Is Projects Abroad Volunteer program too expensive?

Question

I looked into several volunteer programs and was interested in Projects Abroad (www.projectsabroad.org). For two months at Ghana (for medicine) it costs $3,695.00. This cost comes with:

* all your food and accommodation

* transfers to and from the airport

* full travel insurance

* medical insurance

* support and 24 hour back-up from both our local and US/Canada staff.

Is that a reasonable cost?

Answer 1

Hello,

I travel with Projects Abroad to Mexico and Nepal, i saw my money reflected when i got food poisoned and had to be taken straight to hospital, the Nepalese staff took care of everything, hospitals, doctors, insurance, my parents, etc. depending on your perspective can be expensive or reasonable, having backup while you're away is priceless.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Like Jayne said, that's probably reasonable... but I wouldn't spend it. There are organizations out there that also place in Ghana for a lot less. If you're there for medicine, check out Doctors Without Borders. You don't have to be a doctor, but you can go with them and they cover your expenses including a monthly stipend.

Also, check out Global Volunteer Network. You can go to Ghana and other countries in Africa (or around the world) and work in medicine, HIV/AIDS, etc, and it's MUCH less. They have reputable programs for a very good price. (I did a LOT of research on this.) I would advise checking them out (type them into google) and seeing if there's something that looks good through them. The prices are less than half that of Projects Abroad.

Answer 3

It probably also covers translators, security, staff to supervise and support you in your service, staff time to liaison with local authorities and officials, and staff time to train you for doing whatever it is you are going to do.

So, believe it or not, yes, that's a reasonable cost to place, supervise and support an unskilled volunteer abroad. Just be sure that you *really* are going to get all this for your money.

Compare this program with the listing of the more-than-30 member organizations of the International Volunteers Program Association (IVPA); this is a good place to find reputable volunteer-for-a-fee programs:

http://www.volunteerinternational.org/