Int’l Internship & Volunteer Network Discover Infinite Possibilities   Discover Sri Lanka   Sri Lanka is a spectacular country and provides an unforgettable experience for all who visit. Be immersed in the culture, lifestyle, language, food and traditions during one of our Discover Sri Lanka programs in Hill Country, the province of Kandy.    Experience all that is special in Sri Lanka!   ~ ~ ~   Program & Placement Opportunities Applicant Requirements Start Dates, Program Duration & Sample Schedule Program Fees & Inclusions  Application Process ~ Benefits of Participation Other Important Information   ~ ~ ~   Apply for a Program Return to Home Page

Start Dates, Program Duration & Sample Schedule   The standard IIVN Program Fee applies to a program duration of 4 weeks.  Participation may be extended up to a maximum of 6 months for an additional fee per week.     ~ ~ ~   Program & Placement Opportunities   For further details regarding each week of our Discover Sri Lanka Program, click on your link of interest below;   Week 1 – Orientation/Introduction Weeks 2 & 3 – Volunteer Program or Adventure Program Week 4 – Beach Week

Week 1 – Orientation/Introduction: The Introduction Week is the first step towards an amazing stay in a new country! It’s an action packed and fun filled week that is dedicated to getting to know Sri Lanka, and all of its cultural aspects, through an unforgettable immersion experience. Participants will meet the local people, taste the local cuisine and become familiar with the local customs. The Introduction Week will take place in the hill town of Kandy. Loads of new things will be introduced to you as you experience the local culture first hand.     Our schedule will be flexible but all introduction weeks typically consist of…. Sri Lanka: Culture, religion, habits, customs, history, social issues, are some of the topics that we will introduce you to through group discussions, workshops and visits. Language Skills: Participants will learn and practice common phrases of the Indonesian language.     Projects: Participants will be provided with an overview of the ongoing projects we support, in addition to receiving an explanation of their chosen placement. There will also be a project visit on site. General Information: Participants will be introduced to yoga, cooking, team work, project work, customs, habits, behavioral aspects, dos & don’ts, and emergency preparation. Cultural Site Visits: Participants will have an opportunity to visit traditional market places, and natural sites in groups or individually during free time. Participants are asked to bring small items from their home country (photos, music, food, etc.) and share their culture with the locals and other participants.   Start dates for our Discover Indonesia Program are noted below:   ·         January 7, 2008 ·         February 4, 2008 ·         March 3, 2008 ·         March 31, 2008 ·         April 28, 2008 ·         May 26, 2008 ·         June 23, 2008 ·         July 21, 2008 ·         August 18, 2008 ·         September 15, 2008 ·         October 13, 2008 ·         November 10, 2008 ·         December 8, 2008         Sample Orientation/Introduction Agenda   Monday We will start the week with an introduction into the program and an explanation of the week’s activities. We will do a small excursion around the town of Kandy and have lunch in town. In the evening, we will watch a traditional performance of Kandyan dancers. We will have dinner on our return back at the guesthouse. Tuesday After breakfast, we will have a session on Sri Lankan culture, and some guides on the dos and don’ts in the Sri Lankan society. In the afternoon, we will visit a local temple and the rest of the evening would be free   Wednesday We will start the day with language lessons and later a session on Sri Lankan religion and Mythology.  In the afternoon, we will have a session on what it is to be a volunteer in Sri Lanka and expectations. The evening would be free. Thursday In the morning, we will have language lessons and after we will have a session on religion and an introduction into Buddhism. In the afternoon, we will have a session on cultural shock and women travelers. In the evening, we will visit a Sri Lankan host family and have dinner with them.   Friday We will start the day with language lessons. We will make a visit to the famous Temple of the Tooth and have lunch in town. In the afternoon we will visit a local Hindu temple. We will have a group session when we return back in the evening.   Saturday In the morning, we will have language lessons and after that you can experience a relaxing Ayurvedic massage. In the afternoon, we will make a visit to a sample project.   Sunday In the morning, we will have language lessons. After that we will have session on Sri Lankan cooking where we will cook our own lunch. In the afternoon we will visit a local family. *** Note: Sri Lanka is a tropical country with occasional violent storms, heavy rains and floods. During such times, the above schedule may be subject to change.

Weeks 2 & 3:  Participants May Experience Sri Lanka at its fullest by taking part in one of the two program options below:   Option A - Community/Group Volunteering: Our Community/Group Volunteering Program is a fantastic opportunity to be a responsible traveler and make a positive contribution during your stay. You will have the opportunity to participate actively in one of our community or teaching projects as noted below.  Most of our projects are located in the Hill Country, the province of Kandy and you will see that the majority of our projects deal with children and youth.   Although there are no specific qualifications needed, all participants must have an eagerness to learn, share your skills and have an open mind!  Participants must bring loads of enthusiasm and be dedicated to their work.   Project Options:   *Teach English & Special Education in a self-chosen fashion to the local children at a primary school, as well as at our center premises during and after school activities. Work with various youth centers involved in the development of the youth in surrounding areas. Organize a multi-purpose project to involve the community and sensitize community/people about Health & Hygiene problems. Environmental Issues Working in Community Service Projects Assisting at Orphanages Working in a Temple (teaching English to the monks) Working with an Ayurvedic Doctor *If you opt for a teaching project, volunteers should have a strong level of conversational English and although prior experience in teaching is highly appreciated, it is not necessary.  The most important thing is that you have to enjoy spending time surrounded by children!   The mission of these projects is multi-fold:   Teaching English is the main task, but teaching other subjects, such as arts and crafts or sports like football, hockey, cricket and athletics is also helpful. Motivating the children to learn. Instilling social, psychological and physical security to the children. Interactions with the children. To educate the children to build a better and more conscious society.   Even though you may only work for a few weeks, your contribution will make a very positive impact!       Sample Teaching Project Schedule     Monday - Friday You will start work at about 8.30am till the school finishes at 3pm; lunch will be provided at the school premises.   We will provide all teaching materials and curriculum needed, and any creative ideas to improve or make teaching more fun are welcome.   The schedule and focus of each project will be adapted to the season, the possibilities and the needs of the moment, to improve the achievements in a long-term view.   *** Note: Sri Lanka is a tropical country with occasional violent storms, heavy rains and floods. During such times, the above schedule may be subject to change.       Option B - Adventure: This option starts with a Trek in the Mountains of Nuwara Eliva with an experienced Guide, with visits to the reserve forests of the Hill Country (the Central Province of Sri Lanka), where a wide variety of wildlife species can be observed. The itinerary will be adapted to the season.   In the third week, you will learn about the Buddhist religion and philosophy at a temple. Participants will have a chance to live at the temple and have daily sessions about Buddhism, meditation and culture in Sri Lanka. You will be taught meditation techniques and the underlying philosophy of Buddhism.   There will be ample opportunity to ask questions on all aspects of Buddhism and practice meditation as much as you desire.     Sample Adventure Schedule and Activity Trekking     Monday The Day will start early with a short introduction into the weeks activities. We will then have a quick breakfast and proceed to Sigiriya Rock. After lunch we will go for a safari the Minneriya National Park. We will stay overnight at a local guesthouse in Sigiriya.   Tuesday After Breakfast, we will visit the “Rose Stone Garden” for trekking and we will return back to Kandy in the evening.   Wednesday We will start the day early with a trek to Hantana Mountain and spend the rest of the day in the beautiful and serene vicinity of the mountain.   Thursday After Breakfast, we will trek to Bible Rock and spend the day there. We will return back to Kandy in the evening.   Friday After Breakfast, we will visit the Royal Botanical gardens.   Weekends We will have an evaluation and some group discussions. The rest of the weekend will be free.      Sample Adventure Schedule and Activity Temple Week   Monday-Friday The day will start early with wake up at 6am, followed by breakfast.   We will spend the all morning at the Meditation centre and return back to Kandy at around 3pm. Lunch will be served at the meditation centre.   Weekends will be free.

Week 4 – Beach Week: During the last week of your program, you will enjoy a well-deserved week of rest and relaxation.    Sri Lanka is surrounded by beautiful beaches and you will have free time to swim, enjoy water sport activities in the Indian Ocean, or simply relax by the beach!   Sample Beach Week Schedule and Activity Monday After breakfast, we will proceed to Ambalangoda where we will stay during the beach week   Tuesday After breakfast, we will go to southern town of Galle.   We will make a visit to the famous Galle Fort and a small walk around Galle city. We will return back to Ambalangoda later in the evening and spend some time at the beach.   Wednesday We will go for a river safari to visit some of the river islands. We will return back to Ambalangoda later in the afternoon and the evening will be free.   Thursday After breakfast, we will visit the “Mask Factory” temples and the afternoon will be free.   Friday After breakfast, we will depart back to Kandy where we will spend the night.   *** Note: Sri Lanka is a tropical country with occasional violent storms, heavy rains and floods. During such times, the above schedule may be subject to change.       Program Extension:  Participants who decide to extend their program up to a maximum of 6 months, will spend the extended time at one of our Volunteer Projects as outlined above in Option A.  Due to our strong social commitment, we send volunteers to “active projects” where they will play a meaningful role in the local community.  Several projects are run by our partner organization and we also co-operate with a variety of local NGO’s across the country.   Participants may choose to extend this program up to a maximum of 6 months for an additional fee of $200.00 USD per week.         Apply for a Program Return to Home Page