Soup Kitchen Project in South Korea - Seoul
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Project details
Help and support South Korea in its efforts to battle hunger among its vulnerable population affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Located in Seoul, International Volunteer HQ’s Soup Kitchen project addresses rising hunger rates in the city by providing everyday food to underprivileged senior citizens, and the homeless.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
Joining the Soup Kitchen volunteer project in Seoul, you will be participating in numerous community initiatives to address hunger among the city’s vulnerable population. Working in a soup kitchen, you can expect to feed typically 500 to 1,000 people every day, along with frontline and behind-the-scenes involvement.
The issue of poverty in South Korea is severe, and many people visiting the soup kitchen depend on that one meal a day. The tasks in the Soup Kitchen project can vary day-to-day, and may include:
- Preparing ingredients
- Helping with cooking or culinary assistance
- Serving or packing food
- Kitchen maintenance (e.g. washing dishes)
Why do Soup Kitchen volunteering in South Korea with IVHQ?
While taking part on this project you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Working alongside and interacting with local volunteers and placement staff
- Learn about South Korea and interact with the local community
- Gaining community outreach experience
- Improving access to basic necessities for disadvantaged people
- Give you practical experience in the kitchen and an insight into food preparation.
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program.
- Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate in the program, and may be asked to provide additional documents to the local team.
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead.
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance.
- To respect the local culture and customs in South Korea, volunteers should be aware that they’re unable to have anything obstructing their face while at their volunteer placement.
- All volunteers must speak fluent English.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
South Korea photo gallery
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
Discover the Land of the Morning Sun
Located in the capital of South Korea, Seoul is a melting pot of rich culture, high-technology, and exquisite cuisine. During their free time volunteers can visit Gyeongbokgung Palace, Namsan Tower, the UNESCO Heritage site of Changdeokgung Palace and Huwon (Secret Garden), or the bustling Myeongdong shopping district.
Beyond Seoul, volunteers can visit Jeju Island, explore Busan, or Gyeongju (known as the “Museum Without Walls”). Try their hand at adventure sports or experience a Buddhist temple-stay and immerse in centuries old culture and religion in the country.
Fun Fact: South Korea has one of the fastest internet connection in the world. You never have to worry about connectivity when you’re traveling in the country.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins every Monday, and volunteers need to arrive in Seoul on the Sunday before program orientation.
After registering for the program, please book your flights to the Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul on the Sunday before your program orientation. Your airport train ride to the accommodation is included in your program fee. Please note that this service is offered between 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team. The airport is a 1-hour train ride from the accommodation. If there are volunteers arriving within a few hours of your flight, the local team will wait and transfer volunteers to the accommodation altogether. Your program fee covers your accommodation and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling to South Korea before your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up at a pre-arranged destination in Seoul, the day before your program orientation. You also have the option to make your own way to Seoul.
Orientation is hosted by the South Korean local team. There are two options for the orientation of the South Korea program:
1-day Orientation:
Orientation begins on your selected start date and covers everything you need to know about your volunteer program. You will have an introduction to the South Korea Program and the local staff, along with basics around South Korean customs, rules, expectations, and safety.
This will be followed by a tour of the local area to show volunteers key spots like supermarkets, ATMs, and currency exchange centers. The local team can also assist in obtaining a local SIM card with data (LG U+).
Afterward, you will join a project-specific meeting as part of the project preparation you’ll need to complete for the following day.
5-day Introduction Week:
The Introduction Week begins on the morning of your chosen start date and runs for the first five days of your stay. It is an excellent way to kickstart your volunteer abroad experience, and it covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in South Korea.
Plus, you’ll learn more about the culture and tick off some must-do South Korean experiences, including calligraphy lessons, carving an authentic Korean stamp, visit to the COEX mall and Jogyesa temple, a Korean cooking class, and more! The Introduction Week will allow you to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
Weekdays
Start times and daily workload depends on the project that you are volunteering on, with some beginning in the morning and some in the afternoon. A typical schedule is as follows:
| 7:30 AM - 8:00 AM | Breakfast at the accommodation. |
| 8:00 AM | Travel to placement to join local placement staff and begin work on your project. |
| 12:00 PM | Lunch. Volunteers eat lunch at the their placement. |
| 12:30 PM | Afternoon placement work begins. |
| 2:00 PM | Afternoon placements usually end. Volunteers are free to return to the volunteer accommodation, plan for the following day’s activities or use their free time as they wish. |
Weekends
Volunteers have the weekends free and there is no shortage of things to do in Seoul or around South Korea.
For volunteers who prefer tranquility, various Buddhist cultural experiences and meditation are available at the accommodation. Conversations with monks are also possible.
For more active volunteers, Hongdae, South Korea’s top youth street, is just a 10-minute walk away, where you can enjoy cafes and a youthful atmosphere. To visit other places like Gangnam, the subway from the accommodation can take you anywhere.
Volunteers can make travel arrangements once in South Korea, with the advice and guidance of the local team.
Accommodation and WiFi
You’ll be staying in a temple, located in the heart of Seoul, the trendiest and most vibrant area Hong-Dae.
Living conditions are comfortable with air conditioning for the hotter months and heat for the cooler months. Volunteers can expect to share a dormitory-style room with up to five other volunteers. These bedrooms are separated by gender with shared hot water showers and western toilets (also separated by gender). There is a lounge area, as well as a dining area for volunteers to hang out and enjoy their meals together.
The accommodation allows volunteers to access the famous ‘tea bar’ for complimentary tea from 9am to 10pm. Meditation sessions are also held every morning in the beautiful zen hall which volunteers are welcome to join.
There is WiFi available at the volunteer accommodation, so volunteers can easily stay in touch with family and friends at home.
Private room upgrades to a single room is also possible for an additional cost. These are subject to availability and once you have registered you will be able to request an upgrade. These are located within the temple on the same floor as the dorm rooms.
For groups, couples, families who wish to book a private room upgrade, also have this option but it will be at a nearby hotel as the temple private rooms are single beds only.
Please note that the accommodation is within a temple and therefore volunteers are expected to be quiet after 10PM. It is important to note that volunteers are unable to consume alcohol or meat at the guesthouse.
If you wish to arrive earlier than your recommended arrival date or spend extra nights after your program, we can arrange additional nights of accommodation for you at an additional cost. You can book extra nights via your profile after registration, subject to availability.
Meals
Volunteers are served a mixture of South Korean and western dishes, with a ovo-vegetarian base. Volunteers will have the opportunity to experience rich and varied Korean cuisine, celebrated for its emphasis on balance, health, and seasonality. Korean meals are typically based around rice and are accompanied by a variety of side dishes predominantly made from vegetables.
Breakfast at the temple includes traditional temple food, focusing on simplicity and vegan ingredients, with options for Western-style breakfasts such as cereal and toast also available. This meal is typically accompanied by tea, coffee, and fresh fruit.
Lunch will typically be dishes that will consist of a mix of:
- Kimchi (fermented vegetables, usually cabbage, which is a staple in every meal)
- Bibimbap (a mixed rice dish with assorted vegetables, often topped with a fried egg and seasoned with spicy gochujang sauce)
- Doenjang jjigae (a hearty stew made with fermented soybean paste, tofu, and vegetables)
- Bulgogi (thinly sliced beef, marinated in a sweet and savory sauce, then grilled or stir-fried)
- Japchae (sweet potato noodles stir-fried with a mix of vegetables and sometimes meat)
- Western option typically includes bagels
Purified drinking water is also available in the accommodation; we do not recommend that you drink the tap water.
Volunteers are provided with breakfast and lunch daily. If volunteers wish to eat out for dinner, there are some local restaurants to suit different tastes and budgets. Tuesday to Thursday evenings, volunteers can visit Gwangjang Market, a renowned market known for its wide array of traditional Korean street food. This provides an excellent cultural and culinary experience, sampling foods like mung bean pancakes (bindaetteok), spicy rice cakes (tteokbokki), and stuffed squid.
If you have special dietary requirements, please let us know when you apply so that we can make arrangements for you. However, it’s essential to prepare for some flexibility due to the possible limits of resources at this location. We will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately $299) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $667 Equivalent to $95/day |
| 2 weeks | $1,244 Equivalent to $89/day |
| 3 weeks | $1,821 Equivalent to $87/day |
| 4 weeks | $2,398 Equivalent to $86/day |
| 5 weeks | $2,974 Equivalent to $85/day |
| 6 weeks | $3,551 Equivalent to $85/day |
| 8 weeks | $4,705 Equivalent to $84/day |
| 10 weeks | $5,859 Equivalent to $84/day |
| 12 weeks | $7,013 Equivalent to $83/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately $299) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in South Korea generally find US$150 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including transport and miscellaneous spending.
- Any changes or cancellations within 14 days of your start date are subject to a US$150 late change/cancellation fee.
- Breakfast and Dinner
- Airport Pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Dinner
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Transport to and from your volunteer placement each day
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in South Korea
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ South Korea program.
Learn more about South Korean culture and tick off some must-do Seoul experiences
Do you want your own private room in a hotel while volunteering in South Korea? Enjoy your own private space in comfort and style during your volunteer experience, with IVHQ’s affordable accommodation upgrade.
If you’re arriving outside the airport pick up dates/times, book this add on now!
Check what's required to visit South Korea
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Seoul |
| Population | 9.78 million |
| Languages | Korean, English and Mandarin |
| Currency | South Korean won (SKW) |
| Time zone | UTC+09:00 |
Weather and climate
Seoul is located in the northwest of South Korea, a short distance from the coast of the Yellow Sea, which has a continental climate. This means Seoul has a hot and humid climate during the summer season, with cold and dry weather during the winter season. Spring and autumn are mild and short in duration. The average annual temperature is 12.8°C. The coldest month is January with -1.9°C, the hottest month is August with 26.1°C, and the annual temperature difference is very large with 28.0°C.
