What are the starting dates of the Long Term Program?

The Long Term Program runs all year long. However, the starting date is always the first Monday of every month. Therefore we ask you to plan your arrival time accordingly.

What are the age limits?

The minimum age is 18 years old, but there are no restrictions in the maximum age. We welcome volunteers of all ages.

Is experience required?

Yes and No. If you do have teaching experience or any particular skill that’s great! But don’t worry. As participants do not need teaching experience to work in all the projects.

What can a participant expect from FSL-India?
We can guarantee

1. A comprehensive Orientation week to introduce you to India and your fellow volunteers.
2. Your Basic Boarding & Lodging is taken care of (food and accommodation) during your term.
3. Depending on the availability, you will be placed in a project from one of your three choices to work on. We will match you with a project of your choice.
4. Evaluation Meeting.
5. FSL staff is available during emergency and at all times for support and advice.
6. a contact person to assist you during the program term.
7. Access to reports and project information as well as material that could be useful for your project.
8. An experience Certificate at the end of the Program term to formally attest your participation.
9. You can also expect to meet with many young people, spend quality time, once in a life time experience, exchange and learn a lot. Enjoy a safe stay in a foreign country and relish the fruit of several years of experience in the field of volunteer exchange.

 

What participants CANNOT expect from FSL-India?

1. Special food: with respect to the different diets of each one (vegetarian, non-vegetarian, allergies) FSL provides mostly basic Indian food. Please don’t expect us to provide foreign/imported food items, or to pay for food and accommodation outside the placement.
2. Alcohol or cigarettes (of course not…).
3. There will be no change in the chosen project, once the placement has been confirmed (unless in very special/serious cases). We expect all volunteers to try a placement for a minimum of one month. An adaptation period is necessary and it takes at least a month to make a real contribution to a long-term project
4. A holiday! You should remember that you are a volunteer and that you are not on a normal holiday. Although you may find the work hard at times you will also have time to have lots of fun!

 

What does FSL-India expect from all the participants?

1. Co-operate with FSL India by adapting to your new culture, this is also for your security.
2. Show interest and responsibility during your program.
3. Adjust to the way of life of the host family or project.
4. Realize that the living conditions in India are very different than home (no warm water /air-conditioning/ easy access to international phone or internet/ easy transportation at all times, mosquitoes…etc)
5. Be open minded, flexible, leave prejudices behind, and show initiative.
6. Understand that a lot of time will be spent with locals who do not speak English (very well). Volunteers should make an effort in trying to communicate in the local language; this shows your interest (and patience!).
7. Be creative. Share your thoughts and ideas for the work, discussions, the project, the work and excursions!
8. Only English is accepted when others are around, even if they do not join in on the conversation.
9. You should be ready to write a monthly report of your work and activities in order to keep in touch with the coordinators.
10. Your appearance should be presentable at the project. In many cases, a “dress code” is mandatory: long sleeves and pants, no extravagant or minimal clothing…
11. Behavior and dress code should be cultural sensitive, especially while in the village or schools.
12. Cleanliness is very essential and is mandatory.

 

What does my program participation fee cover?

We are a non-profit organization, so we have kept our prices as affordable as possible. FSL-India is a non-profit body registered under the Indian Trust Act. We receive absolutely no financial support from the government of India or from any other foreign agency. The main source of income available for FSL is the participation fee that is collected from the volunteers.

This income is spent as follows (from the most to the least expensive item):

1. Project development: this is the money that is spent to set up projects and travel to the different locations. Some projects require more expenditures than others.
2. Orientation and Evaluation weeks for volunteers/participants: the expenses related to food, accommodation, transportation, and activities organized during your first week.
3. Volunteers hosting payments: FSL India pays for the food, accommodation, transportation for participants-which differs from project to project.
4. Office expenses including salaries, rents, telephone, internet, postage, photocopy, printing, stationery, electricity, gas, food (meals are provided to staff) and other equipments.
5. Rent: FSL India pays rent for accommodation of its international staff members in Bangalore as well as for food and pocket money.
6. Scholarships for volunteers from Eastern Europe, Latin American countries and others: volunteers coming from these countries do not pay a participation fee and sometimes receive a contribution towards their flight ticket along with food, accommodation and pocket money.
7. Scholarships for Indians sent to projects abroad: FSL India sends volunteers abroad on a sponsored program.
8. Support expenses of local Indian youth trained and supported by us.
9. Donations to local social projects: apart from supporting local NGOs by the placement of volunteers and by organizing short-term work camps, FSL India also makes occasional donations (in kind or in cash) to its International network and partner NGOs.
10. Local transportation costs for staff to visit volunteers and projects: in order to keep in touch with their volunteers, the coordinators of FSL have to travel regularly to the locations of the projects throughout the country.
11. International travel costs to attend Conferences and international meetings: FSL sends representatives to statutory meetings and conferences to interact with its worldwide partners and develop its activities.
12. Participation fees to international conferences and meetings: in such occasions, FSL also has to pay a participation fee!
13. International membership fees: Every year FSL India renews membership of international networks and platforms of like-minded organizations.                  
14. Promotional Material & Web Site costs.

In spite of all these costs, we still make ends meet. How do we do that?
We receive free manpower, valuable time (from friends & family).
All Staff are volunteers with just an average pocket money.
We use limited resources.
We never purchase items unless absolutely necessary.

What are the Accommodation options?

The accommodation varies according with the projects.
It can be either in the project itself, in a host family or in a community living, together with other volunteers.

Will there be somebody to contact if I have any problems?

There is a 24hours hotline

What happens if I am unhappy with my project or hosting facilities?

Changes of placement and hosting facilities can be made only for very special reasons, but not before trying to adjust in the first placement. We kindly ask all participants to stay in their assigned placement for a minimum of one month before changing to a new placement. We consider that it is the time required to adapt and contribute to a long-term project.

Please note that when we work very hard in trying to confirm you in the project you are interested in, we cannot fulfill everyone’s wishes. We always try to provide the best possibilities for our volunteers, but there is no guarantee that you get the project you have applied for as a first choice. Therefore we request all participants to make a minimum of 3 choices on their application form.

What will it be my working hours?
Expected working hours differ from 5-7 hours/day in schools or up to 8 hours in other projects. In some projects there may be more than one volunteer but now always

Pay attention: The concept of time in India can be very informal, others will call that undisciplined and unreliable. The point is that it works two ways. Sometimes the planning is changed without clear reasons and arbitrarily. But then again, surprising opportunities open up which are not parts of the schedule either. So please try to be flexible. There is a schedule at every project site which mentions eating and meeting times, excursions or otherwise. Try to be on time. Your project is a social effort and you are not on a holiday and time is important in the sense that others have to wait when you are late.

May I decide how long I want to stay once I get there?

What do I do in my free time when I am not working in the project?

Weekends are free, and you can plan accordingly any travel or liesure time activities. Holidays during your voluntary service are not allowed.

What should I Bring?

Bring along lots of enthusiasm and good spirit, it will be excellent for a great experience!!!

1. Clothes, both casual and formal
2. Medicines you may require: if you have to take specific medicines on a regular basis, bring them along. Otherwise, be aware that most basic medicines and even antibiotics are available in India (for a much cheaper price!). You can bring a simple first aid kit with yourself.
3. A sleeping bag or bed sheets: depending on your placement/project, you might require warm clothes or blankets. It will be specified to you if required. Otherwise, the weather is warm (or hot or very hot!) in India, and you do not need any thick and warm sleeping bag.
4. A torch (electricity cuts are frequent!)
5. A photo or video camera (essential for good memories!)
6. Sun tan/Sun screen lotion
7. Mosquito repellents/mosquito net
8. Things from your home (photos, food, traditional dances, music, songs…) for your hosts and friends.

What type of clothes should I wear?

The Indian people will judge you by the way you dress so try to dress as decently as possible. Usually the clothes must cover your body thoroughly and also the shoulders and knees. These rules apply also in the host family (don’t walk nude or wearing indecent clothes in the house).

Clothes are comparatively cheaper in India, so you could buy some of them here. However, bring along a couple of jeans and shirts and T-shirts. It is advisable to carry a formal set of clothes that you could wear for Indian functions, such as weddings etc. It could get nippy at times so a light sweater is recommended.
Don’t forget your rain jacket if you are visiting during the rainy season (see paragraph on Climate above).
Girls are encouraged to dress culturally sensitive, especially in small towns.

Which precautions should I have in terms of health?

Vaccinations: All updated information about vaccinations is available at: www.who.org (The World Health Organization’s website). There is no compulsory vaccination to enter India. However, it is recommended to undertake the following: Diphtheria, Poliomyelitis, Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Typhoid. Please consult your doctor and the above-mentioned website of W.H.O. for updates and special warnings.

Insurance: You are required to subscribe to a health or travel insurance before arrival to India. It should be valid for the entire period of your stay outside your country. For more details, contact your sending organization.

Allergies: Please inform us of any allergies you may have, so that the team leaders and coordinators are prepared and special arrangements can be made for you.

How to get money in India?
Currency Exchange:
All moneychangers in India accept US Dollars, Euros, G.B.Pounds. Please be aware that some of them charge a commission for the service. Always check current rates before exchanging any money. The official exchange rates are available on all major newspapers daily.
Credit/Debit Cards:
Most major cities and tourist centers accept credit cards.