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.
A. Travelocity has selected CCS as a partner for their Travel for Good℠ program and is offering grants of up to US$5,000 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.
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 available discounts.
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 to discuss your options.
A. No. Our placements are designed to accommodate all levels of skills and experience.
A. No. We welcome volunteers from all over the world to participate in CCS programs.
A. No, 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.
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 one of our fundraising guides. You can even receive contributions from sponsors to your program fee online through your myCCS account.
A. CCS 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 & Interests Survey to help us assign a placement that's 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.
Read more about our placement process.
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.
A. CCS has operated international volunteer programs since 1995. Our first program was launched in India. Today, over 4,000 people volunteer with CCS each year. Learn more about our history.
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.
A. We attract participants of all age groups from all around the world. Read more about who volunteers.
A. The
program fee includes a personalized volunteer placement, lodging, meals, comprehensive
travel medical insurance, ground transportation, in-country
Cultural & Learning Activities, language assistance, professional
locally-based staff, local phone calls, incoming international phone service, and a toll-free emergency hotline in the U.S. Read more about
what your program fee covers.
A. The minimum age requirement for volunteers on CCS 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. Read more about our age policy.
A. We offer volunteer work in the areas of education, health, and social services. A variety of opportunities are available in each country. While all of our placements are individually determined based on each volunteer's skills and interests, we do have a placement process.
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).
