OUR SUPPORT AND BACK-UP ON YOUR
PROGRAMME
Once you decide to venture abroad to live or work, a whole new vista of experience
opens up for you. From the moment you get onto the aeroplane, everything is new,
different and exciting. The smells, sounds, the people, the weather,
the
language, the environment, food tastes different, flowers and trees are more exotic
... It's a wonderful, eye-opening experience and one that you'll never forget.
But initially it can also be a little scary. That's why our Country Consultants
and
In-Country Staff all help you with advice and guidance each step of the way, starting
with helping you to choose the best place and the most suitable projects for you.
And they continue to give assistance for the duration of your stay.
"I had the most wonderful time during my gap year and I was most impressed with
Travellers as a company, I have nothing but praise for them." – Louise
Robinson
YOUR SAFETY:
Our No. 1 priority is to ensure that you are in a safe environment while on your
project. With this firmly in mind, we only start new destinations that are politically
stable and safe. Where a situation changes (as happened in China with the SARS epidemic,
for example), our staff in the UK and our local staff overseas constantly monitor
the situation. If we think that your safety is compromised, we will immediately
take steps to remove you from the unsafe environment.
We are constantly in contact with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and this supplements
the information received from our local staff on the ground.
Support from our Local Overseas Staff:
We have excellent, paid, local support and back-up staff teams in all our destination
countries and they are there to assist with any concerns, advice and administration.
They are contactable 24 hours a day and we are in constant liaison with them about
you and your placement. They look after you during your stay and liaise with our
partner organisations to ensure that your placement provides maximum benefit to
both you and them. They can also give you help or advice on your teaching/work responsibilities
and the practical aspects of living abroad.
Their local knowledge is invaluable and they can direct you to all the most impressive
sights and tourist attractions
to visit, as well as the beauty spots that are off the beaten track! They will also
advise you on any safety issues specific to places that you may want to visit during
your free time.
Read about our Overseas Teams here.
I loved them (the in-country support
team), honestly, and they were some of the nicest people I've ever met. They made
me feel right at home.
Canyon Cugini, Brazil
Support from our UK Staff:
We have an excellent support network in the UK. During the run-up to beginning your
placement, our home team's advice and expertise is invaluable in arranging and tailoring
your placement to your requirements. They can answer all your questions and are
very experienced travellers themselves - many are ex Travellers Volunteers and they
understand what you're looking for and hoping to gain on your project.
Before your departure we help you with all stages of planning your trip, from arranging
your travel dates to coincide with others, booking your flights or helping you decide
what to take with you. We stay in touch with you during your placement to ensure
you're having a great time. Many of our volunteers stay in touch long after they
have come home to keep us updated on what they have been doing. We love to hear
from them.
You'll have a Travellers Project Co-ordinator dedicated to you. For example, if
you're
going to Malaysia, your Project Co-ordinator will be Kath Mortimore, who looks after
all of our Malaysia volunteers and constantly liaises with our Malaysia In-Country
team. She'll plan, arrange and co-ordinate your placement from beginning to end,
in consultation with you, and you'll get to know her quite well by the time you're
ready to leave.
Read about our UK Team here.
On Your Arrival:
Our local in-country manager will meet you at the nearest international airport,
without additional charge, regardless of whether we've booked your flights or you've
chosen to book them yourself. This is because we're very aware of how daunting it
can be to travel for the first time to a strange country. A friendly face to welcome
you is very reassuring!
On very rare occasions we may use a reputable approved local transfer company to
pick up volunteers from the airport, but usually you'll be met by a member of our
overseas staff, who will hold up a Travellers sign or one with your name on.
Placements and Projects:
Before you go on your placement, we'll send you lots of information to help you
prepare. Before leaving your home country, you'll be given (amongst other things):
- Contact information, i.e. the address and telephone number of your
Overseas Travellers Manager and, where relevant, the contact details of your host
work organisation.
- Your Placement - this is a booklet filled with information about
your placement. It includes information on flights, visas, local transport, currency,
the cost of living, medical info, insurance info, what to take with you, dress code
and a host of other things.
- Your Project - detailed information about your specific project
or projects.
- Your Country - a booklet containing general information about
the country you're going to, including the town or city, the people, the culture,
places worth visiting while you're there, including photos.
- If you're doing a teaching placement, we also send you a Teaching Guide
to help you prepare. This will assist you in planning lessons and give you ideas
for topics to use in your classes.
- You will also receive a Safety Guide with travel tips, put together
by Travellers to help you travel safely.
- An ID Card - This is a wallet-sized card with your photo and the
address and telephone numbers of Travellers Overseas office and our local office
here in the UK. It's laminated (makes a good souvenir!) and is easy and convenient
to carry around with you.
- Flights and Travel: You can arrange your own flights or we can
assist you with your flight arrangements. We'll liaise with you regarding suitable
flights and dates and thereafter all your flight bookings/payments will be fulfilled
for you by Murray Rogers Travel Ltd., ATOL No. 6856. (Read more about
Murray Rogers
Travel Ltd.)
Tim is an excellent organiser and
the cultural activities he had planned meant that I saw more of China in those 2
months than I would have in a whole year of independent travel. - Suhrid Joshi, Teaching in China
Induction:
During the first few days after your arrival you'll receive an Induction. The depth
and length varies according to country, but will include useful information on:
- Local banks, local transport, money, the telephone system, etc., and where these
are different and/or complex, we'll show you how to use them.
- You'll be taken around the local area, often on local transport that you may need
to use during your placement (this could be a bus, train, tro-tro, metro, matatu,
tuk-tuk ...)
- Location of the post office, where to change money and internet facilities, etc.
- Advice on safety, local customs and code of behaviour.
LOVE the UK support staff. Everyone
was very helpful on the phone. Even when I had issues with a delayed flight, it
went well. Thanks!
Desiree Ochs
Thanks for all the help from Travellers
for Kevin. I hope that his experience out there can be put to good productive use
back home. Every good wish for the future with Travellers. Every one of you deserves
a medal for your good work...
Fionnula McGowan, Mother of Kevin McGowan, Brazil Volunteer