A Broader View Volunteers is a nonprofit, 501c(3) charity organization based in the USA. Designed with a humanitarian focus, this program offers meaningful volunteer work projects combined with a cultural immersion experience.
An A Broader View program is designed to give travelers an enriching, life-changing experience while volunteering abroad. Participating in locally led volunteer work gives you the opportunity to experience, learn and contribute to society in ways which traditional travel does not do. What better way to explore a foreign country than through hands-on work within the local community you are living in?!
Gap year options include 100% local immersion. Options to live with local host families, or with other volunteers in a shared home are available. Host families come well screened, have a proven track record for hosting foreign travelers, offer clean lodging, safe food and have a plethora of local knowledge to share with you. Spanish language lessons and cultural immersion programs are available in the Latin American locations, as well as Nepal and India.
A multitude of program options is available in 26 countries worldwide. A Broader View Volunteers programs are customized. Travelers pick their own start and end dates. The application process is free. To apply click here: https://volunteers.abroaderview.org/register
ABV - Popular Gap Year Programs
Doctor/Nurse shadowing in a community clinic in Kathmandu, Nepal
Environmental/conservation of sea turtles in Costa Rica or the Galapagos Islands
Teaching English in a village school in Uganda or Ghana.
Care assistant at a residential orphanage for babies in Cusco, Peru
Woman and girls support projects at a care facility in Jaipur, India
Spanish language and cultural immersion program in Quito, Ecuador or Cartagena Colombia, or San Jose Costa Rica
Upon completing their Gap year trips, hundreds of ABV Volunteers, have achieved greater awareness of the world around them. They come home with new skills, heightened senses, improved foreign language skills and a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Many come home with a new career path or clearer ideas for their future. Join an ABV Gap volunteer program and gain a broader view of the World.
*As a nonprofit organization the program fees are tax deductible for USA taxpayers (students or parents, or donors). Students are able to fundraise for their trip directly on the A Broader View Volunteers website. Program costs depend on the project length. All programs include pre-trip planning and orientation materials, in-country staff support and supervision, accommodations, meals, round-trip airport transportation, placement in volunteer project, letter of completion, Presidential Service Award honors.
Reviews (4)
Honduras health care program
Reviewed
on Mar/22/2017 by Skyler
I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to volunteer in Honduras at the local hospital and clinic. Everyone in the ABV program really wants you to have the best experience possible. This program also allowed me to gain so much more hands-on experience than I would have been able to get in the U.S. I was able to take vital signs, assist in wound cleaning and help at a "health fair". I also observed C-sections and many other surgeries. All of the doctors were welcoming and thankful for our help. They were also willing to explain what they were doing and why. There is no doubt that I would recommend this program to anyone who is thinking about pursuing a career in the health care field.
Rafael was a wonderful host during my week in Honduras. He drove us to and from the hospital each day to ensure our safety and was always open to hearing our questions and concerns. I'm really grateful for everything he did to make sure I was having the best experience possible. This trip would not have been the same without him.
Tanzania Arusha Friendly
Reviewed
on Feb/07/2017 by RachelUK
In the month that I was there I first spent time at a hospital, where I was able to move around to some of the different departments. Here I was able to see health conditions and procedures that I hadn't seen before. I enjoyed learning from the Doctors, Nurses and other volunteers at the hospital. I then spent time on a HIV and care programme, where I would assist staff with daily tasks at an orphanage for children with HIV. On this programme I also went into communities where I enjoyed seeing people receive support and donations.
I was fortunate to visit a school where the pupils were educated on health matters such as HIV, the class was translated to me and I was shown around the school. We also went to people's homes where it was sad to see people live in poor conditions but it was nice to whiteness how donations were helping families. On these visits I was told that I may have been the first white person that some of the children may have seen. The time I spent with children had been some of the most fulfilling and enjoyable experiences of the trip.
It was interesting to discover the culture and traditions. I also enjoyed seeing wild animals on safari and meeting other volunteers and tourists. Overall the experience was amazing and made me more of an independent person.
Costa Rica A+
Reviewed
on Mar/21/2016 by Jay
Overall this was a great experience and I would suggest it to anyone who is thinking of doing any type of similar work. This being my first time leaving the United States it was a huge culture shock but it made it so much better in the long run. You get a real sense of the people and the culture that the country is made up of that I don't think a tourist vacation would allow you too see. I think in the future I will put more thought into what kind of work I would like to do in a trip because I learned that anything can change and become what you wouldn't expect. If I had the opportunity I would do this program again but for a longer period of time so I had more time to see the country.
Orphanage Uganda
Reviewed
on Feb/09/2016 by Erin
Five weeks volunteering was not long enough time in Bulenga, Uganda. I had a life changing experience -meeting so many wonderful people both at the orphanage and the house - even strangers on the street. I learned most from the kids and they gave me more than I could teach to them. I will always be thankful for this experience and thank A Broader View for this opportunity. I more than highly recommend volunteers considering volunteering in Africa to come to Bulenga Uganda. You will not regret it!
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I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to volunteer in Honduras at the local hospital and clinic. Everyone in the ABV program really wants you to have the best experience possible. This program also allowed me to gain so much more hands-on experience than I would have been able to get in the U.S. I was able to take vital signs, assist in wound cleaning and help at a "health fair". I also observed C-sections and many other surgeries. All of the doctors were welcoming and thankful for our help. They were also willing to explain what they were doing and why. There is no doubt that I would recommend this program to anyone who is thinking about pursuing a career in the health care field.
Rafael was a wonderful host during my week in Honduras. He drove us to and from the hospital each day to ensure our safety and was always open to hearing our questions and concerns. I'm really grateful for everything he did to make sure I was having the best experience possible. This trip would not have been the same without him.