What is ICYE STePs

Short Term Programmes

What can you do

Make a difference with ICYE in one of its selected community development projects. ICYE volunteers are committed to and have a true passion for volunteering and cultural discovery.

Just imagine sharing your time, enthusiasm and life skills:

  • with children in an orphanage in Ghana,
  • building a nursery school in Nepal,
  • coaching a soccer team of street children in Morocco,
  • doing HIV-AIDS prevention & outreach work in Uganda or Vietnam
  • protecting wildlife in Kenya,
  • teaching English to students and teachers in China,
  • teaching IT to disabled in Mozambique,
  • learning arts and crafts in Nigeria

Volunteering abroad can be one of the most exciting, learning and rewarding experiences. Volunteering means experience! Experiential learning enhances personal development!

childrenBuilding on its long standing long term programme, ICYE STePs are designed to offer you a combination of reliable and meaningful volunteer work with a direct exposure to the rich cultures of the host countries.
Short term volunteer opportunities range from coaching sports for street children, teaching English and Maths in an elementary school, to doing outreach health education, helping in an orphanage, and protecting wildlife.

And if your travelling time is tight, you want to find out about the culture of the country where you will volunteer, but want to avoid mainstream tourist routes and activities, the ICYE STeP cultural exposure modules offer you a wide range of opportunities to immerse yourself into the local culture in Africa, Asia and Latin America: Traditional Costume Making ( weaving ) in Nigeria – Kiswahili classes in Uganda, Drumming course in Ghana, Tribal visit and trekking in Mount Kenya, Moroccan cookery course, etc.

Duration - Age limits

For how long can I volunteer?
STePs projects can last between 2 and 16 weeks and start every 1st Monday of the month all year round
How old do I have to be?
Placements are open to all persons aged 18 years and older

 

Who can volunteer

ICYE Volunteers are people from all walks of life, countries, and with different cultural, religious and social background. There is no such thing as a 'typical' volunteer. ICYE volunteers should be:

  • flexible, communicative, and open to new experiences,
  • willing to learn new skills
  • broad-minded and self-reliant
  • committed to inter-cultural understanding

ICYE Volunteers don't need:

  • Specialised skills or work experience
  • Existing foreign language skills
  • Experience of international travel

Where will you live

childrenMost STePs volunteers will live with local host families selected by the host country ICYE staff. A few placements are at live-in projects, or at independent or shared living arrangements with other foreign volunteers.

Breakfast and dinner are usually provided by the Host Family, while lunch by the Voluntary Service Placement. Food allowance for self-catering is provided by the ICYE Host Country office to volunteers with an independent or shared living arrangement.

What do I get besides the volunteer placement?

Our host country ICYE Staff will:

  • pick you up at the airport and provide you with an in-country orientation (including a crash/survival language course),
  • take you and introduce you to your host family and voluntary service placement,
  • stay in touch and provide assistance throughout your stay - emergency numbers provided
  • evaluate your project and drop you off at the airport at the end of your stay.