When should I apply for the volunteer/internship programs in South Africa?

We are able to offer placements on the first and third Monday of each month year round. Because of the increasing volume of applications, participants are requested to apply at least 1-2 months in advance , but if you want to expedite your application within less than three months of time, please contact our office for more information.

What happens once I submit my documents and application to Global Crossroad?

Once Global Crossroad receives and reviews your completed application, it is then forwarded to our In-Country Coordinator in South Africa who will then finalize a specific placement as per your qualifications and request. Upon receipt of your finalized placement details, this information is then immediately sent to you.

How long does it take to process my application?

The application process can usually take anywhere from 2-3 weeks – occasionally longer (given the time of year). However, in the event that interested participants require their application expedited due to time constraints, they are requested to contact Global Crossroad's offices prior to submitting their application.

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

Usually, the only documentation required is the completed application form which can be found online ( http://www.globalcrossroad.com/apply.php). Applicants have the option to either submit their application online or download the application from the website and submit the completed form to Global Crossroad's USA-based offices either by post or fax.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the South Africa-based volunteer programs?

The only qualifications are:

• An open mind and a willingness to teach others as well a passion for helping those in need.

• Enthusiasm for living abroad and meeting new people.

• Be in good health.

Visa Information

All volunteers are advised to contact the South African High Commission or Consulate before travel to South Africa . Most western passport holders will receive a 30-day visa stamp upon arrival. If you decide to stay longer than this, you can extend your visa after you arrive. Extension is obtained from the immigration department. Visit www.projectvisa.com for more information.

Global Crossroad suggests that ALL volunteers acquire the appropriate visa in their home country BEFORE arriving in-country to avoid any unnecessary hassles at the airport.

Project Information

Who manages the volunteer projects in South Africa ?

Global Crossroad's In-Country Coordinator in South Africa is responsible for researching appropriate volunteer projects as per the qualifications and skills of the applicants.

What are the daily schedules of the projects?

Project schedules vary for each project in South Africa . Most projects are from Monday to Friday for 5-6 hours a day. Most volunteers have the weekends off to sight-see or explore South Africa on their own.

Where are the projects located?

Most of the projects are located in Cape Town , Boksburg, or possibly several other locations.

Cape Town is a town on the southern tip of South Africa that was founded by Dutch settlers in the late 17 th century. It sits between the water and a ridge of mountains including the famous Table Mountain , and therefore enjoys dramatic and beautiful landscapes and weather. The city has seen decades of racial and ethnic conflicts, and was the central focal point of the movement to end apartheid in late 80s. Since Nelson Mandela's exit from prison as a political prisoner in 1990, the city has seen a rebirth – now a destination for visitors from across the globe. The population and economy are growing, and the city has distinguished universities and is especially tempting for adventurers, who will find a seemingly endless supply of activities in and around the city.

What is the language spoken in South Africa ?

There are eleven official languages of South Africa : English, Afrikaans, and nine other languages from the Bantu family.

When are the South Africa-based projects available?

Volunteer projects begin on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month throughout the year. Volunteers arriving early will need to pay for additional nights of accommodation. Global Crossroad suggests that volunteers adjust their flight schedule according to their project/program itinerary.

How long can I volunteer in South Africa ?

We normally suggest participants volunteer from 2-12 weeks.

Arrival and Departure Information

Who will arrange my flight to South Africa ?

Airfare is the responsibility of the volunteer.

Which airport should I book my flight into?

You should fly into Cape Town Airport depending on your placement.

When should I arrive in South Africa ?

Volunteers should arrive in South Africa on the first and third Monday of each month. If you come in earlier to South Africa , you will need to arrange a place to stay and a return to the airport on Monday to be picked up.

Will someone pick me from the airport? If so, how do I know about the person?

You will be picked up at your final destination, but you must send your travel itinerary to our South African in-country Coordinator and to us at Global Crossroad before your arrival in South Africa (we'll pass it on to the Coordinator). You will be picked up by a staff member or our in-country coordinator who will be holding a sign with your name written on it, awaiting your arrival outside of the airport.

In case no one is there, you can call our in-country coordinator, who can help with the picking-up or arrange the accommodations immediately. You will be supplied with all contact information in-case of the rare instance that you are not picked up. Make sure you look carefully for your pick-up, as it will be extremely busy outside of the airport.

What should I do if my flight is delayed?

• Try to call our South African in-country Coordinator from the airport and inform him of the possibly-delayed arrival time.

• Check your placement instructions pertaining to details of hotels that have been recommended for late arrival if your flight is to arrive after midnight;

• Call/email our South African in-country Coordinator once you arrive so that he can help with a pick-up accordingly.

How can I get to the hotel from the airport if I did not see Global Crossroad's local representative in the airport?

In the event that your arrival time is changed/delayed, requiring you to stay overnight in a hotel (or if you failed to meet Global Crossroad's representative at the airport), you should hire a taxi at the airport who will take you to a hotel designated in your placement details/pre-departure information (and do remember to request a receipt from the driver).

ALSO: make sure that you call Global Crossroad's In-Country Coordinator BEFORE boarding the taxi. Participants are advised to contact Global Crossroad's South Africa In-Country Coordinator the next day and let him/her know their whereabouts.

What do I need prior to departure from my home country?

• Please make sure that you pack all your necessary documents (Passport, clothes, and documents)

• Prepare financially, in advance, to cover various expenses up to $50 USD/week for extra expenses and travel to your project each day.

• Get your mind and spirit ready for the duration you have committed to, as the cultural shock might be so strong that you may even want to quit the next week after arrival.  

If I want to arrive earlier than when the program begins, where do I stay and who will organize the accommodations?

You can arrive several days earlier or even up to a week early for your project, however, you will be responsible for these arrangements (including accommodations and food), and must still meet the Coordinator at the airport on the designated date.

When should I depart from South Africa ?

We ask participants to depart from South Africa on the Saturday/Sunday after their project is completed.

Which airport will I fly out of?

Volunteers must fly out of Cape Town Airport .

Who will drop me off at the airport?

GC does offer airport drop service. Our in-country coordinator in South Africa will assist you with this.

Can I store my luggage if I arrive earlier than my program starts?

Yes, you may, but please note that this service is usually charged and/or calculated on an hourly basis. So, do not leave your luggage at the airport for an extended amount of time.

Living Accommodations Information

Who will arrange my accommodations and what are they?

Global Crossroad arranges the accommodations. The living conditions of your placement will vary, depending on the area to which you are assigned. One should not expect luxurious accommodations in South Africa . The living conditions are very basic. We place each volunteer in a welcoming, family setting and with a private room. Also, most placements will have electricity. Most of our host families are educated, well-respected people who have experience with international students.

Are singles rooms available?

Depending on availability, rooms may be shared or private, and bathrooms are generally shared.

If I arrive with my friend, or girlfriend/boyfriend, can we stay together?

Yes, we will try our best to put you together.

Will there be other foreign volunteers/interns at my placement?

This depends on the exact placement and your preference in this issue. please let us know if you want to work with other volunteers. it can be arranged

What are the bathroom facilities?

A shower with cold water is usually installed in the bathroom.

What are the laundry arrangements?

Volunteers will be responsible for laundry. Paid laundry services may be available.

Can I use appliances if I bring them from my home country?

Yes. Electricity in South Africa is 220/230 Volts, alternating at 50 cycles per second. You will require a voltage converter if you are carrying a device that does not accept these specifications.

Electrical plug details

What are the local cuisines? Who manages food?

Global Crossroad manages food and accommodation from the very first day to the last day of the program in collaboration with the local host families involved. South African cuisine is just as diverse as its cultures, with influences from British , Dutch , German , Indian , Malay , Portuguese and of course all the indigenous tribes.

Source: wikitravel.org

Can you supply special diets?

Global Crossroad can provide both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Occasionally, in the event that you require a special diet, you are responsible for your own meals. Participants are strongly urged to inform Global Crossroad of any special dietary need prior to arrival in-country.

Is the running tap water safe for drink?

The South African tap water is generally safe to drink. We recommend that you purchase bottled water for your consumption, but make sure that the cap's seal is not broken! You can request that your host family boil water for you each day to consume.

Are there hot and cold water facilities available?

Specifics pertaining to availability of hot water will be included in participants' placement details.

Will bottled water be provided?

No, if participants require bottled water, they are responsible for obtaining it themselves.

Health and Safety

How safe is South Africa ?

South Africa is a safe country, and you can relax while you are there. That being said, it's still important to use common sense. South Africa has a high rate of crime, so you should be very careful not to “act like a tourist,” for example, obviously looking at maps, wearing a camera, or flaunting expensive cloths, jewelry, or electronic devices.

• Be careful if traveling on buses, as petty theft is common.

• Ask for a receipt when you store your backpack or luggage.

• Do NOT carry your passport or any credit cards and cash that you will not need.

• Use only registered taxis.

• Do not walk into unknown areas by yourself at night.

•Never except offers from anyone.

More about Travel Safety to South Africa

International travel does present risks, especially with the threat of international terrorism. The U.S. State Department has issued travel warnings and advisories in many countries for U.S. travelers. These travel advisories and warnings change frequently as situations in each country change. We suggest that all volunteers consult their own governments before participating in a Global Crossroad program. These links provide travel information:

British Foreign Office Advice
http://www.fco.gov.uk/

American State Department Advice
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

Australian Government Advice
http://www.dfat.gov.au/

Canadian Government Advice
http://canada.gc.ca/main_e.html

What are the principle health risks?

We use the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations (www.cdc.gov). Your travel doctor will be knowledgeable about current epidemics and should be consulted.

Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Southern Africa . Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling.
• Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants.
• Malaria: your risk of malaria may be high in all countries in Southern Africa , including cities. See your health care provider for a prescription antimalarial drug. For details concerning risk and preventive medications, see Malaria Information for Travelers to Southern Africa .
• Rabies , if you might have extensive unprotected outdoor exposure in rural areas, such as might occur during camping, hiking, or bicycling, or engaging in certain occupational activities.
• Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria , measles , and a one-time dose of polio vaccine for adults.

Required Vaccinations

• None.

Source: www.cdc.gov

What health precautions should I be aware of and tend to?

Carry a first aid kit and have contact phone numbers with you. Generally, always make sure to wash your hands before and after you eat, drink lots of water, and eat food that was prepared as sanitarily as possible. Never have unprotected sex.

Do I need health insurance?

Global Crossroad takes out comprehensive medical insurance for its volunteers. It is suggested that you pay up-front costs and then file an insurance claim to get reimbursed back home after medical expenses such as doctor's visits, medicines, etc.

Who do I contact in case of a health-related emergency?

East or west, home is the best. There is no place better than home when you are ill. But if you do get ill, don't panic. Participants can obtain information pertaining to medical assistance through a number of channels:

• Global Crossroad's In-Country Coordinator;
• Assigned host-family;
• Your country's embassy in South Africa – participants are greatly encouraged to obtain and maintain contact information for their respective embassy; keeping it on their person for easy access.

Is the food safe if I buy it from a street vendor?

Eat at your own discretion – generally the food is going to be different than in your home country, so be careful not to overdo it at first. Try to pick foods that have no risk of going bad – you don't want to get sick during your trip! We do not suggest food from street vendor

What are the sanitary conditions in South Africa ?

• Be prepared and never expect a clean toilet 100% of the time. Carry some tissue in-case you need to use the public toilet. Also, there may be no Western-style toilet or any toilet paper at all.
• In some areas/restaurants, toilet systems are old and have very narrow plumbing and get blocked easily.
• Use hotel lobby toilets; these are everywhere and are always clean. Still, they may not always have toilet paper. It depends on the class of hotel that you are using.

Money

Are ATMs easily available? If yes, which debit and credit cards are accepted?

Credit cards such as American Express, Diners Club, JCB, Master and Visa are accepted at the local large hotels or tourist stores. You also can withdraw cash from most international banks' ATM machines, but $2-4 USD surcharges apply for each transaction. Exercise caution with ATMS since they are a common for criminals to target – don't use them at night if you can, and try to only use machines that are either inside a building or in a well populated place.

What is the local currency and how do I know the exchange rate?

The official currency of South Africa is the South African Rand (ZAR).

Money exchanges can be made at various banks and at the airport. Current exchange rates can be found using a website like www.xe.com or looking in a newspaper like the Wall Street Journal.

Where do I exchange my money and how much?

Most major international credit cards, including Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in the main establishments, although outside the cities, facilities may be limited. Traveler's checks may also be difficult to exchange in small towns and villages, and travelers are advised to have cash on hand. ATMs are available in the main cities.

How much money should I bring with me?

Carrying extra money depends on your personal spending habits, and you may want some extra money for personal expenses, sight-seeing, souvenirs, etc. Generally speaking, we recommend bringing about $ 250.00 (USD), or just bring your credit card.

Is it safe to carry cash with me?

Carrying cash is not safe; therefore, don't carry a large surplus of cash with you.

Important Reminder: Retain your receipts whenever you exchange any currency or traveler's checks to Rands . You may be asked to show proof of the exchange. Without receipts, you will not be able to exchange The South African currency back to any other currency upon your departure.

How do I make contact with Global Crossroad's local coordinator?

You will receive the detailed contact information of the coordinator with your placement details.

How do I contact my family once I arrive in South Africa ?

International Direct Dialing from South Africa is available in most places. Phone cards are widely available and calls can be made from post offices, hotels and booths on the streets. Internet cafes are available in most towns. You can use any type of communication to call back home.

Are internet services easily available?

Internet access is normally not a problem in South Africa . Moreover, phone service is easily available in homes, offices, and pay phones on the street. In some very remote project sites, volunteers may need to rely on satellite phone service which is not always guaranteed.

How can my family members contact me?

Once you settle down at the host family, you will want to use your calling card to contact your family if you have not already done so when you arrived in South Africa at the airport. Of course, they call also email you and you can reply using internet café services.

Can I bring my telephone from my home country?

Cell phones may or may not work: you'll want to contact your cell phone provider to make sure that your phone will work while you are in South Africa .

Can I purchase phone service once I arrive in South Africa and how much will it cost?

This is not usually an option in South Africa .

Is there a special dress code that I should follow while staying in South Africa ?

South Africa is comparable to some more conservative areas of Europe ; you're free to wear what you want generally unless it's too revealing or provocative. On your project, try to dress conservatively: jeans and a t-shirt are fine.

What should I know about South African religious conduct?

South Africa respects different cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, and moral concepts. You may practice on your own accord. Remember to be respectful of South African customs and traditions while traveling.

How do I respect the South African people?

Be more inclusive and show respect of other cultures. South African culture is rich in customs and traditions. The South African people enjoy sharing their customs and traditions with foreigners so feel free to take part with them. You can go with your host family on outings if they ask you to or invite them along with you to go on an outing. Simply helping your family do household chores will be another bonding experience that you can enjoy. Try to be as respectful as possible of the struggles of South Africa in the last century. The population is very proud of what they accomplished. Refrain from thinking you can make any political or social judgments, lectures, or suggestions: no matter how well you mean, you'll probably come off as inappropriate, since you probably know quite a bit less about the situation than any citizen you'll talk to.

Additional Information

Climate

What is weather like in South Africa ?

Remember, South Africa is in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are reversed. The weather depends on the region you're in, mostly, but generally Cape Town has a very pleasant Mediterranean climate. It is blessed with its geographical location, in the sense that currents from Antarctica keep it cool and disperse any pollution.

Required Clothing

Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended as well as warmer clothing for the evenings (light jacket and/or light sweaters), and winter cloths if you plan to travel during the colder months. A solid pair of walking shoes is highly recommended for trekking.

Average Temperature

Average Rainfall

Official South African Holidays

1 January New Year's Day

21 March Human Rights Day

21 March Good Friday (Friday before Easter Sunday)

24 March Family Day (Monday after Easter Sunday)

27 April Freedom Day

1 May Workers Day

16 June Youth Day

9 August National Women's Day

24 September Heritage Day

16 December Day of Reconciliation

25 December Christmas Day

26 December Day of Goodwill

What about tipping in South Africa ?

Tipping is expected in most towns and cities.

Materials to Bring

•  Day pack
•  Comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
•  Sandals
•  2 pairs of pants (lightweight)
•  2 T-shirts
•  3 short-sleeved shirts
•  2 long-sleeved shirt
•  3 pairs of shorts and bathing suit
•  Hat or cap
•  Towel and personal bath kit
•  Sun block, sun glasses
•  Camera
• Possibly mosquito net, according to your placement

NOTE: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) is generic information and should not be used as a definitive travel guide. Travel information and situations abroad change constantly. Participants should consult Global Crossroad or travel advisors to verify this information.