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FAQs

Cross-Cultural Solutions staff is eager to provide you with comprehensive information about international volunteer opportunities through our organization. We encourage you to ask detailed questions and become a well-informed and well-prepared international volunteer.

Have more questions? Contact us and we will be happy to assist you.

Click Here to Watch a Video on Volunteering Abroad

 

About Cross-Cultural Solutions

Q) For how many years has Cross-Cultural Solutions operated international volunteer programs?

A) Cross-Cultural Solutions has operated international volunteer programs since 1995. Our first program was launched in India. Today, over 3,000 people volunteer with CCS each year.

Q) How do your international volunteer programs compare to the Peace Corps or VSO ?

A) Our volunteer programs are often viewed as a short-term alternative to the Peace Corps. The Peace Corps offers two-year placements, while Cross-Cultural Solutions offers one to twelve week placements. Also, the Peace Corps is a United States government initiative, while Cross-Cultural Solutions is an independent organization and is not influenced by the government in any of our decisions. The benefit to our status as an independent organization is that our volunteer work is matched to the needs of the community, local people, and partner organizations with whom we work. Learn more about the differences between Cross-Cultural Solutions and the Peace Corps.

Learn more about how CCS compares to VSO.

Q) How many volunteers go abroad each year?

A) In 2006, over 3,000 volunteers participated in a Cross-Cultural Solutions program.

Q) In what countries can I volunteer abroad?

A) Cross-Cultural Solutions operates international volunteer programs in 12 countries — Brazil, China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Morocco, Peru, Russia, South_Africa, Tanzania, and Thailand.

Based on the program you choose, you will have a variety of program sites to choose from. Volunteer Abroad is available in 20 sites in 12 countries. Intern Abroad is available in 6 sites in 5 countries. Insight Abroad is available in Brazil, Costa Rica (Cartago), Guatemala, Peru (Lima), and Russia.

Q) Is Cross-Cultural Solutions affiliated with any other international or non-profit organizations?

A) Cross-Cultural Solutions is a member of International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA), The New Rochelle Chamber of Commerce, Attorney General's Charities Bureau, Better Business Bureau, the Nonprofit Coordinating Committee of New York and co-chair of The Brookings Institution Building Bridges Coalition, a project of the Brookings Institution focused on dramatically increasing the number of U.S. international volunteers. Read more about Cross-Cultural Solutions.

Q) How do you ensure that a participant benefits from a short-term international volunteer program?

A) Cross-Cultural Solutions has found that the international volunteer experience is truly realized when you are given the opportunity to learn about local culture and customs, as well as understand community development. The CCS Experience offers a balance of volunteer work, cultural and learning activities, and free time. This ensures that you are both learning about local culture and making a contribution within a relatively short period of time. Read more about the CCS Experience.

Q) How do you ensure that the community benefits from a short-term volunteer?

A) We have extensive quality assurance procedures set for all of the countries where we operate. All Cross-Cultural Solutions program sites undergo a comprehensive review process each year to assess their performance in the following areas: program quality, overall volunteer satisfaction, adherence to staff policies, medical procedure training, and security guidelines. We are dedicated to monitoring and continuously improving the volunteer experience on a daily basis. In 2005 and 2006, overall program satisfaction was 98%. Please contact us for more details.

Q) What is the difference between international volunteer programs and "volunteer vacations"?

A) While many people use the term 'volunteer vacations' to mean short-term international volunteer programs, most of our volunteers consider this experience to be so much more. Read more about our perspective on 'volunteer vacations'.

Q) What age groups and nationalities do your programs attract?

A) We attract participants of all age groups from all around the world. Click here to read more about Who Volunteers.

Q) How can I talk with someone in person about volunteering abroad with CCS?

A) You can meet CCS staff and alumni of our programs during our many events held throughout the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.

Q) How do I learn more about working with Cross-Cultural Solutions?

A) Please visit our Career Opportunities page for our latest job postings and information on careers with CCS. Please note that most career opportunities require past participation in a Cross-Cultural Solutions program and are based in our New York office. For international volunteer and intern opportunities through Cross-Cultural Solutions, please contact us.

In-Country Staff and the CCS Home-Base

Q) What are the qualifications of the in-country staff?

A) The key to our successful volunteer programs is our highly qualified in-country staff. On average, our Country Directors and Program Directors have 25 years or more in development work and are experts at facilitating cross-cultural exchange. Read more about Our in-country staff.

Q) What are the in-country accommodations?

A) The accomodations vary country-to-country. However, we provide a Home-Base structure in all our locations. Cross-Cultural Solutions' typical housing consists of a comfortable house in a safe, conveniently-located neighborhood. Clean, modest accommodations with shared occupancy rooms are the standard. Lodging arrangements always have basic amenities like linens and running water (including hot water where appropriate). As part of the Cross-Cultural Solutions program, local cooks prepare and serve daily meals and snacks based on the regional cuisine.

Q) I'm vegetarian. What kind of food will there be?

A) Vegetarian options are regularly available at all of our Home-Bases worldwide, and all types of dietary restrictions can be accommodated for. We are happy to provide for these needs -- please contact us for more details about meals in specific countries.

Q) Is the water safe to drink?

A) In all Cross-Cultural Solutions programs, safe drinking water is provided. Our staff will also inform you about health issues when eating and drinking outside of the CCS Home-Base.

Q) Can we go out for dinner?

A) Cross-Cultural Solutions provides breakfast, lunch and dinner. However, volunteers are always free to independently explore local eating establishments. CCS staff are available to recommend wonderful, unique restaurants in the community.

Q) If I'm volunteering with my family, will we have our own room?

A) Families volunteering together are always located at the same Home-Base. However, since the Home-Base in each of our program sites is unique, it may not be possible for family members to have their own room together; room assignments are typically separated by gender. We do our best to accommodate requests however please know that we take into consideration a number of factors, including

- the total number of volunteers

- how many family members there are

- the total capacity at the Home-Base; and

- gender breakdown of the overall volunteer group.

If you're thinking about volunteering with your family, please contact us to discuss options available in the country where you wish to volunteer.

Q) How safe are the Cross-Cultural Solutions Programs?

A) Safety is our number one priority. Cross-Cultural Solutions operates programs in carefully chosen countries that offer a safe environment for the volunteer. We take great strides to ensure the safety of our volunteers. Learn more about our commitment to safety and supporting our volunteers.

Planning to Volunteer Overseas

Q) Do I need to speak another language to volunteer?

A) Our programs do not require that you speak the local language. However, a basic knowledge of English is necessary to follow the instructions provided by the local staff.

Q) Do I need any specific skills to volunteer abroad?

A) No. Our placements are designed to accommodate all levels of skills and experience.

Q) Is there an orientation before I leave for the program?

A) Because our volunteers are from all over the world, we do not have an orientation prior to departure. Once the volunteer arrives to the program location, there is an in-country orientation that is run by the in-country staff. However, we provide numerous services that assist the volunteer prior to departure. Participant handbooks are sent to all volunteers with valuable information about the specific country. Once the volunteer receives it, our program managers answer all questions and provide any one-on-one guidance that is necessary.

Q) How do you coordinate families interested in volunteering abroad?

A) Volunteering with your children and teenagers is a very special experience. When families travel with children under 15 years old, they are placed with a parent or guardian. For example, a mother traveling with her nine year old daughter might be placed in a school or orphanage type setting so the parent and child can enjoy volunteering together. Working side-by-side with local people, sharing perspectives, and experiencing another culture is exciting and insightful for both parent and child.

Meanwhile, some families prefer to be split up for their volunteer placement, with each member bringing their unique perspective and contribution to a different local organization. During free time and meals, there is ample opportunity to share stories of the day's experience with the family and fellow volunteers.

Each local community offers various volunteering options and there are many variables taken into account in coordinating the volunteer placement. If you're thinking about volunteering with your family, please contact us to discuss options available in the country where you wish to volunteer.

Q) Will there be time to travel when I'm volunteering abroad?

A) Free time is available some afternoons, most evenings, and every weekend. Our local staff can give you suggestions for places to visit, or you can create your own agenda. During your weekend you can take excursions to other parts of the country, or you may choose not to travel, and stay in town to get to know the community better. You may also choose to travel before or after the program (but this may affect the tax deductibility of your airfare).

Program Choices

Q) What is the difference between Volunteer Abroad, Intern Abroad, and Insight Abroad?

A) Volunteer Abroad is our flagship and most popular program, year after year. It offers the greatest flexibility of locations and start dates. Intern Abroad is for students seeking academic credit, international work experience, or field research. Internship Supervisors facilitate learning experiences. Insight Abroad is our one-week program. It is a popular option for people with limited vacation time. Read stories and testimonials from Volunteer Abroad, Intern Abroad, and Insight Abroad participants. Read more about comparing our programs.

Q) What types of projects are available?

A) We offer volunteer work in the areas of education, health, and social services. A variety of opportunities are available in each country and many of our volunteers choose to visit other placements while in-country. While all of our placements are individually determined based on each volunteer's skills and interests, typical volunteer work placements are represented here.

Q) Can I go on consecutive programs in different locations?

A) You can go to as many programs consecutively as you want; some of our volunteers have gone on more than seven programs at once! Each program has a separate program fee but you will receive a discount for participating in multiple programs. Learn more about our discount policies for enrollment in multiple and consecutive programs by reading Cross-Cultural Solutions' Discount Policy.

Q) How long can I volunteer?

A) The Volunteer Abroad program ranges from 2 to 12 weeks though 3 week minimum stays apply to Ghana, India, Morocco, South Africa, and Tanzania. Some start dates have restrictions on maximum stays, please mouse over the date in question on the start dates table in order to view the available duration. The Intern Abroad program ranges from 3 to 12 weeks, though the minimum duration-of-stay differs by country and area of focus. View the Intern Abroad Minimum Duration-of-Stay by country. Longer programs may be arranged on an individual basis, contingent upon visa regulations for each country and your citizenship. The maximum stay in Russia is 11 weeks, due to visa regulations. The Insight Abroad program lasts just 1 week.

Q) Do I have to be a student to participate in the Intern Abroad program?

A) No, many participants choose to do an internship to gain experience in their field or to discover a new one. Click to read stories and testimonials from interns.

Q) I'm a pre-med student and I want to participate in Intern Abroad. How hand's on will it be?

A) Your volunteer work will vary based on your level of knowledge and experience in the field of health, your fluency in the local language, and also the customs of the country where you are volunteering. We recommend that you enroll for at least 3 weeks. If you are able to stay longer, you'll be able to develop a rapport with the people you are working with and thus invited to be more involved over time. In most countries, only legally certified healthcare professionals can perform delicate hands-on work in medical settings. If you're not yet a licensed healthcare professional, your experience may be limited to observation. Keep in mind that you can still learn a great deal from observation; volunteers working in health clinics or hospitals have been able to help out in pediatric nutrition centers, change bandages, observe traditional medicine practices, and even sometimes observe surgeries and births.

Volunteer Work

Q) How do you determine my volunteer work?

A) Cross-Cultural Solutions believes that the most successful approach to international volunteering is one that defers to the needs and goals of the local community. We recognize that local people know what is valuable and appropriate for their own community, and we're committed to providing volunteer work that helps them carry out their objectives.

Volunteer Abroad and Intern Abroad participants complete a Skills and Interest Survey to help us assign a placement personalized to your needs. Once we learn more about you, our Program Directors discuss your background with project staff. After selecting the volunteer work that best fits your skills and interests, as well as the needs of the local people, our staff creates a customized schedule that will maximize your experience.

Insight Abroad volunteer work is project-based and can be completed within a week.

Q) Will I have a specific placement for my volunteer work, or will I be involved in more than one?

A) You will have a specific placement, however depending on your skills, interests, and the need in the community, you may be involved in more than one. If you are unhappy with your placement, we do our best to find another placement that better suits your needs.

Q) Can you tell me more about the community organization I will be volunteering with?

A) Through our experience, we've learned that most communities have already developed their own answers to local issues, and that true service comes with recognizing and honoring those solutions. This ensures that our work is always locally designed and driven as well as sustainable. Our Country and Program Directors work closely with these organizations to ensure the quality and value of the programs to the community. Read about the contribution that CCS volunteers make in the local community.

Volunteer placements with the community organizations are personalized according to your chosen area of focus, taking into account your skills and interests, the duration of your program, your specific learning objectives, and the service and support you can provide at your program placement.

To learn about the various community organizations we work with and program placements available in each country, contact our Program Enrollment Managers. They can guide you when choosing the country and program site that would best suit your goals.

Program Fee

Q) How much does it cost to volunteer abroad?

A) The program fee for Volunteer Abroad starts at $2,588 (£1,408) for two weeks; each additional is only $297 (£162). The program Fee for Intern Abroad starts at $3,083 (£1,677) for 3 weeks; each additional week is only $333 (£181). The program fee for Insight Abroad is $1,695 (£922). Program fee payment is accepted in U.S. dollars and Great British Pounds. Click here to learn more.

Q) What is included in the program fee?

A) The program fee includes lodging, meals, travel medical insurance, ground transportation, in-country Cultural & Learning Activities (aka Perspectives Programming), language assistance, professional locally-based staff, informational documents, local phone calls, incoming international phone service, and a toll- free emergency hotline in the United States. For more information on how your fee is allocated, check out Where does your fee go?

Q) Why do I need to pay to volunteer?

A) All short-term international volunteer programs have a program fee which covers the expense of operating the program. Read an excerpt from HOW TO LIVE YOUR DREAM OF VOLUNTEERING OVERSEAS to learn more about why all these volunteer programs have a fee.

Q) Is the program fee tax-deductible?

A) Program fees are 100% tax-deductible for US residents and many people successfully fundraise.

Q) How do I fundraise?

A) Many of our volunteers successfully fundraise for all or part of the program fee and airfare. We encourage you to fundraise! For ideas on how to fundraise, download our fundraising guide for the US, UK, or Canada. You can even receive contributions from sponsors to your program fee online.

Q) Are there grants or scholarships available to help finance my volunteer abroad program?

A) Travelocity has selected Cross-Cultural Solutions as a partner for their Travel for Good(SM) program and is offering grants of up to $5000 for individuals or groups to volunteer abroad. Travelocity is actively seeking more applications for their Change Ambassadors Grant -- we recommend that you consider applying. Learn more about the Change Ambassadors Grant.

Also, many universities and colleges have identified scholarships and grants specifically for the purpose of encouraging international volunteerism. If you're a student, additional funding may be available through your university. Contact us to learn more about how you can find scholarships at your school.

Q) Does Cross-Cultural Solutions offer health insurance?

A) Yes -- Travel medical insurance for the duration of your program is included in the fee.

Requirements and Policies

Q) How far in advance do I need to enroll?

A) We encourage you to enroll at least 60 days before the start date of the program in which you plan to participate. We do accept enrollments with less advance notice if there is space available and enough time to take care of the necessary arrangements. Many start dates close each year due to reaching their maximum capacities, so we encourage you to enroll as early as possible.

Q) What is your age policy?

A) The minimum age requirement for volunteers on Cross-Cultural Solutions programs is 18 years old when unaccompanied by an adult. See our teens page for more information on 15 - 17 year old participants.

The minimum age for a child traveling with a parent or guardian is 8 years old. If a volunteer is between the ages of 8 and 18, the accompanied guardian must be a parent, a legal Guardian, or a person appointed by that parent or guardian. Click here for our age policy.

Q) I have small children, can I still volunteer?

A) We do our best to accommodate families of all ages. For families traveling with children less than 8 years old, the Country Director must give prior approval. Children under the age of 13 will not necessarily receive their own placement. For more information please read more about volunteering as a group or volunteering as a family. You can also read stories and testimonials from groups and families.

Q) Can I go in a group with friends, colleagues, or relatives?

A) Yes, you can go in a group as long as the program is not overbooked. Depending on the size of your group, there are special discounts available. We are able to offer these discounts because groups help our staff more efficiently facilitate volunteer placement and management. Please contact us at info@crossculturalsolutions.org to discuss your options.

Q) Do I have to be a U.S. citizen to be a Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteer?

A) No. We welcome volunteers from all over the world to join the Cross-Cultural Solutions team.

Q) Do I need a visa in order to travel to a Cross-Cultural Solutions program?

A) Visa requirements vary for each individual country and depend on your citizenship. Read about the visa requirements for each of the countries where we operate programs.

 




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Volunteer Voices

Volunteer Lisa with child

“My CCS experience helped me
comprehend my reach as a
human being, and it redefined
my view of myself as a citizen
of a global community.”