Volunteering
Whether you know the experience you want or are just looking for ways to get involved internationally, we can help you find the right opportunity to volunteer abroad.
Explore the volunteering abroad opportunities available such as:
- Alternative Reading Week with Habitat for Humanity
- Concord College of Sino Canada (CCSC) Summer Leadership Experience in China
- My World Abroad
To help you find the organization or experience that is best for you, the Career Centre has also compiled a list of international volunteering resources and tips.
Alternative Reading Week: Habitat for Humanity
Experience Salvadoran culture and explore housing and socio-economic realities in El Salvador. Our trained student team leaders, accompanied by a faculty member, will lead the trip, which is facilitated in the country by Habitat for Humanity El Savador.
You will have the opportunity to learn about:
- Salvadoran history and geography.
- Approaches to alleviating poverty housing implemented by Habitat for Humanity El Savador.
Over reading week in February, your experience includes:
- A visit to a Salvadoran community
- Meeting a family that is building a new house.
- Most of your time spent on house construction activities, under the supervision of a trained mason.
- Opportunities to engage in community activities and visit tourist sites and markets.
Learn more about previous students' experiences in El Salvador by reading Discovering selflessness and strength in El Salvador.
Pre-Departure Information
To help you prepare for your time abroad, we will provide you with pre-departure information, which covers health and safety, how to understand new cultures and travel preparation.
Concord College of Sino Canada (CCSC) Summer Leadership Experience in China
Embark in a student leadership experience in China for two or three weeks in July where you will:
- Travel in teams to various cities in China.
- Spend each week at a different school of the Concord College of Sino Canada (CCSC) running leadership workshops for students.
- Lead evening programming such as sports nights, movie nights and dance contests.
- Build your intercultural learning, leverage your education in an international setting and represent Laurier as a global leader.
As a student leader, you will be working to develop young leaders in China who want to pursue a university degree in Canada. Through the classroom activities, you will:
- Foster the development of leadership and teamwork skills.
- Provide a deeper understanding of Canadian culture.
- Assist in the development of English-language and presentation skills.
This program is open to undergraduate students on the Brantford and Waterloo campuses.
While in China, the CCSC will:
- Cover the costs of your accommodations, ground transportation and meals.
- Provide you with 500 RMB per week (approximately $100 CDN).
You are responsible for covering:
- Airfare, travel insurance and visas costs.
- Costs incurred during your leisure time.
Funding Opportunities
For students in need, there are bursaries worth $500 CDN, available through the Global Engagement Mobility Fund for Non-Exchange International Learning.
Even though travel takes place in July, all student volunteers must participate in planning activities and a re-entry session.
In early January, we will confirm:
- Dates for travel to and from China.
- Details about the program timeline, including pre-departure and re-entry commitments.
You will be provided with pre-departure training, which will cover health and safety, understanding new cultures and travel preparation.