Live, Work & Travel in India, Central Asia and the Middle East
| advert | Stay Free as a House Sitter. The Win Win for Pet Lovers That Travel
Top Sites
Juliana’s Leisure Services – Supplies professional DJs and flair cocktail bartenders / mixologists to luxury hotels in the Middle East, predominantly Dubai where they have a local office.
Smile Society – Welcomes students and international volunteers to help in their work with street and slum kids in India.
Tent of Nations – Run educational projects at Daher’s Vineyard, their organic farm, located in the hills southwest of Bethlehem, Palestine. They offer workcamps and volunteer opportunities; run children’s summer camps and a women’s empowerment project, and welcome groups and visitors of all shapes and sizes.
Employment in India, Central Asia and the Middle East
Employers, Agencies & Placement Services
DPS Global Healthcare Recruitment.com – Via their offices in Southampton and Guernsey, this agency recruits doctors and nurses to work in the Gulf.
Juliana’s Leisure Services – Supplies professional DJs and flair cocktail bartenders / mixologists to luxury hotels in the Middle East, predominantly Dubai where they have a local office.
TQ Education and Training Limited – A provider of education training equipment and educational services to companies worldwide. Vacancies which regularly exist with this company include technical instructors / lecturers in electronic engineering in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia and TEFL teachers in Kuwait. Positions are salaried and include flights and accommodation.
Tree House Hideaway – Five exclusive tree houses spread in a dense jungle of 21 acres merging into the jungles of a tiger reserve. Has a jobs page focusing on professional conservation and naturalist vacancies.
Wildlife Trust of India – Employs skilled project and field officers.
Employment Resources for Finding Work in India, Central Asia and the Middle East
Advice & Useful Sites for Finding Work
Careerjet.ae – An employment search engine for the United Arab Emirates.
Jobs-EG – Find the latest jobs in Egypt and the Gulf.
Gap Year & Voluntary Work in India, Central Asia and the Middle East
Unpaid Positions & Adventure
Abraham Hostel Jerusalem – In exchange for staying for free in this 250 bed hostel, volunteers help serve breakfast, help out with recycling, plan and run evening social events, assist at the bar and escort guests to the starting point of their Old City tour.
The Academic Study Group – Formally the Friends of Israel Education Trust, they award a small number of travel scholarships to Israel
African Regugee Development Center – There are a number of, mostly skilled, volunteer roles available at this Refugee Education Center in Israel but they are particularly keen o encourage volunteers who have teaching experience or a background in early childhood education.
Aii – Volunteering, internships, high school exchanges and other programmes of interest to students and young people in India, Nepal and Thailand.
Alliance Nepal – Provide Nepali culture and training for foreign volunteers who wish to render their services to Nepal. They send trained volunteers to schools and communities to generate awareness regarding environmental issues, sanitation, income generating initiatives, teaching English and health care.
Bhutan Canada Foundation – Sends qualified teachers from English speaking countries to teach in Bhutan’s public schools on one year contracts through their Teach in Bhutan programme. At the time of our last update this programme wasn’t currently ongoing.
Destination Israel – Volunteer work and internships in Israel.
Face Nepal – A community development NGO in Chitwan, Nepal, run by a local advisory board and committed to improving the standards of education, healthcare, and the environment in its local communities. It can organise volunteer placements including teaching English, work in an orphanage, health work and conservation projects. FACE Nepal charges volunteers a fee to cover food and accommodation with a Nepalese host family and volunteer logistics.
Florentine Backpackers Hostel – This Tel Aviv hostel frequently uses its Facebook page to put a call out for volunteer staff.
Fobzu – The Friends of Berzeit University can provide volunteer work and internships in Palestine.
Fresh Nepal – Volunteer in Nepal with orphans, poor street children and/or victimized women for a day, a week or a month.
Friendship United Nepal – A non governmental organisation established in 2008 with a view to combat problems of the Nepalese people by encouraging volunteers to Nepal.
Future Nepal – A non governmental and non profitable volunteering organisation.
Gap Year Nepal – Voluntourism programmes in Nepal, including Teach and Trek, a four week combo of teaching and schlepping up to Everest Base Camp.
Hayarkon 48 – Tel Avivi hostel that may be receptive to work for stay volunteer staff.
Himalayan Education Lifeline Programme – Volunteer work opportunities in India and Nepal.
Innovative Social Centre – A small family run non-profit volunteer organisation in Nepal working for the welfare of orphans, women, animals, and the local community. If you have a gap year or are planning to travel in Asia, and would like to help them make a difference, check out one of their volunteer programs. When we last checked, their old website, new website, or website listed on their social media were working so we’ve linked to their up to date Facebook page.
iSpiice – Offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities in India that include teaching English projects, IT teaching programmes, childcare projects, summer camps, renovation, community health and women’s empowerment projects.
Israel Experience – A three week scholarship programme in Israel for bright Christian students.
iVolunteer – The website of the National Council for Volunteering in Israel, founded in 1972, by the Israeli government. Also includes a guide to being a kibbutz volunteer.
Kibbutz Ketura – While they follow KPC guidelines in general, Kibbutz Ketura volunteers are mostly Jewish, single, average age 18 to 25, and able to do physical work as required.
Kibbutz Lotan -This young community in Israel’s southern Arava desert invites ecological volunteers.
Kibbutz Program Center – Places volunteers in Kibbutzim across Israel.
The Kibbutz Program Center – New York based kibbutz recruiters.
Kibbutz Ulpan – A five month multi-level language program for both tourists and Olim Hadashim (Hebrew for immigrants) that combines studying Hebrew, meeting amazing young people from all over the world and having a unique experience of becoming part of a rural Israeli community, living and working alongside locals on a kibbutz.
Kibbutz Volunteer – John Carson’s experiences of kibbutz life. He provides tips and information on being a kibbutz volunteer.
Leave UR Mark – Started by former volunteers, Leave UR Mark offers internships and volunteer placements in India.
Lha Charitable Trust – Lha is dedicated to providing essential resources to the displaced Tibetan community living in exile in McLeod Ganj, Upper Dharamsala, India. Managed by refugee Tibetans they provide free language and computer training, medical assistance, clothing, and clean water to the community. A wide array of volunteer opportunities is available for both skilled and unskilled individuals – most volunteers work directly with Lha, while others are placed throughout the community. They need, among others, Chinese, English and French tutors, graphic designers, photographers, journalists, medical professionals, web designers and human rights and legal professionals.
List of Kibbutzim – Wikipedia article.
Mango Tree Goa – A UK charity helping disadvantaged children in Goa. At the time of writing their volunteer page is yet to be completed.
Nabin English School – Provides an opportunity to visit Nepal and help Nepalese communities to support different activities. Volunteers will have the opportunity to explore and experience Nepal’s unique way of life, natural beauty and the warmth of its people.
Neve Shalom Wahat al-Salam – Meaning Oasis of peace in Hebrew and Arabic. NSWAS is a village, jointly established by Jewish and Palestinian Arab citizens of Israel, engaged in educational work for peace, equality and understanding between the two peoples. Volunteers are accepted.
Plan Volunteering Nepal – The mission of PVN’s volunteer programme is to offer meaningful volunteer opportunities for international volunteers and seek sustainable solutions for education, health, conservation, and development issues in Nepal.
Prisoners Assistance Nepal – Aiming to rid prisons of unnecessary suffering and hardship, PAN accept volunteers to work in a children’s home for the children of convicted parents. No fees are required to volunteer.
Project Hope – Local and international volunteers work together to provide Palestinian children and youth with educational programs important for growth and development. These include classes in languages, arts, technology, and sports.
Project Why – A New Delhi based non profit organisation engaged in education support and life skill enhancement of slum children and their families. Volunteers mostly work with children, either teaching English or supporting their teachers.
SECMOL – The Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh was founded in India in 1988 by a group of young Ladakhis. Today they organise activities for Ladakhi youth, run a campus for students and develop solar energy projects. Volunteers contribute around a small fee per day towards costs.
Smile Society – Welcomes students and international volunteers to help in their work with street and slum kids in India.
Tell es-Safi/Gath Archaeological Project – An excavation in Israel uncovering biblical Gath of the Philistines, the home of Goliath and one of the largest and most impressive sites in the Near East. They have openings for volunteers and students (including accredited academic field school) for a minimum of two weeks in July each year.
Tong-Len – Tong-Len is active in attempting to help displaced communities in northern India through a range of education and health based projects. Volunteers are sought to help in tent schools and health clinics.
Tent of Nations – Run educational projects at Daher’s Vineyard, their organic farm, located in the hills southwest of Bethlehem, Palestine. They offer workcamps and volunteer opportunities; run children’s summer camps and a women’s empowerment project, and welcome groups and visitors of all shapes and sizes.
Top Israel Interns – Provides prestigious internships in a wide variety of fields and professions for six weeks in the summer, or for five months.
Unipal – Sends volunteers to the Middle East to work with Palestinians on a short term basis in the summer, to teach English or to take part in other activities as needed.
Vidya – For over 25 years Vidya has been educating and empowering women and children in Delhi, Mumbai and Goa. They would appreciate your help in teaching English, or perhaps music or sports in one of their educational programmes.
Volunteering With India – A non profit organisation offering volunteering programmes such as elephant care work, theatre volunteer work, an English teaching programme to children, street child care, orphanage assistance and women empowerment.
Volunteers for Rural India – Previously known as Indian Volunteers for Community Service (IVCS), this small registered charity runs a scheme enabling anyone over 18 to visit development projects in India for voluntary work or general interest, for any period from 3 weeks to 6 months. The emphasis is on learning about development and a different way of life, but there are opportunities to join the work of the project for example by teaching conversational English, helping with everyday tasks, writing reports, painting murals, or arranging special activities for school children. Fees are reasonable, particularly for longer stays. No qualifications are required except tact, patience and a willingness to learn and fit into a very different way of life.
Way More Israel – Combines professional internships, volunteering, Hebrew Ulpan, and touring.
WWOOF Bangladesh – Volunteers are asked to contribute $3 a day to their hosts.
WWOOF India – They could have one host farm, they could have a thousand. No insight one way or the other is provided by the website.
WWOOF Israel – Organic farms in Israel that welcome volunteer labour. Their list includes an organic moshav.
WWOOF Nepal – Surely the highest organic farm movement in the world.
* Free or Cheap Volunteering *Your family might prefer if you go with a placement agency, but volunteering can be cheaper when travelling independently. Visit our Free or Cheap Volunteer Work Abroad pages to find NGOs and grassroots organisations in India, Sri Lanka, Israel & Jordan. |
Living in India and the Middle East
Real Estate and Resources for Staying Long Term
Property Finder.ae – Find a home in the UAE.
Travelling in India and the Middle East
Accommodation & Getting Around
Farah Hotel – Budget hotel located in downtown Amman, close to the Citadel and other sights. Breakfast included, lounge area, Bedouin tent, refrigerator, internet access and friendly hospitable staff.
KibbutzVisit.com – Connects you with authentic kibbutz life, including kibbutz tours in Israel, unique attractions, stores, museums, workshops, dining, nightlife and kibbutz hosts – real people living on kibbutzim, eager to share with you a part of their special lives in a community unlike any other in the world. Includes a map of all Kibbitzim.
Olive Branch Hotel & Campground – A hotel near Jerash with splendid views and camping facilities.
Palestine Summer – An online platform that provides all the information, tips, tricks and guides you need to plan a successful trip to the Palestine.
Regis Hotel – An outstanding seaside location in Beirut, Lebanon. Two minutes to the sea. 20 private rooms with ensuite bathroom, 24 hours hot water, satellite TV, a/c and heating, internet and laundry service.
The Wandering Israeli – Described as a special mix of theatre, storytelling, live music and humour, bringing a fresh and witty glimpse into modern day Israeli culture.
Other Useful Websites
Culture, News…
Amantel – Phone cards to call India and Pakistan.
Gulf Times – English language newspaper in Qatar.
The Hindu – English language newspaper.
Iran Daily – English language newspaper.
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Facts and news about the nation.
The Jerusalem Post – Read up or keep up to date with Israeli news.
Jordan Times – English language newspaper.
Times of India – English language newspaper.