Moving to a new country can sometimes feel overwhelming — new culture, new systems, and new faces everywhere. One of the best ways to feel at home faster is by volunteering. In Ireland, volunteering isn’t just about helping others, it’s a gateway to meeting people, improving your skills, and becoming part of the community.

For international students, it can turn Galway from “the place you study” into “the place you belong.”

Here’s everything you need to know about volunteering in Ireland and how it can transform your student experience.

🌍 Why Volunteering Matters for International Students

Volunteering gives you much more than something nice to put on your CV. It can help you:

• Make friends quickly: You’ll meet locals and other internationals who share your values.
• Practice English in real situations: A relaxed setting is the best way to improve your confidence.
• Gain Irish work experience: Great for future job applications.
• Learn about Irish culture: Traditions, humour, and community spirit come alive when you volunteer.
• Boost your wellbeing: Helping others reduces stress and gives you a sense of purpose when you’re far from home.

👉 Think of volunteering as your shortcut to feeling settled in Ireland.

🤝 Where Students Can Volunteer in Galway

Galway has a huge volunteering culture, with opportunities in almost every area. Here are some great options for students:

• Charity Shops: Oxfam, COPE Galway, and St. Vincent de Paul are always looking for volunteers. It’s flexible and great for practicing customer service skills.
• Animal Welfare: GalwaySPCA, Madra, Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind (IGD) or even helping at animal shelters if you love animals.
• Events & Festivals: Galway International Arts Festival, Comedy Festival, and Film Fleadh often need volunteers for short-term roles (ticketing, guiding visitors, backstage).
• Community Support: Food banks, soup kitchens, and homelessness services like COPE Galway’s community café.
• Environmental Groups: Beach clean-ups or local sustainability projects (great for meeting eco-conscious students).
• ATU Societies: ATU has a wide variety of societies where you can get involved and make friends.
• The International Student Society (ISS): Volunteering with ISS is more than just helping out, it’s a chance to become a leader in the international community at ATU. Committee members organise trips, host weekly events, manage communications, and welcome new students to Galway. By joining the ISS committee, you don’t just volunteer — you shape the student experience for hundreds of internationals each year. If you’d like to step up, just talk to us about open committee positions. It’s a fantastic opportunity to gain leadership skills while giving back, it looks incredible on future applications boosting your CV and making lifelong friends.
• International Student Ambassadors (ISA): ATU’s Global Office runs the ISA programme, where students volunteer to represent the university, share their experiences with new students, and act as cultural ambassadors.

👉 Student Tip: Whether you volunteer with ISS or ISA, you’ll gain real leadership experience and a strong network of friends and mentors.

📋 How to Start Volunteering in Ireland

1. Check out Volunteer Galway: www.volunteergalway.ie– the official site listing hundreds of opportunities.
2. Visit Student Union or ISS: They often know about local projects and can connect you directly.
3. Go to Information Sessions: Organisations hold open meetings where you can learn about roles.
4. Apply Online: Most places require a simple application; for roles with children or vulnerable groups, you may need Garda Vetting (a background check).
5. Start Small: A few hours a week is enough, balance it with studies and work.

🕒 Balancing Volunteering With Studies and Work

Volunteering should enhance your life, not overwhelm it. Keep it realistic:

• Choose flexible roles (charity shops or events often let you pick shifts).
• Avoid peak exam weeks, it’s okay to step back when needed.
• Use weekends for short volunteering activities like clean-ups or fundraising events.
• Remember that even 1–2 hours a week makes a big difference.

👉 Student Tip: Treat volunteering like self-care, something that energises you, not another obligation.

💡 Real Tips to Make the Most of Volunteering

• Say yes to training: Many organisations provide free training sessions (customer service, first aid, child protection). These look amazing on your CV.
• Network while you help: Chat with coordinators and volunteers you never know what opportunities could come from it.
• Try different roles: From event stewarding to tutoring, each experience helps you grow new skills.
• Ask for references: A volunteering supervisor can become a strong reference for future jobs.

❤️ Personal Growth Through Volunteering

Many international students say volunteering is what helped them feel settled the fastest. Why? Because it shifts your perspective, you stop feeling like an outsider and start feeling like a contributor. You’re not just studying in Galway; you’re shaping the community too.

🌟 Final Word: Give Back, Gain More

As an international student, volunteering is one of the smartest choices you can make. You’ll give your time and energy, but what you’ll get back is priceless: friendships, skills, confidence, and a sense of home.

Whether it’s helping at a charity shop, supporting a festival, joining the ISS committee, there are countless ways to get involved.

So, look up an opportunity, sign up for a few hours, and discover how giving back helps you feel connected to Ireland in the most authentic way possible.