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Start Dates for Projects Abroad
Generally speaking, you can start any project on any day. When you apply, you will specify the start and end dates. Our projects run year round and have volunteers arriving almost every day.
Since our projects sometimes depend on the local holiday calendar, there are brief occasions when normal project work is suspended. For example, schools often close for long winter/summer holidays. During these times, we arrange for alternative work projects that are similar in substance to our ongoing projects, but address the short-term, direct needs of the local communities. For example, during the summer holiday (January – early March) on our Peru Teaching program, volunteers run a teacher training course for local ESL instructors.
If you would like to arrange your start and end dates around the local holidays, please call us at 1.888.839.3535 or email us at info@projects-abroad.org . In addition, you will also have the opportunity, after you are accepted into the program, to speak with our Desk Officer in-country about local holidays.
Group Trips for Students
There is one exception to our “any start date” policy: We arrange various group trips for students of many different ages. Since these are group trips, everyone starts and finishes on the same dates – which are outlined clearly on their respective webpages. Our 2 Week High School Specials are for high school students. Our Global Gap program is a year-long program for students taking a gap year between high school and university. Our Alternative Spring Break Trips are for university students.
When should I apply?
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so there is no firm deadline for applications. Some countries and projects require at least three months to process an application, arrange for visas, and advise you properly on how to prepare. Other countries can be processed in as little as three weeks.
Whenever you are thinking of traveling, we encourage you to apply as early as possible. Having more time to prepare makes it easier for you to fundraise, and for us to advise you on preparations. It also makes more options available for tailoring a program to your individual interests and preferences.
What if I want to go very last-minute?
If you decide to go with us at the last minute, give us a call at 1.888.839.3535 to see how quickly we can arrange everything for you - depending on the project, we can sometimes work miracles.
What is the Minimum Duration of a Project?
It depends on the project. Most have a minimum duration of 1 month, but some are available for 1 or 2 weeks. Check our prices page to see if 1 or 2 weeks is possible for your project of interest.