Make This Summer The Best Yet! Why Not Volunteer Abroad?
The sun’s out, exams are over, and summer has officially landed. For many of us at Bailrigg Student Living, it’s time to relax, reset, and maybe even go on holiday. But if you’re looking to do something a little different this Summer, why not consider volunteering abroad?
Volunteering overseas isn’t just about helping others (though that’s a huge part of it) – it’s also an amazing way to build your confidence, experience a new culture, and seriously boost your CV. Whether you're studying Global Development, Biology, Education, Environmental Science or just want to explore somewhere new with purpose, there’s a project out there for you.
Why It’s Worth It
Volunteering abroad lets you:
Stand out on your CV – Future employers love seeing experience that goes beyond the lecture theatre. Volunteering abroad shows that you’re adaptable, proactive, and not afraid of a challenge. It proves you can thrive in new environments, work cross-culturally, and handle the kind of real-world complexity that can’t be taught in a seminar. It also gives you great stories to draw on in interviews – from project planning to teamwork under pressure.
Gain real-life experience – Whether you’re teaching kids in a rural school, planting trees in a biodiversity hotspot, or helping to build sustainable infrastructure, you’re gaining more than memories. These experiences help you develop practical, transferable skills – like leadership, communication, creative problem-solving, and time management – all of which are highly valued in any career path.
Grow your confidence – Moving abroad, even for a few weeks, and throwing yourself into an unfamiliar environment builds self-belief like nothing else. You’ll face language barriers, cultural differences, and unpredictable situations – and you’ll figure out how to handle them. That sense of "I did that" sticks with you, and can help you feel more capable back at uni, whether that’s giving presentations or trying something new.
Do something meaningful – Volunteering abroad isn’t about being a tourist – it’s about joining a local project, rolling up your sleeves, and making a difference. Your time and energy contribute directly to communities, conservation, or education initiatives that genuinely benefit from outside support. It’s a way to travel with purpose and come home knowing your summer mattered.
Where to Start Looking
There are loads of reputable organisations offering summer programmes for UK students:
Think Pacific – Known for education and health projects in Fiji
Challenges Abroad – Offers everything from conservation to community development
Play Action International – Build playgrounds and create safe play spaces in Uganda
EcoSwell – Work on environmental sustainability projects in Peru
AIESEC UK – Student-run organisation with global volunteering options
Bonus tip: Lancaster University often supports programmes like these through the Global Experiences team. Check if your summer adventure could be part-funded through the Turing Scheme or university bursaries.
Bringing It Back to Bailrigg
Volunteering abroad can prepare you for more than just life after uni – it can actually make your next year at uni better too. Maybe you'll come back feeling more confident in the kitchen after cooking for yourself in rural Peru, or more organised and independent after leading classroom sessions in Thailand. Either way, we’ve seen it happen, students return to Bailrigg more focused, inspired, and ready to take on whatever comes next.
So whether you go solo or with a group, this could be the summer you’ll talk about for the rest of your life. You’ll grow. You’ll help. And you’ll come back with a tan and a killer answer to "what did you do this summer?"
