Live and Work with Nomads in Mongolia

This project is perfect for any person wanting to experience a different and more traditional way of life. It will also suit you if you want to embrace adventure and step away from the modern world for a while.

Be prepared for an exciting and memorable time in Mongolia. We recommend taking initiative to get as involved as possible. Your host family will be excited to teach you about their day-to-day lives.

This kind of experience can add value to your resume. You’ll gain a broader outlook on the world, and learn about the importance of preserving different cultures and traditions.

This project runs all year round, so you can join whenever it suits your schedule. You’ll need to volunteer for a minimum of one week, but we recommend staying longer to get the most out of this unique experience.

The best time to join the project is during the animal breeding season between March and April. The nomad families appreciate the extra support when it comes to looking after newborn calves and lambs and you may even assist with the birthing process!

You can expect to be fully involved with a nomad family’s daily life in Mongolia. Here are some of the tasks you can expect to do:

• Help your nomad family with chores and activities inside the house and out in the field
• Teach basic English to nomad children and their family, while learning a bit of Mongolian yourself
• Learn about the nomad way of life from the adults, but also from the children

A typical day on your cultural immersion project in Mongolia is different to any other project we offer. Your day will begin with a 7am breakfast with the family.

After a hearty meal, you will help with daily chores. These depend on the time of year and needs of the family at that time. You could help:

• milk cows
• herd sheep, goats and cattle
• walk to fetch water from the well

We recommend having shoes that can get dirty. There will be time spent cleaning the animal pen and collecting cow dung for fuel.

You can spend your afternoons relaxing and having some quiet time. You can choose to hike, read, play with the children, or take a nap. You can also teach the children a few basic English phrases, or learn some Mongolian from them.

In the evenings, you’ll help prepare food, milk the cows again. The day will end with a delicious meal shared with your nomad family.

Every two weeks, Projects Abroad staff will take you on the trip to the city. You can use this time to bath, meet up with other volunteers, shop, or explore the city’s tourist attractions.

Please note that digital equipment like mobile phones may not work at your placement. Quality phone signal cannot be guaranteed where your nomad family lives. The families do have phones with a special mobile dealer to contact Projects Abroad staff if needed. You can charge your devices or reconnect to the world when you return to the city every two weeks.

Ulaanbaatar

You will live and work with nomads in Mongolia’s Tuv Province. The area is about 62 miles southwest of Ulaanbaatar.

Nomads live in gers, a traditional tent. With vast open plains and mountains surrounding you, use the time to explore the area during free time. This is the perfect location for mountaineers, adventure seekers, and volunteers looking for some quiet reflection.