Im looking to plan my first trip and my chosen distination is South America at first, then im looking to fly to Africa and then Thailand (not in that order)
But i have one question to any one that can advise me. Is it worth my while booking a trip with a travel company where i can do voulnteer work with accom. paid for etc or shall me and my friend go in it alone.
I know with the travel company's i can still do what i want to do (to a certain extent anyway) but will i get riped off?
Premium account Joined: Aug 03 Points: 12903 Posts: 153
Posted: 2007-01-31 02:44:00
Jenna,
A lot of these types for arrangements are aimed at gap year kids, between high school and college, or college grads looking for a last adventure before taking a job. The fee schedule is such that with quite a few you pay as much, or nearly as much, as you would have for a vacation. As an example, Cross-Cultutral Solutions charges $2400 +/- for two weeks in Brazil in a volunteer program, not including airfare. it does get cheaper after the second week, but South America is a fairly inexpensive area to travel in, outside of the large cities, and you would do better on your own cost wise.
My son had explored a couple of options before joining the Peace Corp. What he did find was that he was better off going directly through our Church to locate programs that did not have the high overhead. You may want to try and find a program you are interested in and contact them directly.
Just some thoughts!
Eire
--- Life is not measured by the breaths you take but by the moments that take your breath away.
My friend who is looking to travel with me wants to use on of those gap year companies. Ok it would be nice to work with sick animals but, i really cant see the point in having to pay for it.
I would rather spend that money on getting to other countries and stuff. The only thing is, if i back pack i do not have a clue where to start!
