Insight Abroad, our one-week volunteer abroad program is structured so you can maximize your time spent in-country. In just one week, you are plugged in to the ongoing service to the community we provide throughout the year.
SATURDAY (ARRIVAL DAY)
ARRIVAL: A CCS staff driver will pick you up from the airport and bring you to the CCS Home-Base, a comfortable, residential home designed to meet the needs of international volunteers. You will meet your fellow volunteers, relax, and get settled in the Home-Base. If you arrive early, you may have time to walk to the nearby Internet café, explore the neighborhood, and meet local neighbors.
EVENING: Gather with fellow volunteers and CCS staff members for a healthy and delicious meal that reflects the local cuisine and culture. Meals are always prepared by staff cooks, so you can always ask for a recipe!
SUNDAY (ARRIVAL DAY FOR SELECT SITES)
MORNING: Start your first full day with fellow volunteers and CCS staff, enjoying a delicious breakfast. CCS staff members lead Orientation, where volunteers will learn about the schedule for the week, get an overview of local customs and cultures, discuss expectations for your volunteer placement, and get to know other volunteers.
AFTERNOON: Typically, a buffet-style meal with a variety of local dishes will be served. After the meal, CCS formally introduces you to the neighborhood and neighbors through a city tour. CCS staff members are always from the community, so they can offer the insider’s perspective on what areas are safe to explore, and how to get around independently.
EVENING: After dinner at the CCS Home-Base you’ll have free time to rest, relax, or explore on your own or with fellow volunteers.
MONDAY
MORNING: After breakfast is complete, the CCS driver will bring you and your fellow volunteers to the organization where you will serve. CCS staff, along with Partner Program staff, will review expectations for your placement, a group-based project designed to be completed in one week. You’ll review the needs of the placement, and how your project supports them, and start working on the project alongside local people from the community.
AFTERNOON: During lunch, you’ll reflect on your day with CCS staff and other volunteers as they share their opinions and suggestions on what you can do, and answer your specific questions about translations, activity planning, or even the schedule for the days ahead. As you reflect on the day with your fellow volunteers, your understanding of the community deepens.
A Cultural & Learning Activity will typically be scheduled, such as a guest speaker who shares insight into the local culture, history, economy, or social issue.
EVENING: After dinner is free time to rest, visit the Internet café, explore the community, and plan activities for the next day at your placement.
TUESDAY
MORNING: Following breakfast, your group will return to work on your volunteer project.
AFTERNOON: The CCS driver will pick up the volunteers to return for lunch. A feedback session is scheduled after the meal to offer the opportunity to discuss the unique challenges and new perspectives you’ve gained, and ask questions about the community, social issues, and new culture. Language training may also be scheduled to offer helpful vocabulary and phrases for use at your volunteer project.
EVENING: After dinner, you'll enjoy free time.
WEDNESDAY
MORNING: Following breakfast, you will continue working on the volunteer project.
AFTERNOON: After the group enjoys lunch, you’ll participate in an excursion to enhance your knowledge of the local area and explore an exciting new area. This may be a trip to a nearby town or village, a visit to a local museum or historical site, or a trip to a popular market.
EVENING: Dinner might be served late at the Home-Base, or the group may eat together at a local restaurant, depending on how far it takes to travel back.
THURSDAY
MORNING: After breakfast, continue working toward the volunteer project. Typically, the project will be completed by the end of this day.
AFTERNOON: A Cultural & Learning Activity, such as a visit to a museum or a guest speaker to talk about social issues is scheduled. Further language training may also be scheduled before dinner to focus on phrases, introductions, or more advanced topics, depending on your comfort level with the language.
EVENING: After dinner, there is free time.
FRIDAY
MORNING: After breakfast at the Home-Base, the group returns to their Partner Program to celebrate the completion of the project, and say farewell to new friends made at the organization.
AFTERNOON: During and after lunch, you will have the opportunity to sit down with CCS staff members and fellow volunteers to reflect on the accomplishments and challenges of the week. This time is a wonderful opportunity to provide feedback, share perspectives, and start to process all that you have learned and experienced.
EVENING: Enjoy free time with fellow CCS volunteers or community members, or continue exploring the community.
SATURDAY (DEPARTURE DAY)
After breakfast, volunteers will begin to depart, based on their individual travel plans. Many volunteers will continue their travels in-country, but some may schedule their return home. CCS staff drivers coordinate airport returns for all volunteers. Lunch will be served for volunteers with afternoon or evening flights.
Contact a Program Advisor to connect to alumni references, hear their personal stories as a volunteer, and learn more about what to expect as an international volunteer in the country and time of year you choose to travel.
Explore the countries available to volunteer abroad with CCS to learn more about what to expect at each program site.
