The local team in Laos were superb and I thoroughly enjoyed my work and social aspects related to this visit. I always feel safe with good communication avenues available.

My volunteer experience in Thailand was truly rewarding. The program was well-organized, and the staff were supportive throughout. What stood out most was the real impact, even small contributions made a difference in the local community. It also helped me grow personally by becoming more adaptable, independent, and open-minded. While I was nervous during the initial stages, IVHQ took every possible step to ensure that I was supported. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone considering volunteering abroad.

I volunteered on a construction site building a school. It was very well organised and there was always plenty of work to do which was great. The staff were very supportive and professional. Highly recommended.

My experience volunteering here in Bali was truly amazing. From the very beginning, everything was well organized and welcoming. The staff were incredibly kind, supportive, and always ready to help with anything we needed, which made the whole experience feel safe and meaningful.
What stood out the most was the impact we were able to have. Teaching and spending time with the kids was unforgettable;they were full of energy, curiosity, and gratitude. It didn’t just feel like volunteering, it felt like building real connections and making a difference, even in small ways.
The program also did a great job balancing structure and flexibility. We had clear responsibilities, but also enough time to explore the culture, meet other volunteers, and enjoy Bali. It created the perfect environment for both personal growth and contribution.
Overall, this was one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. I would 100% recommend it to anyone looking to volunteer, grow as a person, and be part of something meaningful

Good communication & any concerns are clarified in a timely manner.

This experience opened a whole new world for me, the fact I was able to make life long connects anf friendship though only one week is incredible. I’m so grateful thag I was able to get the opportunity to go on this volunteering program and I would absolutely love to do it again. The way in which you can emerge yourself into a culture and see the different traditions re-evaluate adds that special touch and confidence to explore more. Working with the kids was absolutely fantastic and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. If your hesitating to do it, don’t because you will not regret it!

I went with an organization called International HQ, partnered with a local group and I was really impressed with how well everything was run. It’s a program that’s been around for 20 years, helping people serve in meaningful ways, and it showed. Everything was organized, intentional, and impactful. We worked at a local clinic in Antigua, building a private room for mothers to pump milk for a milk bank. It was simple work, but meaningful. There was something really fulfilling about using my hands to help build something that will directly benefit others. What stood out just as much as the work was the people. I met a lot of genuinely good people; people who didn’t just want to travel or have fun, but who also wanted to give back. It reminded me that there are others out there who care, who want to serve, who want to make a difference. Sometimes I get caught up in my own world and forget that. This trip also put a lot into perspective. I saw kids who were malnourished, kids working long hours late into the night just to help their families survive. Kids who should be playing, learning, and resting, but instead are carrying responsibilities far beyond their age. It’s hard to see, but it’s important to see. Growing up in the U.S., it’s easy to take things for granted. Trips like this remind me just how much we’ve been given. So, I’m really grateful I went. This was something I wanted to do last year, and a coworker held me accountable to it this year. I’m glad they did. This won’t be the last time I do something like this. If anything, it made me want to do more, and hopefully bring friends and family along next time. Sometimes the best thing you can do for your own perspective… is to step outside of it.

Amazing experience and easy to book, such a range of volunteering opportunities and great communication throughout.

A wonderful experience, with numerous activities focused on environmental and marine conservation; all the activities were very engaging and interesting, including projects on dolphins, sea turtles, coral cultivation, the coral reef, and its biodiversity...
In addition to these projects, the camp in Matemwe offers many other activities that bring you into direct contact with the villagers, allowing you to learn about the local culture, as well as Swahili lessons.
I got along very well with all the volunteers and staff—they were welcoming, warm, and super helpful!

IVHQ was very supportive of me from Day 1, giving me over 75 pages of information of how I would be met at the airport, who would meet me, and even giving me maps of the airport so I would know exactly where I could expect to be picked up. Also, a picture of all the Delhi staff was included, so I knew exactly who to look for at the airport.
The hostel was immaculate, and our hosts, Sarita, Rocky and Mahesh were very warm and welcoming. Mahesh could be a cook at a 5-star restaurant.
I was soon welcomed by the other volunteers, and our personal TukTuk driver, Kaneia, who picked us up at our hostel, and would drive us to our clinic or schools every morning and then again in the afternoon.
Working in the Slums’ Clinic was life-changing. The other volunteers were so helpful and generous with me, giving me vitamins, medicines, phone chargers and even Metro passes!
Meeting the Founder of the Slums’ Clinic, Dr. G, truly changed my approach to all my patients in the future. He volunteered his time daily to his patients, would personally take them to the hospital on his motorbike or in a TukTuk, was was obviously well-respected and well-loved by all of his hundreds of patients.

I participated in the Women’s Empowerment programme in Fort Kochi, Kerala, with IVHQ and had a truly wonderful experience. The IVHQ team were very quick to answer any questions and solve issues which came up before departure, which I found to be very reassuring. The local team were consistently available, approachable, and responsive, and their support made a real difference throughout my stay.
The accommodation was comfortable and well maintained. The bedrooms had bunk beds with en-suite bathrooms, and even with four people sharing, they felt spacious. The rooms were cleaned daily, and I found my bed to be very comfortable.
I also really enjoyed the meals. There was always plenty of food, with a great variety, and the quality was consistently excellent. There is no evening meal on Sundays which give volunteers the opportunity to try out the numerous restaurants in Fort Kochi – more taste experiences!
Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Fort Kochi and would happily recommend the programme to anyone considering it. If you’re unsure, I would definitely encourage you to just go for it. Fort Kochi is a very safe destination and particularly well suited to solo female travellers of all ages.

The fellow volunteers and the staff coordinators!

This is my second trip with IVHQ, once in May 2019 and again in April 2026. I will not be waiting nearly as long to make my next adventure. IVHQ made the entire process absolutely seamless on both occasions. My most recent trip being to a rather difficult country/region to travel to. Staff was super responsive, instructions were incredibly clear, experience was brilliant all around. Their trips and goals are clearly defined and well planned.

IVHQ is such a wonderful organization that truly offers the best way to help others

My time volunteering in Madagascar ended up teaching me far more than I could’ve imagined. While I was there to help students learn English, they showed me so much about patience, joy, and making the most of what you have. I built really close connections with my students, we laughed a lot, learned from each other, and those small moments meant everything. I also grew really close to the other volunteers and sharing the experience brought us together, creating friendships I know I’ll have for life. For me, it wasn’t just about teaching, it was about the people and the connections that I know will stay with me and I’ll cherish them fondly. To anyone that is feeling hesitant about volunteering, I’d say just go for it!! It exceeded all of my expectations and I had the trip of a lifetime. Through the friendships and connections I made to the challenges I overcame, I wouldn’t change one second. One of the most rewarding, eye opening experiences that I would encourage everyone to try.

Egypt
Volunteering at a school in Egypt was truly one of the highlights of my trip. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with warmth and kindness by both the staff and students. The children were eager to learn, full of energy, and incredibly inspiring to work with each day. Being able to contribute, even in a small way, to their education and daily experiences was deeply rewarding.

What made the experience even more special were the people I met along the way. Everyone I encountered was generous, supportive, and genuinely kind, creating an environment that felt both meaningful and uplifting. I formed connections that I will carry with me long after my trip ended.

I’m especially grateful for my host, whose accommodations were truly exceptional. They went above and beyond to ensure I was comfortable, supported, and able to fully immerse myself in the experience. Their hospitality made a significant difference and allowed me to focus on making the most of my time at the school. I truly have gained a friend for life.

Overall, this experience left a lasting impression on me. It was not only a chance to give back, but also an opportunity to learn, grow, and connect in ways I will never forget.

Until next time Egypt ❤️

They looked after me from when I signed up to the moment I checked in at the airport to go home. Couldn’t have asked for better staff or service