International Projects ~ Advice For Volunteers Traveling Abroad

Intercultural immersion, communicating and adapting are what VFP projects are all about. International voluntary service is a way you can respond positively to the many challenges facing our planet by getting to know people and working with them to improve their lives in some tangible way.

There are many challenges that volunteers face in international service. Due to the limited amount of funding available for througout our service networks, VFP is not able to provide pre-departure orientation to volunteers, so you have to prepare yourself as much as you can in advance.

Volunteers should research the country they will be working in prior to arrival. There are resources provided in this section that will help you do this. The best preparation is to align your expectations with reality as much as possible ~ and to be open to new (and often not perfect) experiences. Please read our General Placement Conditions for International Volunteers.

Preparation & Resources

General Information
Things to Bring
Travel

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!).

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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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Travel

Travel to and from the project location is arranged and paid for by the Volunteer. The links below provide information on various methods for travelling abroad.

Air
Train
Bus
Helpful Documents
Travel Resources & Accomodation
Maps

Air

We don't really know of any special deals for airfares to the various regions. We suggest going on our website's links page/travel resources section and using the online ticket brokers to comparison shop. Once you find out which airlines fly to your destination, you can also contact specialty ticket brokers/consolidators for the region, as well as the airlines themselves to see what kind of deals they offer. The Sunday New York Times travel section always has a bunch of little ads from specialty ticket brokers/consolidators. Probably the best deals will come from them, since they buy up big blocks of tickets.

The below links are online travel companies (listed in alphabetical order) that have been noted for good deals as a service to our members/volunteers.

AESU Consolidators

AirFare.com 

Airfare Abroad ~ goabroad.com's airfare resource website

AfricaPoint ~ specializes in inter-African airfares.

AirBrokers ~ helps create your itinerary

AirDeals

AirGorilla

AirTreks ~ helps create world-tour itineraries.

Bestfares

Cheap Flights

Cheaptickets

Easy Jet ~ European based airline VERY Affordable airfares throughout Western Europe.

Expedia

First in Service

FlyForLess ~ Canadian based - Offers "Discount airline tickets & last minute airfares. Travel with Air Canada, CanJet, JetsGo, and more. Get the cheapest airfares on all international airlines".

Frommers ~ The legendary publisher of Travel Resource Guides

Hostelling International Travel ~ Give them your itinerary and they'll do the research for you.

Hotwire ~ VERY competive fares, but you have to be willing to leave at ANY time of day and won't know when until you already have paid for your ticket!

Intermeet Travel Agency ~ "Magically" providing travel to Russia, Ukraine, Europe and Asia with the lowest airfares possible on unpublished airline tickets.

Kayak.com

Net Fares ~ will help you set up a world itinerary

OneTravel.com

Orbitz

Priceline

Ryanair ~ Cheap Airline Tickets mainly in Europe

Side Step ~ The Travelers Search Engine ~ They search over 200 travel venues to bring you the best travel deals on the web.

Smarterliving ~ a consolidator with great deals.

Spector Travel of Boston ~ a consolidator specializing in affordable airfares to African destinations.

Student Flights ~ offers discounts to students and Student ID cards

Ticket Spinners

Tiss.com

Travelocity

Travelosophy ~ discounted airfares to Europe, Africa, The Middle East and Asia. Offers special fares for students, youths and teachers.

Trip.com

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Train

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!

A great way to familarize yourself with travel in your country/continent of service is to do a simple internet search for "Trains in xxxx".

Amtrak ~ booking train tickets within the US and Abroad

Eurail ~ Train Travel in Europe

European Rail  ~ train/rail passes and more

InterRail ~ European Rail Passes

RailEurope ~ 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

RailPass

Trains in Europe ~ access to train schedules and reservations throughout Europe via German Rail.

Britian on Track

Europrail

French Railways 

***Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable****

A good resource for information if you are traveling by train in Europe is the Thomas Cook European Rail Timetable.

Published by Thomas Cook for over 130 years, it is the only comprehensive schedule to European rail and ferry service. It includes over 460 pages of train schedules throughout Western and Eastern Europe, along with numerous bus schedules. Each page shows 50 to 100 departures. There are over 20 pages of ferry schedules including the Mediterreanean, North Sea, Baltic and Black Sea.

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Bus

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

Eurobus ~ Europe's express coach network

Green Tortoise ~ Bus tours in North and Central America

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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. All these documents must be obtained, in advance, in the United States prior to departure.

Volunteer ID Card ~ With the volunteerIDcard and you can receive some of the recognition you deserve as well as some of the savings made available by many organizations who want to support and reward your efforts. These include Special Low Volunteer Airfares: Book humanitarian airfares online and continue to use this benefit all year for your domestic and international flights. Bankruptcy Protection: Flights booked with the volunteerIDcard are covered for up to $2000 in guaranteed airfare in the event the airline goes bankrupt while traveling - you will never be stranded due to airline bankruptcy. 24 Hour Help Line: Call toll free from any phone anywhere in the world 24 hours a day for any type of assistance. Global Phone Card: Preloaded with free minutes, more free minutes given with every re-load. Free Membership to the North American Auto Club and the Hostel Res Card – book thousands of hostels online with no booking fee. You’ll be eligible for a $20 Eurail discount, and plenty of other Discounts. We have specially negotiated discounts for volunteers to thousands of dining establishments in the US, car rentals, hotels, travel insurance and much, much more. Keep an eye out for new discounts and benefits with the volunteerIDcard! 

The International Student Exchange Card (ISE card) is a student's passport to savings. By presenting the ISE Card everywhere, cardholder's will be eligible for a variety of discounts ranging from 5%-50% off on hostels, hotels, restaurants, adventure tours, discos, museums, castles, and other exciting attractions all over the world. Additional ISE Card benefits include:

• Up to $2,000 in basic medical benefits
• Up to $5,000 in emergency evacuation
• Up to $2,000 in airline bankruptcy
• 24-Hour, toll-free emergency assistance from anywhere in the
• Free voice mail and recorded email access and up to 70% off on international
• Special student airfares
• Emergency roadside assistance in North America and Canada
• Widespread discounts at locations around the world - backed up by the ISE discount guarantee

Hostel Res Card ~ Choose from over 20,000 hostels, B&B's and Budget Hotels worldwide based on your preferences - all with NO Reservation Fee and immediate reservation confirmation.

Youth Hostel Card ~ Required at most hostels abroad

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

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Travel Resources & Accomodation

Below you will find helpful travel agencies, accomodation and travel resources websites. We also suggest looking at the travel section of your local Sunday paper or that of the Sunday New York Times for affordable travel deals. There are numerous consolidators listed there.

Adventure Sports Online

News From Africa ~ News and views on Africa From Africa

Backpack Europe on a Budget ~ Excellent source of first-hand travel knowledge from an experienced budget traveler.

BestHotels

Budget Travel

Canuck Abroad ~ geared towards Canadian backpackers and expats.

Couchsurfing ~ is a worldwide network for making connections between travelers and the local communities they visit.

Country Studies

Fodors

Global Citizen   ~ A Guide to Creating an International Life and Career.

Globe Corner Bookstore ~ Books & Maps for the Traveller

Hostels.com ~ Internet Guide to Hostelling

HotelGuide

Hotel Reservation Service

Hotwire

How to Travel ~ Art Of Travel, European and World Backpacking

International Youth Hostel Association

JohnnyJet   ~ Travel portal for your travel needs

Lonely Planet

Russian-American Consulting Travel Agency ~ Probably the best deals on airline and train tickets in Russia and all countries of the former Soviet Union. 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.

San Francisco International Program ~ brings individuals and groups of professionals from around the world to Northern California for cultural exchange and individualized professional training in nonprofits, corporations, and government agencies.

Sustainable Travel International ~ Leave the World a Better Place

Savvy Traveller

Servas

South American Explorers Club

The World Factbook

Trip Advisor

Verge Magazine

Way to Russia

What's Going On ~ great site for parties and festivals around the world

World Citizen

World Travel Guide

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Maps

All the World's Maps  

Australian Travel Maps

Globe Corner Bookstore ~ Books & Maps for the Traveller

Google Earth

Google Maps

Maporama 

MAPS---Perry-Casteneda Library at the University of Texas

Maps.com ~ World's Largest Map Store

Mapquest.com

The Map Guide

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Foreign Entry Requirements & Consular Information

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 (See Link Below). 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.

US State Deptartment Consular Information Sheets and Travel Warnings

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.

Obtaining a US Passport

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.

US Department of State: Travel Information ~ Includes Foreign Entry Requirments by Country. Make sure to visit this website prior to leaving the United States!

Embassy.org  ~ A resource of and for the Washington D.C. foreign embassy community

Embassiesabroad.com

Embassyworld.com

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Travel Advisories & Safety

Travel Advisories/Warnings: Keep updated on the situation in the regions you are traveling to. The easiest way to search the US Department of State: Recent Travel Warnings.

Federal Aviation Administration

Fielding's DangerFinder ~ Black Flag Cafe is the place travelers come to share stories and advice

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 even when you sleep and 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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Insurance & Health

Insurance ~ 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. Insurance is typically provided ONLY for select projects in Europe. In most if not all projects in the developing world insurance is NOT provided.

If adequate insurance is a concern to you, we strongly suggest that you provide for your own coverage. You may also want to ask about trip cancellation insurance. Some travel related insurance carriers are listed below.

Access America ~ Travel Insurance and Assistance

CSA Travel Insurance

Global Medical International

Global Rescue LLC ~ Medical & travel support services

eGlobalHealth Insurers ~ International Travel, Medical and Life Insurance Plans

Insurance Consultants International ~ Global Health Insurance

Insurance Services of America

HTH Worldwide travel insurance

Overseashealth.com

Travel Insurance Services ~ Individual & Group Travel

Travelmark ~ Specialty Insurance

Wallach & Co. ~ International Medical and Travel Insurance

Health ~

Center for Disease Control and Prevention ~ To receive detailed, official health advisories and vaccination requirements contact the Center for Disease Control.

Travel Health Online

IAMAT: International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers

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Language Studies

Eurolingua Institute ~ the most extensive organisation of its kind, offering language programmes in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Swedish

Interactive CD-ROM Language Instruction

Language Courses Abroad

Language Conversion Site

Language Travel Company ~ Representatives from this Boston-based company have travelled to many countries and have personally selected the best language schools and accomodations, with a focus on matching students with highly qualified instructors in courses that are at the right level for them.

Language Translation

Language Study Materials and ESL Resources

Rosetta Stone

Say Hello to the World ~ A fantastic, easy to use basic guide to many languages.    

Spanish Language Schools Throughout Latin America and Spain

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Currency Converters

Currency Conversion

Travlang

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Project Information Sheet

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.

Information Sheets are issued up to 4 weeks prior to the project start date. When your Information Sheet arrives in our office from our partners, We EMAIL it to you the same day to the email address you have given us. 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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