Safety and Field Support: Volunteer in India

Our top priority is the safety of our volunteers. We pride ourselves on providing the safest, highest quality, and most professional programs to our volunteers. Our dedicated team works closely from start to finish with each volunteer (and parents/guardians) to ensure a successful, satisfactory, and safe volunteering experience in India.

Below is a list of our safety and field support features that will demonstrate the level of support and safety each volunteer will receive while they complete their volunteer program in India.

• Country Coordinator and Field Staff: Global Crossroad has a very strong and dedicated team of country coordinators and local staff members. Each volunteer abroad in India project is managed by a highly trained local team whose primary care, concern, and job is to meet the needs of each individual volunteer. There will be someone there to greet volunteers upon arrival at the airport, orient them to the country, conduct a language program (where applicable), manage room and board, introduce volunteers to their chosen program, and personally visit and or check-up via telephone every 7 to 12 days.
  
• Airport Greeting: Once you clear customs, there will be someone (usually a local staff member, but at times a professional transfer company employee) waiting for you with a sign with your name on it. They will carry some form of valid identification, so that you feel 100% safe leaving with them.
• Host Family and Homebase and Accommodations: volunteers will either reside at a homebase or with a local host family. Global Crossroad has hand selected these host families to ensure that they are of the highest esteem and respectable citizens of their community. While Global Crossroad’s host families typically speak very little English, they are financially stable and have experience hosting international volunteers and travelers. This will prove to be a highly rewarding component of your volunteer abroad in India program.
• Comprehensive Insurance and Evacuation Plan: It is mandatory that all volunteers obtain a travel insurance policy when joining any of the volunteer opportunities in India. Global Crossroad offers one of the most comprehensive insurance packages. Our insurance policy provides excellent protection in the event that a health-related issue occurs, an accident, or other unpredictable incidences. Please contact us to learn more about our insurance policy.
• Placement with Other Volunteers: Global Crossroad is happy to place volunteers with other volunteers (depending on availability) if this is something that would make you feel safer.

Any international travel requires caution and awareness; a volunteering in India is no exception. We suggest that all volunteers consult their own government advisory office before making the decision to participate in any volunteer opportunities in India. International travel presents risks, especially with the modern day threat of international terrorism.

The U.S. State Department issues travel warnings and advisories in many countries for American travelers. These travel advisories and warnings frequently change, as situations in each country transform.

These links provide valuable travel information:

• British Foreign Office Advice www.fco.gov.uk
• American State Department Advice www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw/tw_1764.html
• Australian Government Advice www.dfat.gov.au
• Canadian Government Advice www.canada.gc.ca/main_e.html

It is also wise to consult the Center for Disease Control for health related information and issues that might come up during your time volunteer program in India. Check out www.cdc.gov for possible health risks. One must also keep in mind that the sanitary conditions in India are likely very different from those in your home country. It is also strongly advised that you do not drink the tap water and do not eat food from street vendors.

Our in-country coordinator is always available to ensure your safety, comfort, and satisfaction while you are on a volunteer program in India. You will have all of the necessary contact information for that person prior to your arrival.

Global Crossroad has been organizing volunteer opportunities in India since 2003 and is adamant about providing you will all of the necessary information and support that will ensure you have the best experience whether you commit to a volunteer in an orphanage abroad program, an intern with community development project, a summer escape travel and volunteer trip, or an alternative spring break volunteer trip.

Our top priority is the safety of our volunteers. We pride ourselves on providing the safest, highest quality, and most professional programs to our volunteers. Our dedicated team works closely from start to finish with each volunteer (and parents/guardians) to ensure a successful, satisfactory, and safe volunteering experience in India.

Below is a list of our safety and field support features that will demonstrate the level of support and safety each volunteer will receive while they complete their volunteer program in India.

• Country Coordinator and Field Staff: Global Crossroad has a very strong and dedicated team of country coordinators and local staff members. Each volunteer abroad in India project is managed by a highly trained local team whose primary care, concern, and job is to meet the needs of each individual volunteer. There will be someone there to greet volunteers upon arrival at the airport, orient them to the country, conduct a language program (where applicable), manage room and board, introduce volunteers to their chosen program, and personally visit and or check-up via telephone every 7 to 12 days.
  
• Airport Greeting: Once you clear customs, there will be someone (usually a local staff member, but at times a professional transfer company employee) waiting for you with a sign with your name on it. They will carry some form of valid identification, so that you feel 100% safe leaving with them.
• Host Family and Homebase and Accommodations: volunteers will either reside at a homebase or with a local host family. Global Crossroad has hand selected these host families to ensure that they are of the highest esteem and respectable citizens of their community. While Global Crossroad’s host families typically speak very little English, they are financially stable and have experience hosting international volunteers and travelers. This will prove to be a highly rewarding component of your volunteer abroad in India program.
• Comprehensive Insurance and Evacuation Plan: It is mandatory that all volunteers obtain a travel insurance policy when joining any of the volunteer opportunities in India. Global Crossroad offers one of the most comprehensive insurance packages. Our insurance policy provides excellent protection in the event that a health-related issue occurs, an accident, or other unpredictable incidences. Please contact us to learn more about our insurance policy.
• Placement with Other Volunteers: Global Crossroad is happy to place volunteers with other volunteers (depending on availability) if this is something that would make you feel safer.

Any international travel requires caution and awareness; a volunteering in India is no exception. We suggest that all volunteers consult their own government advisory office before making the decision to participate in any volunteer opportunities in India. International travel presents risks, especially with the modern day threat of international terrorism.

The U.S. State Department issues travel warnings and advisories in many countries for American travelers. These travel advisories and warnings frequently change, as situations in each country transform.

These links provide valuable travel information:

• British Foreign Office Advice www.fco.gov.uk
• American State Department Advice www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw/tw_1764.html
• Australian Government Advice www.dfat.gov.au
• Canadian Government Advice www.canada.gc.ca/main_e.html

It is also wise to consult the Center for Disease Control for health related information and issues that might come up during your time volunteer program in India. Check out www.cdc.gov for possible health risks. One must also keep in mind that the sanitary conditions in India are likely very different from those in your home country. It is also strongly advised that you do not drink the tap water and do not eat food from street vendors.

Our in-country coordinator is always available to ensure your safety, comfort, and satisfaction while you are on a volunteer program in India. You will have all of the necessary contact information for that person prior to your arrival.

Global Crossroad has been organizing volunteer opportunities in India since 2003 and is adamant about providing you will all of the necessary information and support that will ensure you have the best experience whether you commit to a volunteer in an orphanage abroad program, an intern with community development project, a summer escape travel and volunteer trip, or an alternative spring break volunteer trip.