FAQs

• What makes Global Works unique?

  Through over 20 years of experience in the field, Global Works has shaped its own unique formula of high quality summer experiences for both teens and community partners. Our program design allows participants to travel to three or five different communities within a country. This ensures that participants experience the diverse geography and culture unique to each country. In each of these areas, we enjoy adventure activities while working alongside the local people and form meaningful, lasting friendships. We strive to offer a well-rounded and rewarding travel experience.

• Who participates on a Global Works program?

  The Global Works community is comprised of a diverse group of students from across the United States and around the world. A common trait in our enrollees is an inquisitive, open-minded approach to travel that includes a wish to learn more about other people and cultures. A desire to work side-by-side with community members on service projects and an adventurous spirit are characteristic of our participants as well. Students who join us must be ready to ‘step out of their comfort zone,’ work hard, and be willing to reach out, all while making new friends and being part of a close community.

• What is and isn’t included in the trip tuition?

  Trip tuition includes all accommodations, food, activities, and transportation once the trip begins. You should be able to fully participate without any additional expense once you are there. Our tuition prices do not include airfare, personal insurance, passport expenses, or personal spending money for gifts or extra sweets.

• Do I need specific immunizations for my program?

  We follow the guidelines and recommendations of the U.S. Center for Disease Control. The governments of the countries that we travel to do not require specific immunizations. However, we recommend several immunizations, based on the idea that we will traveling to “off the beaten path” locations. Upon enrollment, we provide you with information about health and immunizations for your particular destination. We strongly suggest that you consult your physician and/or travel medicine clinic to make the final decision about immunizations.

• What are Global Works’ health and safety protocols?

  Since our inception in 1989, health and safety have been our first and foremost criteria in choosing our travel locations. We take a preventative approach to minimize the inherent risks of travel, avoiding areas that do not meet our standards, with contingency plans in place. We would be happy to talk with you further about our Emergency Action Plan, and safety measures for each program.

• May I call home during the trip?

  Yes! Program leaders will ask all students to call home upon arrival. Many locations have public phones so students may call home regularly using phone cards. Some locations do not have on-site telephones accessible for students; in these situations the group is periodically taken to an available phone for use. Emergency communication is always available through the use of radio communication and satellite telephones. Calling home once a week is fine. Frequent calls home or to friends are discouraged because they detract from the experience and disrupt the bonding process.

• Do I need a Passport/Visa?

  A valid passport is required for all international programs, but U.S. citizens do not need passports to travel to Puerto Rico. Visa requirements vary; U.S. citizens do not need a pre-issued visa for most Global Works locations. Australia and China are the exceptions. Our travel agent will take care of issuing visas for participants in our Australia program. China participants will receive detailed instructions regarding their visa application. International applicants should contact us with specific visa questions.

• What experience do I need?

  You do not need specific experience, just a willingness to try and a desire to learn. Skilled guides and tradesmen will explain the requirements and safety procedures for all projects and adventure activities.

• Should I be nervous if I don’t know anyone on the trip beforehand?

  Absolutely not! Even though it is perfectly natural to feel nervous of the unknown, those feelings will disappear quickly after the first few days as you become familiar with your group and new surroundings. Our fun and caring staff spends the first couple of days facilitating group orientation and teambuilding activities. Our staff keeps a watchful eye on the emotional well-being of each individual, as well as the dynamics of the whole group.

• May I come with a friend?

  Yes, however, we do need to keep tight limits on how many people know each other on any given trip. If friends do decide to travel together, it is vital that each individual reaches out to make new friends. Global Works offers small group experiences, and it is necessary for everyone to feel welcome and included. The vast majority of participants will be attending without a friend.

• What are the behavioral expectations?

  Global Works rules and guidelines are implemented to ensure a united, safe and successful group travel experience. Global Works participants are expected to maintain high standards of personal behavior. While the majority of activities are structured and supervised, students also have “free time” which does not involve constant supervision/surveillance. Group members must be able to assume responsibility for their actions and decisions. Students whose parents require them to be under constant surveillance or who are likely to act irresponsibly should not apply.

• The drugs and alcohol question?

  There is no question. The rule is clear: no drugs, alcohol or tobacco products. If you are not sure you can live by this rule for the duration of the program, please do not come on the trip. We have sent students home for this reason, and we are firm on this subject.

• How much time is spent on service projects and do we receive documents for the hours we complete?

  The total number of service hours may vary from 20-80 hours, depending on the length of your program, your program location, and variables beyond our control, such as weather. After your program ends you will receive a “Certificate of Service.” This document notes the number of hours you completed and a detailed description of the tasks and projects accomplished. We are also happy to complete any further documentation needed to earn community service hours for a school or civic organization.

• How does Global Works select the homestay families?

  Global Works has been committed to providing secure and meaningful homestay experiences for the past 20 years. Homestay families are carefully chosen through a standardized process of interviews, home visits by our country directors, contractual agreements, and careful consideration for our students’ privacy and safety. In addition, we search for families who have the desire to partner with our groups in service work and cultural exchange. Most families live in simple homes and are committed to providing a caring, secure environment for our participants.

• How are participants placed with a homestay family?

  We match participants based on a number of criteria that you provide on a Homestay Information Form, including (but not limited to): allergies, diet, age, language proficiency and personal preference. We do consider participants wishes as far as having kids and teenagers in the home (a vast majority do), etc. but cannot always guarantee this will be available. Our first priority is a reputable, responsible, and warm family with an authentic interest in cultural exchange.

• When will I find out about the family that I will live with?

  Generally, our Global Works leaders will determine which participant will stay with which family once they have met and spent a day or two with the group. We find that this greatly increases the possibility of excellent matches. For this reason, participants will find out about their family while on their trip, not prior to departure.

• Can I purchase my own flight or use frequent flyer miles?

  While it is permissible to purchase your own flights, we strongly recommend that students fly together on our group reservations whenever possible for several reasons. Global Works provides at least one staff member as a chaperone to and from a designated departure city in the U.S. (excepting Puerto Rico). We feel it is critical for all students to be on the same flight with our staff members flying to and from the destination country. In order to get the entire group on the same flight, we work with a travel agent who in turn negotiates with the group desk at the airlines. There are benefits of the group flight which include keeping the group together in the case of delays or cancellations, not having to purchase non-refundable tickets (like one would on Expedia, etc.), and having the resource of our travel agency if a student needs to drop out or come home early from the trip. If you do purchase your ticket independently, we require that you provide Global Works with all of your flight information at least 8 weeks prior to departure.

• What should I pack for my trip?

  Upon enrollment, we will provide you with a Pack List that is specific to your trip. We take into consideration you destination, specific activities, and duration of trip. We will provide information about clothing, gear, and personal items.

• How are homestay communities and families selected?

  Global Works has been committed to providing secure and meaningful homestay experiences for 21 years. Our host communities are typically rural and feature a strong community spirit.

  Safety is our primary consideration when selecting communities and families. In addition, we search for families who have the desire to partner with our groups in service work and cultural exchange.

  Most families live in humble, but sanitary homes and are committed to providing a caring, secure environment for our participants. Our trip leaders and in-country directors visit communities ahead of the time, interview families, and repeatedly visit homes to determine if they will be appropriate.

  For more information on our homestay selections, feel free to call our home office.

• What do we do during a typical day in the homestay?

  Participants eat meals, sleep, and spend weekends with their homestay families. Most weekday mornings, afternoons, and evenings, the group comes together to work on projects and engage in organized activities with fellow Global Works participants and members of the community.

• What types of gifts should I bring for my homestay family?

  Because you will not know the members of your family until a few days into the trip, a good idea is to bring one gift for your hostmom, one for your hostdad, and a collective gift for the children. We provide more specific ideas on your Pack List!

• Will I be able to keep in touch with my homestay family after the trip?

  Definitely! We encourage participants to write letters and emails and send photos to their homestay families after the trip. This is a wonderful way to stay connected to the host community. Our homestay families especially love to receive mail from their “American son/daughter” during holiday times and birthdays!