In early January 2012, twelve volunteers from seven countries arrived at FSL India for long-term voluntary service. As part of the inter-cultural learning, FSL India organised a week-long orientation for the new volunteers at FSL India Guest House, Kundapur between 2^nd to 7^thJanuary 2012. The orientation sessions were facilitated by the LTV program team of FSL India. Volunteers were welcomed by FSL India team with garlands of Jasmine, and vermilion tilak marks on the forehead followed by Aarathi.

Different sessions were scheduled to give input on a range of topics. Sessions were conducted with both theoretical input and inter-cultural experience. Introduction to FSL India and its works, Indian Philosophy and life, roles and responsibilities of the volunteers, setting up aims and objectives and conflict management were the major topics dealt with. Volunteers shared with participants about their country and people. During the evening hour sessions were organised to introduce the volunteers on Indian culture. Volunteers also interacted with the Indian host family to know the Indian way of leaving, shared experience of previous volunteers and the intercultural experience. Volunteers also learnt a little bit of Kannada language.

In this batch volunteers opted to be placed in in different theme-based projects. Therefore, the facilitators introduced the volunteers their preferred project and organised filed exposures on Street children teaching, Women empowerment, Special Learning, Ethnic Tribes Teaching, Sea Turtle Conservation, Environment Education, Slum Development, Orphan children Teaching, Regular Teaching. Volunteers actively participated in the orientation. On the last day of the orientation an excursion was organised. The following table highlights the details of volunteers:

Ching Nga Chan from China

Britt Mari Bjorktund from Finland

Eveliene Marjin De Wilde from Netherlands

Alice Pernet from France

Anabel Kuebler from Germany

Erwan Gauthe from France

Cynthia Cochet from Switzerland

Anna Lena Neidmann from Germany

Manuela Genta from Italy

Marie Hernandez from France

Ferraguti Camille from France

Eddie Gastrein from France