Voluntary work may be the perfect way to gain valuable experience abroad, especially for a summer job or for the gap year. A volunteer project will provide valuable professional and personal experience, and can improve your career prospects. An experience abroad can help you learn or improve a new language, while exposing you to another culture and encouraging personal development, co-operation, tolerance and open-mindedness. Voluntary services are usually coordinated by a non-profit or public sector organization, and ordinarily do not pay wages, although you may have expenses covered. You may also receive a living wage, accommodations or a small amount of money for personal care. Many South African organizations have programs for exchanges, volunteering and work camps. A few are listed below.

• Volunteer Abroad
  http://www.volunteerabroad.com/SouthAfrica.cfm
• International Internship & Volunteer Network
  http://www.IIVNetwork.com/DiscoverCapetown.html
• Earthwatch Institute
  http://www.earthwatch.org/expeditions/scott.html
• i-to-i Meaningful Travel http://www.i-to-i.com/go/1350
• Visions in Action http://www.visionsinaction.org
• InterExchange
  http://www.WorkingAbroad.org/volunteer.html 
• Cultural Embrace http://www.culturalembrace.com
• Global Crossroad http://www.globalcrossroad.com