Review additional tools and resources to help you find community-engaged global learning opportunities that are the right fit for you. This may be a stand-alone experience or an opportunity to connect with a local community through a study abroad or internship experience. Explore on- and off- campus resources and useful search engines for identifying experiences.
You should always do your own research to compare the opportunities and programs available to you so that you feel confident in the services they are providing you, and that their values are in line with yours (see below for questions to keep in mind when exploring community engaged learning programs).
UC Davis Opportunities and Resources
Study Abroad and Internship Abroad Programs that Engage Local Communities
UC Davis Faculty-led Programs
- Building Sustainable Water Treatment Systems
- Sustainable Urban Systems in the Netherlands
- Global Health Internships
- Education Internships
- Environment, Green Tech, Sustainability Internships
- Agricultural and International Development Internships
- Animal and Zoological Management Internships
- Virtual Social Impact and Public Health Internships
- Virtual Environment, Green Tech, and Sustainability Internships
UCEAP
- Community and Global Health in Mexico
- Community Public Health in Dominican Republic
- UCEAP Summer Global Internships
UC Davis Departments and Opportunities
- UC Davis Center for Regional Change
- UC Davis Office of Public Scholarship & Engagement
- UC Davis D-Lab
- Knights Landing One Health Clinic
- Cultivating Leaders for Social Change
Student Clubs
Note - this list is not exhaustive. Explore all Student Clubs and Communities.
UC Davis Resources
Other Opportunities and Search Engines
You can use the following search engines to identify programs that you can vet using the questions below:
- Californian’s For All
- Catchafire
- International Volunteer Programs Association
- Idealist.org
- Omprakash
- VolunteerMatch
- Things to Keep in Mind about Fee-Based Programs
Learning about the Organization’s History and Track Record
- When was the organization founded? How long have they run programs with a volunteer component?
- How many volunteers have they placed over the years?
- Is it exclusively a student program?
- Where do volunteers come from?
- How long have they operated in the country and city that you are considering?
- Where is the organization based?
- Do they have a social media presence? Photos of previous volunteers, blogs, etc.
- Can I talk to alumni/references?
- Is this a faith-based organization? If so, am I comfortable with that and able to work collaboratively regardless of whether their religious affiliation and values are in like with my own?
Understanding the Placement Process
- What is the placement process? Does it entail paperwork, an interview, etc.? How should you prepare for this process?
- Will I be applying to specific positions or a general area of service?
- Who coordinates the placement matching to local partners in the host community? Who will you work with onsite
- Will I be the only volunteer at my site or are there usually multiple students at each site? If so, how many? How many students are usually in this country/city at the time I want to go?
- What language level, if any, is required? How does level affect my placement options?
- Are there physical fitness requirements?
- What are my options for duration of the placement?
- Is there a guarantee of placement (and in your desired field)? When should I expect to hear about my placement?
Assessing the Organization’s Support and Accountability
- How are projects developed? Are projects created by local community members or by the placement organization? Are projects long-term and sustainable or one-time activities? Do they reflect needs identified and generated by the community?
- What meaningful projects will I be asked to complete? Do you have examples of past volunteer placements?
- How are my funds distributed? What percentage of my fees go toward logistics and what goes to the local organization?
- Is there a solid team behind the nice website?
- Do they have direct relationships with the supervisors in the volunteer organization?
- Will you have a dedicated point of contact when in-country who is available 24/7?
- What are their health and safety protocols? Who would I contact in the event of an emergency?
Clarifying Program Features, Cost & Logistics
- When is an application fee or deposit due? Is this refundable? When is the total balance due? What is the cancellation policy?
- What is the total program cost for what I am seeking? What is included in that? What are my additional expected expenses beyond that cost (e.g. airfare, meals, local travel, etc.)?
- How does the total cost of participating on this program compare to the time and cost of finding and coordinating a volunteer experience independently?
- Can I use financial aid? What scholarships do they have available?
- Does the provider help with the visa process? What visa is required? Will they assist with the visa process or will I do this on my own? (If you are not a U.S. citizen ask how your visa requirements may differ).
- Is housing included? Where is it located, and what are the housing options? How do the options affect cost? Will I be living alone, with a family, or with other students? Are the students local or other students from abroad? How are homestays approved?
- What happens during the preparation stage? How do you get information and advice before you depart? How will I be prepared for adjusting to the local community and culture?
- What is included in the orientation when I arrive abroad? How will I be introduced to the local community and volunteer organization?
- What happens after the program? Is there an alumni network to tap into after your program?
Contact Information
Chelsey Hawes
Senior Coordinator, Global and Intercultural Programs
Global Learning Hub, Global Affairs
chawes@ucdavis.edu