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Volunteer Vs Internship Programs

Home > Volunteer Vs Internship Programs

 

To read out the summary of our volunteer and internship program. Click here

So, what are you?  Volunteer or Intern?

You have decided to work abroad.  You begin to search for opportunities and notice that the words ‘volunteer’ or ‘intern’ are often used.  One opportunity catches your eye and it’s a ‘volunteer placement’, another one that attracts your attention is an ‘internship’.  But other than the change in title, you really can’t tell the difference.

A good place to start is an adage found in many tourist areas of Asia; ‘same same, but different.’  While you could have exactly the same placement for either a volunteer or intern, under the surface there are some crucial differences.

Same Same? 

Both can work unpaid and both will yield benefits to the areas in which they work.  They can even work side by side on the same project.

But Different:

Who are they?  Broadly, the volunteer can be anyone over the age of 18, simply someone who has the desire to give up their time.  The intern is a more specific group.  The intern will be either a student looking to gain experience in or to explore a potential career path or a professional with a similar aim.

What do they do?  Well the volunteer can do just about anything; work with animals, children, other marginalized groups, it is really up to them where they want to spend their time.  However, for the intern there are restrictions defined by their intended career and academic institution.  Overall, what is important in an internship is that the placement is a practical learning experience on the path to their chosen profession.

Why do they do it?  The volunteer usually has the desire to give something back.  And while the intern will be giving something to the community or organization they work with, their principle motivation is their own career development.

When do they do it?  A person can volunteer at any point in their life and it will usually be at a time suitable for them, when they can take extended time from work, have holidays from university or even after retirement.  The intern is time bound; they may have to carry out an internship as part of their university program or they may need the experience before they are able to move to the next stage of their education or profession.

How do they do it?  Once trained and involved in a placement, the volunteer is likely to need a limited amount of support.  They will simply continue their work along agreed guidelines and for an agreed period of time.  The internship is more rigid and structured.  In many cases an intern will work under the supervision of a mentor knowledgeable in their chosen field.  This mentor and/or other members of an organisation will be responsible for the continued support and evaluation of the intern to evidence their work to either their university or a professional body.

And you won’t be surprised that the results for those involved are different too.  The volunteer has the satisfaction of knowing that they have given their time to help others and the enriching experience of becoming immersed in another culture.  And while the intern has the benefit of these things, they have a more tangible benefit; the knowledge, the time served, the evidence, the lines on their CV, all of which will help them develop into the professional that they set out to be.

At VIN, the majority of our programs can be run as either a volunteer placement or internship.  It really depends on your needs.  Have a look at our quick guide to help you make a decision and feel free to contact us to discuss the matter further.

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VIN Programs

  • Children’s Development Program
    • Community-Based Child Care Volunteering Project in Nepal
    • Child Sponsorship Facilitation
    • Child Protection
    • Children’s Life Skills Facilitation
    • Child Care Early Childhood Education
  • Women’s Empowerment Program
    • Women’s Education, Rights & Life Skills Volunteering
    • Entrepreneurship Development Volunteer
    • Microcredit Cooperative Support
    • Women’s Trafficking Prevention Education
  • Teaching Program
    • Teacher Development
    • Computer Science
    • Sports Volunteer
    • Creative Expression: Arts and Crafts
    • Teaching the Deaf
    • English at community school
    • Yoga Volunteer
    • Teaching English at Buddhist Monastery & Nunnery
  • Public Health and Medical Care Program
    • Nepal’s Total Sanitation (WASH)
    • Public Health Research
    • Health and Wellbeing
    • Medical Care
    • Public Health
  • Environment Conservation Program
    • Permaculture
    • Waste Management
    • Water Research
    • Climate Change Research
    • Farming
    • Forest for Food Volunteer Program in Nepal
    • Agroforestry
  • Disaster Risk Reduction
    • Emergency Disaster Relief Volunteering in Nepal
    • Construction and Manual Work Volunteer Project in Nepal
    • DRR Research
    • DRR Education
    • Reconstruction & Sustainability
    • Earthquake Disaster Relief Volunteering
  • Youth Empowerment Programme
    • Youth Entrepreneurship
    • Youth Club and Life Skills
    • English and Career Development
  • Public Interest Programme
    • Hospitality Management
    • Traffic Management
    • Research Initiative
    • Construction and Manual Work
    • Civil Society Initiative
    • Animal Care
  • Management and Administration Programme
    • Promotional Volunteer
    • Website & SEO Professional
    • Marketing Advisor
    • Human Resource Advisor
    • Fundraising and Grant Writing
    • Editor Writer
    • Volunteer Coordinator
    • Hospitality Management
  • Journalism Program
    • Film and Documentary Making
    • Print Journalism
    • Photo Journalism
  • Adventure and Volunteer Program
    • Volunteer Travel Tour
    • Volunteer Trekking
  • Internship
    • Medical Internship in Nepal
    • Medical Elective internship in Nepal
    • Physiotherapy Internship in Nepal
    • Osteopathy Internship in Nepal
    • Nursing Internships Abroad in Nepal
    • Public Health Internship in Nepal
    • Gender Equality Internship in Nepal
    • Child Protection Internship in Nepal
    • Youth Empowerment Internship in Nepal
    • Disaster Risk Reduction Internship in Nepal
    • Environmental Conservation Internship in Nepal
  • Featured volunteer programs
    • Family Volunteering Abroad
    • Volunteering Abroad for Nepalese
    • Volunteer Abroad for Retired Individuals
    • Volunteering Abroad for Professionals
    • Asian Voluntary serivice Program in Nepal
    • Workcamp Volunteer Abroad Nepal
    • Charity Travel Trek

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GOOGLE REVIEWS

Volunteers Initiative Nepal (VIN)
4.8
Based on 158 reviews
powered by Google
Cholindra Karki
16:12 16 Sep 24
Volunteers Initiative Nepal(VIN) is a non- religious, non-political, non-for-profit and non-governmental organization (NGO). It focuses on community based projects involving local volunteers backed-up by international volunteers in Nepal.It has been deploying its volunteers in teaching, teachers training,environment, health and sanitation, children development,women empowerment support, youth empowerment and disaster risk reduction. I am proud to be a staff of this known organization. Let the targeted community be empowered together…
Rosie W
09:01 08 Sep 24
Volunteering with VIN was an incredibly experience! I spent an amazing 2 weeks working in 4 schools teaching about disasters and preparedness while enhancing the childrens english. Everyone I met was so lovely and helpful enciting me into their culture. While in Okhaldhunga I got to see multiple festivals including Gai Jatra and Teej, which was unforgettable and really made my time in Nepal. I'm so glad VIN allowed me to see the beautiful sights and culture if Nepal and I wish to come back soon!
Sulav Singh Thakuri
07:25 14 Aug 24
Well, I was that lucky one who got an opportunity to work with VIN (Volunteer Initiative Nepal) as a local volunteer. It was the best part of my entire life till. During my time volunteering (about 3 months), I gained valuable skills like project management , community outreach. This experience also contributed my personal growth by enhancing my leadership abilities and improving my communication skills.Thank you VIN 🥰❣️I recommend all my other friends who are pursuing to do community work and who have commitments to do it, do visit VIN.
Lilou
11:45 05 Jul 24
it was an incredible experience, rich on a personal and professional level. VIN was able to support us throughout our mission. the volunteers met on site were very kind and welcoming. thank you Didi for these good dishes prepared. thank you to the communities for welcoming and accepting us. incredible adventure that I will never forget.
See All Reviews

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Our Programs

  • Women’s Empowerment Programme
  • Children’s Development Program
  • Youth Empowerment Programme
  • Public Health and Medical Care Program
  • Environment Conservation Program
  • Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Teaching Program
  • Public Interest Programme
  • Management and Administration Programme
  • Journalism Program
  • Adventure and Volunteer Program
  • Featured volunteer programs

Internship Program

  • Medical Internship in Nepal
  • Physiotherapy Internship in Nepal
  • Osteopathy Internship in Nepal
  • Medical Elective internship in Nepal
  • Gender Equality Internship in Nepal
  • Youth Empowerment Internship in Nepal
  • Child Protection Internship in Nepal
Volunteers Initiative Nepal

Nayabazaar Khusibu, Kathmandu

+977 (1) 4962560 (Office), +977 9851070477( mobile )
support@vin.org.np

Useful Link

  • Program Fees
  • Vision, Mission & Goals
  • News Updates
  • Career with VIN
  • Downloads
  • Workcamps
  • FAQ
  • Contact Us
  • Asian Voluntary Services
  • Recognition & Award
  • Community Learning Center
  • Trek for Nepal
  • Festivals in Nepal
  • Volunteer in Nepal
  • Internship in Nepal
  • Complaint Registration
  • Volunteer Buddhist Monasteries
Our Programs
  • Women’s Empowerment Programme
  • Children’s Development Program
  • Youth Empowerment Programme
  • Public Health and Medical Care Program
  • Environment Conservation Program
  • Disaster Risk Reduction
  • Teaching Program
  • Public Interest Programme
  • Management and Administration Programme
  • Journalism Program
  • Adventure and Volunteer Program
  • Featured volunteer programs
Internship Program
  • Medical Internship in Nepal
  • Physiotherapy Internship in Nepal
  • Osteopathy Internship in Nepal
  • Medical Elective internship in Nepal
  • Gender Equality Internship in Nepal
  • Youth Empowerment Internship in Nepal
  • Child Protection Internship in Nepal
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