Advice To Volunteers

General Information

You are entering a group situation that depends on your willingness to contribute. Arrive with a readiness to learn, listen, and help out. Keep an open mind as you will probably be exposed to cultural differences that are hard to understand. Ask questions, initiate discussions, break the ice. This is your chance to learn, share and grow in an international environment.

Prepare yourself for the local culture. The more you know, the richer your experience will be! Before you leave read as much information as possible about your destination and learn a few words of the local language. (The Lonely Planet guidebooks are a good place to start.) Health issues, crime, gender roles, diet, religion, politics, etiquette, climate, etc. can become major cross-cultural hurdles if you are not mentally and emotionally prepared. It is your responsibility to keep abreast of the political and economic situation where you will be traveling. You assume any and all risks.

Familiarize yourself with the topic or focus of the Project. You may be expected to participate in local discussions. If possible, bring materials relevant to the project from your own region (articles or pamphlets on alternative solutions to environmental and social problems, political movements, international peace & justice issues, etc.). Be sure you can do the work and have the appropriate clothes & boots with you.

Arrive at the Project on time. The "Information Sheet" will have instructions regarding a requested time of arrival at a designated meeting place. If it does not specify the time, you should plan on arriving in the afternoon on the first day of the Project. Do not assume that there will be accommodations available or someone to meet you on the day before or after the Project begins. If you can not arrive on time, you must contact the local host (Not VFP!).

International volunteers participate in an environmental project in Greece hosted by Service Civil International (SCI).  Photo Credit: E. Elfer

Be prepared to cook!!! In most Projects volunteers cook for the group (10+ people) on a rotating basis. Bring some recipes from home that are simple and you know how to prepare. Be creative and open to eating new and different foods.

Free Time Activities: Any ideas you have will be appreciated by all. Bring games, cards, and musical instruments. There are many books on cooperative games that are fun and build group spirit.

Local Laws: US laws, rights & freedoms do not apply in other countries and ignorance will not get you off the hook. Familiarize yourself with and respect local laws. VFP can not assist you with legal problems.

Security: Keep your valuables (money, tickets, documents) on your person at all times - never in your luggage or worse, in your back pocket. Travel throughout Europe is generally as safe as travel in and around any American city. Read the "Lonely Planet" guides for info on other regions. There are risks everywhere, use common sense.

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Things to Bring

Unless otherwise specified, you MUST bring a sleeping bag and mattress pad. Use a backpack (so your hands are free) and TRAVEL LIGHT. A list of suggested items will be sent to you with your acceptance into a camp. In general Projects are casual situations where you will need comfortable, climate appropriate clothes and shoes to work and travel in. Be sure to bring all medications and basic first-aid items. If you have space, pictures of home, small souvenirs to exchange, music, and games are fun to share.

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Visa, Passport and Photo Info

Passport: You must have a passport to travel outside of the US. If you don't have a passport and don't want to pay extra fees you should apply for your passport at least one month before departing. Keep a photocopy of the face page of your passport with you and leave a copy with friends or family at home. If your passport is lost/stolen you can get a replacement from the nearest consulate/embassy much easier.

Visas: We have indicated in the country header of The Directory if we know that a visa is required, however that information does change frequently so please CHECK the visa requirements with the consulate for the country in question or visit the country sight on the Internet. The US State Dept. offers a complete list of Foreign Entry Requirements.

• For Projects in countries where visas are required you will receive a special invitation letter and instructions on how to obtain a visa. ALWAYS call the Embassy or Consulate concerned for an update on their application requirements and fees.
• Usually passport size photos (2-3 of an identical poses in either black or white or color) and US$10-$100 (in local currency) are required for each visa.
• If you are traveling in regions that require visas, have extra photos on hand for itinerary changes, theft, or loss. Photo machines are abundant in Western European train stations, airports and department stores.
• If travelling by train, beware of any visas needed for countries you might be passing through. More than one volunteer has been taken off the train and delayed a day or two for ignoring basic geography and a transit country's visa regulations.

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Buses

The new Eurobus pass is cheaper than rail passes. Within the US, Green Tortoise has interesting "alternative" tours:

Eurobus ~ Europe's express coach network

The Green Tortoise ~ Bus tours in North and Central America

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Trains

When boarding trains, make sure the wagon you enter is going to your destination by checking the sign on that wagon. Sometimes a train will leave the station and then separate wagons, headed for multiple destinations. Sometimes trains leave from tracks other than that announced on a schedule board. Verbal announcements have priority over such boards. Assume nothing. If in doubt, ask! Allow enough time to make sure it is your train. If you buy food & drink before you board the train, you will have a much more enjoyable trip and save some money. Sharing with others in your compartment is a great ice-breaker!

Assorted rail passes, including Flexipass and student passes, are available from:

EURAIL ~ They have all schedules available via fax or on the internet. You can book and receive your tickets before you leave the US. Also, you can search the schedule for any train in Europe at this website: http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en

Hostelling International Travel ~ Largest Network of Hostels Internationally

AAA ~ Your local office can book Eurail and local train tickets.

For a Thomas Cook Timetable (monthly) of European train schedules: Forsyth Travel Library, 9154 W 57th ST, POB 2975, Shawnee Mission KS 66201-1375 Tel: 800-367-7984 Fax: 913/384-3553.

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Helpful Documents

Documents: In most countries you will get discounts on train/bus tickets and museum entry with a student ID card. You may want to obtain the following depending upon your itinerary.

International Student Identity Card: You can obtain an international student ID card, which provides insurance as part of the service. In 2005, this card includes $250,000 in Emergency Medical Evacuation Coverage. Int'l Student Identity Card, essential for student discounts on travel or admission tickets in many countries, available from STA Travel .

Youth Hostel Card: Required at most hostels abroad, available from AYH, Dept. 733 15th ST NW STE 840, WA DC 20005 Tel: 202/783-6161 Fax: 202/783-6171 Website: www.hiusa.org.

Int'l Driver's License: Required if you plan on driving abroad, available from your local AAA office.

All these documents must be obtained, in advance, in this country.

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Travel Agencies

Planes: Most major airlines now have user friendly websites that provide really competitive airfares IF you book online. VFP offers a listing of travel agencies that some of our volunteers have suggested to us. For a complete listing of travel agencies, discount fares, online bookings, etc, please visit the links page at this website.

Student Universe Travel Deals: If you are a student, you may like to try Student Universe Travel Deals at www.airfareabroad.com

For air travel within Europe: try www.easyjet.com or www.ryanair.com

1Travel: www.onetravel.com Links to consolidators of airline tickets, hotels, and car rentals.

TravelWiz: Also low fare search system called TravelWiz, which is very useful.

AESU Consolidators: www.aesu.com Tel: 800-638-7640

Airhitch.org: Probably the cheapest flights if you are VERY flexible. www.airhitch.org. airhitch@isicom.fr. Tel: NY/800-326-2009 or CA 888-247-4482.

Hostelling International-USA TRAVEL: 733 15th Street, NW, Suite 840, Washington, DC 20005 Tel: (202) 783-6161 Give them your itinerary and they'll do the research for you. www.hiusa.org. Email: hostels@hiayh.org.

Kenya.com: Discounts to African destinations. www.kenya.com

Russian-American Consulting Travel Agency: Probably the best deals on airline and train tickets in Russia and all countries of the former Soviet Union - www.russianconsulting.com. Tel: 877.268.2677 Email: jeff@russianconsulting.com Let Jeff know that VFP referred you to him. RA Consulting - 45 West 34th ST STE 703 NY NY 10001 Tel: 212.268.9336 Fax: 212.368.9368.

We also suggest: looking at the travel section of your local Sunday paper or that of the Sunday New York Times. There are numerous consolidators listed there.

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Consular Information

Keep updated on the situation in the regions you are traveling to. The easiest way to see this information in on the Internet. There are links to many information resources, including those listed below, on the VFP website in the links section.

US State Dept. Consular Info Sheets and Travel Warnings

Travel Warnings from the Australian Government's perspective
Travel Warnings from the British Government's perspective
Travel Warnings from the Canadian Government's perspective

There are several other ways to access Consular Information Sheets, Travel Warnings and Public Announcements. You can listen to them 24 hours a day by calling 202-647-5225 from a touch tone phone. You can receive copies of them of by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to the Overseas Citizens Services, Room 4800, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520-4818. (Write the name of the requested country or countries on the outside of the envelope.) To receive them by fax, dial 202-647-3000 from a fax machine, using the machine's telephone receiver, and follow the instructions. To view and download with a personal computer and modem, dial the Consular Affairs Bulletin Board (CABB) on modem number: 301-946-4400. The login is travel; the password is info.

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Insurance and Medical

To receive detailed, official health advisories and vaccination requirements contact the Center for Disease Control. Call 404/332-4565 and follow the prompts on your touch-tone phone to receive free info via your fax machine. Or try their website: www.cdc.gov

Insurance coverage for volunteers during their participation in a Project varies with the foreign host organization. In most cases, the coverage is for accidents only and not up to American standards. If adequate insurance is a concern to you, we strongly suggest that you provide for your own coverage. US volunteers at VFP domestic camps in the US are not covered by any medical insurance. You may also want to ask about trip cancellation insurance. Some travel related insurance carriers:

Access America: PO Box 90315., Richmond, VA 23230 Richmond VA 23230 Tel: 866-807-3982 Fax: 800-346-9265 Web: www.accessamerica.com

eGlobalHealth Insurers: Tel: 866-975-3467 or 417-882-1413 Web: www.eglobalhealth.com Email: info@eglobalhealth.com

Global Rescue LLC: 10 Milk Street Suite 350, Boston, MA 02108. Tel:800-381-9754 or 617-459-4200, Fax: 617-507-1050. Email: srichards@globalrescue.com. Web: http://www.globalrescue.com.

Please check our web-site for further differences between "insurance" and Global Rescue.

Insurance Consultants International: 308 Epps St. Tomball, TX 77375 Tel: 800-576-2674 or 281-516-3633 Fax: 603-843-6662. Web: www.globalhealthinsurance.com Email: craig@globalhealthinsurance.com

Travel Insurance Services: 2950 Camino Diablo STE 300, Walnut Creek CA 94597-3991 Tel: 80/937-1387 or 925/932-1387 Fax: 925/932-0442 www.travelinsure.com

Wallach & Co.: P.O. Box 480 Middleburg VA 20118 Tel: 800/237-6615 FAX: 540/687-3172 Email: info@wallach.com. Web: www.wallach.com.

Insurance Services of America: PO Box 1617, Chandler, AZ 85244 Tel: 800/647-4589 or 480/821-9052 Fax: 480/821-9297 Email: health@worldwidemedical.com. Web: www.overseashealth.com, www.worldwidemedical.com.

www.Travmark.com: PO Box 881, New York NY 10021 Tel: 800 358 0779 x121 or 212 683 4394 x121 Fax: 212 779 7731. Email: mark@travmark.com. Web: www.Travmark.com.

Global Medical International: 1447 York RD, Lutherville, MD 21093-6032; 800/677-7887 Email: jwatkins@cmi-insurance.com.

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Maps

Maps and security items are available from: Forsyth (see previous page), also travel maps & books available from Phileas Fogg's, tel: 800/533-FOGG, fax: 415/329-8017.

Security/Personal Safety: Keep a photocopy of the face page of your passport and any visas with you and leave a copy with friends or family at home in case they are lost/stolen. You can get a replacement from the nearest consulate/embassy with much less hassle. Keep your valuables (money, tickets, documents) on your person at all times - never in your luggage or worse, in your back pocket. Travel throughout Europe is generally as safe as travel in and around any American city. Read the "Lonely Planet" guides for info on other regions. There are risks everywhere. Don't bring anything (fancy cameras, etc.) that you can't afford to lose. Use common sense.

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Project Information Sheets

Each host organization provides an Information Sheet for every Project they offer. (Some exceptions, especially in Africa). The Information Sheet consists of detailed arrival information and directions to your meeting point as well as telephone numbers of contacts, names of Project leaders, housing information, recreation Projects, information about the area and a list of things to bring.

When your Information Sheet arrives in our office from our partners, We send it on to you the same day to the address you have given us. If we know that you are leaving shortly, we will call you to give you the information over the phone or arrange to fax or email it to you.... Keep us informed of where we can reach you!

We make every effort to give you adequate information about your Project before you leave the country. We may call you outside of business hours when we think you are likely to be at home. From January through June, our office hours are 9-4:30 EST, Mon -Fri. If you depart earlier than mid-June, it is possible the Information Sheet for your Project may not be ready. You can obtain this information easily in person at the office of the host organization abroad, or by getting in touch with them by phone, fax, or email from overseas and asking them to mail or fax it to you at another address. Many vols travel directly to the worksite without receiving the Info Sheet, by getting the needed information over the phone.

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After Your Project

We really enjoy hearing from volunteers about their Project experiences. We will renew your membership for 2009 if you submit any report (even a postcard!) on your Project experience, postmarked no later than October 1st, 2008. If you have any photos from your Project that you could send along to share with us we would love to see them. Your concise and candid comments help us to improve the Project. We often need previous volunteers to co-lead VFP camps here in the US. Please contact VFP to get on that mailing list!

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