FSJ abroad and other voluntary services: Start now!

• Duration: An FSJ abroad usually lasts 6 to 18 months. Most programs begin between summer and fall.
• Areas of Application: Volunteers can work in a variety of areas, including education, social work, environmental protection, culture and healthcare.
• Countries: FSJ programs exist in numerous countries around the world, including developing and emerging countries, but also in Europe and other parts of the developed world.
• Requirements: Applicants should be between 18 and 27 years old and have motivation and openness to new adventures. Specific requirements may vary depending on the program and provider.
• Accommodation and catering: In most programs, room and board are provided for volunteers. The type of accommodation can vary and ranges from host families to shared apartments to your own apartment.
• Pocket money: Many programs offer a small amount of pocket money, the amount of which can vary depending on the country and provider.
• Linguistic proficiency: For some locations, basic knowledge of the local language is required. Many sending organizations offer language courses on site.
• Insurance: The participants usually have health, accident and liability insurance through the sending organization.
• Application process:The process of applying for a Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) abroad usually starts a year in advance. Those interested must apply to a sending organization and usually take part in a selection process through which they are awarded a place.
• Recognition and certificates: After completing the FSJ, participants receive a certificate that documents their activities, acquired skills and knowledge. This can be helpful for further applications.

A FSJ abroad is a unique opportunity to gain practical skills, develop intercultural competencies and contribute to the global community.

Discovering a new culture and traveling to a foreign country to grow personally and at the same time Volunteer activities abroad for people, animals and the environment - that's what Volunteering abroad makes up. But how do you find out which volunteer project suits you best? Which destination country would you like to travel to? With RGV you can get involved in voluntary work abroad worldwide.

A FSJ usually offers charitable or social activities in various areas such as education, health, environmental protection, etc. A Internship abroad On the other hand, it often focuses on professional skills in a specific area that corresponds to your studies or career goals. Our organization offers some internship positions at. These internships are an excellent opportunity to gain experience abroad, as suitable placement opportunities are available in numerous countries.

An FSJ abroad usually lasts between 6 and 18 months, while an internship can often be shorter, typically between a few weeks to six months. If you want to spend a longer period of time abroad and prefer a structured experience with a clear utility program, an FSJ might be a better choice.

A pair of Voluntary service abroad and volunteering may sound similar, but they have some differences. Voluntary services are often formal programs with defined frameworks offered by government, non-profit or international organizations. Participants often receive comprehensive support, including accommodation, food, insurance and sometimes pocket money. There are also often preparatory and follow-up meetings as well as support during the service.

The youth voluntary services such as the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ), the Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ) or the Federal Voluntary Service (BFD) are widespread in Germany. They are aimed at young people who have completed compulsory full-time schooling, typically up to the age of 27.

Volunteering can be more informal and often offers more flexibility in terms of time, location and type of activities. Volunteering is often more accessible without lengthy application processes, but can offer less structured support and guidance. It can occur in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, emergency shelter support, environmental projects, educational initiatives and much more.

Summarized, while volunteering abroad tends to be more formal, longer-term engagements with extensive support and structure, volunteering offers more flexibility and autonomy but can be less comprehensive in terms of benefits and structure. Overall, a year abroad offers young people an invaluable opportunity to develop in a variety of ways, experience new cultures and make lifelong memories.

The FSJ abroad has long been considered the best-known international voluntary service in Germany, so much so that the term “FSJ abroad” is often used as a general term for voluntary work abroad. The FSJ is aimed primarily at young adults who have graduated from school or students who want to gain practical experience and develop personally before starting their training or studies.

A pair of Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) Abroad is a form of voluntary service in which young people have the opportunity to work in social, environmental, cultural or educational institutions abroad for a period of usually 6 to 12 months. This commitment offers participants the opportunity to gain international practical knowledge, get to know new cultures and at the same time make a valuable contribution.

A pair of FSJ in Europe is an opportunity for young people to get involved in social, ecological or cultural projects within Europe. This can take place in various institutions such as schools, kindergartens, retirement homes, environmental protection organizations or cultural institutions. But also one FSJ in Asia offers the opportunity to gain practical experience, develop intercultural skills and make a contribution to the local community.

The term “Voluntary Social Year” originally referred to a state-supported year abroad, which took place under §6 of the Youth Voluntary Service Act fell. However, this specific form of the FSJ lost its relevance after the abolition of compulsory military service in 2011.

Similar to the FSJ, but open to people of all ages Federal Volunteer Service the opportunity to work in various social, cultural or ecological areas. It can be completed full-time or part-time. The BFD is generally not carried out abroad. These designations are therefore not organizations, but funding programs.

For those who are interested in a placement abroad, there are alternatives such as the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) or the Voluntary Ecological Year (FÖJ) abroad, the International Youth Voluntary Service (IJFD), the Other Service Abroad (ADiA) and flexible volunteer projects at. Teens, young adults and professionals can also consider whether unattached volunteer work is the right option for them.

The voluntary service offers various foreign programs that are supported by the state. These include the international Youth Voluntary Service (IJFD) and the weltwärts program. The maximum age for the IJFD is 26 years, while for the weltwärts program the maximum age is 28 years. In order to take part in voluntary service, you must be at least 18 years old when you start your service.

The EVS is a European Union program in which young people between the ages of 18 and 30 have the opportunity to volunteer in various European countries and gain intercultural experience. Before you leave the country, try to find out about the culture, customs and social norms of your host country.

European Voluntary Service projects cover a wide range of topics, including social, environmental, civil protection, education and culture. Participation offers the opportunity to acquire valuable life and work skills, experience new cultures and contribute to solving social challenges.

ESK – European Solidarity Corps

The European Solidarity Corps (ESK) is the successor initiative that brings together the EVS and other volunteer programs under one roof. It was created by the European Union to give young people the opportunity to volunteer or gain work experience in various areas that contribute to strengthening communities and solving social and environmental challenges.

For those who would like to complete a voluntary social year (FSJ) abroad in 2024, it is usually already too late. The application process for other structured voluntary services has also already been completed, with a few exceptions. People who would still like to volunteer abroad in 2024 or during the 2024-2025 school year can only rely on the option of flexible volunteer work.

Rainbow Garden Village (RGV) is at your side as a reliable companion, both in the planning phase and during your stay abroad. From the initial preparation to the departure and the end of your trip, we support you so that you are optimally prepared and can make the most of your time abroad.

• Volunteering in Africa
• Volunteering in Asia
• Volunteer work in Australia & Oceania
• Volunteering Europe
• Volunteer activities in South America

The RGV scholarship offers a Partial scholarship of 1500 euros at. This makes it possible to cover part of the costs incurred at the deployment site during the stay abroad. The target group of the partial scholarship are young adults who would like to spend a socially active stay abroad who would otherwise not have the opportunity to do so due to their lower income.

If you have additional questions, you may find them in our frequently asked questions FAQ helpful information. Otherwise, don't hesitate to contact us! As soon as you arrive in your host country, ours is available RGV team ready on site to help you start your exciting new life. We would also like to point out that we have one Info day for applicants, which can give you further insights and answers to your questions and serves as a volunteer exchange. You can trust our expertise and our more than two decades of experience as a volunteer organization!

1. Are there any costs for an FSJ abroad?

A Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) abroad is not free as it only receives partial government funding. The participating volunteers are therefore expected to support the sponsoring organizations financially, either by forming a circle of donors or by financing the costs themselves.

The costs of participating in an FSJ can vary greatly depending on the continent. A voluntary social year (FSJ) in Europe is usually cheaper than in one FSJ in Africa, Asia or South America. This is mainly because European programs do not require additional expenses for expensive long-haul flights.

2. Which fields of activity are available?

• Voluntary social year: The volunteers take care of the education or care of children, young people, old and sick people or people with disabilities. Also a medical FSJ abroad is possible.
• Voluntary Cultural Year: The volunteers work in cultural institutions such as libraries, museums or theaters.
• Voluntary ecological year: The volunteers are committed to environmental, nature and animal protection as well as sustainability. The aim of the FÖJ is to create awareness of ecological connections, to collect practical knowledge in environmental protection and to develop personally.

Discover a wide range of areas of application in various facilities with us – the decision is yours. Which sector does your heart beat for?

• Social work abroad
• Volunteering in animal protection
• Volunteer activities in environmental protection and nature conservation
• Medical volunteer programs abroad
• Nursing internship abroad
• Volunteering in Sports
• Craft volunteer program
• Creative and cultural work abroad

Ultimately, the choice in which field of activity you want to work depends on your individual goals, preferences and circumstances. It may also be helpful to talk to other people who have completed similar programs to improve their Experiences and listen to recommendations.

3. Who can complete an FSJ abroad?

The offer is valid for people aged 16 to 27, although in some countries a Minimum age 18 years is required. Anyone with a valid residence permit in Germany can take part, including EU citizens and Swiss citizens with the appropriate visa. In addition, participants should have good English skills or knowledge of the language of the target country.

4. What is expected of volunteers in the FSJ?

Volunteers should actively participate in the social life and activities of the placement site. The willingness to work in a team is crucial, as many projects and tasks have to be completed collaboratively. Participants are expected to be flexible as well as physically and psychologically resilient. Punctuality and reliability are important qualities in order not to disrupt the workflow.

They must be prepared to learn another language, to get involved in a culture that is new to them and to write regular reports about their work and everyday life in German and the relevant national language. Church sponsors assume a basic religious, often Christian, attitude.

Treating the people you care for, colleagues and superiors with respect is essential, as is the ability to put yourself in the shoes of others. The willingness to take responsibility for certain tasks and complete them independently is expected.

5. Can I improve my English skills through volunteer service?

Voluntary service in an English-speaking country can be particularly attractive. After all, in addition to the social activity, there is the opportunity to strengthen your own language skills at the same time. Various studies show that the language used abroad can achieve the greatest learning results. Young people in particular who have just completed their school leaving certificate or high school diploma benefit from this! Years of English school lessons now provide an excellent basis for putting the theoretical knowledge you have already learned into practice and making it suitable for everyday use.

6. How does the application for an FSJ abroad work?

Volunteer places abroad for the Voluntary Social Year are extremely popular. The operating times almost always begin between July and September. For this reason, it is advisable that interested parties apply as early as possible, ideally at least twelve months in advance. In order to find a suitable position, applicants must independently contact the appropriate contact points in their federal state. You can find detailed information about the application process on the websites of the various providers. Due to the higher number of applicants compared to the available positions, the providers usually carry out selection procedures and then refer the successful applicants to partner organizations abroad.

7. How long does an FSJ abroad last?

A voluntary social year (FSJ) or a youth voluntary service abroad lasts between six and 18 months, with one year usually being the standard duration. In special cases, the period of employment can be extended to two full years.

8. Do volunteers receive financial compensation during their service abroad?

Since the Voluntary Social Year is a voluntary activity, the volunteers do not receive a salary for their voluntary service. However, many facilities pay pocket money or subsidize food and accommodation. The provider also covers social security benefits and grants up to 26 days of vacation. The sponsoring organization decides together with the volunteer when this can be taken.

9. Is there child benefit for an FSJ abroad?

You are entitled to child benefit throughout your voluntary service abroad. In contrast, child benefit is paid to a Trial or specialist internship abroad only continue to be paid for a maximum of six months.

10. What are the advantages of a stay abroad as part of a voluntary service?

Overall, a stay abroad as part of a voluntary service can be a transformative experience that has a lasting impact on your life and opens you up to new perspectives.