Why Participate in an International Program?
International programs remain a beneficial and safe way to enhance an individuals personal and professional development. Participating in an international program is the best way to be introduced to the cultures and citizens of the rest of the world. By spending a year, a few months, or shorter time abroad, participants learn about the language, culture, and philosophy of others.
Why choose the Int'l Internship & Volunteer Network?
The Int'l Internship & Volunteer Network supports international development and cultural exchange. The U.S. and international affiliates of IIVN are dedicated to making the world a better place, promoting peace, understanding and non-violence throughout society.
Our first priority is the assurance that every participant is 100% satisfied with every aspect of their program! To ensure the highest level of personal attention and service is provided to each participant, IIVN may limit the number of participants annually.
The Int'l Internship & Volunteer Network is committed to:
Promotion of International internship and volunteer programs to all individuals.
Involving participants directly in the day to day life of an International culture through established programs.
Partnering with and enhancing foreign institution programs that build international partnership and expertise.
Supporting the expansion of quality foreign language learning and in-depth knowledge of international cultures.
Supporting the efforts of educational institutions to improve access to the highest quality international experience by increasing the number and diversity of students to intern and volunteer abroad. Encourage students and educational institutions to select non-traditional international locations and helping under-represented institutions offer and promote opportunities for their students.
IIVN supports the efforts of the local and state governments and educational institutions to promote international awareness and skills in the classroom and on campus. We are committed to working together to strengthen programs that build international expertise in academic institutions and business communities.
Strengthen and expand models of international exchange that build lasting cross-national partnerships among educational institutions with common interests and objectives.
Who does IIVN work with?
The Int'l Internship & Volunteer Network works with the most reputable cultural exchange organizations in a host country. We require that all employees, officers, agents and third parties involved in the administration of the programs are adequately qualified and appropriately trained. Communication between the affiliates is constant and together we create a global network available to our participant's 24-hours a day/7 days a week.
Participants are highly qualified, educated, motivated and enthusiastic individuals, who have a desire to experience another culture first-hand. All applicants are interviewed, selected and placed in a program most suitable with their personal and professional qualifications, as well as the Host Employer/Association needs.
How does IIVN differ from other internship & volunteer placement organizations?
The Int'l Internship & Volunteer Network differs from other internship & volunteer placement organizations in the following ways:
Our first priority is the assurance that every participant is 100% satisfied with every aspect of their program! To ensure the highest level of personal attention and service is provided to each participant, IIVN may limit the number of participants annually.
Participants are provided with a CONFIRMED placement prior to departure! This includes name of Host Employer/Association, job responsiblities, etc...
All participants receive in-depth Pre-Departure information and guidelines, including a Participant handbook, prior to their program starting. This enables the participant to prepare accordingly for their program and ensure they are thoroughly educated and thus more comfortable before leaving their home country.
Airport transfers upon arrival/departure to/from host country are arranged for all programs.
IIVN personally works with each participant in creating a "customized" program to suit their needs.
No participant is too old! A variety of programs provide opportunity for ANYONE who is 18 years of age or older!
Will there be a personal representative for me to contact in the host country?
Yes. Participants will be met by a personal representative from IIVN or the Host Countries Receiving Organization. A personal contact is assigned to each participant and is on call 24 hours day/7 days per week to take care of any questions or concerns that may arise.
Once participant is placed in their position, an additional contact will be assigned to assist with training, guidance, etc...throughout the duration of the program.
Am I REQUIRED to have medical insurance prior to traveling abroad?
Yes. In order to ensure participants are prepared for any circumstance that may arise, they must acquire International Travel Medical Insurance prior to their first day of travel. This comprehensive coverage not only assists with any medical care that may be needed, but also ensures that in the case of unforeseen emergencies, lost luggage, etc...the participant is protected. Insurance must be maintained throughout duration of the program.
Who can be contacted in case of emergency?
All participants will be provided with specific contact name and numbers along with their pre-departure materials. This list will include IIVN, Receiving Organization and Host Employer/Association contact information. Participants are strongly encouraged to leave a copy of this information with their family/friends prior to departure.
In addition, participants must confirm personal emergency contact information with IIVN. Assistance is available 24 hours/day, 7 days/week.
How much money will I need?
The amount of money needed varies dependant on program of participation. In the event a selected program does not include transportation, housing, meals, etc...participant will be advised of this prior to accepting position thus allowing them to plan accordingly.
Participant must be confident in his/her ability to meet the required IIVN Program Fee, in addition to fees necessary for Passport, Visa or other legal document processing.
Participant is encouraged to have various financial resources available to them while traveling abroad, including but not limited to a small amount of currency in the country they are visiting, credit card, travelers cheques, etc...We encourage participants to ensure emergency funds, sight seeing excursions and souvenir shopping is taken into consideration when estimating total funds needed.
How will I keep in touch with family and friends at home?
Participants must have a valid e-mail address throughout the duration of their program. Upon arrival, participants are required to check-in with IIVN as soon as possible by e-mail and are also strongly encouraged to contact family/friends.
Receiving Organizations, Host Employers/Associations and Host Families typically offer internet and/or telephone access and will be happy to arrange for the participant to use these resources. In more remote destinations, communication may be limited to a couple of times a week and must be kept in consideration.
Cell phones are a great way to also keep in touch. Participants must ensure they have secure an international calling plan on their phone prior to departure and should be aware that some remote areas may not receive service.
Will I be met at the airport in the Host Country?
Yes. All participants will be met at the airport by a personal representative from IIVN or the Host Country Receiving Organization. Your contact will also assist in familiarizing you with your host country, your host employer/association, Post Arrival Orientation, etc...as applicable.
When should I apply for a program?
Participants are encouraged to apply for a program at least 6 months prior to their preferred start date. A program discount is offered to those who apply 6 months or more in advance.
How do Foreign Laws Apply to Me?
The Embassy or Consulate abroad representing your home country is limited in what it can do to assist you if you should get into legal trouble abroad. As a foreigner in a foreign land, you are obligated to act in accordance with foreign law.
Not knowing local laws can get you into serious trouble. Just because something is legal in the your home country doesn't mean it is legal in the country where you will be traveling. Most participants who travel abroad do not break the law on purpose; instead, they end up doing something illegal without knowing it. Even as a foreigner, you must obey all the laws of your destination country and the other countries to which you are traveling.
If you break local laws while abroad, the government in your home country can do very little to help you. You are granted no special privileges or rights, and will be dealt with according to standard procedure of the legal system of your travel abroad country. Foreign governments encourage all visitors to their countries to become familiar with local laws before they visit. Upon arrival abroad, you may also wish to ask a foreign official about local laws and procedures. Remember, most participants who travel abroad wind up breaking the law unintentionally, and alcohol consumption has been associated with law-breaking in most cases.
Why Create an EAP (Emergency Action Plan)?
The more support networks you have during an emergency or crisis, the more likely someone will be available to help you. Also, the better prepared you are ahead of time, the better chance you have of responding effectively to a crisis. Therefore, it is important to set-up support networks, and an EAP, before an emergency occurs-before you actually need assistance. Creating an EAP is a good first step towards keeping yourself healthy and safe in the event of an emergency or crisis while abroad.
Who Needs a Copy of your EAP?
We remind you to give copies of your EAP to your contacts abroad, and leave copies with appropriate contacts at home, which may include several family members and friends. Make sure to always keep a copy on hand for yourself as well. You should consider giving your EAP to the following contacts:
In your Home Country:
- Your primary home emergency contact
- Power of Attorney
- Family members/relatives/guardian
- Friends
- IIVN, which maintains emergency contact information for travel abroad participants.
In your Host Country:
- Your Receiving Organization representative
- Housing coordinator abroad/home-stay family member(s)
- Friends or family abroad (both in your host country and in other neighboring countries you may visit)
- Attach your EAP to your embassy or consulate registration form (if they accept it)
- Yourself
What is Culture Shock?
The feeling of culture shock generally sets in after the first few weeks of coming to a new place, but can sometimes appear when you come back to your homeland after a long period abroad. Culture Shock can be said as the physical and emotional discomfort one suffers when coming to live in another country or a place different from the place of origin.
Often, the way that we lived before is not accepted or considered as normal in the new place. Everything is different, for example, not speaking the language, lifestyle of the people, food habits, clothing and so forth. The symptoms of cultural shock can appear at different times. Although, one experiences real pain from cultural shock, it is also an opportunity for redefining one’s life objectives. It is a great opportunity for learning and acquiring new perspectives. Culture shock can make one develop a better understanding of oneself and stimulate personal creativity.
Symptoms of Cultural Shock:
· Change in temperament, depression, feeling vulnerable, feeling powerless.
· Anger, irritability, resentment, unwilling to interact with others, sadness, loneliness, melancholy,
insomnia, desire to sleep too much or too little.
· Loss of identity and identifying with the old culture or idealizing the old country.
· Lack of confidence, feeling of being lost, overlooked, exploited or abused, feeling of inadequacy or
insecurity.
· Developing obsessions such as over-cleanliness or paranoia.
· Unable to solve simple problems, trying too hard to absorb everything in the new culture or country.
· Developing stereotypes about the new culture.
How to overcome Cultural Shock:
The majority of the individuals who travel to other countries have the ability to positively confront the obstacle of a new environment.
Some tips to combat the stress produced by cultural shock are:
§ Be patient, the act of immigrating is a process of adaptation to new situations. It’s something that is going to take time.
§ Have an open-mind. Learn to be constructive, if you encounter yourself in an unfavorable environment; don’t put yourself in that position again.
§ Don’t isolate yourself. Try to be active and to keep yourself mentally and physically busy. Develop a hobby; learn to include a regular form of physical activity in your routine: practice yoga, dance, etc. This will help you to combat sadness and loneliness in a constructive manner.
§ Go out and experience the new culture. Learn the language; work in a community activity that allows you to practice the language you are learning.
§ Stay in touch with your family and friends. They will be an important support for you in difficult times.
§ Don’t forget the good things you already have.
§ Write a diary.
§ Establish simple goals and evaluate your progress.
§ Do not be afraid of failure.
§ Maintain confidence in yourself. Follow your ambitions and continue your plans for the future.
§ Keep your good humor!
What is Reverse Culture Shock?
Many participants who traveled abroad went through many changes, re-examining their priorities, their values, and what they think of themselves and the United States. The "reverse culture shock" may be more difficult than the "culture shock" you felt while abroad. If return culture shock is severe, it is important that participants are able to seek help/counseling to help them through this.
Just as culture shock can differ greatly from person to person, reverse culture shock is just as personal of an experience. You may be more critical of the United States, while you now view your host country in a more favorable light. From language adjustments to depression to a simple trip to the supermarket, reverse culture shock can hit you in more ways than you would expect.
Defining Reverse Culture Shock
So what is reverse culture shock? First, let's examine the process of re-entry. There are usually two elements that characterize a participants travel abroad re-entry:
1. An idealized view of home
2. The expectation of total familiarity (that nothing at home has changed while you have been away)
Often participants expect to be able to pick up exactly where they left off. A problem arises when reality doesn't meet these expectations. Home may fall short of what you had envisioned, and things may have changed at home: your friends and family have their own lives, and things have happened since you've been gone. This is part of why home may feel so foreign.
Feelings You May Experience
The inconsistency between expectations and reality, plus the lack of interest on the part of family and friends (nobody seems to really care about all of your "when I was abroad" stories) may result in: frustration, feelings of alienation, and mutual misunderstandings between travel abroad participants and their friends and family. Of course, the difficulty of readjustment will vary for different individuals, but, in general, the better integrated you have become to your host country’s culture and lifestyle, the harder it is to readjust during re-entry. This is where reverse culture shock (sometimes called re-entry shock) comes in to play.
