Volunteer in Europe

Volunteer & gap year placements in Europe

Placement Locations

Poland: Placements are located in Warsaw, Krakow, Poznan, Lublin and other rural areas.

Germany: Placements are located in Esslingen, South Germany. Close to nice rural area with mountains and lakes as well as to Stuttgart with city life.

Is it for me?

Poland offers volunteers the freedom to develop imaginative lesson plans that encourage students to practice their English. The ability to adapt, think creatively and embrace a new culture will allow you to experience the wonderful traditions and customs that Poland has to offer.

German placements are ideal for volunteers looking to develop their language skills and gain useful experience working with children.

Roles Explained

Placements in Poland enable volunteers to use their conversational English skills to assist both students and teachers. Some placements have the added challenge of being in special schools for blind or partially sighted students, and for students with special needs. Students may range in age from six to 25. Volunteers may also become involved with additional activities in the school, such as music and drama classes or sport.

Placements in Germany involve working in a nursery, (a registered charity) with roughly 20 children from the ages of 0-3 years old. The nursery employs a ‘holistic’ educational approach (organic food, bilingual, many outdoor activities etc). Currently we only offer1 placement in Germany, as such volunteers would be placed by themselves within the host institution, supported by the nursery staff.

Working hours vary between placements, but generally coincide with full school days.

Accommodation and Food

Volunteers either live with a host family or in residential quarters attached to the host institution. Food is provided accordingly.

What’s Included

Accommodation & food
Pre-departure briefing
Airport Pickup
In-country orientation (Poland only)
24/7 support

Costs

£1400

You will also need to budget for:

Travel insurance
Airfares
Visa
Teaching skills course
Police check

Travel

Volunteers have the opportunity to travel within Poland (or Germany) and other areas of Europe during the school holidays and at the end of their placement. Poland is a European time capsule where you can find marvellous examples of the best of European architecture in UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Krakow, Warsaw, and Zamosc. Poland’s countryside is idyllic with dark forests, limpid lakes and towering Teutonic fortresses looming over picture perfect villages. Poland’s more recent past is visible in the Jewish Ghetto in Warsaw and at Gierloz – the ruins of Hitler’s sinister headquarters.

Germany too has much to offer volunteers looking to travel. Getting around is fast and easy and just as well as there is much to pack into your free time. Such as enjoying the outdoors, from skiing Alpine peaks to hiking carefully preserved forests, to exploring the vibrant cities of Berlin, Munich and Cologne.

Planning your trip

Please note that the deadline is the last possible time allowed to get an application form in that allows us enough time to match volunteers and begin sorting out visas. We always recommend applying as early as possible in order to secure your place.

We are currently accepting applications for departures up until 2014.
Volunteer in Europe: apply now>>