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We Find Volunteering or Internship Experiencesfor Students, Professionals and Groups
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Engage in Educational Opportunitieswith Partner Universities Around the Globe
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Providing A Sustainable Approach to Volunteering and Interning
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT – COVID 19 UPDATE for 2022:
The health and safety of our participants, our partners and local community groups in the developing world is of paramount importance to us. We are acutely aware of the impact COVID-19 is having and wish to do everything we can to protect our interns, volunteers and the local people in communities we partner with.
Therefore we have made the decision to continue to suspend ALL of our international in-country and remote volunteer and internship programs for 2022 (based on advice from the WHO, CDC, DFAT and the Australian Department of Health).
We hope to be able to provide our services again in 2023, and will provide an update here towards the end of this year.
Development Together assists in finding volunteer, work experience and internship placements with ethical, sustainable community development partners around the world. You will work collaboratively on needs based projects that have a lasting and positive impact on the local community.
Volunteer or Intern with Not For Profit groups on sustainable community development projects. Gain international work experience whilst giving back to local communities.
We assist you to volunteer or intern as part of a group, or individually and match you with our Not For Profit partner based on their needs and your experience, skills and abilities.
We welcome volunteers from around the world. If you need funding please check with your professional body or university. Australian students may be eligible for funding up to $8149AUD via OS-HELP or New Colombo Plan Grants up to $3500AUD.
*Most placements for university or college students will need to have completed at least the first year of their studies
We believe in a partnership model where our volunteers work with Not For Profit groups to make a difference in local people’s lives.
Contribute to local and global issues, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Develop your professional and technical skills through training and skill specific placements.
Develop your interpersonal, communication, critical thinking and leadership skills, gain international experience, and build your portfolio.
We provide unparalleled 24/7 support -prior to your placement commencing, whilst on placement, and after you return.
Have the freedom to design and deliver sustainable community-based solutions, partnering with Not for Profit organisations in their local communities.
Become a leader in your field and learn from diverse professions as you apply your skills to make a difference globally.
Our qualified supervisors provide expert support and guidance in-country, and we provide appropriate preparation to ensure your safety and success.
I always wanted to be a part of a volunteering group overseas. Development Together provided the kind of project I was looking for … it turned out to be a really fabulous experience The highlight of the trip was what we actually accomplished as a team.
Anna, Engineering Student – Vietnam June 2019
The time I spent in Vietnam with Development Together was one of the greatest experiences abroad in my life. I had the chance to immerse myself in the Vietnamese culture as well as gaining firsthand experience on an Engineering basis. I was able to get out of my comfort zone and experience new things I would have never imagined myself doing before. I believe my time spent away was worthwhile and will cherish the memories and connections made. By completing this experience, more doors have been opened with future job opportunities and I may be recognised more from future employers.
Luca, Engineering Student – Vietnam December 2019
Bringing my knowledge in Engineering to assist in developing a local community to access and transport clean water was valuable as I practiced what I had learnt in university. Once I finished the work I felt grateful and proud that we did something great for the community. Thanks a lot for the Development Together team for such a wonderful experience.
Rehab, Engineering Student – Vietnam December 2019
It was amazing! It is probably my most favourite out of all overseas volunteer programs I’ve been on. I had no expectations going in and it was amazing how much work we did in a short period of time! We were warmly welcomed from day one and felt part of their team straight away. You could tell that they wanted to learn as much as they could from us in 2 weeks even though they were all amazing at what they do as professionals. I will definitely be going back!
Hayley, Professional Occupational Therapist – Ukraine January 2020
My overall experience with Development Together was life changing and made me a better therapist.
Jackie, Professional Speech Pathologist – Ukraine January 2020
What inspired me to volunteer with Development Together was the opportunity to go on a challenging placement that put me outside of my comfort zone. What I enjoyed most about the work was definitely when we would complete each stage of the construction process. It’s quite a unique opportunity to get your Engineering vacation hours for university.
Matt, Engineering Student – Vietnam June 2019
Everyone on the team was so enthusiastic about the project and jumped right in, working together, sharing skills and knowledge and supporting each other to achieve a good outcome. It was an absolute privilege to be a part of this team…There were also the more serious moments, in particular, when the woman (Aniek) who had been petitioning to have a water tank at the school for over 5 years shared with us what this project meant to her, the school and the village. It really hit home the impact that a simple small project can have to a community. This trip was not only about the technical engineering skills but also about community, sharing life together and immersing ourselves in the local culture.
Tatjana, Professional Engineer – Indonesia January 2019
The experience of getting to not only design but build something you have thought of is unlike any other feeling. Getting to bond with the locals as you build this project is an amazing feeling and this project has really opened my eyes up to how engineering can impact on lives.
Sarah, Engineering Student – Vietnam July 2019
It was undoubtedly clear to me that it would be unlike any internship opportunity I could access within Australia. My placement, supported by DT, was far above and beyond all expectations. A priceless experience shared with amazing friends and colleagues!
Jack, Engineering Student – Vietnam July 2019
I believe that this experience showed me how business works in a non-western environment…The supervisor educated us well and was extremely supportive through the course of the placement. The extra activities such as the orphanage, dinners, showing us the markets and going to Siem Reap made the trip really enjoyable. Overall, the experience was educational and Development Together did a wonderful job.
Gabrielle, Marketing Student – Cambodia July 2018
I have always been interested in volunteering – Development Together provided an opportunity to work for a greater cause while still gaining engineering experience. I was looking for something that would be both technical and self-challenging. By immersing myself into something so unfamiliar, I was able to learn a lot about myself.
Dylan, Engineering Student – Cambodia December 2017
I was applying for internships all year in 2017, without any luck, and then my university sent me an email about an opportunity with Development Together….Cambodia was a new and raw experience that took me far from the experience of a typical tourist. Overcoming cultural and language barriers and learning to embrace the people and culture was a great experience and is unlike anything I had every faced before.
Thomas, Engineering Student – Cambodia December 2017
I joined Development Together because I saw this as such an amazing opportunity not only to work as an Engineer in the real world, but also to help better the lives of real people. Development Together catered to the needs of a young and striving engineer like me in seeking for a platform to develop and discover a new chapter of my career and life.
Benjamin, Engineering Student – Cambodia December 2017
Volunteering in Cambodia on a Prosthetics and Orthotics placement was a once in a lifetime incredible experience. I highly recommend volunteering with Development Together to both students and professionals. I learnt so many skills which will benefit my studies and career. I fell in love with the Cambodian culture and met fantastic people. The trip was well organised and my supervisor Kristy went over and above to ensure I had the best possible experience- which I definitely did!
Emily, Prosthetics and Orthotics Student – Cambodia January 2018
This time last year [January 2019] I was in Cambodia with @developmenttogether It was a bit of a shock to the system; but I really enjoyed my time learning their history, language and culture (also, building legs!)
Louise, Professional Prosthetics and Orthotics – Cambodia January 2019
I was just thinking about all that I learnt and experienced in Cambodia in July 2018 [Prosthetics and Orthotics Clinical Placement]. The experience… taught me a lot about Prosthetics and Orthotics, but also about the world, and God. I just wanted to say thank you and that what you do is amazing.
Grace, Prosthetics and Orthotics Student – Cambodia July 2018
Kristy has exceptional organisation skills. Her trips are always well researched and planned to ensure firstly the safety and wellbeing of her team and secondly, the best support and service to the host site. Her passion for this cause means this is much more than a job for her and so she does everything with the highest level of commitment and compassion. Kristy has years of experience in managing teams travelling to Cambodia and therefore knows far more about the host country than you could ever read in a Lonely Planet guide!
Shannon, Professional Speech Pathologist
My Engineering internship with Development Together has been an incredibly rewarding experience. I have had the unique opportunity to take my skills as an engineering student and apply them to solving real world issues in a community development capacity. The technical and interpersonal skills gained from this experience will be invaluable for my future career. I would recommend a placement with Development Together for anyone looking to apply their skills towards improving the lives of others!
Caspar, Engineering Student – Cambodia December 2017
Kristy has a track record of successfully facilitating multiple tertiary student groups on international team-based mobility placements. Her calm demeanour, prowess at tackling challenging situations, topped off with her sense of humour, have made working with her an absolute pleasure.
Ruyi, Professional Speech Pathologist
Not only receiving satisfaction in terms of meeting my expected learning outcomes but it has also been satisfying being able to provide such valuable work to people that can benefit greatly from everything we have done.
Kyle, Engineering Student – Cambodia December 2017
A great way to help developing communities get themselves out of poverty while experiencing a new culture.
Fabian, Agricultural Science Student – Uganda December 2018
*Don’t see your university? Get in touch with us, we take students from all over the globe!
Development Together offers a variety of volunteer and internship placements around the world. Read through our list of current placement destinations by clicking on the Discover More button for more info.