These answers to frequently asked questions will help inform you about the Micronesia Year program. If you have further questions, please call the WorldTeach office at 1 800 483-2240 or 617 495-5527. We can also put you in touch with a returned Marshall Islands volunteer; Pohnpei and Kosrae are west of the Marshall Islands in the northern Pacific.
Q: When does the program start and end?
A: Volunteers will arrive in Pohnpei in mid-July for orientation. School begins mid-August and runs until late May or early June. There are school breaks over Christmas and the New Year and in the spring, similar to a US school schedule. Volunteers will mostly likely depart from Los Angeles, LAX in mid-July. If an overnight stay is required WorldTeach will provide accommodations.
Q: Are you still accepting applications?
A: Yes, we are accepting applications. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but due to the small number of teaching placements available in Pohnpei, the majority of acceptances will not be handed out until February, six months before departure. One or two early acceptances for particularly strong candidates might be considered.
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Q: When will I find out where I'll be teaching?
A: Placements are made shortly before departure in July. Because of the expanding nature of the program, and the timeline for placement decisions made in Pohnpei, WorldTeach is unable to give volunteers very specific placement information much farther in advance. Right now volunteers are teaching science, math or English in high schools in Kolonia, the capital, Madolenihmw, and Kitti. All sites are within an hour’s drive of Kolonia.
Q: What type of housing will I stay in?
A: Volunteers will live with one or two other volunteers in simple, furnished apartments close to their schools. Housing is provided by the Ministry of Education and volunteers will receive the usual host family stipend to cover the costs of their food (approximately $150 a month). This is in addition to their teaching stipend (of $150 per month).
Q: Do I need to speak another language to participate in the program?
A: You do not need to speak the language in order to participate. Volunteers will receive Pohnpeian language training during orientation, but English is widely used on the island and all classes will be conducted in English.
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Q: Can I make my own travel arrangements?
A: You may, although we do not recommend this course for Pohnpei volunteers. As a part of the scholarship, the Pohnpei government pays for volunteers’ international flights. It is preferable that you travel with the group if at all possible. There are not many flights to Kolonia and it can be difficult to find connections.
If you do book your own travel, you must plan to arrive by the same dates as the rest of the group so that you do not miss any activities. If you plan to make your own travel plans, please contact WorldTeach. You will be reimbursed the cost that WorldTeach paid for the tickets, but not for any hotels or other expenses equal to the expenses incurred by those volunteers traveling with the group.
Q: Can I come home during the year?
A: Yes. However, travel to and from Pohnpei is both expensive and time-consuming. You are an employee of the Ministry of Education and are responsible for teaching full time for the duration of each school term. If you choose to travel home during the year (during Christmas vacation for example) this will be at your own expense. WorldTeach provides one round-trip ticket for each volunteer who completes his/her teaching service. This ticket is paid for by the Pohnpean government; it is not your ticket to use when you like. Volunteers who decide to leave the program early without teaching the full year will have to pay for their own flight home.
Q: Will there be a chance to travel to other places?
A: Any travel you choose to do beyond these program activities will be at your own expense, and must be during school vacations. You may want to visit other islands in Pohnpei State or to visit the other States in the FSM. Yap is particularly interesting for successfully preserving their unique culture.
Many volunteers enjoy taking advantage of the scuba diving throughout Micronesia, especially in the Chuuk lagoon with sunken ships from World War II, and the spectacular waters of Palau. Volunteers from the Marshalls and Pohnpei programs may want to exchange visits to see life on different islands.
Q: Do I need a visa?
A: No visa is required for the Federated States of Micronesia, if you are a US passport holder. Non-US passport holders should contact WorldTeach to discuss their visa needs
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Q: What immunizations will I need?
A: The most comprehensive source of information on immunizations and travel health is the Center for Disease Control’s website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/ . This site provides recommendations for country-specific international travel as well as detailed information on specific diseases. You must consult your doctor or a travel health specialist about immunizations and other health needs. Please understand that the WorldTeach staff is not qualified to give medical advice. Only your doctor can give you specific medical advice.
As for travel to any developing country, it is generally recommended that you get immunized against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and Typhoid. There is no currently no stated risk of yellow fever in Pohnpei, nor is there risk of malaria. Check with your doctor that your Polio, Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR), and Tetanus-Diphtheria (TTD) vaccinations are up to date, or get a booster shot if necessary. Also check that you have had a recent TB test.
Q: What if I get sick? What are the medical facilities like in Pohnpei?
A: Adjusting to a new environment, diet, and climate places demands on your body and health. Living in a new culture and taking on new professional responsibilities will be tiring; getting sick at some point in your stay on Pohnpei is a definite possibility.
There are doctors and two hospitals on Pohnpei, one public and one private. More complicated cases may be referred to a hospital in Hawaii.
As a WorldTeach volunteer you will have health insurance coverage that includes emergency medical evacuation insurance. For medical expenses such as doctors’ visits, prescribed medicines, etc. you pay up front, keep the receipt, and then file a claim to get reimbursed by the insurance company.
All volunteers are covered under the WorldTeach group insurance policy; it is not optional. The policy has been designed specifically with WorldTeach volunteers in mind. Pre-existing conditions are NOT covered by the insurance. You will be sent the health insurance policy description when you are accepted as a volunteer.
Q: Is it safe?
A: While there is always some level of risk involved in traveling and living in a developing country, WorldTeach pays close attention to US State Department and Embassy advice and does not place volunteers in any area considered dangerous. The WorldTeach field staff will provide safety information during orientation and can be consulted if any problems arise during the year.
Pohnpei is a stable country, and the people are very welcoming. Risk of theft is present (as it is everywhere) and you should take sensible precautions to look after personal belongings. To quote a current resident, “There is almost no crime unless you count someone stealing bananas from the tree in your backyard as a crime.” Volunteers who confirm participation in the program will receive a Living & Teaching guide with further information.
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Q: What should I take with me?
A: When you confirm your participation in the program you will be sent a booklet called Living & Teaching on Pohnpei. This booklet will contain a suggested packing list. We do not recommend taking a lot of electronics, as they are easily broken, rusted, or stolen. Try to pack light; you will need to be able to move your bags easily, and you will find many things are available in Kolonia.
In terms of teaching materials, the WorldTeach office in Kolonia has some teaching books and materials that you can borrow or copy. You might want to take your own books, activities, or other materials that you think will be of use to you during your year. Posters or pictures from magazines, popular songs, or videos are valuable teaching tools that are harder to come by.
Women in particular may wish to purchase much of their clothing in Kolonia; this will allow you to purchase Pohnpeian clothing (generally available at a very low cost). You may feel more comfortable in this traditional and temperature-friendly clothing. The clothing you bring should include skirts and dresses; it is not considered appropriate for women to wear pants or shorts. Men and women alike should keep in mind the high temperatures and humidity on the islands!
Q: How much money should I take with me?
A: This will depend on how much you intend to travel, and the lifestyle you intend to lead. On Kolonia you will have access to stores, three supermarkets, many “mom and pop” sized stores, a three-screen movie theater and cable TV. We recommend taking travelers’ checks and some cash in fairly small denominations, and having a credit card so that you can access more money as needed. Access to $500 - $1000 should be sufficient for spending money.
Q: Will I receive training?
A: Yes. Orientation lasts for about a month and includes valuable information about the country and culture, language classes, and teacher training. Teacher training will focus on ESL teaching methods, lesson planning, teaching resources, and a teaching practicum.
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Q: Am I eligible for a scholarship if I am accepted?
A: Yes. The government of Pohnpei State is providing full scholarships for all volunteers who are accepted to our program. The number of volunteers accepted each year varies depending on the country’s need for teachers.
Q: Is there a fee for the program?
A: Although all volunteers are on full scholarships and there is no fee for the program, we require a $1500 deposit. The full amount of the deposit will be returned to you after completing the full year service. We ask that volunteers send the deposit in two installments. The first $450 is required in order to confirm your place in the group. When you are accepted you will be told when the next two installments of $550 and $500 are due. Failure to remit the full deposit in a timely manner can result in your spot being given to another volunteer.
Q: Can I speak with someone who has done this program before?
A: Because the Pohnpei program is so new, we don’t yet have enough returned Pohnpei volunteers for applicants to speak with. (Several volunteers in the first group have chosen to stay on in Pohnpei.) We can put you in contact with a returned Marshalls volunteer who can answer general island questions for you. Contact the office by phone (1 800 483-2240 or 617 495-5527) or send a request by email to info@worldteach.org.
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