VOLUNTEERING WITH AEV
Q: Can I volunteer with a friend, my family, or a group?
A: Yes, of course! Please contact us early though, so we can arrange accommodation for you to be together.
Q: How much money should I bring?
A: Please visit our Volunteer Costs page for guidance.
Q: Why do I need health insurance to volunteer with Adventure Experience Volunteering?
A: We care about you and want any potential health-related situations to be completely taken care of. It is for your best interest to have health insurance while traveling and living abroad.
Q: Will I have time to explore the rest of India?
A: Yes, we completely understand you will want to venture out of Jodhpur, Himalaya and see more of India. Volunteers typically have Saturday and Sunday off and there are many easy weekend trips around Jodhpur and Himalaya. Buses or trains are an inexpensive way to travel or we can help you arrange a private taxi if you wish. If you want to take a longer trip, just simply let us know ahead of time.
Q: How long can I volunteer?
A: You can stay with Adventure Experience Volunteering for one month, two months, or longer, the choice is up to you, but keeps in mind that most volunteers apply for a 6-month double entry tourist visa when traveling to India. You are welcome to volunteer with us the entire time you have a valid visa.
Q: English is not my first language, can I still volunteer with Adventure Experience Volunteering?
A: Yes, many of our volunteers' first language are not English. As long as you can communicate in English to the other volunteers and our staff, you'll be able to make valuable contributions to any project that suits you.
Q: Are there any rules for volunteers?
A: Yes, please see theGuidelines and Requirements page for more information.
LIVING IN INDIA
Q: Will I be able to communicate with people in India?
A: Yes! India is a country of many languages, and consequently, many Indians use English in communicating with other Indians. In more urban areas (like Jodhpur, Himalaya) you can generally use English to order food, take a rickshaw (3-wheeled taxi), and find your way around. If you work in more rural areas, we will have staff with who can translate for you. The local language in Jodhpur, Himalaya is (Marwari and Hindi) If you are interested in learning this unique language our staff can certainly give you lessons.
Q: Will I get sick?
A: When traveling to another country there is always the risk of feeling unwell. Changes in time zones, climate, and diet affect everyone differently. Our staff will always be checking on you, and if an illness does occur, there are excellent medical facilities in the Pondicherry area. Volunteers that do report feeling unwell often recover in a few days. If you require any special medications we advise you to bring extra, solely for convenience and ease of access.
Q: Is it safe for me to live in India?
A: Yes, if basic common sense is practiced India will be a very safe country for you to visit. Women should take care to dress modestly (shoulders covered, no cleavage, and at least knee-length pants/skirts) and everyone should be aware of their surroundings as they would at home. All of our accommodations are very well secured, with 1 to 2 padlocks on the outer gates, large bolted locks on the main home doors, and a lock for your personal room. Upon arrival, you will receive numerous phone numbers of staff that you can contact at any time. Plus, living in Adventure Experience volunteering is a very social experience and you will always have people to eat with, travel with, and work on projects with, creating more security in your day-to-day living.
Q. People from which country can join the volunteering India program?
Ans. We welcome people from any part of the world to join our programs irrespective of which part of the world volunteers belong from outside India. The majority of our volunteers are from USA, UK, Europe and Australia.
Q. Who will pick me up from the airport?
Ans. Volunteering India representative would be there to receive you at the airport, holding placards, displaying your name. You’ll be picked up from the airport and taken by a car to your accommodation. Volunteers need to send us their arrival information at least 10 days in advance so that we could facilitate your airport pickup.
Q. What kind of accommodation will be provided during my stay?
Ans. Volunteers will get very comfortable and clean accommodation with a very friendly, educated and welcoming family or caretaking staff at the volunteer’s house. Under most circumstances, you would be required to share your room with other volunteers& will have all the basic modern amenities. Sometimes the accommodation is provided by the organization where you’ll work for eg. In most of the orphanage projects in Jodhpur and Himalaya India. Our host families and staff have experience of giving a comfortable stay to international volunteers. We also provide accommodation in Volunteers Home. Volunteering India maintains 1volunteer homes in Himalaya localities, where all volunteers together and enjoys their time. For more details, you can refer to the program page of that particular location.
Q.Which items should I bring along for my trip?
Ans. You may bring personal medicines, a sleeping bag, toilet paper, long sleeved cotton shirts & trousers, a sweater or a light jacket (only during winters). Please don’t forget to carry sunscreen cream, mosquito repellent lotion or spray. All the details will be mentioned in your Pre-Departure Guide.
Q. Will I be covered by some insurance during the stay?
Ans. No, Volunteering India does not provide any kind of Travel or Medical Insurance to its Volunteers. You can buy it online from our website. Kindly click here, to buy your insurance throughAEV India. You are advised to purchase travel insurance before leaving your home country.
Q. Is there any age limit to join the program?
Ans. Yes, the age limit is different for every program city. In Palampur/Dharamsala, the minimum age requirement is 16 years. For Himalaya India, the age limit is 17 years and above. There is no maximum age limit. However, you should be fit to travel and work. Please Note, the age requirement for medical internship/volunteering program is 18 years old both in Jodhpur and Palampur/Dharamsala.
Q. Can I come with a friend, my family or in a group?
Ans. Yes, at Volunteering India you are welcome to join our programs with a friend, family or in a group. We offer special discounted fee for family and group bookings and also offer customized itinerary according to the need of the group. Please email us @ AEV@volunteeringindia.com for more details.
Q.Where do I obtain a visa for my trip?
Ans. Receiving an appropriate Visa for volunteering purpose is the volunteer's responsibility. Volunteering India strongly recommends all volunteers to apply and get an appropriate visa before departing for India, please check with your local Indian Embassy in your country for more details. If needed, Volunteering India does provide with written document which would help volunteers in getting the Visa.
Q. What should I do in case of an emergency during my trip?
Ans. You’ll be provided with a pre-departure manual after you’ve signed up with us for our program. It’ll have the entire list of phone numbers and addresses of our country coordinators and staff whom you can contact anytime in case of any emergency.
Q. Do I need any vaccinations before I leave for my trip?
Ans. Yes, you must consult your doctor from your country well in advance and get the desired vaccinations done well before your arrival date. The most common vaccinations we recommend are: -
- Hepatitis A and B
- Typhoid
- Malaria
Q. Will I have access to e-mail, telephone etc.?
Ans. You’ll have easy access to e-mail; telephone etc. near your accommodation. Public telephone booths & Internet cafes are located practically everywhere in India. You can choose to carry your mobile phone and buy a local Sim card at the airport (which is available at very affordable costs) if you want better connectivity with people back home. Some accommodations also offer free Internet with our program.
Q. Do I need to carry cash for my personal expenses or atm’s are available?
Ans. You can carry cash for your personal expenses for a fortnight ($100 approx). However, ATM’s are available in plenty which would accept your international credit or debit card.
Q. Will I have time for sightseeing & in-country travel?
Ans.Every day after working hours, you’ll have the evenings to yourself. There will be plenty of time to explore the city of your placement. You can utilize weekends for in-country travel. Volunteering India also provides weekend city tours for volunteers and you can book these trips well in advance.For more information about costs and other related information on our tours, you can write into us at AEV@volunteeringindia.com
Q. How do I pay for my balance program fee?
Ans. You can pay the balance by Credit/Debit Card online through our website or by Wire Transfer to our bank account in India. To pay by Credit or Debit card using Pay-Pal please Click here.
Q. Does volunteering India provide any discounts?
Ans. Yes, we do give discounts to groups and families. Normally the discount depends on the choice of program and the number of people in the group. For further information about our discount option, you can email us at AEV@volunteeringindia.com
Q. Does volunteering India provide transport to projects?
Ans. We do provide first time transport to the project as part of the program orientation. However, from next day onwards, volunteers need to travel by their own and our coordinator will let you know the way and what is the best option to travel to the project. You can also reach our coordinators anytime when you are in India.
Q. What about my laundry?
Ans. All volunteers are responsible for washing their own clothes. Volunteers can also give your clothes to the nearby laundry at their own expense.
Q. Can I use my mobile while I am in India?
Ans. Yes, you can use your mobile while in India. Mobile connectivity is excellent in India and you can buy a local SIM card on arrival at the airport itself. Please make sure your mobile is unlocked from your mobile company back home. The mobile should be able to use on a GSM network in India.
Q. Can I consume alcohol while at the accommodation?
Ans. NO, volunteers are not allowed to consume alcohol or any drugs while in the accommodation. If anyone is found guilty, he/she would be asked to leave the program with immediate action and without any refunds.
Q. What is the dress code in India?
Ans. All volunteers can wear casual clothing, including jeans, t-shirts, shorts till knee length, Capri's etc. Tank tops are not allowed due to regional religious beliefs of India which are conservative and revealing clothes are not mutually acceptable by Indian people.
Q. How early should I apply for volunteering/internship program in India?
Ans. As such, there is no deadline to join any of our programs. We process applications on first come first serve basis so it is highly recommended to fill in your application well in advance to secure your spot.
Q. Are there any specific program dates?
Ans. Please click here to view the specific program start dates.
Q. How long does it take to process my application?
Ans. We generally take 7-10 business days to process your application.
Q. What documents do I need to submit while filling the application form?
Ans. Volunteers need to submit their resume along with one photograph.
Q. Where are projects located in India?
Ans. Volunteering India has program placements at 3 different locations, namely: -
- Jodhpur Rajasthan
- Palampur/Dharamsala
- Sri Lanka (Colombo etc.)
Q. What is the minimum - maximum program duration?
Ans. The minimum program duration is 1 weeks and the maximum program duration is 24 weeks.
Q. Do I need to arrange my flights or volunteering India arrange flights for volunteers?
Ans. Volunteers need to arrange their flight on their own.
Q. When do I need to arrive in India to start my program?
Ans. Volunteers need to arrive one day prior to their program start date that is Sunday.
Q. Which airport do I need to arrive?
Ans. For Delhi, volunteers need to arrive at Indira Gandhi International Airport. For our location Palampur, Jodhpur volunteers can either book their flight to Delhi or take connecting flight for Dharamsala from where you would be picked up.
Q. Can you accommodate special diet or is it same for everyone?
Ans. Yes, we do cater according to the need of volunteers for eg. Lactose intolerant or may require a gluten free diet, feel free to let us know and we will take care of it.
Q. Will we be provided with bottled water?
Ans. No, volunteers need to buy bottled water on their own. However, we do provide filtered water in most of the volunteer accommodations.
If you can’t find the answer to any of your questions here, feel free to write to us: infoAEVvolunteeringindia.com and we will be more than happy to answer your queries.