Just over half of the people who travel with us are travelling alone for the first time. Whether you’re one of them or not, people feel safe with us because of the support we provide to make sure you settle in. We’re there with you before you even board your flight.
Before we start, it’s time to come clean: the title is a little white lie. We actually go into more detail than just your first day — we cover what your first few days could look like and all the measures we take to ensure you feel at home!
Keep reading if you want to settle your nerves or find out why you can safely step out of your comfort zone with us.
Your Flight and the Airport
You will be well looked after even before your plane takes off with the support of our dedicated pre-departure team.
They can help you organise your flights, visas, and be a resource for you to ask questions before you travel. They will even provide you with cultural workshops to help you understand and prepare for the country you are visiting ahead of time.
From the moment your feet are back on solid ground, you’ll be in the care of our destination staff. They will meet you at the airport no matter when you land and take you to your accommodation via safe and secure private transport.
They will often bring you some water and other quick essentials to make sure you have everything you need on arrival. All our in-country staff around the world speak English, so there’s no danger of miscommunication or a language barrier.
If you arrive late and your project accommodation is a long distance from your arrival airport, you will be taken to a comfortable hotel for the first night, ready to travel in the morning.
At Your Accommodation
Our friendly staff will take you to your accommodation as soon as possible. For most travellers, this will be a host family or shared accommodation with other Projects Abroad participants. For some conservation volunteers, this may be a lodge, campsite, or hotel.
You will be shown around your home away from home. Our team will teach you how to use the bathrooms, air conditioning (if available), and teach you any essential rules to make sure you're settled in. This includes where to get your drinking water and what time breakfast is (which is, arguably, more important).
You’ll also be introduced to your host family or other volunteers you are staying with. You will be given the Wi-Fi password, the phone number of emergency contacts, and your schedule for the first couple of days. This will then be followed with anything else that you need to know regarding your accommodation or country, covered by our checklists.
Everything we’ve just covered will be written down so you can easily refer to it, as it’s surprisingly easy to forget things after a long flight with little rest! Plus, our staff will not leave until you are fully comfortable and happy with your new surroundings.
Your Induction Session
On the morning after your arrival (usually Monday), we will pick you up and take you to an induction session. This session will give you:
- a health and safety briefing, including:
- how to carry your bags on the street
- how to store belongings on public transport
- general rules of the area
- disciplinary procedures
- a basic culture session, including:
- basic language skills
- tips for interacting with local people, like monks
- how to safely cross the road
- a sightseeing guide, including:
- the best sights to visit
- good restaurants to eat at
- apps or websites to help you get around
You will also run through the volunteer handbook, covering the work you’ll do, the impact you’ll have, and other essential information not already covered.
For Teenage Volunteers
If you’re travelling on one of our Teen Programmes, your arrival process up to this point will be very similar. However, your induction will not include a sightseeing guide.
Instead, you will run through your itinerary and weekend excursions which will have been sent to you before you travelled. That way, you always know what’s going on and there are never any surprises.
The Afternoon of your First Day
After your induction, you’ll (normally) be taken out for a welcome lunch at a recommended local restaurant with your fellow volunteers. Then, you’ll go on a tour of the local area as a group and see all the essentials on your doorstep.
This includes somewhere to do laundry if needed, nearby ATMs, and local shops or supermarkets. You will also be able to buy a local SIM card so you can stay in touch with your friends and family back home.
Then, in most destinations, you’ll embark on a larger-scale tour of the wider area. This includes a look at your closest town centre, some of the markets, and other points of interest. This will also be your chance to practice some of the things you’ve learned.
Finally, you’ll meet your project co-ordinator to discuss your placement, role, expectations, and preparations. This could be on-site or in our office in the afternoon. Then, you’ll be free to head back home, rest, recover, explore, and get ready for work!
Where to go from here
If you’ve got any questions, or you would like to discuss your options, get in touch. Your Project Expert is waiting to talk.
Complete the form below or browse our projects to take your first steps towards the trip of a lifetime.
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