Volunteer In Oceania

Island Life
Teach English
Live By The Beach
Community Support
Rugged + Remote

Trip Highlights

Volunteering

Help Children Learn English

Come teach by the beach! Seriously though — this is our only program where you can actually see the blue coastline from the school’s playground.

In this Humanitarian Program, you’ll be making a difference by helping young kids learn English (you’ll spend about a half day on volunteering). No experience is needed, we provide training on our teaching method.

You’ll mostly be teaching young kids who are 3-6 years old, and possibly some older students who are in 2nd and 3rd grade.

Teaching English in Vanuatu goes so far. One of the main languages of the island nation is Bislama, a language based in English with some French influence. While Bislama is an important part of the culture, there is also quite a bit of English on the island, too.

In Vanuatu, classes are taught in both languages, but there’s a catch. In school, classes are mostly taught in the primary language (English) but Bislama is used to help make sure the class understands what’s being taught. That all changes in 4th grade. Then, classes are entirely in English and no Bislama is used.

These kiddos are often unprepared when they make the switch, which contributes to a high dropout rate. Through ILP classes, you’ll be teaching young kids as a part of an after-school English program, giving them a head start for when they start English classes in the 4th grade.

ILP classes are built on a one-on-one teaching method, a rarity in this country where there is a teacher shortage. To put it bluntly, there are simply not enough teachers. In some schools, a single teacher is trying to teach three full classrooms at the same time. They’re running between the rooms and giving students as much attention as one person can.

Because ILP volunteers focus on smaller groups, students get more individual time with a teacher, which is not only unique but incredibly valuable to these kids. There’s also a chance volunteers will be able to step into schools as a teacher’s aide.

Help Children Learn English

Come teach by the beach! Seriously though — this is our only program where you can actually see the blue coastline from the school’s playground. Read More

Truely Live The Island Life

It probably doesn’t take much to convince you to come live on a tropical island for a semester (and soak up all that comes with that lifestyle), but a semester in Vanuatu is more than that.

Volunteers looking to come serve in Vanuatu should understand that they won’t just be visiting here, they’ll be a part of the community. We’ve already mentioned the family-like atmosphere present on the island, which will be a huge part of your experience, along with respecting some “unsaid cultural rules” (you won’t see locals from your neighborhood at the beach on Sunday, just tourists).

Plan on embracing a hot and humid culture with modest and respectful dress, along with the challenges that come with living in such a remote corner of the globe. These islands are impacted by tropical storms, sometimes experience limited power and WiFi connections, and depend on imports to supply what isn’t grown on the island. There will be bugs and swaying palm trees, limited supplies and beautiful beaches, and hard days along with extraordinary invitations, like to a cultural night with music, drums, and dancing, and maybe even a welcome to the island from Efate’s chief.

So while a semester in Vanuatu is certainly filled with beaches too pretty to be real, hiking to waterfalls, and gorgeous swimming spots in the jungle, it’s more than that. You’re here as part of the community and should be ready to embrace all the aspects of island life.

If you are truly looking for a remote and rugged experience, we can’t wait for you to come meet everyone on this friendly, happy island.

Truely Live The Island Life

It probably doesn’t take much to convince you to come live on a tropical island for a semester (and soak up all that comes with that lifestyle), but a semester in Vanuatu is more than that.

Volunteers looking to come serve in Vanuatu should understand that they won’t just be visiting here, they’ll be a part of the community. We’ve already mentioned the family-like atmosphere present on the island, which will be a huge part of your experience, along with respecting some “unsaid cultural rules” (you won’t see locals from your neighborhood at the beach on Sunday, just tourists). Read More

Experiences In + Around Vanuatu

You have every weekend off plus vacation time throughout the semester, which leaves plenty of time to experience this Pacific paradise! Within Vanuatu, you have islands rimmed with colorful coral reefs lining white sand beaches. Or head deep into the dense rainforests to find hidden waterfalls. Groups have chosen to explore every inch of Efate on vacation, or jetting off to places like Tanna or Espiritu Santo to see even more of Vanuatu.

You can also travel over to spots like Australia, Fiji, and New Zealand on vacation … but honestly? Why would you! With a chain of islands boasting completely isolated beaches and adventures that aren’t flooded with tourists, we think you’ll be more than happy here all semester long. Plus, it can be expensive to fly to other islands, so we love that you get everything you need on the island you call home (it makes it easier on your budget). It only takes about 3 hours to drive the entire ring road that circles the island of Efate: all the spots you want to see are easily reachable.

Bring Your Suit For This Waterfall Hike

The Best Spots Are 60 Minutes Away

Come Jump Into The Blue Lagoon

Start Your ILP Adventure

Teaching English in Vanuatu is hands down the best decision I’ve ever made.

Rachel

When i left to vanuatu three months ago, i never knew the impact it would have on my life … I will be forever grateful for these kids and the girls that experienced this with me, along with our island family.

Emily

For the past three months I had the wonderful opportunity to live in Vanuatu, and teach English to their little pikinini’s (kids). I was blown away by the kindness shown to a group of strangers moving into their village.

Hannah

These kids will always have a special place in my heart 🫶 Mi lavèm yu!!

Grace

The past week has been so bittersweet saying goodbye to my sweet kids. Forever thankful for the love they showed me and the fun experiences I had with them!

Ashley

I will not lie to you: teaching is HARD. living in a different country is HARD. keeping a positive attitude is HARD. but every day has just a few of those moments where I feel truly joyful and grateful to be where I am.

Allie