WorldTeach Services
Your fee enables us to provide a variety of important services, not the least of which is finding someone like you who is qualified and willing to serve as a teacher in an under-resourced school in a developing country. Aside from that one all-important service to our partner countries, however, WorldTeach services are primarily designed to support you, the volunteer. Whether it is pre-departure preparation, in-country training and support, or help in the case of an emergency, all of these services are provided in an effort to enhance your safety and security while making you the most effective teacher you can be.
Approximately 70% of the program fee is expended directly on individual volunteer logistics, training and support, while the remaining 30% is allocated to the US office for critical functions such as volunteer recruitment (to ensure our ability to continue to provide the next generation of volunteers to schools in need), admissions (to process, evaluate, and track all incoming applications), and administration (which all non-profit organizations must attend to, such as an annual financial audit).
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"I'm impressed with the level of support WorldTeach offers. The program is very respected throughout the country. I always felt honored to represent WorldTeach here."
Sam Magnuson, Costa Rica volunteer
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The following is a detailed breakdown of these services provided by WorldTeach to its volunteers:
1) Pre-Departure Information and Preparation
- Support of US program staff during the application process
- Continued support and guidance after volunteer has been accepted, including connecting new volunteers with WorldTeach alumni mentors
- Distribution of pre-departure literature such as:
- WorldTeach Welcome To Guide (includes general program information and stories from volunteers who have served in-country)
- Introduction to Teaching English as a Foreign Language
- Living and Teaching Abroad (includes program-specific information on teaching and living in-country, responsibilities, packing and orientation information, cultural issues, etc.)
- Selected readings specific to each country about history, politics, and culture
- Staying Healthy in Asia, Africa, or Latin America
- Fundraising Guide
- Vegetarian Guide (upon request)
- Logistics coordination, including flight arrangements and management of visa application process (with payment of visa fees if cost is equal to or less than cost of visa for US citizens)
2) International Round-Trip Airfare from US Departure City
- WorldTeach is usually able to obtain better long-term airfares for its groups than if volunteers booked their own individual tickets
3) Overseas Medical Insurance and Emergency Evacuation
- Our plan is designed specifically for people living and working overseas, and includes emergency evacuation if necessary (a service not provided by most US health insurance plans)
4) In-Country Training
- Orientation, led by in-country Field Director and orientation staff (usually past WorldTeach volunteers and local experts). The carefully planned and intensive orientation includes: training in teaching methods and practices, language lessons (where appropriate), and detailed discussions of health and safety, cross-cultural adjustment and culture shock, coping skills, and making the most of your WorldTeach experience. Orientation runs 3-4 weeks for year-long programs, and 7-10 days for summer programs.
- Mid-Service Conference during your experience to discuss with fellow volunteers all ongoing challenges (and ways to successfully deal with them), and to compare teaching ideas and methodologies
- End-of-Service Conference to debrief and prepare for transition to life back home, including plans for professional career, graduate school, or perhaps further travel
5) Continuous 24-Hour Field Staff Support
Full-time, in-country professional Field Director who, among other things:
- Identifies teaching placements and negotiates terms and living allowances with host schools
- Approves housing provided by host institutions or host families
- Troubleshoots problems that may arise with housing, teaching, school administration, health, etc.
- Conducts personal visits to volunteers' placement sites to provide feedback and support
- Provides emergency communication and assistance when needed
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"I now realize the immense task you undertook and I have no doubt as to your commitment to every individual volunteer. Everyday it seems I become aware of a new duty of yours - another thing on your "to do" list, but I never see you shirking any of these."
Blake Crowley, in an email to the Chile Field Director
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6) Housing, Food, Living Allowance
- Your housing, food and living allowance are provided by the government and/or your host institution and thus is not funded by your program fee (living allowances are only provided to year-long volunteers)
- WorldTeach manages the contracts and all of the paperwork associated with volunteer housing and stipends
7) Alumni Support and Non-Profit Networking Opportunities
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