GSC’s four to six week short-term volunteer abroad programs are ideal for those interested in becoming submerged into a new culture while participating in community training and volunteer service work overseas. All GSC short-term program participants receive at least one week of cultural orientation and technical training in-country prior to their community training assignments. For a more in-depth volunteer service and community training opportunity, GSC suggests our 9 week to 6-month Long-term Volunteer Abroad Assignments and International Internship Programs.


Tanzania Short-Term Volunteer Abroad Assignments: 4-6 Weeks

GSC’s Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security Program in Tanzania includes two weeks of classroom and field orientation and training, followed by two to four weeks of training local community and farming groups in organic agriculture practices. 

The HIV/AIDS Prevention and Nutrition Education Program in Tanzania includes one week of orientation and technical training followed by three to five weeks of training local community groups in HIV/AIDS prevention. Frequently, participants with extra time in the afternoons and weekends will also volunteer at one of the local orphanages affiliated with GSC.

All Tanzania volunteer abroad programs begin in Arusha, Tanzania where a GSC representative will greet you upon arrival at the Kilimanjaro International airport. You and your fellow volunteers will then participate in one week of cultural orientation and theoretical training followed by the second week of activities specific to your program. Participants are housed in a hostel near the GSC office and training center the first three nights and are then welcomed into their homestay on Wednesday afternoon. The HIV/AIDS Prevention and Nutrition Education Program includes technical HIV/AIDS training followed by participation in one week of training a community group in HIV/AIDS prevention. Topics covered include AIDS transmission and treatment, gender and stigma issues, and the importance of HIV testing and counseling. The Sustainable Agriculture Program includes theoretical training in bio-intensive (sustainable and organic) agriculture followed by one week of hands-on participant training at the GSC demonstration plot.

Short-term programs are available in Thailand in three distinct program areas:

The Orphanage Care Program (minimum six weeks) includes an initial 2 weeks of orientation and training followed by four  weeks of mentoring, teaching, and interacting with young Thai orphans. 

The Teach English Abroad Program includes two weeks of orientation and training followed by a minimum of four weeks of teaching basic and conversational English to either primary or secondary school students.

The Buddhist Immersion Program includes one week of training followed by three to five weeks of teaching English to resident and transient monks training to be meditation teachers at a wat (monastery).

All Thailand volunteer abroad programs begin in Bangkok, Thailand where a GSC representative will greet you upon arrival at the airport. You and your fellow volunteers will then be given a two-day tour of Bangkok before traveling to the Orientation Center in Singburi for Orphanage Care or Teaching English Abroad program participants, or volunteer vacationers.  BI-EFL participants travel to a Wat in Rajburi following the tour. All service learning program volunteers participate in a one week of cultural and language orientation followed by one week of EFL training before being assigned to an Orphanage Care or a Teaching English Abroad project. BI-EFL volunteers receive one week of orientation and training before beginning their meditation and teaching work