Frequently Asked Questions
About our services
An NGO internship is a skill-based work placement designed to both enhance your career opportunities by giving you hands-on field experience, while at the same time contributing your knowledge base, time and skills to aid the aims of the project you are working with. An internship is usually one month or more in duration.
Our volunteer placements are available to anyone wishing to contribute to a specific cause while experiencing a different culture. Most volunteer placements can be shorter in duration and require no formal qualifications. In many locations, you can choose to participate in several different types of project, which might also be a great way to try out different career paths.
Our teaching abroad programs are all qualitative on-location TEFL courses, with the option to take up a paid teaching placement in-country, following the successful completion of the course. You will receive full assistance on how to apply for jobs, interviewing and advice on living and working abroad. A TEFL certificate is a globally recognised teaching credential, which means you can teach anywhere in the world!
At Global Nomadic, we believe positive change in local communities and our world as a whole, can only come about as a result of people working together. Particularly, we see social and environmental sustainability as something which needs to grow out of a changed mindset, not as a band-aid on something already broken. We believe travel, coupled with educational and meaningful work experiences a great way to achieve this – this is the thought process behind everything we do. We think you should choose Global Nomadic and our project partners if you think the same.
As a bonus, we also offer a smooth and seamless platform for making this happen, connecting you to the people who are doing the groundwork. Of course, we don’t stop there. If you find you need a little extra help. We offer Premium and Full Premium Support packages, helping you plan and organize your entire experience, from start to finish, leaving you time and energy to focus on those world-changing ideas.
Applying
Absolutely! Our team is always happy to assist in making sure you find the best placement. You can reach us via phone, email, Skype or through any of our social media channels. If you have questions regarding a specific project, you can send a message directly to the project co-ordinator to start a conversation.
Awesome! The next step is to get your application in, by clicking the Apply button on the project description page.
Just click the big green Apply button on the project description page to get started and follow the instructions. You can apply for as many projects as you wish. Once your application has been submitted, it will be reviewed by the project coordinator who will then contact you to arrange an interview (if required). If successful, you will be asked to confirm your offered place by paying a project fee deposit.
Check out the How it Works page for further details.
All projects welcome applicants of any nationality. For detailed requirements, check the Requirements tab on each project description.
Yes, certainly! Please send in individual applications and make sure to mention you are applying together or as a group. Please also note all applicants must meet all project requirements.
This varies from project to project, however, we normally recommend applying at least 3 month before your intended departure date, in order to give both you, the project co-ordinator and us enough time to get all your trip preparations in order.
Each project has their own processes for applications, however normally applications are served on a first-come-first-served basis.
Yes, most projects ask applicants to be at least 18 years old. A few projects, such as some TEFL programs also impose an upper age limit. You will always find these criteria listed under the project requirements tab.
This varies a lot from project to project, please ask the project co-ordinator to find out details about a specific placement.
Most projects are available year round, as long as there is availability. Where projects have set start dates or limited admission dates, you will find these listed on each project description page.
First, please make sure to check your spam folder and mark any emails from Global Nomadic as safe to avoid this for future communications. If you still haven’t heard from us, give us a call or send an email and we will find out for you!
Fees and funding
The fees incurred will vary from project to project, depending on what’s included, location and many other factors. You will always find detailed descriptions of all costs under the Costs tab on each project description page. This will also list out what is included and what other costs you will need to budget for. The in-country coordinator can usually assist you with questions about local costs and how much to budget for depending on the length of your stay.
Global Nomadic partners with many organisations and NGOs across the world, working tirelessly to support their local communities, protect wildlife and vulnerable environments with the long-term goal of building a better world. Most of these organisations have limited budgets, which do not stretch to supporting interns and volunteers. Your project fee will normally cover the costs incurred to provide you with food, accommodation and integrate you into the daily runnings of the project. While it may seem strange to pay to work, without you – many of these organisations would falter and the important work they do would remain undone.
This will vary from project to project, you can always find details of what is included listed under the Costs tab on each project description page, as well as a list of non-included items such as flights, visas, and vaccinations.
Yes, most projects do not include the cost of your airfare, visas, and vaccinations. Any other extra costs will be listed under the Costs tab on the project description page and you can always ask your in-country coordinator for details on recommended budgets.
You can check out our list of 50 Scholarships & Grants, as well download our Fundraising Pack, check out this page.
Yes! There are many ways to raise funds for your trip and we are happy to assist in any way you need. We have partnered with Go Fund Me, to offer you a unique platform to crowdfund your adventure, and get the help of your friends and family.
Secure payments are made through our secure online payment gateway – Stripe. You can use your credit or debit card to make payment. If you have any trouble making payment, you may need to phone your bank and ask them to authorise the online payment. We can also arrange for a bank transfer if needed.
Yes, this is possible, though this is at the discretion of your project provider and will need to be discussed together with your project coordinator. Usually, you pay a deposit to secure your place, with the balance payment due at an agreed date before your departure.
Pre-departure
Yes! Global Nomadic offers a Premium Support Upgrade at an additional fee. Our Pre-departure Support will help you source and book the best flights to and from your project destination, the best travel insurance, advising you on current visa requirements, regulations and how to apply and anything else you will need to before your trip. As part of the package we offer Ongoing In-country Support for whilst you are on the project you can contact us at any time with any questions or concerns. Lastly, you will get 24/7 Emergency Support – a phone number that you or your family can ring at any time, night or day in case of emergency. Check the link above for further details.
This depends on your nationality and project destination but in many cases, yes, you will need a visa. If you opt for our Premium Support Upgrade, we will help you with everything you will need!
If you have no prior vaccinations it’s a good idea to visit your local travel clinic to ask about recommendations for your project destination. If you opt for our Premium Support Upgrade, we will also provide information on which vaccinations you will need.
Yes! We recommend that all participants purchase adequate travel insurance as you never know what might happen – better safe than sorry! Check out our Travel Insurance page to get a free quote from our preferred partner – World Nomads.
Recommended packing varies a lot from project to project! Most projects will supply a detailed packing list including any must-bring-items. You can also find recommended packing lists in the downloadable project guides. If you opt for our Placement Support Package, we will help you with everything you will need!
Travel
When you confirm your place on a project you will be given detailed instructions on how to reach the project location. Some projects provide airport pickup – you will find details of this under the Travel & Accommodation tab on each project description page.
Some projects offer airport pickup and other can arrange it at an additional fee. Where not available you will be given detailed instructions on how to reach the project or meeting point.
Yes, absolutely! Many participants choose to travel either side of their placement, either in the project destination or in countries along the route. If you opt for our Premium Support, we can help you book a multiple-destination ticket to make sure you get the best out of your trip!
Living Abroad
Your accommodation will vary a lot from project to project, everything from local homestays to private apartments. You can normally find a detailed description of your accommodation on the project page, or you can ask the in-country project coordinator.
If included in your project fee, the food served on the project will usually be delicious, local food, giving you a great experience and insight into local life. If food is not included, you may either cook for yourself or try out the local amenities.
Yes absolutely, just make sure to mention this in your application so that provisions can be made for you. For some remote projects, keep in mind this might not always be possible.
Many projects provide simple and rustic accommodations and may not have lockable rooms. It’s a good idea to bring a small padlock to keep your luggage locked and leave your most valuable items at home. You can also ask the in-country coordinator for details on keeping your belongings safe while abroad.
This depends a lot on the type of project you will be joining. Many placements include accommodation, which you will share with other volunteers or interns and may not be able to include your family. Ask your in-country coordinator about possibilities for your family to stay off-site. Please keep in mind that your placement will keep you occupied for long stretches of time and bringing young family members might not be suitable. Always ask your coordinator for advice regarding your specific project.
Yes, though how much and how long will depend on your placement and project requirements. For longer placements, it is usually possible to save up a few days in order to explore further parts of your project destination.
Most projects are very flexible and will allow you to extend your placement, subject to availability of course. However, unless you have an emergency requiring you to leave early, you should make an effort to stay for the duration agreed when you applied, as the project coordinator will have factored in your contribution to the project and your leaving may cause disruptions or the project to be understaffed.
Requirements
Many NGO internships require some form of previous experience or expertise, please check the Requirements tab for full details. Volunteer projects normally do not require any specific experience or qualifications. For the TEFL courses, you will, of course, need to demonstrate a good command of the English language and some may require a degree.
Some projects, especially wildlife rehabilitation, and environmental conservation – require a certain degree of physical health as you will be working manually for long hours, often in the hot sun. Please check the Requirements tab on each project description for full details.
Usually no, however, some projects will require a good physical health and the ability to work long hours. Always check the Requirements tab for details regarding your specific project. If you have a medical condition, make sure to mention this in your application and discuss with your coordinator during your interview to make sure your needs can be accommodated.
Safety
Global Nomadic has been a trusted provider of international internship experiences since 2009. All of our project partners go through the same vetting process to ensure you a safe and high-quality experience, but also to ascertain the validity of the project aims and goals. We personally visit the projects on location to see what kind of impact they are having in their local community. We also believe strongly in transparency through all of our processes. Lastly, you can find numerous reviews from previous participants on several independent review site, such as Go Overseas and Volunteer Forever.
If something happens during your placement, your first point of contact should always be your in-country coordinator, as well as your travel insurance representative if relevant to the situation. Global Nomadic also offers an additional Emergency Support feature, which you can purchase as a stand-alone or as part of our Full Premium Support feature. This will give you 24-hour access to a dedicated support line for you and your family to use in case of emergency.
After my placement
This varies from project to project but is usually possible. Please make sure to mention you are interested in this in your application and also discuss available options with the project coordinator during your interview. You should also contact your college study abroad advisor to ask for guidelines pertaining to your specific college/university.
Yes! All participants who successfully complete their placement and submit a written report will receive a certificate of completion. Please note this certificate is issued by Global Nomadic and not your project provider.
Yes, it is possible to get a reference from the project coordinator once you have completed your project, however, this is at the discretion of the coordinator.
Whilst it is possible to get a job with the project after your internship placement, this is very much dependent on availability and the needs of the project. Your internship placement is designed to be a vital step in your career progress, helping you add a valuable fieldwork experience to your CV, forge new contacts and learning new skills, all of which will aid you in your search for employment within your field.