Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sign-up?
To officially sign-up, please first decide on the country, program, and dates you want, then complete the following two steps:

1) Fill out Online Application
2) Pay Deposit of $250

The deposit guarantees your place and is fully refunded in the unlikely event that we cannot offer you a placement. The deposit counts toward the total balance of your program fees.

How far should I book in advance?
Most volunteers book 3+ months before their program start date. However, it is sometimes possible to join a project at the last minute, so please contact us if you want to travel in the near term.

Is there Cosmic staff in-country with me while I am abroad?
Yes, we have a project coordinator on-site in all of our host countries. Cosmic staff provides airport transfers on arrival and departure. Cosmic staff also accompany volunteers to their host family and program location as part of the orientation (except for some remote locations in Peru and Ecuador). The project coordinator is available 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise. They can assist in arranging sightseeing excursion before, during or after the volunteer program.

Are there Discounts available?

Groups of 5-9:
One group leader will have their program fee waived.

Groups of 10+:
Two group leaders will have their program fees waived.

Can I combine countries and/or programs?
Yes. The combinations of countries and programs are up to you.

Our most popular programs?
Orphanage volunteering in Guatemala, Ghana, India, along with Home Construction in Guatemala.

Program fee tax-deductible?
Yes the program fees and all expenses related to your volunteer program, including airfare and the program fee, are tax-deductible for US taxpayers. The tax-deduction is also available to parents and donors who pay expenses on behalf of a volunteer. Please consult a tax professional regarding your individual tax situation. Cosmic Volunteers is a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization.

Is there an orientation?
If time permits, we provide a one-day introduction that takes place when you arrive in the host country. We provide you with information on the culture, language, religion, volunteerism, and more. You will also do some limited sightseeing, and generally prepare for your volunteer experience. Before you arrive in-country, you will receive our printed Pretrip Guide which is specific to each country, in order to give you some cultural background, etc. before you step off the plane.

Do I need a passport and visa?
Yes, you need a passport. Visa requirements differ by country. Please see the individual program pages for visa requirements.

Do I need special skills?
For most of our programs we require only fluency in English. One exception is our medical program which can only accept doctors, nurses, medical students, and other medical professionals. Another exception is our media programs which require participants to be either media students and/or professionals.

Can I arrange my own accommodations and meals?
Yes, for most countries. In this case, we discount the program fee 30 percent. This does not apply to the Winter and Summer Two Week Break programs.

Is ground transportation included in my program fee?
The following ground transportation is included in your program fee: airport pickup and transport to the program site. The following is not included in the program fee: daily transport from your accommodations to the volunteer location, transport from Volunteer Location to capital city at the end of your program, Airport Dropoff, and any extra sightseeing. We use public transportation such as buses and minivan to transport volunteers city-to-city, but if you want to use private transport (such as a taxi) for long-distance travel, you are responsible for those costs.

Can I bring a friend, spouse, or my children?
Yes. There is a 10% group discount on the program contribution. We consider a "group" to be 3 or more volunteers.

Do I have to be a US citizen to participate?
No. We accept participants from all countries.

Is there an application deadline?
Yes -- You must apply at least 30 days before your intended start date. Some programs require even more advanced time -- please check the individual program pages for the latest information. We accept applications year round.

Do I need to speak the local language?
Only fluency in English is necessary in most programs. However, for some of the professional internships in Ecuador and Peru, you need at least beginner's Spanish.

Can Vegetarians be accommodated?
Yes. Our host families will be informed of any dietary requirements you have.

What if I have an emergency?
You have three parties available to you 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise: Cosmic Volunteers staff (both in-country and in the US), your host family, and your program supervisor. You will have contact information for all three before you arrive.

Will I have Internet and phone access?
Yes. These services are widely available (with a very few exceptions) from private providers in our program locations. Note that participants are responsible for Internet costs).

Can I do sightseeing outside of the program?
Yes. Participants can do sightseeing before, during, or after their program. All of these options have worked out well for our participants, so it's really up to you when you go.

Do I need any immunizations?
The only vaccination required for entry into our host countries is Yellow Fever for Ghana. We urge participants to consult with a travel doctor at least two months before arriving in the host country, to discuss any necessary immunizations and for advice on staying healthy while traveling. We also suggest that you visit the Centers For Disease Control website for traveler's health information.