This experience gave me confidence to try this again.
Volunteer in China
Explore International Volunteer HQ’s unique China volunteer abroad program. Choose from a wide range of trusted China volunteer projects, including Teaching English, Special Needs Care or a special Summer Outreach project. Volunteer work in China is based in Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi Province. With affordable Program Fees and top rated volunteer projects trusted by over 144,000 travelers, IVHQ is the best volunteer organization in China.
Highlights:
- 3 meaningful project options available year-round
- Program Fees from $345 for 1 week
- Includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support
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Accommodation in volunteer apartment or local homestay
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Projects based in and around the ancient Chinese city of Xi’an
Key information
Volunteer opportunities in China
Improves health & wellbeing
3-5 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from $345
- Duration: 1 - 24 weeks
- Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
- Based in special needs programs in and near Xi’an
- Volunteers aged 18+ and families
Help in under-resourced disability care sectors, providing care and attention to children and adults with a range of special needs.
Increases access to education
3-5 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from $345
- Duration: 1 - 24 weeks
- Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
- Based in villages in northern China
- Volunteers aged 18+ and families
Assist in summer holiday programs between July-August, playing a lead role as an English teacher for students aged between 10-18.
Increases access to education
3-5 hours volunteering per day
Program Fees from $345
- Duration: 1 - 24 weeks
- Programs start every first and third Monday of the month
- Based in Xi’an or Weinan
- Volunteers aged 18+ and families
Bring a valued perspective as a fluent English speaker to help with lessons in government-owned schools. Teach alone, in pairs or as an assistant to a local teacher, with classes for students aged between 3-21.
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
IVHQ was very helpful in providing Program Guidebooks for volunteers. The Local Team were very helpful in helping us with any difficulties we faced. The most significant thing that I’ve gained is meeting new volunteer friends and making unforgettable memories with the students.
Coming to Xi'an, I gained a newfound perspective and was introduced to a completely different lifestyle. Interacting, teaching, and taking care of people with mental disabilities was a lot more challenging than I anticipated, but I developed patience, and eventually, a lot of the students learned the alphabet, numerous greetings, body language, and essential English vocabulary.
The first day felt especially challenging to both my dad and me, as we both felt a bit overwhelmed after our first full day there. However, after the first week, the next two weeks flew by. Patience is something that I developed during this experience and I was also enlightened on how hard/challenging life is for people. I became very close with one of the kids there, who had Down Syndrome, but was only around two weeks older than me. Although we are around the same age, our lives are entirely different, and there are numerous privileges that I took for granted that my friend hasn't experienced. I've become a lot more grateful and appreciative of everything that I have and after living in an area for three weeks and interacting with people who have mental disabilities, I've become a lot less ignorant about how challenging some people's lives can be.
Although I may be more privileged financially and in education than other people, I don't value myself above these people and I believe that each and every person deserves the same opportunities I do. This is the biggest piece of advice I would give to people hesitant about joining this program because embracing and living with these people without looking at them through a partially inferior lens will help you appreciate every moment of the experience.
I feel I gained some perspective towards the world. I've always been a sort of "home town" guy. So it was really interesting and exciting to go somewhere vastly different from my own country. And to interact with the society I was in, in a way other than a pure tourist.
I gained a better perspective of the world, different cultures, perhaps a little about human nature and maybe myself. Volunteering with IVHQ has the added benefit of bringing you away from the overtly "touristy" areas which you would normally find yourself in on a normal holiday. Particularly in China, the difference between rural and urban is immense, and this is a great opportunity to not only make a difference, or to see the world, but to get a more full view of the culture you're immersing yourself in.
IVHQ is so reliable, they have wonderful local support team! I saw how my child grows to be more responsible and independent - it was a great memory for my daughter and I to share.
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