Answers to the most commonly asked questions about our
Volunteer Humanitarian Service Programs.

Is This Right For Me?

Global Humanitarian Expeditions is committed to providing our volunteers with accurate information on all of our service program offerings. What do we ask of you? - flexibility, patience, a spirit of adventure and a sense of humor. Your service program is much more than an alternative to a standard vacation.

Global Humanitarian Expeditions strives to include service opportunities for individuals of all ages, skills and backgrounds. The most important skill you can bring as a volunteer is an open mind and willingness to serve.

In making your decision to serve in one of our Humanitarian Service Programs, ask yourself the following questions:

" Am I willing to offer my skills and interests to a community requesting help?

" Can I accept direction and instruction from Global Humanitarian Expeditions program leaders and from local leaders?

" Can I work as a team member and place the interest of the team ahead of my
personal interests?

" Do I enjoy learning about new cultures and unfamiliar lifestyles? Am I able to
acclimate to unfamiliar settings and unknown circumstances?

" In the case of Medical / Dental Programs, can I work in difficult circumstances
and settings, which may, at times lack the equipment and / or supplies to provide
care according to the standards set forth in the United States?

Continuing Education Credit, Group Size, Program Fees and Discounts:

GROUP SIZE: Global Humanitarian Expeditions coordinates groups of various sizes and interests. We partner with non-profit organizations either located in the US or in the host country, enabling the majority of your program fee to be tax deductible (please refer to specific program to obtain the exact percent of program fee that is tax deductible). Our average group size ranges from 5 to 20 volunteers. In addition to our pre-scheduled Humanitarian Service Programs, we are able to schedule dates and programs according to your specialized needs for groups of 10 or more. This is a unique opportunity for professional associations, corporate teams and alumni groups to team build while at the same time volunteering.

Continuing Education Credit: Depending on the service program that you are applying for, you may be eligible to obtain continuing education credits. Ask a Global Humanitarian Expeditions representative whether your program qualifies for continuing education credit.

Former Volunteer Discount: If you have participated in one of our Humanitarian Volunteer Service Programs in the past, you may be particularly helpful on a subsequent team. Consequently, we offer a discount to former volunteers, depending on the site for which you are applying. Please ask your Global Humanitarian Expeditions representative for further details.

Travel To Program Host Country

Included in the program fee is your international airfare from the gateway city listed in the program itinerary. Most commonly used gateway cities are: Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York and Miami. After you apply we will provide windows of time that you should plan to arrive and depart from the gateway airport. Our team leader will meet you and your teammates at the airport on the scheduled day of arrival and transport you to the host country.

Travel Alone or With Your Family

You may choose to travel alone or bring a family member along on your volunteer service project. Family members are welcome on almost all of our Humanitarian Programs and are welcome to participate as volunteers in many of the service programs that we offer. Please ask your Global Humanitarian Expeditions representative whether the program for which you are applying accepts family members.

You Do Not Need To Know The Local Language

It is not necessary to speak the local language in order to volunteer in one of our service programs. Basic language instruction in the form of simple greetings is offered as a part of every team briefing at sites where English is not spoken. Translators will also be provided when necessary. If you do speak the local language, please indicate that on your application.

Health / Medical and Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance

Health/Medical Insurance along with Trip Interruption, Cancellation and Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance are mandatory for your service project. The average cost of such insurance is approximately $200-250 per person. Once your application is received in our office we will send you information and an application for this insurance. We work with The Travelers Insurance Company to provide this insurance. However, you have the choice to choose coverage with another travel insurance company.

How Much Does It Cost?

Global Humanitarian Expeditions service project fee reflects the actual costs of establishing and maintaining the program in each country. Eighty-five percent of the project fee goes to program costs such as food, lodging, ground transportation, team leader expenses, project materials, volunteer coordination, program development and coordination, volunteer materials and communication and on-site consultants. The balance is used for overhead. Global Humanitarian Expeditions and our partnering Non-profit organizations with which we organize our service programs are not affiliated with any religious or governmental organizations or agencies. Contact Us for the exact fee for the volunteer project you are interested in.

To Hold a Space on a Project: A non-refundable deposit of $500 along with a completed application, personal data form, experience and interest survey, health and emergency contact form, release and discharge agreement and overseas travel protection form is required. You will be notified at least 120 days prior to the departure date of your service project whether your application has been accepted. In case we are not able to accept your application, the deposit will be refunded to you in full. The balance of your service project fee is due 70 days prior to departure, or immediately if you apply within 70 days of your team's arrival date. Although we can accept payment by major credit card, we appreciate your payment by check which avoids the high commission cost charged by credit card companies.

What is Included in The Fee?

Food: All meals are provided during your volunteer period. While traveling enroute to the host country and during leisure time in the host country, breakfast is included in the program fee. Please see your detailed itinerary which denotes meals included by (B/L/D).

Accommodations: Volunteers stay in culturally appropriate hotels, guest houses or camping (accommodation type is listed in the detailed itinerary of your service project). Lodging is generally double occupancy. Single rooms are available at some sites for an additional cost. Please ask your Global Humanitarian Expeditions representative if you would like to apply for a single room.

Ground Transportation: Transportation between the scheduled airport of arrival/departure, accommodations and the service program site within the country are provided.

Team Leader: Teams are led by experienced North American or indigenous Global Humanitarian Expeditions staff who have been trained for their management skills, cultural sensitivity and commitment to Global Humanitarian Expeditions philosophy of service. Local consultants, translators, guides and organization staff from our partner non-profit organizations will also assist the team.

Project Materials and Consultants: Depending on the site, between $25 and $200 is contributed directly to the community for which the service program is intended.

Program Coordination: Project start-up, site visits, orientation materials, volunteer preparation, international airfare from a Global Humanitarian Expeditions designated gateway city and host communications are included.

Administration: Administration costs are covered in the service program fee.

What Is Not Covered In The Service Program Fee:

Domestic airfare to the designated US gateway city, visa fees, free-time expenses, beverages, Medical Insurance and Trip Interruption and Cancellation Insurance. Our office will be happy to assist you in applying for your visa and obtaining the necessary insurance. Domestic airfare reservations to the designated US gateway city should be made directly by you or your travel agent.

Please carefully read the Booking Terms and Conditions on your Volunteer Application Form to learn more about: Expenses Covered, Participation and Requirements and Global Humanitarian Expeditions responsibility.

Apply Early

Many projects fill early, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Early enrollment allows you extra time for visa processing and to obtain special permits, necessary at certain sites. It also allows you to finalize your travel arrangements earlier and perhaps more affordably. Send in or fax your application materials (see Application Documents) and deposit to Global Humanitarian Expeditions at least 70 days prior to the start date of your project and make your travel arrangements as soon as your place on the service project is confirmed.

Cancellations and Transfers

You may cancel at any time. However, we ask that you not apply unless you are confident in your choice of both program and dates. It is important for you to know that cancellations and transfers are costly to Global Humanitarian Expeditions because we make arrangements for your service program as soon as you apply.

Therefore, the deposit is non-refundable, and although it may be applied to another program, a $100 change fee is required. Consequently, if you cancel or transfer, you may apply $400 of the $500 non-refundable deposit one time to another Global Humanitarian Expeditions service project scheduled within 12 months of the original arrival date, subject to space availability. Please carefully read the cancellation / refund policy listed in the booking terms and conditions on your volunteer service application. If you cancel your service program for any reason, you must notify Global Humanitarian Expeditions in writing.

Please note that any airfare penalties charged by any airline or travel agent are not included in the service program fee. Should you choose to obtain your own international air reservation in part or whole to the host country, Global Humanitarian Expeditions will not be responsible for the cost of any hotel accommodations enroute to the host country.