FAQs about Our Programs

• Are there fixed start dates for the project in India, which I must adhere to?

  No, you can arrive at any date and you can hence, plan your trip according to your availability and the prices of flights. You may want to avoid travelling during the festival holidays of Holi and Diwali. We can pick you up even at night. If you'll be in the Setrawa desert village, you will spend the first one or more nights in Jodhpur to receive an introduction before traveling from there to Setrawa.Few readers

• During my stay in India, can I travel around the country?

  Certainly, you can travel around, and in fact, most of our participants do. However, for trips to more distant destinations that cannot be completed within a weekend, we recommend doing them before or after your internship/volunteering or during holiday periods to avoid missing your placement organization's activities.Few readers

• When is the rainy season and can I join the programs during that time?

  The monsoon begins in early June in Kerala, mid-June in Mumbai, and early to mid-July in the Himalayan region, concluding in September. The Thar Desert in Rajasthan, specifically Setrawa, receives minimal rainfall during the monsoon, and Jodhpur and Jaipur are generally dry. During the monsoon, heavy rain is typical for several hours each day. Consequently, city streets often experience flooding as drains struggle to absorb the substantial water volume. Despite these conditions, interning or voFew readers

• Will I be the only volunteer/intern in the project in India?

  In Jaipur, we collaborate with a large number of organizations where we place volunteers and interns. Here, you might be the only foreign person at your placement. However, at any given time in Jaipur, we have between 20 and 40 participants in all our programs, some of whom share accommodations with you in case of shared housing. Additionally, there is a weekly meeting between all participants and our coordinators, and we have a WhatsApp group for all participants, allowing you to connect and plFew readers

• What language skills do I need in India?

  You should be able to understand and make yourself understood in English.Some readers

FAQs about Safety

• Is it safe to travel in India alone as a single female traveller? The media constantly reports of rape - how high is the risk?

  For decades, India has been considered a safe country for women. However, only in recent year, the media portrayal suggests a significant increase in rape cases, contributing to the impression that India is now particularly unsafe for women. In fact, the number of such cases has not increased, but what is happening is that more cases are coming to light as women, empowered to speak out, are breaking their silence. When compared to the vast population of India (almost twice that of the whole ofSome readers

• What vaccinations do I need in India?

  In the password-protected participant area, which you will gain access to after your booking, you will find comprehensive information on health precautions and vaccinations. We provide the vaccination recommendations of the Berlin Tropical Institute. The health authorities of your country may also provide recommendations for worldwide travel destinations.Few readers

FAQs about Accommodation

• How much freedom will I have when staying with a host family in India?

  In India, a collectivistic society where parents are usually quite protective of their children, you may not have as much freedom as you do back home. Families are often concerned about your safety and, therefore, want to know where you are going, when you are coming back, and who you will be meeting. They might also ask you to return by a certain hour and expect you to join them for meals. It is totally unacceptable to bring acquaintances to your host family accommodation.Few readers

• Can I stay longer at my accommodation in India after my volunteering/internship or arrive earlier?

  Yes, this is possible and we will give you our best rates. Just let us know when you arrive and leave and we will let you know the costs.Few readers

• Where will I stay in India?

  On our India country overview page, you will find details about our accommodations in India. You can also find this information in the respective program descriptions.Some readers

• Does my accommodation in India have internet facilities?

  Our shared apartment in Jaipur and the guesthouse in Jodphur have wifi internet.Few readers

• Can I cook in the accommodation in India?

  Yes, you can cook in the shared accommodation in Jaipur, although 3 meals (vegetarian, Indian food) are included in the program fee. There is also a refrigerator where you can store your personal purchases. In Navi Mumbai, you can use a fully equipped kitchen.Few readers

• Can I get vegetarian food in India?

  Yes, India is a paradise for vegetarian food. Vegetarian food is the "norm," and if a restaurant offers meat or fish, it is labeled as "Non-Veg." Almost all restaurants clearly indicate whether they are vegetarian ("Veg") or non-vegetarian ("Non-Veg"), or there are separate menus. About 40% of Indians follow an exclusively vegetarian diet.Few readers