For Enrolled Volunteers

During the pre-departure process, you have a variety of resources to support you — your Program Manager, Participant Handbook, myCCS account, and all the information below. If you have any questions, please contact your Program Manager.

In-Country Volunteer Policies

In keeping with our commitment to your safety, and also our commitment to provide the highest level of support to our Partner Programs and the community, we have implemented In-Country Volunteer Policies. These policies are designed to protect the relationship between CCS volunteers and the community, recognizing national laws, cultural sensitivities, and the safety of all parties. Please review each of these to learn more: Safety Policy, Travel Policy, Smoking Policy, Feedback Policy, Drugs and Alcohol, and Gift Giving.

myCCS account

Interact with your myCCS account, your personalized online portal, to submit your personal data, manage your finances, make payments, track your progress toward preparation, and more. Login is required.

Payment Form

Use our online Payment Form to submit credit card payments toward your program fee. No login required.

Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation Insurance

Review details of your comprehensive travel medical and trip cancellation insurance.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Review all the necessary steps for your CCS program — Volunteer Abroad, Intern Abroad, or Insight Abroad.

Flight Arrangements

Research your flights and offsetting carbon emissions — learn more about your options. Please purchase flights only after you have spoken with a Program Manager.

Passports and Visas

Confirm that you have a passport that is valid for 6 months after your scheduled return date, and check if you need a visa to travel to that country. Learn more about requirements for visas and passports.

Learning about the Country and Language

Longitude Books is an online bookstore which is conveniently organized by geography. They have expert book and map recommendations featuring hard-to-find maps, field guides, classic accounts of exploration, travel narratives, books on art and archaeology, novels, essays, and well-written academic books. Please select a destination to access our recommended reading list:

While it's not necessary to know the language of the country you are traveling to, we strongly encourage and recommend having at least basic knowledge. Rosetta Stone, a widely acclaimed CD-ROM and online language-learning software, offers comprehensive language tools and instruction. Learn more about the Rosetta Stone Language Software.

New Headings Online Store

You may find some useful items for your volunteer program at the New Headings Online Store. This online store was created by New Headings specifically for Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteers and their shopping convenience. You’ll find clothing, travel gear, and other useful items that can be found on your “What to Pack” list. It has everything from first aid kits to sarongs. You even have the option of adding the CCS logo to your items to give it a personalized touch. New Headings kindly donates 15% of all proceeds to the Cross-Cultural Solutions Scholarship Fund.

Visit their website at http://ccs.newheadings.com.

BACK TO TOP