Did you know that you can study abroad and volunteer at the same time? With International Volunteer HQ you can earn academic credit through your volunteer program — and it’s much more affordable than getting college credit on campus or through traditional study abroad programs.
According to GoOverseas, a traditional study abroad semester (15-16 weeks) typically costs between $15,000 and $22,000 USD and typically offers 15 US academic credits.
With IVHQ, you can do a 16 week volunteer program and earn 16 US credits for as little as $4,400 USD!
What are the benefits of study abroad volunteering with IVHQ?
![What is study abroad volunteering with IVHQ.](https://ivhq.imgix.net/images/pages/study-abroad/study-abroad-ivhq-volunteering.jpg?w=800&h=950&fit=crop&crop=top,center&auto=format,compress)
What is study abroad volunteering?
Traditional study abroad involves earning academic credit in another country by completing coursework at a host institution, such as an overseas university. This is often chosen by students as a way to gain course credit while experiencing living and studying in another country.
The downside is that this can be an expensive way to earn credits and explore another country. Study abroad programs typically cost tens of thousands of dollars and require 4-5 months away.
With International Volunteer HQ, you can earn academic credits in as little as 2 weeks on a volunteer abroad program. This costs a fraction of the price of your typical study abroad program and it’s an option for non-university students, such as high schoolers, too!
Instead of sitting in lectures without interacting with the local community, by volunteering abroad with IVHQ you can contribute towards a cause you care about and have a deeper, richer immersion into your host community. This is a sure-way to make your resume stand out from the crowd, gain practical experience, and truly immerse yourself in the local culture!
In conjunction with your immersive volunteering experience, you can enroll in our bespoke online coursework to fulfill academic credit requirements.
SEE HOW IT WORKSHow much does it cost to study abroad and volunteer?
Duration |
Cost with IVHQ |
Comparable study abroad cost |
Comparable on-campus cost |
---|---|---|---|
4 weeks | $1,600 for 2 US credits | $2,500 - $10,000 | $600 - $2,600 |
8 weeks | $2,000 for 4 US credits | $5,000 - $15,000 | $1,200 - $5,200 |
16 weeks | $3,500 for 10 US credits $4,400 for 16 US credits |
$15,000 - $22,000* | $10,000 - $42,000** |
*A study abroad semester typically costs $15,000 to $22,000 USD for 12 to 15 weeks
**A semester on campus at a home institution in the US averages $10,000 to $42,000 USD just in tuition fees (this doesn’t include housing, meals, etc.)
Please note: All prices are in USD
Affordable study abroad volunteer programs
Check out these top affordable volunteer opportunities for college students studying abroad:
Volunteer in Costa Rica
![Volunteer abroad in Costa Rica with International Volunteer HQ](https://ivhq.imgix.net/images/hero/volunteer-in-costa-rica-with-world-leaders-ivhq.jpg?w=730&h=350&fit=crop&crop=faces,center&auto=format,compress&q=40)
Volunteer in Croatia
![Volunteer abroad in Croatia with International Volunteer HQ](https://ivhq.imgix.net/images/hero/volunteer-in-croatia-with-world-leaders-ivhq.jpg?w=730&h=350&fit=crop&crop=faces,center&auto=format,compress&q=40)
Volunteer in Romania
![Volunteer abroad in Romania with International Volunteer HQ](https://ivhq.imgix.net/images/hero/volunteer-in-romania-with-world-leaders-ivhq.jpg?w=730&h=350&fit=crop&crop=faces,center&auto=format,compress&q=40)
Volunteer in Spain
![Volunteer abroad in Barcelona, Spain with International Volunteer HQ](https://ivhq.imgix.net/images/hero/volunteer-in-spain-with-world-leaders-ivhq.jpg?w=730&h=350&fit=crop&crop=faces,center&auto=format,compress&q=40)
Academic Credit Videos
Watch these videos to find out everything you need to know about earning academic credit through an IVHQ volunteer program or Intern Abroad HQ internship from our expert team.
Why Earn Academic Credit Through An IVHQ Volunteer Trip?
![Why Earn Academic Credit Through A Volunteer Trip with IVHQ](https://ivhq.imgix.net/video/stills/volunteer-abroad-academic-credit-ivhq-web.jpg?w=850&fit=max&auto=compress%2Cformat)
Webinar: Academic Credit & Study Abroad Alternatives with IVHQ & Intern Abroad HQ
![Watch Academic Credit & Study Abroad Alternatives Webinar with IVHQ & Intern Abroad HQ](https://ivhq.imgix.net/video/stills/webinar-academic-credit-study-abroad-ivhq-intern-abroad-hq-replay.jpg?w=850&fit=max&auto=compress%2Cformat)
![Earn academic credit through an internship abroad with Intern Abroad HQ.](https://ivhq.imgix.net/images/pages/study-abroad/study-abroad-ivhq-internships.jpg?w=800&h=650&fit=crop&crop=faces,center&auto=format,compress)
Want to earn academic credit through an internship abroad?
You can also study abroad and intern with our sister organization, Intern Abroad HQ! This is an excellent alternative to traditional study abroad, particularly for those wanting to gain practical experience in a specific field while earning academic credit.
Intern Abroad HQ offers remote and overseas internships across a huge range of career fields, from Psychology and Law to Medical and Marine Science. You’ll get matched with a world-class internship placement that is tailored to your unique goals, budget, and availability, and you can easily add on academic credit for cheap!
Check out Intern Abroad HQ’s affordable study abroad internships below.
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