Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions about Projects Abroad , along with our answers. However, always feel free to email or phone us if you need to know anything more; we will email back very quickly - or we would be very pleased to speak to you.

FAQ's - Before you go

These questions relate to the time before you go overseas as a volunteer. For questions relating to the time you are overseas, please see FAQ's - While you're away.

  1. Where can I go?
  2. What types of programmes are available?
  3. How long do placements last?
  4. Can I combine placements?
  5. When can I start? When should I apply?
  6. What are the costs involved? Is the work paid?
  7. What does the fee include?
  8. Are meals included in the cost?
  9. Can I go with my friend/boyfriend/girlfriend?
  10. Will I need injections?
  11. What age ranges take part in these projects?
  12. What qualifications do I need?
  13. Do I need languages?
  14. Do I need to be a British citizen?
  15. How are we chosen?
  16. What do I gain from this programme?
  17. Can I fundraise for this project?
  18. Can I talk to people who have done it?
  19. What if I have more questions?
  20. What is the next step?

1. Where can I go?

Programmes are available in Argentina, Bolivia, Cambodia, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, Peru, Romania, Senegal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
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2. What types of programmes are available?

You can get involved in Teaching, Care, Conservation & Environment, Culture & Community, Sports, Medicine & Healthcare, Journalism, Business, Law & Human Rights, Archaeology, Veterinary Medicine & Animal Care and Language Projects. You could also do your Dissertation research with us.
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3. How long do placements last?

You choose how long your placement lasts. Apart from our 2-Week Specials, placements are flexible and most last from one month upwards. Most volunteers go for between two and four months. Our basic placement prices cover you for one, two or three months. Then you can add on extra months on top of these as you wish. You can stay (including placement and travel) in most countries for up to 6 months, but you can stay in Ghana for up to 12 months. These limitations are due to visa and work-permit restrictions.
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4. Can I combine placements?

Yes you can combine placements, both within a country and across countries. See Combinations for more details and combination ideas.
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5. When can I start? When should I apply?

You choose when your placement starts and finishes. Placements run all year. There are no definitive deadlines for application. We do generally need at least 2 months to comfortably process an application, but we like to receive your application form as far in advance as possible - so please apply as soon as you've decided what you want to do. The longer the notice, the more we can tailor a programme. If you decide last minute, do give us a call to see how quickly we can arrange it for you - we sometimes only need a few weeks notice.
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6. What are the costs involved? Is the work paid?

Projects Abroad programmes cost from 14,095R. See the prices page for details of the cost of the programme you are interested in. You will not be paid for your work, but you will gain unusual work experience and discover skills you never knew you had - and have a great time! Our partner schools and other partner organisations can barely afford to pay their own staff, so these positions have to be voluntary and self-funded. Similarly we get great work experience placements for volunteers because we don't ask our partner-organisations to pay you. Indeed, we always make sure that organisations or individuals in the developing world don't have to pay anything as a matter of principle. We do not have government funding or other outside funding.
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7. What do our charges include?

Our costs include all food, accommodation, comprehensive travel and medical insurance, and support from our expert staff at home and abroad. Our charges are important because they enable us to provide you with a good service and full support.
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8. Are meals included in the cost?

With the exception of when you are travelling or socialising, all meals are provided.
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9. Can I go with my friend/boyfriend/girlfriend?

Friends are most welcome and, if you like, we can arrange placements where you can live and work together.
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10. Will I need injections?

This really depends on where you choose to go. As we are not medical experts we cannot give out official advice - so talk to your doctor, who will be happy to advise on what you may need. Don't let injections put you off - you'll be glad you had them once you are enjoying yourself abroad!
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11. What age ranges take part in these projects?

Volunteers are welcome between the ages of 16 and 75. Many of our volunteers are between 18 and 25 years old, but a rapidly increasing number of career breakers and retired people are now taking part too. This has led to a stimulating mix of people in all our destinations.
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12. What qualifications do I need?

No qualifications are necessary - just reasonable spoken English. No TEFL or teaching qualifications are needed for our teaching programmes (although you are very welcome if you do happen to have them).
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13. Do I need the local language?

Few volunteers speak the local language before they go. It is an advantage to learn a few basic phrases but it is certainly not necessary to be at all fluent. Teaching volunteers teach English in English. This is what schools want. The only exceptions are the journalism and medicine programmes in Mexico, the radio journalism placement in Bolivia, and the medicine project in Argentina where volunteers need reasonable Spanish, and journalism in Senegal where you need good French. Some basic French is also needed for Teaching and Care projects in Senegal.
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14. Do I need to be a British citizen?

No. We accept volunteers from all over the world - in fact we actively recruit in much of Europe and the USA . We like to have a multinational mix - that's what cultural exchange is all about.
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15. How are we chosen?

When you apply we ask you for the name and address of a referee. This will be someone who knows you well - such as a school tutor or an employer. We then get in touch with them and ask for a reference. This is usually enough to assure us that you are suitable for a placement. We occasionally invite prospective volunteers for an informal interview to iron out any concerns.
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16. What do I gain from this programme?

The programme is an excellent opportunity to combine adventurous foreign travel with a worthwhile job. As well as gaining experience that looks brilliant on your CV or résumé, you will improve your transferable skills such as team-working, presentation and communication. Above all, this is an unrivalled opportunity to gain an insight into a completely different culture and way of life.
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17. Can I fundraise for this project?

Of course you can, although we certainly don't say that you have to. Request a Fundraising Guide once you've applied to get some ideas.
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18. Can I talk to people who have done it?

Please see our Volunteer Stories page, or contact us and tell us where you would probably like to go and what project you would probably like to join. We will then give you the e-mail addresses of people who have done your kind of programme or are doing it.
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19. What if I have more questions?

If you have any questions or would like to discuss our programmes in more detail, please don't hesitate to contact us . If you would like to speak to us, call us on +44 (0)1903 708300 or e-mail us with your phone number and a convenient time to call and we will call you back. Also you could attend one of our Open Days.
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20. What is the next step?

The next step is either to contact us for more information or, if you've decided definitely what you want to do, apply now.
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FAQ's - While you're away

These questions relate to the time you are overseas as a volunteer. For questions relating to the time before you go, please see FAQ's - Before you go.
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  1. What is the support like overseas?
  2. Are the countries safe?
  3. Will I be met at the airport?
  4. What if I am ill?
  5. Can I extend my stay while overseas?
  6. Will there be an opportunity to travel when I'm there?
  7. Will I be on my own or are there going to be other volunteers in the same area as me?
  8. Where do I stay? Who do I stay with?
  9. What's the best way to keep in touch with home while I'm away?
  10. Do women encounter any special problems while travelling?

1. What is the support like overseas?

We believe our staff support overseas to be unparalleled. We have full-time paid and trained English-speaking staff in each destination. It is their job to set up placements, check out your accommodation, meet you at the airport and provide you with any support you need should any problems occur. They won't try to nanny you - but they will always be there, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. For more details, see Safety & Back-up. During your placement you will also have a supervisor at your place of work. If you have difficulty teaching in class, if you really want to gain extra experience in a certain area of medicine - or whatever the problem or request may be - someone will be on hand to give you help and advice.
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2. Are the countries safe?

Before we go, countries must be politically stable and safe. If they are not, we don't go. We are in constant contact with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regarding stability and safety and, of course, we have the added security of overseas staff.
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3. Will I be met at the airport?

Volunteers are met at the airport (or local coach station or railway station). See Safety & Back-up page. There is no additional charge.
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4. What if I am ill?

If you are ill while overseas, the Projects Abroad office will know where the best medical care can be found. You receive information on this during your induction when you first arrive, and of course you can reach our staff by phone 24 hours a day if you fall ill. In the unlikely event that you are seriously ill, all volunteers are covered by a comprehensive insurance policy, which, if needed, includes flying you home and all your medical costs until you get home. Projects Abroad staff will be on hand to liaise with your family, the insurance company, and the relevant medical people.
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5. Can I extend my stay while overseas?

Yes. Depending on visa requirements and flight restrictions. This gives added flexibility. If you want to extend your placement, just talk to our overseas staff.
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6. Will there be an opportunity to travel when I'm there?

You will have weekends free. Volunteers often take this opportunity to go on trips to local places of interest. For every three months worked you are entitled to two weeks off. During this time (and generally during your placement) you are insured to travel independently. Many volunteers travel extensively after the end of their placements, often forming small groups with other volunteers. From Ghana, for example, volunteers may even travel up to Timbuktu; other volunteers in other places find mountains, beaches, jungles and great cities to visit.
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7. Will I be on my own or are there going to be other volunteers in the same area as me?

You will be located close to other volunteers so that, if you want to, you can meet, exchange ideas and stories, socialise and go on trips with others. Volunteers usually make good friends with each other and often decide to go travelling together after their placements. You will never be isolated. You may even be placed in the same accommodation or workplace as one or two other volunteers. Although we cannot guarantee to meet all requests, please let us know if you have a preference regarding this.
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8. Where do I stay? Who do I stay with?

Most volunteers stay with local families. This provides you with an insight into the local culture and helps with learning the local language. It also acts as an additional support network. If required, we can usually also find hostel-type accommodation in most destinations. You must not expect western standards but the accommodation is good by local standards. You will not be in mud huts or shanty-towns (unless you specifically request this kind of experience). You may even be placed in the same accommodation or workplace as one or two other volunteers. Although we cannot guarantee to meet all requests, please let us know if you have a preference regarding this, or the type of area where you would like to stay.
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9. What's the best way to keep in touch with home while I'm away?

All of our placements have access to Internet cafes, though if you are placed in a rural area you may have to wait until you go into town to use them. Generally, you should only use your host family's phone in emergencies, although they should be happy for you to receive calls, so generally the Internet is the best way to contact people at home. There are also public phones or communications centres near almost all our placements - these are perfect for local calls to other volunteers, general questions to our local staff or the occasional more expensive call home.
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10. Do women encounter any special problems while travelling?

In general, women do not experience any more problems than perhaps the odd curious stare. However, when travelling, regardless of the country, women always need to be more careful than men. Providing you are aware of the possible dangers and prepared for the differences a foreign country will present to you, you should not have any problems. The two most important pieces of advice for a female traveller are to be aware of cultural differences (in the way people act or dress - do your research before you go) and always trust your gut instincts.
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