Description

Looking to spend time volunteering or interning abroad? Consider a placement in India, where your work as a volunteer or intern will help to change the lives of local community members. The Indian subcontinent, in south Asia, is a land of beauty, spirituality and adventure. From the towering Himalayas that mark India's northern borderlands through to its plains, deserts and tropical rainforests, this is a country of awe-inspiring ancient temples and colorful tribal villages.

Our projects in India are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a college summer break, gap year, career break or volunteer vacation.

Projects Abroad India has an office in the town of Madurai, the second largest city in the state of Tamil Nadu (in the far south). Projects involve Teaching, Care, Conservation & Environment, Medicine - including dentistry, physical therapy, nursing and midwifery - Journalism, Veterinary Medicine and Sports.

Volunteers Placements in India

Care: We have placements available in a number of care centers in Tamil Nadu. Overall they cater to orphans, infants, and disabled children. In many cases, your day will begin early when the children need help getting ready for school. You might have the afternoon free or opt to help with other activities. For the younger children, there are often nurseries attached to the home where you can lend a hand. Or, you might even go with the children to school to help with their English lessons! When the older children come home at 4:30, you can help with their homework or organize games for them before dinner.

Conservation: The Model Farm is situated at the foot of the Western Ghat Mountains in the southern town of Ullar. Working with the local community and experts throughout southern India, volunteers are equipped with important tools for raising awareness about friendly environmental practices. Projects Abroad both funds and runs the Model Farm, maximizing your ability to become a leader in the community.

Teaching: As a teaching volunteer, you will play a vital role in improving the spoken skills, and therefore the life-chances, of children in schools. You can teach younger children or teenagers, but whatever the age you will find the students eager to learn all about western culture and your life back home. Facilities in the schools are often basic - you may find yourself with little more than a blackboard and piece of chalk. But with one of the school's English-speaking teachers as your supervisor and the support of our Projects Abroad staff, you may be surprised at how quickly you gain confidence and make progress!

Journalism: Set up in 2002 by Projects Abroad, "Times of Madurai" is the first-ever English language newspaper or magazine produced in the area. It is sent free to schools and institutions, and is available on the street. The magazine is run by volunteers with our Indian team. The supervisors have a wealth of experience working as journalists across Southern India. This means that those who have no previous knowledge of the industry can become involved in the entire process including writing, researching, editing, photography layouts and handling the final printing stage.

Medicine: A medical placement in India will give you a variety of experiences, including leprosy clinics, pediatrics, gynecological units, kidney care centers and busy general hospitals. A placement specializing in Ayurvedic treatment is also available if you so desire. Your placement in India will involve rotation between these different fields of medicine, but if you would like to specialize in one area, we can arrange for you to concentrate your time in a particular department or hospital.

Veterinary Medicine: Many vets work in town in the morning and spend the afternoon traveling into rural areas, where the villagers cannot easily bring their animals to a veterinary clinic. This is a unique opportunity to experience village life from an insider's perspective and assist with clinical procedures. You can help make a real impact on the welfare of animals, and also help to improve the economy of Indian villages.

Sports: In a country that has so much diversity in terms of lifestyle, religion and race, sports are one area where the culture unifies. Cricket is by far the most popular sport in India. In fact, cricket is one of the few aspects of Indian life that unites the whole country. Ever since the first game was played in India nearly three centuries ago, Indian people have identified with its tactics and skills, and cricket has been a major source of entertainment. We also offer sports placements in track and field and tennis.

Business: Intern in an Indian company in one of the most exciting economies in the world today! Interns work in the developing city of Madurai, in the state of Tamil Nadu. The work you do will depend on the placement, but be prepared to be challenged! You will get involved with the day-to-day activities of the office whether that be contacting different clients, working with business support teams, researching for current or future projects, putting together portfolios, attending meetings or working on set briefs.

Also high school students between the ages of 16 and 19 have the unique opportunity to get involved in our general medicine and veterinary medicine projects on our two-week summer specials.

Highlights

India is a truly amazing place - spectacular scenery, quaint villages, fascinating and magnificent temples, sandy beaches and lots of sun. It has all this and an ancient culture. For the vast majority of visitors, it is a place they long to return to again and again.

To live in India is to participate in a lifestyle that is unlike anything you'll experience in the West. The most mundane tasks often become adventures. Everything is colorful and nothing is predictable. Life - especially in urban areas - is truly chaotic. The sights, sounds and smells that greet you in each new place will overwhelm your senses.

Qualifications

Volunteers must be 16 years old and submit 1 letter of recommendation.

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please go to our website for prices.

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Medical insurance
• Medical services
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Travel while in host country
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Anyone with an open mind and a desire to travel.

Age Range

16-80

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat
• Group living
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Written Application
• Letters of Reference

Typically The Application Process Time is

10 days

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement

As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded

1992