Volunteer Visions Frequently Asked Questions- Affordable Volunteer Trips

Volunteer Visions is proud to offer some of the most affordable international volunteer trips. Our trip costs vary depending on location, and duration. If you have researched other volunteer organizations, you might have found that Volunteer Visions' program fees are typically 50-75% lower than other leading volunteer organizations. We are able to offer affordable pricing by operating in the same regions we service. This means lower prices for you and the chance to work with projects and volunteer coordinators who have a local presence in the communities we're helping. Volunteer Visions has managed to maintain low program fees without sacrificing the quality of the experience. It's our mission to make volunteering accessible to anyone who wants to make a difference in the world.

To find specific prices, explore our projects. The project fees do not include airfare. If you are interested in getting an idea for how much your project will cost including airfare, search for flights.

Why choose Volunteer Visions?

Volunteer Visions understands that you have many choices when it comes to traveling and volunteering. Volunteers around the world consistently choose our service because we offer:

A comprehensive package of services
Responses to your e-mails within 24-48 hours
Detailed pre-departure and orientation information
Consistent and reliable communication with our volunteers
Informed and knowledgeable staff and customer service representatives
Some of the lowest program fee's

What's included in the program fee?

The program fee that you pay includes the following:

Food
Home stay or dorm accommodation
Pre-departure Information (which includes visa info, vaccinations, packing list, etc.)
Arrival pick up
Skilled and knowledgeable onsite coordinator
24/7 emergency assistance and onsite support
Safety and Health tips
On-site orientation
Social and cultural activities and excursions (Note: some locations do not offer these activities)

Why should I pay to volunteer?

This is a commonly asked question to those who are looking to volunteer abroad.

The short answer is that it costs money to run Volunteer Visions. There is the upkeep cost of the website, staff salaries, marketing, dorms, home stays, food, and program operating fees.

While Volunteer Visions is proud to offer programs that cost significantly less than our competitors, we understand that prices can still be prohibitive.

If you are trying to fund raise for your volunteer placement, we would be happy to write a letter on your behalf to help you in your fundraising efforts.

The organizations that do not charge for volunteering are often looking for highly skilled people who can commit to a long term assignments ranging from from 6 months to two-year, and who are certified professionals who have extensive experience in a specific field. Read more about the difference between Volunteer Visions and and long term volunteer programs such as the Peace Corps here .

Are the trips safe?

We recognize our responsibility to do the utmost to provide a secure and nonthreatening environment for you during your trip.

Volunteer Visions has devoted a great deal of time and research in order to choose programs, partners and locations that meet our high safety standards.

Part of assuring safety is understanding the culture of the communities we occupy. We make sure all of our volunteers get a comprehensive safety introduction upon arrival. Additionally we have established a safety network to assure the same feelings of safety and security, as you would have at home. We strongly believe in the concept that when at home, people are surrounded by friends and family members who are willing to assist them at a moments notice. By implementing our safety network, Volunteer Visions has re-created this feeling of being surrounded by friends and family.

Volunteer Visions Commitment to Safety:

Safety orientations upon arrival
24-hour emergency phone service
Accessible doctors and hospitals
Safety network of friends and family
24 hour medical evacuation service and doctors consultation for volunteers traveling with Global Rescue memberships

Click for more information about safety.

Who volunteers?

We receive volunteers from all around the world. The common idea that unites every volunteer is that each person is willing to donate his/her time and money in order to reach out to individuals and communities in need.

International volunteers tend to be:

Travelers who want to contribute to the communities they visit
Around-the-world travelers who want to make a 'different and useful' stop on their journey
Students on summer, winter or gap year vacations
Graduates seeking experience in the field of international development
Professionals on career breaks, sabbaticals or on leave from their professions
Retirees seeking to do try something different
Group and family travelers
Individuals looking for a way out of the rat race

How far ahead should I sign up for my trip?

We suggest that you apply to our programs at least 30-60 days prior to your program start date. This is to ensure that you have ample time and opportunity to prepare for your trip. However, we can expedite the application process and fully process your application in as little as 10 business days with your cooperation.

Availability can be limited in our programs, so we suggest reserving a placement in our program at your earliest convenience. The reservation deposit of $295 will guarantee a place for you in one of your top choice projects. In the extremely rare case that we are unable to place you in any of your project choices, we will fully refund your deposit back to you.

Where do program fees go?

We are continually working hard to provide the best service possible and keep our fees low. The chart below describes how our program fees are allocated.

How much free time will I have?

While participating, most volunteers will have the weekends free to enjoy the area in which you are staying or to explore outlying areas. Volunteer Visions has partnerships with local tour agencies and is happy to help you set up any tours you may be interested in. We also suggest reviewing a Lonely Planet and the internet in search of ideas of what you would like to do during your time off.

How do I apply to a program?

Applying to a Volunteer Visions program couldn't be easier.

Browse through our online catalogue of programs
If you have questions about a specific program, click on the 'Request Info' link and fill in the form. If you have questions about availability in the program please include these comments in the comments section of the 'Request Info' form.
When you have your top 3 program choices, a project duration and a start date decided, click on the 'Apply' link. You do not have to have 3 program choices but having more choices will increase your chances of being accepted into a program. We are able to place 90% of our volunteers in one of their top 2 program choices.
Fill in the application form and if you have any questions, please state them in 'Comments' section of the application form. At the end of the application form, you will be asked to agree to our terms and conditions. Please read our terms and conditions carefully.
Upon agreeing with our terms and conditions, you will be asked to submit a refundable $295 reservation deposit. The deposit is refundable in the case that we are unable to place you in any of your program choices. The reservation deposit will secure you a place in one of our programs and guarantee a placement.
Once we have received your application and the reservation deposit, we will need 1-3 business to process your application. Upon confirming availability and approving of your application information, we will send you an invoice for the balance of your program fee. The balance of the program fee must be submitted within 90 days of the first of the month during which you plan on starting your program. If you applying less than 90 days prior to your program start date, you will have 5 business days of receiving the invoice to submit the balance of the program fee.
Upon receiving the balance of the program fee, we will e-mail you a copy of our comprehensive handbook that will provide information such as:
- Visa
- Packing List
- Reccomended Vaccinations
- Cultural Information
- Arrival Informatoin
You will also receive an e-mail requesting:
- Copy of Passport
- Signed Volunteer Visions Contract
- Travel Insurance
- Arrival Information
Upon Receiving these documents, you will have completed your application process and will be fully prepared to embark on your volunteer placement abroad

How do I find out if there is availability in a project?

If you want to find out if we have availability in a specific project prior to submitting an application, you cans end us an e-mail to info@volunteervisions.org with the following information:

Project name and location
Desired start date
Length of participation

Please keep in mind that although we can provide you with information regarding availability, the programs can fill up shortly after so we suggest submitting an application to ensure that we can reserve a placement for you as soon as you submit the application and the reservation deposit.

How much extra money do I need to bring?

It is difficult for Volunteer Visions to advise people exactly how much extra money they should bring. The amount of extra money you should bring depends on you as an individual. It depends on how much you want to dine out, any extra tours you would like to take, how much you intend to spend on social events, and the amount of purchases you make. These are all things you will want to consider when deciding how much extra money you should bring with you. Most importantly, you should carry your money with you in a safe manner whether you decide to bring travelers checks, an ATM card or have your emergency contact wire money to you on an as needed basis.

How many people will be in my program?

The number of volunteers varies throughout the year. If you apply and pick a specific date we would be happy to inform you of how many volunteers have signed up for that date so far; however you must remember we are continuously receiving applications for all of our projects so the number of applicants is constantly changing. Please keep in mind that regardless of how many volunteers are in your project, there will always be an in-country coordinator to answer your questions and help you any emergency situations.

What are the program requirements?

The requirements for all of our projects are listed on the webpage under each individual projects description. The information on the website is quite comprehensive, so please read the information in it's entirety. If there are any questions or doubts raised by the information on the website, please feel free to contact us at info@volunteervisions.org.

In general there are no specific requirements. We simply ask that volunteers are open-minded, respectful of cultures and traditions, determined and motivated. Any special qualifications you may have are always useful.

Can I travel with a friend?

You may certainly seek placement and/or accommodation with a friend. Please indicate this in the comments field of your application, and we will do our best to place you in the same accommodation and/or project. Please keep in mind that this is subject to availability.

Where can I find plane tickets & insurance?

We've gathered some helpful links for planning your trip here.

Another great site to find the cheap plane tickets is: Kayak

Will I have access to internet and telephones?

Phone Availability:

Telephone systems vary from country to country, and both phone systems and access to a telephone may be different than you are accustomed to in a developed country. Volunteers may have a phone in their home, or they may have to place calls from their place of work or a public facility. Other volunteers make calls from a nearby town or a friend's house. Phone cards are relatively cheap and widely available.

If you have access to internet Volunteer Visions recommends using Skype or some similar Voice Over IP client. Rates are lower than what you will find on phone cards and making an account is simple: Skype

E-mail Availability

Access to e-mail is becoming more common but is far from universal. As a volunteer you may or may not have easy access to e-mail during your service. Luckily, the reach of the Internet around the world is growing rapidly. In many Volunteer Visions project countries, internet cafés and computer access are common. In others, they are slow and/or expensive. Access varies widely within a country, depending on the nature of a volunteer's assignment and the community in which the volunteer lives.

Your Volunteer Handbook that you receive after placing your trip deposit will contain more specific information.

Where can I get a background check?

For certain programs working with children, a criminal background check is required. We recommend using American Datatabse . The background check that is required is called the 'Instant Criminal Search'. Please make sure that you fax or e-mail a scanned copy of your search certificate. We will not accept criminal background searches that are simply a part of the body of your e-mail.

Do I have to get any vaccinations?

Vaccination requirements depend upon where you are visiting. For more information visit the Center for Disease Control Website" to research the most up-to-date information on recommended vaccinations. Please keep in mind that some vaccinations can take more than 4 weeks to take effect, so schedule an appointment with your physician at least 4 weeks prior to your departure date.

What is culture shock and how do I deal with it?

Culture shock is a condition that affects people who travel to a country different from their own. Unfamiliar surroundings, foreign language and customs are often the causes.

Although culture shock is a state of mind, it can result in many symptoms, both physical and mental. This homesickness can result in a negative volunteer abroad experience. Although sadness and loss are natural when living in a new place far from home, you can take steps to avoid culture shock.

One of the easiest ways to avoid culture shock is to learn as much as possible about your target country before applying to volunteer there. Some helpful links are listed below. Most people are only used to seeing images of shocking poverty through their television screens. Once you have driven along a road to find an entire family living on a roundabout, the poverty becomes incredibly real. The realities of the lives of people in the third world, when compared to conditions in the Western world, are likely to bring about the biggest culture shock you can experience.

Some Sites To Learn About Your Volunteer Abroad Country

www.lonelyplanet.com/worldguide/destinations Visit this site for general travel advice about your country. It has images, fast facts, history, and other information.

www.state.gov The U.S. State Department’s website issues background notes periodically about countries around the world.
www.geography.about.com This online atlas includes maps and geographical information, and each country page contains links to other sites, such as the CIA World Factbook, that contains comprehensive historical, social, and political background information about countries worldwide.
www.cyberschoolbus.un.org/infonation/info.asp This United Nations site allows you to search for statistical information for member states of the U.N
www.usaid.gov U.S. Agency for International Development
www.undp.org United Nations Development Programme
"www.ausaid.gov.au/ Australia’s international aid agency

Some Good Books On Volunteering

Dirlam, Sharon. Beyond Siberia: Two Years in a Forgotten Place. Santa Barbara, CA: McSeas Books, 2004.
Casebolt, Marjorie DeMoss. Margarita: A Guatemalan Peace Corps Experience. Gig Harbor, WA: Red Apple Publishing, 2000.
Erdman, Sarah. Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village. New York, NY: Picador, 2003.
Hessler, Peter. River Town: Two Years on the Yangtze. New York, NY: Perennial, 2001.
Kennedy, Geraldine ed. From the Center of the Earth: Stories out of the Peace Corps. Santa Monica, CA: Clover Park Press, 1991.
Thompsen, Moritz. Living Poor: A Peace Corps Chronicle. Seattle, WA: University of Washington Press, 1997 (reprint)

What should I pack

A detailed packing list will be provided in your pre-departure handbook which is sent to you upon applying for a project but the following are some general items that you should plan on packing for any trip.

A Swiss army knife with a can opener attachment. Keep in mind that these can't get through carry-on.

Iodine tablets for purify any potentially undrinkable water.

A few really good paperbacks you haven't started yet.

Assorted photos of family and friends. Not for you, but for your host community. They'll love these, as it gives them a better sense of who you are.

Earplugs.

Luggage that is easy to carry. We recommend a hiking backpack over other types.

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