Program Reviews

I really enjoyed my experience in Laos volunteering to teach at the school. The children are great and eager to learn, they are kind and care deeply about each other and they value your time. I made the mistake of only going for a short amount of time and if you really want to get a lot out of the experience and if you want THEM to get a lot out of the experience, stay for a while and get to know these people! They're so kind and really good. The staff was extremely sweet and very encouraging. They are all so loving and kind and made sure you felt at home. Laos itself is becoming a big tourist hub and the social scene is what you won't expect, but if you do go, go for the volunteering aspect of the trip! Laos itself is beautiful and take a weekend trip to Luang Prabang and visit elephant sanctuaries and waterfalls! Overall, a wonderful cultural experience that I wouldn't have been able to fully achieve without volunteering! Thank you!

This was my first time traveling abroad by myself. I was very nervous and excited to embark on my first trip. I had always wanted to volunteer abroad and found out about Ubelong through the global education director at my university. Ubelong Peru was my destination because of the project (working with the elderly) and being able to live with fellow volunteers. With the help of my mentor Martina, from Ubelong, I was at ease with my impending trip. Working with the adult community and meeting people from different parts of the world while in Peru was a blessing. I have a very basic knowledge of Spanish but with the team leaders and fellow volunteers I survived. I look forward to visiting this beautiful country again.

The UBelong trip was truly a one of a kind experience. The volunteering experience was an eye-opener, and it was very safe. The volunteer leaders are incredible and humble people. I definitely recommend to choose UBelong as the program to volunteer through if you want to make an impact. The impact that you can make is definitely not limited, and you have the freedom to bring new ideas to the table. This experience has definitely made me a more culturally appreciative person, and more thankful for the life that I have. I volunteered in a disability school for deaf children and I volunteered at an orphanage shelter. Not only will you make a huge impact on the children's personal growth, but you will also experience a tremendous personal growth. I would have to say that UBelong would be the best volunteer program to participate in if you are planning to volunteer in Cusco, Peru.

Volunteering at a local school in Ghana was such an eye-opening experience in terms of engaging with the welcoming locals, learning about the Ghanaian culture whilst living with a loving host family and growing personally into a more globally-aware and agile individual. Princess, my host sister, was always full of energy and keeping us on our toes. The staff and students at the school welcomed us unconditionally and taught us to sing and dance Ghanaian-style, which is one of the many experiences I will never forget. Through the program with Ubelong, I have been inspired and motivated by the local team and fellow volunteers to continue to help improve living standards to communities in need. It was my first time travelling without family and I felt supported and well-informed throughout the experience; from the time I submitted my application until post-program, where I still feel connected to Ubelong and the local team in Ghana. I have shared this unforgettable trip with my family, friends and peers and it is definitely something I recommend everyone to personally experience.

My experience in Cosa Rica was definitely a great experience.
I chose to go to Costa Rica for different reasons. First of all, I've always wanted to visit the country: its people, culture and way of living inspired me positive energy (the so called "Pura Vida!") and its nature and landscapes have always attracted me.
Plus, I felt the need to travel alone, in a very distant country, in order to have a completely challenging and bracing experience. And so it was! I met amazing people: my host family, the Volunteer Staff, the other volunteers, all the people that work in the school I volunteered at.
Fortunately, I speak some Spanish, so it was easier to me to communicate with the students, which was the thing I loved most. For two weeks, I shared every single moment with them, and I can say that I learnt from them as much as they learnt from me!

I travelled with Ubelong to Hanoi for a month, they were extremely helpful in preparing me for my trip, with amazing communication and organisation all the way to my volunteer house. I was put at ease straight away and never felt that things would go wrong, and they didn't! The most affordable and professional volunteer org by a mile, I will definitely use them again, as I had the most unforgettable experience in Hanoi! Amazing food, people and culture! I miss the heat!

Volunteering in Cusco was overall the most challenging and most rewarding experience I've ever had. The shelter I worked in welcomed me with open arms and often let me know how much they appreciated my help. Of course, the shelter was run very differently than any of the ones I was used to in the U.S., which took a couple of weeks to adjust to. The girls I worked with will always have a special place in my heart.

UBELONG is a very motivated organization whose goals are to help you make a difference in the lives of the people in the communities they serve. I have made life long friends with my students that I taught, the other volunteers, locals, and the support staff. I seriously do not want to leave, but I know that I will return. This community has become my home all thanks to the direction of UBELONG. They want your input on how the volunteer projects should be. It is a collaborative effort and I have really enjoyed working with them all. Also Merida is located in an amazing location in the Yucatán. There is so much to do in the city, and it is just a four hour bus ride from places like Tulum and Holbox. Take advantage of it all! There is a lot of free time and a lot to see. The hostel where we stay is also incredible, safe, and has a really great environment. I wish I could stay longer and continue with my students and this program. I can not recommend it enough! Check out their website for more information. Thanks UBELONG for the best summer of my life!

I loved the fact that we could experience the culture more fully than any other traveller, while helping to improve and support the country. We got to be great friends with the children and got a unique understanding of the culture. We also were able to freely explore the country during the free time, which allowed us to see many interesting and unique sites.

The volunteer program of Ubelong in Merida, Mexico was a gateway not only to make a difference to the society, but also to create world-class friendships.

I live in NYC and I am a CPA and a Level II CFA. Coming from a finance background and living in an illusion that I know it all, I realized that this program opened completely new doors that I was oblivious to.

I did not know any Spanish, a limitation that made me nervous about the program in the beginning. However, your first interaction is with the program officers in Mexico. Martina and Leo are absolutely endearing and they make you feel comfortable and safe since the inception of the program. The positive energy they exude brings the best in you.

The hostel ubelong arranged for the volunteers is very comfortable and through it, you meet some of the finest people; travelers and locals. The other volunteers in the program (Rachel, Lija, Lisa and Paige) became my pals immediately and the whole environment became a comfort zone that I had difficulty leaving.

The non-profit I worked for in Merida had a very professional staff. I was fortunate to work both on the field and in the office (as I have a finance background). I worked with Foster in the nursery who taught me not only the fieldwork but also a little Spanish. The highlight was the hip-hop music that played in the background while conducting arduous physical labor. In the office, I worked on preparing cost benefit analysis and helped brainstorm ideas to raise funds. Carolina, the office staff, is a very talented and intelligent girl, who helped me learn about the general fabric of Mexican economy.

Merida as a city is very safe and has a rustic appeal. People are very courteous and amiable, something I miss in NYC. Amidst all the hard work, I still found time to visit tourist spots around Merida. I would definitely recommend this program to everyone and also emphasize that Ubelong is a great channel to accomplish your social goals.