This is a rapidly expanding category. Volunteer organizations are usually committed to helping communities to achieve higher standards of living, education, health, or internal organization. If you apply for a volunteer placement, it will most likely be community-based, in a developing nation, and the tasks to be performed will depend on particular needs that change from day to day. You could be coaching a sports team, teaching a group of children to read, or working with a reforestation project. Volunteer work requires motivation, industriousness, and flexibility, as well as a high degree of sensitivity, and solidarity with the goals and philosophy of the organization you will be part of.
Some organizations require a fee which is a kind of donation to participate in their projects.
No work permit is necessary. A selection of these organizations is listed in Section 4 of this Guide. For more examples and information, please contact the International Internship Program Office. This is, again, different in every case, but even if housing is not included as part of the offer, your employer will usually help you to find a place to live. Princeton does not give academic credit for summer internships.