Renowned as the land of the free, the United States holds a challenging, often spotlighted position in global affairs. Volunteer projects are based in our home, Boston, Massachusetts, which was the center of many of early America’s most revolutionary moments. Volunteers quickly fall in love with the charms of historic New England and delight in the region’s aura of civic duty and social responsibility. Spend your free time strolling through centuries-old streets, or soaking up the wealth of knowledge that abounds here – home to some of the most elite institutions of higher education in the world.
As a volunteer in the United States you will live with host families, which creates an intimate experience of sharing and learning in an authentic setting. Community service projects include working in food banks, teen empowerment programs, homeless shelters, and more. If you want to learn English as part of your trip, you can add a few hours of English classes for a more intensive learning experience.
Note: As our programs emphasize cultural exchange, volunteer projects in Boston are only available to those outside of North America.
I worked for the Bridge Boston Charter School for 3 weeks, essentially keeping an eye on the children when they were playing, and helping them with their academics when needed. It was definitely a challenging experience at first, getting to know and understand the children, personally and with regards to their work, but over time I daresay I bonded with them somewhat. It was a very rewarding experience, both in terms of lessons learned and challenges faced.
The city of Boston was pretty cool too! The Freedom Trail was a definite highlight.François-René L. - Volunteer
Volunteers in the United States can work at a variety of projects during their time in Boston. This allows volunteers to gain a wide range of experience while learning about the non-profit and social sector in the U.S.A. United Planet works closely with several local organizations to provide services for people, such as those who are homeless or living in poverty. Volunteers participate in a variety of activities, including mentoring, coaching sports activities, directing craft activities, preparing meals and clothing donations for families, and organizing collection drives.
*Teens may be asked for a preliminary interview prior to enrollment completion to understand previous experience and motivations.
I enjoyed most when many students and working people volunteered together to help people who really need help. It was happy to see our efforts help unify the community. And I really felt the kindness and passion in my mind. This is a wonderful experience for me, which will make a big difference in my life. I want to devoted to helping others and showing kindness to others.
The United States Quest is offered year-round. Projects might have limited availability or holidays during certain periods of the year, but will be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Alternative project options will be provided if your desired placement is unavailable during your intended dates.
For United States Quests, volunteers can stay 1-12 weeks.
The age requirement for the United States Quest is at least 15 years old.
*Teens may be asked for a preliminary interview prior to enrollment completion to understand previous experience and motivations.
Volunteers should be proficient in English in order to best immerse and experience American culture.
We ask that volunteers enroll at least 60 days prior to their anticipated departure date. This gives us enough time to schedule volunteer placements, coordinate in-country activities, and provide sufficient pre-departure training. If you are interested in enrolling for a program starting in less than 60 days, please contact us directly.
United Planet Quests are designed to be immersive, authentic, comprehensive and provide you everything you’ll need to succeed. The program elements allow you to engage fully with a new culture, forge strong relationships, and challenge yourself. Most importantly, we partner with the community to ensure your experience will be important, relevant and helpful to the community you serve.
United Planet provides emergency travel and medical insurance for all volunteers. All United States staff members participate in extensive health and safety training, and are available at all times by 24-hour phone line. Upon enrollment, you will receive a full emergency contact list. We recommend booking a doctor’s appointment or visiting a travel health clinic a few months out to update your vaccinations. Read more about health and safety.
Due to varying airline prices, United Planet does not arrange or cover the cost of flights to and from the United States. However, we arrange all ground transportation to and from the airport in Boston and will ensure that you arrive safely at your host house. United Planet will provide you with a bus and subway pass for Boston’s public transit system.
1 Week | 2 Weeks | 3 Weeks | 4 Weeks | 5 Week | 6 Weeks | 7 Weeks | 8 Weeks | 9 Week | 10 Weeks | 11 Weeks | 12 Weeks |
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$1865 | $2165 | $3035 | $3885 | $4695 | $5575 | $6395 | $7275 | $8095 | $8995 | $9795 | $10655 |
We want you to succeed. That means having in place the support our volunteers need. We don’t just drop you in country and hope for the best. We provide training before you leave … language exposure … 24/7 in-country support … support for your host family … accommodations, meals and airport transportation … activities and excursions. The whole idea is to make the experience successful and productive for you and the host community, and we have found that these things are crucial. Remember that we are a non-profit, mission-driven organization – we wouldn’t spend money on something that wasn’t important.
*Payment Plan Details: A $300 deposit is due at the time of your enrollment to lock in your spot in our program. After your confirmation in a program, you can choose to pay the Quest Fee all at once or in installments. The total Quest Fee is due 4 weeks before your departure date.
United Planet is an international non-profit organization with a mission to create a global community, one relationship at a time. We connect people who want to make a difference in communities across the world through overseas volunteer travel programs, global virtual internships & volunteering, and project-based virtual exchange programs. With opportunities in more than 40 countries, you will learn, teach, work, engage and immerse yourself in a culture outside your comfort zone. For many, volunteering abroad is the most fulfilling experience of their lives!
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