FAQ

Accommodation varies depending on your project location. Options include dorm rooms in the local hostel or guest houses, which are usually family run. These are a comfortable home-base for you during your EDventure program. Facilities include a laundry room, Wi-Fi, hot water showers, and air conditioning. Some will even offer you hammock swings in the garden, a swimming pool, or game room. Some of the EDventure programs will include homestays, where you will be completely immersed in the local culture by living with a family during your program. The type of program you participate in determines your accommodation, and this information will be provided for you once you have secured your place.

Some immunisations are required for Thailand, Cambodia & Costa Rica. EDventure International highly recommends that you visit your doctor or local travel health clinic to find out about immunisation and vaccination requirements. A list of required and recommended immunizations can be found at www.mdtravelhealth.com. You may need to get many of these immunisations 4 -8 weeks before your departure date. You will be located close to a hospital in both Cambodia and Thailand.

Deposits need to be submitted as soon as possible in order to secure your placement. In order to keep the quality of our programs to a high standard, a limited number of persons per trip is essential. This way, you get the most out of your EDventure experience. To secure a placement, send a $500 deposit to:
Make a Payment Here
Payments towards your remaining balance can be sent in any amount you like, and at any time between when you first apply for your program and when the final balance is due.
The final balance is due 60 days before your departure date. This is so that we can prepare and organise the logistics of your program as efficiently as possible. Your balance due date will be included in the acceptance letter EDventure International sends you. We only accept payments through our website using either PayPal or a credit card. Sorry, but no personal cheques are accepted.

The tropical climate in Cambodia and Thailand means that the weather is very hot year round. During the November – February EDventure programs, the weather will be dry with an average of 25 Celsius (77 Fahrenheit). The evenings can be cooler, so you might prepare by packing a lightweight jacket.The EDventure programs running from June – August months are during Cambodia and Thailand’s rainy season, but the rain is fairly predictable, occurring mostly in the afternoons and only lasting for a few hours. Even with the rainfall, the temperature is still very hot and the sun can be very intense if you are not used to tropical climates.

Absolutely. Just email us at info@edventureintl.com with your names and program dates and we will do our best to accommodate you.

You can apply for our program while 17 years of age, but you must be 18 before your departure date. If you are under 18 years of age when you apply, be sure to have your parent or guardian sign your application.

You will be able to communicate with your project leaders and many of the locals by speaking English. However, we will provide you with some language basics during your orientation so that you can begin to experience the local culture. As is true in any country, when a foreigner attempts to speak the local language, it is sincerely appreciated by the locals. Don’t worry about perfect pronunciation. This will come with practice. Learning to say “hello”, “please”, and “thank you” is a good way to start a conversation and begin to be a part of the community.
In Thailand, the most polite and appreciated way of greeting people is called the Sampeah: upon meeting someone, clasp your hands together in front of your chest with fingers pointing upward. Accompany this gesture with a slight bow.

You certainly can. Phone lines and Internet access will be readily available in your accommodation.

You will not have to pay for accommodation or meals, but you may want to bring money to buy gifts for family or friends, or perhaps visit some of the local cafés or restaurants. Gifts and food are relatively inexpensive here, so you won’t need to expect to spend a great deal. Past participants have found $50 per week to be sufficient, but this is entirely up to you.

Cambodian currency is the Reil, however using US dollars is common and in some places preferred. The Thai currency is Bhat.

There are a number of travel sites that can help you find a suitable itinerary, especially if you are flying for humanitarian purposes, such as volunteering. We would be happy to assist with this and organise discounted group bookings for your flights. Please email us at info@edventureintl.com and we will do our best to help you.

Trains, planes, and automobiles may all be a part of how you will get around. In addition, you may travel by tuk tuk, bicycle, boat, or bamboo raft, depending on the type of EDventure program you apply for. In some cases, horse riding may be an enjoyable option of a way to explore the sights.

During the orientation and leadership development course workshops, your group will consist of between 10 – 12 persons. During the volunteer part of your program, you will be divided into groups of 2 to 5, depending on the need of the volunteer project you participate in.

EDventure International will send you information about your program, the local community, and the items you should pack with you once your placement has been secured.

In order to participate in the program, you MUST purchase international travel insurance that includes unlimited medical coverage. Private health insurance is not enough. Proof of international travel health insurance will be required before departure or you will not be allowed to attend.

Yes, you will need a visa for Cambodia. Thailand will allow you to stay in country for the first 30 days. Depending on your nationality, the type of visa and cost will need to be checked prior to your departure. We will provide you with all the information required and will assist you in obtaining any visas required in a timely fashion.Visa costs are generally cheap, and fairly easy to obtain. Recent participants have paid about $20 – $30, and this cost is likely to be the same for you. Be sure your passport has at least 6 months validity. To help you determine the kind of visa you will need to apply for, visit Visa HQ at www.visahq.com/citizens or http://www.dfat.gov.au/visas/

Our EDventure International leadership programs cost $3100 for 21 days, including your deposit. Flights are not included in the cost. .

• Non-refundable deposit of $500AUD, which secures your place in a program with limited numbers.
• Your accommodation throughout the duration of the program.
• Transportation to meet the needs of your program, getting to the sites, etc.
• Three meals daily. We can cater to vegetarians and for certain types of food allergies.
• Building materials needed for volunteer projects.
• Education materials for the orphanages and village schools.
• Materials needed for conservation projects.
• For many projects EDventure International will hire local skilled trades people to help with the volunteer projects.
• Some of the designated activities that are part of your EDventure experience.
• EDventure International’s gifts and donations to the local community.
• EDventure International staff members.
• Administration costs.
• Global Leadership education course facilitation, materials, and Certification.

• International and domestic flights
• Visas
• Passport expenses
• International travel insurance
• Departure taxes from Cambodia (about $25)

• Every meal including breakfast, lunch, and dinner will be provided. You will be working hard on your volunteer projects, and building up a hearty appetite. We will provide you with plenty of local cuisine throughout your program. You are welcome to purchase any additional food or snacks from the market or vendors if you want to further sample a wide variety of local bites.
• Your daily accommodation is covered in this price.
• The transportation from the airport at the beginning of your EDventure program, as well as returning to the airport when the program finishes. Transportation daily to your volunteer projects, schools, and designated activities will also be included.
• There will be a need to provide plenty of building materials and educational resources, such as paint, wood, brick, tools, cement, paper, writing materials, etc., all which are covered in the monies that you provide.
• Some of the volunteer projects require the expertise of local tradesmen, and so EDventure International pays their wages. It is our aim to provide local employment opportunities through our volunteer efforts. We don’t want to take away paid work from locals by having our volunteers do the same work. By hiring local trade works to assist in the projects, we can promote local sustainability and add to the economy of the community.
• Many of the local activities you will partake in during the evenings will be hosted by a member of the community, and these costs are part of your EDventure program.
• EDventure International provides donations to the communities where our volunteers are involved.
• The Global Leadership skills development program is an educational course, and the tuition for this course is covered within the program fee.

Click on the “Apply” button on this page and it will take you through the application procedure. This includes filling out a non-committal application form that lets us know what programs you are interested in. After you submit this form online, we will then contact you with further information.

If you must cancel, please send an email to info@edventureintl.com with “Cancellation” in the subject line. Your deposit is non-refundable. Once you have sent in your deposit, EDventure International begins to make arrangements for your placement. Any payments you have made in addition to this deposit will be refunded to you.

Of course! Many of the local dishes are noodle or rice based and can be made from a variety of local vegetables. You will be sure to enjoy the local cuisine. Just indicate on your application what your dietary needs are, and we will try to accommodate your requests.

Your safety is our number one priority. EDventure International keeps an updated list of local emergency contacts for each program location. We have set emergency procedures in place and there is always a contact person in country and in our offices in Australia and throughout North America that can be reached 24/7. There are hospitals nearby, and pharmacies with medication readily available.In addition, you are required to provide us with your emergency contact details on your application form. EDventure International also registers each participant with the local embassies before arrival. Program staff are all certified in First Aid and First Aid kits will be available at each project site and at your accommodation.

Before beginning a project, we complete a risk assessment and evaluate the safety of the project sites to minimize potential hazards. While there is always a potential risk traveling within developing countries, we provide you with a two-day orientation at the beginning of your program to minimize these risks and ensure your EDventure experience is as safe and well structured as possible.

Yes, much of the water is just fine to drink, however, your digestive system may not be accustomed to the natural water at your program’s location. If you are concerned with getting a stomach ache, there will be bottled water available.

With a climate that is diverse and varied, Costa Rica can be divided into several climatic zones, each of which are distinct and individual. Costa Rica has no real winter period, and the sun shines here throughout the year. With over 12 hours of sunshine a day, the sun rises at about 5 am and sets at about 6 pm consistently throughout the year. The main reason for the diversity in Costa Rica’s weather is the various elevations at which different parts of the country are located.

While some level of Spanish is ideal, there will be English speaking project guides on hand to help you complete your projects. Bring a Spanish language dictionary with you if you like, but you will definitely pick up the basics during your EDventure. “Buenos dias” (good day) is always a good place to start.

Absolutely! Fundraising is not only a great way to off-set your program costs, but also a beautiful way to spread awareness of EDventure’s mission of developing leadership skills that directly benefit overseas humanitarian and conservation efforts. Fundraising is one of the key characteristics of a global leader. If you are ready and able to organise fundraising events for your program, then we can’t wait to have you on our program and develop those leadership skills even further!
Once you have applied to our program, we will send you information and ideas that will help you raise the funds to send you on your next EDventure!

The currency in Costa Rica is the Colon (CRC). While Costa Rica is more expensive compared to other Latin countries, you will find it is not an expensive place to live, and services, such as the bus, or a taxi, are relatively cheap.