10,199 Awesome Followers!
4 Reviews
80%Overall
Rating
Program Description
Projects Abroad - Volunteer Programs in India
Description
Projects Abroad has been providing volunteer placements in the developing world since 1992. Our volunteers directly impact local communities through service projects arranged and coordinated by expect in-country staff.
We offer a wide selection of volunteer opportunities, ranging from childcare and coaching to environmental conservation and archaeology.
Visit our website for a full list of opportunities in India and elsewhere.
Ratings and Reviews
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
Care - Vadamalapuram School & Orphanage
90%Overall
Rating
6 of 13 people found this review helpful
Veterinary in India
70%Overall
Rating
Whilst I loved my host family and the other volunteers, and was able to have an incredible journey, through an incredible country, the organisation itself is really not the best in my opinion.
The placements were often very unsatisfactory, with rude staff, no oppurtunities to help and questionable treatment of animals and clients to say the least. For those doing externship programmes for university, be warned, you are not likely to work the co-ordinating vet, and will really have to push them to get with the appropriate person. That being said, we eventually managed to work with a really fantastic vet, who was very kind and informative, but it took a lot of hassle to get there.
The social programme is quite good, and the weekend trips are usually very enjoyable (but very expensive). The other volunteers always arrange their own trips as well, which are usually a lot more fun!
The projects abroad staff were mostly quite pleasant and friendly individuals (sadly my desk officer was a very unhelpful and frankly unprofessional man). However, as a company, they are only after your money, and I felt as though they were never very supportive and didn't really listen to our grievances (indeed following some of their advice regarding transport to work proved to be massively dodgy!) They also only pay a pittance to your family and placement, so I can't imagine where the rest of the money goes (considering how much you pay, they must have some bloomin' big bills!)
On the whole, I would suggest that you shop around before settling on Projects Abroad Veterinary in India, because it wasn't worth the money, and you can generally back pack around India for a fraction of the cost, and still find charities to help with.
22 of 42 people found this review helpful
The Land of Enchantment
100%Overall
Rating
Projects Abroad India gave me the type of experience that I'll never forget. The host family was gracious, accomodating, and always willing to make my stay as enjoyable as possible. I distinctly remember the first morning I woke up in Madurai, India and saw the sunrise explode over the mountains on the horizon as the call to breakfast was made by one of the orphanage volunteers. Foreign travel is always enchanting, but Projects Abroad helped to give me a sense of purpose throughout my journey. The program structure is framed in a way that volunteers leave feeling rewarded for their time, but also blessed for having been alive through such an adventure. Highly recommended for anyone who wants to travel internationally for a noble cause.
23 of 41 people found this review helpful
Healthcare Volunteer in Madurai
60%Overall
Rating
I volunteered in Madurai through Projects Abroad. They assigned me to a hospital, where I got to shadow doctors and scrub in on surgeries. I admit the shadowing and surgeries were very cool, however I was disappointed in the sense where I did not get much patient interaction. Everyone could not speak English very well. The only people that could speak some English were the doctors and nurses. And the doctors were so busy, they would not explain what happened to the patient, what their disease what, or how to they were treating it. I was curious and wanted to know more about the patients, but I felt bad bothering the doctors, and I could not talk to the patients directly because of the language barrier.
Working with kids for 2 weeks was a great experience, they are so happy to play and learn with the volunteers, its great. It was really hard to say goodbye to them though, even being there just for 2 weeks, you get attached to them. The host family at Vadamalapuram CMML School was very warm, the woman of the house was a wonderful cook and even took time to give us a few cooking lessons.
Volunteering in India, an experience you will never forget.