Involvement Volunteers International WHY we need you in India
- India is one of the poorest countires in the world, with 2 thirds living in poverty.
- According to UNICEF, about 25% of children in India have no access to education, with higher rates of girls not attending school.
- 43% of childen under five years are underweight and around 61 million children are stunted due to malnutrition.
- Even though there is a law about no child labour under age 14, it's estimated by aid agencies, that there could be up to 65 million children aged 6-14 working.
WHAT Does Culture Week Involve?
- Goals include orienting you to your new environment
- Understanding the manners, standards, and etiquette that are fundamental to Indian society
- Seeing some local sights and having fun with cultural activities
- Immerse yourself in the lifestyle for an authentic and cultural experience
Why Involvement Volunteers International?
- Non Profit Organisation & Charity
- Over 30 Years Expertise Globally
- Low Program Fees - From US$295
- Excellent Safety Record, In-Country 24/7 Support & Emergency Assistance
- 1 Application Fee - Multiple Countries
PROJECT NAME: CULTURE WEEK
LOCATION: DARJEELING, INDIA
START DATES: WEEKLY (SAT/SUN ARRIVALS)
ACCOMMODATION: VOLUNTEER HOUSE
MIN DURATION: 1 WEEK
MIN AGE: 16+
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Criminal background check required
Overview
This program provides an opportunity to immerse yourself in the life and customs of the people of Darjeeling, a crucial step in preparing for your stay in India. You’ll gain cultural insights through language lessons, culinary classes, yoga sessions, sightseeing tours, visits to authentic Indian households, and hands-on workshops.
The program encompasses instruction in the local language, practical Indian cooking lessons, yoga sessions, and excursions to picturesque locations. These comprehensive activities throughout the week aim to equip you for life in Darjeeling. Additionally, all transportation will be conducted via public transit, offering an authentic taste of local living.
Uncover the hidden beauty of Darjeeling, engage deeply in its captivating culture, and create enduring memories.
Location
Darjeeling is a hill station in the state of West Bengal in India. Set amongst steep and snowy mountains, the city of Darjeeling has been popular with locals as well as international travellers as a great holiday destination. Darjeeling also has much more to offer. The climate is cold here throughout the year. Tea plantations and picturesque monasteries add a unique value to the atmosphere in Darjeeling.
Project Tasks
- For participants to learn about their new environment.
- Aid in understanding the manners, standards, and etiquette integral to Indian society.
- Provide guidance for cultural adaptation in the program.
Food & Accommodation
You will stay in a local volunteer house, where there is a dining room, and lounge area where you can relax with the other volunteers.
You will stay in shared rooms of 2-4 people per room, with a fan, hot shower, bed linen and mosquito protection included. There is a refrigerator in the house to store food and beverages you may purchase. Water, Coffee, Tea, and Milk are provided at the house also. There are ATM’s in the city of Darjeeling which is a few mins walking distance. The closest local supermarket is in Darjeeling city.
You will be provided with 3 meals per day during weekdays and 2 per day on weekends. Food will be a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables.
*Accommodation may be in our local centre or in close proximity, depending on availability and time of year.
Standard Projects
- Cultural Orientation Week, Goa
- Buddhist Monastery Teaching, Darjeeling
- Community Construction, Darjeeling
- Sports Coaching, Udaipur
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1 Week - $435
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2 Weeks - $595
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3 Weeks - $875
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1 Month - $1095
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2 Months - $2150
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3 Months - $3250
What's Included
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Accommodation
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Meals
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Airport Pickup
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Local Transportation
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1 Day Orientation
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24/7 In-Country Support
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Project Materials & Equipment
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Pre-departure Expert Advice
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Preperation Tools & Checklists
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Certificate of Completion
- Application fee is one off per person (unlimited placements)
- Click Here to convert the below prices to your local currency
- Discounts may apply if travelling in a pair or group!
- All credit card /international fees included in below pricing! 🙂
Testimonials...
FAQ
This week is perfect as an add-on to a volunteer program, to meet new people, learn about the culture and get accustomed before your program!
- Accommodation
- 3 meals p/day weekdays / 2 meals p/day weekends
- Arrival airport transfer (Sat/Sun arrivals)
- Filtered drinking water, coffee & tea
- 1 day orientation
- Daily transportation to project
- In country 24/7 support & emergency assistance
- Fundraising support
- University course credits (where applicable)
- Certificate of Completion
- Airfares
- Travel Insurance
- Tours, Souvenirs & spending money
Programs begin every Monday, and volunteers are required to arrive the day prior, for orientation before the project. Your accommodation on the Sunday is included in the program fees.
A free airport pickup is included when arriving to Siliguri Bagdogra Airport, Bagdogra (IXB). You must arrive between the hours 08:00 to 14:00 on Sunday.
If arriving outside the pickup times, we charge an additional fee for any extra night’s accommodation before your program, and an extra fee for a private transfer.
Alternatively, if arriving early you could wait at the arrival’s terminal for the pickup time, book accommodation at the airport and meet us during the pickup times or make your own way to the project (we will advise on how to do this).
From Bagdogra airport to the accommodation it’s around 4+ hours by road.
Monday
- Breakfast at the Center
- Welcoming ritual – Puja to the Gods and goddesses and name giving ceremony with Ice breaking activities
- Review the schedule. Social behaviors and norms do’s & don’ts in Darjeeling. Cross culture seminar on eating, drinking, clothing, bathing, and toileting customs in Darjeeling.
- Lunch Break
- Talk about safety and security during the program, sign up for the Code of Conduct, Child Protection Policy, Release and Waiver of Liability, and Media Consent. Collect passport copies, photos, and clean chit.
- Orientation tour of the neighborhood, getting personal accessories
- Headed Back to the Accommodation Center.
- Dinner
Tuesday
- Breakfast at the Center
- Nuts and Bolts (check-in) Impressions, health, emotions/feelings, needs, X-factor (special moments in your life)
- Nepali Language!!!
- Scavenger Hunt at Local Market, Chowk Bazar
- Explore the local markets, Chowrasta,Mahankal Temple, and Mall road
- Headed Back to the Accommodation Center.
- Dinner
- Movie Night!!
Wednesday
- Morning Walk (Mall road)
- Breakfast at the Center
- Presentation of the scavenger hunt
- Cooking class!!
- Lunch Break
- Tour to Bhalu Dhunga, rock climbing (optional), Happy Tea Garden
- Headed Back to the Accommodation Center.
- Dinner
Thursday
- Breakfast
- Talk about placement sites.
- Add on language class
- Lunch Break
- Historical as well as cultural orientation tour to Japanese Peace Pagoda
- Head Back to the Accommodation Center.
- Dinner
- Cultural Night
Friday
- Breakfast
- Hiking (Tiger Hill – Sinchel) – day trip, take Enough water
- Feedback sharing sessions over the culture week
- Head Back to the Accommodation Center.
- Dinner
***The schedule & timings can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances***
*Schedule possible to change due to the project and community needs at the time. Volunteer flexibility and adaptability is important to a positive volunteering experience.
Here are some things you can do when visiting Darjeeling, India:
Tiger Hill: Visit early in the morning to catch the breathtaking sunrise over the Himalayas. On clear days, you can see the majestic peaks of Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga.
Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train): Take a ride on this UNESCO World Heritage-listed narrow-gauge railway, offering scenic views of the tea gardens, valleys, and mountains.
Tea Garden Tours: Explore the lush tea plantations for which Darjeeling is famous. Many estates offer guided tours where you can learn about the tea-making process and sample different varieties.
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park: Home to endangered species like the snow leopard, red panda, and Himalayan wolf, this zoo is dedicated to the preservation of Himalayan fauna.
Japanese Peace Pagoda: Marvel at this serene Buddhist stupa built by Japanese monks, offering panoramic views of Darjeeling town and the surrounding mountains.
Hiking and Trekking: Darjeeling offers numerous trails for hiking and trekking enthusiasts, ranging from easy walks to challenging treks, such as the Sandakphu trek.
Batasia Loop and War Memorial: Visit this engineering marvel of a railway loop and pay homage to the Gorkha soldiers who sacrificed their lives in various wars.
Observatory Hill and Mahakal Temple: Enjoy panoramic views of Darjeeling and visit the Mahakal Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, which is highly revered by locals and tourists alike.
Himalayan Mountaineering Institute: Learn about the history of mountaineering in the region and pay tribute to Tenzing Norgay, the first man to summit Mount Everest along with Sir Edmund Hillary.
Chowrasta Mall: Stroll along this bustling promenade, lined with shops selling souvenirs, handicrafts, and local delicacies. Enjoy a cup of Darjeeling tea at one of the many cafes while soaking in the lively atmosphere.
Additional Requirements
- Older participants or those over 65 years old are required to have a medical clearance, while participants below 18 might need signed parental consent.
- Due to the length and active nature of this program and the fact that there are lots of outdoor activities in the heat of the sun, a decent level of fitness is required.
- Excellent time management and self – organizing and strong desire to take on new challenges and learn as much as possible.
- It is recommended that you obtain a COVID – 19 Vaccination and purchase travel insurance, medical insurance, and Covid – 19 insurance prior to your arrival.
- Have completed or recommended the following vaccines: Polio, Hepatitis A, Diphtheria/Tetanus, Typhoid, Malaria, Hepatitis B, and tuberculosis.
Additional Equipment
Dress Code
- Cover up as much as possible in the spirit of the local culture to avoid embarrassment.
- Your clothes must not be too short, too tight, or too revealing. Kindly make sure your shoulders and legs are covered.
- It is completely fine to wear western clothes as long as they fit the local standards
- Be thoughtful of the graphics, symbols, or text printed on your clothing and avoid wearing clothing styles that might be inappropriate.
- Be thoughtful to poor communities by not displaying expensive items and clothes.
- Wearing local clothes could help you build a good working relationship with the community.
Others:
- An environmentally friendly sunscreen or lotion is also advised to protect you from the heat of the sun, and please carry with you preventive agents, such as mosquito repellents, as well as other medicines for headaches and stomach aches.
- Moreover, bring Medicines with you, especially if you have to take specific medicines on a regular basis
- Reusable or refillable water or rehydration containers.
India is an eclectic and intoxicating cultural experience like no other! Home of the famous Taj Mahal, the Himalayas, the sacred Ganges river, and over 1 billion people of varying languages, cultures and beleifs, India is sure to push you to the boundaries of your comfort zone.
IVI is focused on establishing sustainable employment and education through volunteering efforts in India. Children in some of the regions we service have not had basic nutritional background. Over 950,000 newborns per year in India die from infections. Education about health for families provides a strong foundation for self-care in the communities we service in India.
India’s climte ranges from tropical down south to alpine up in the northern mountain regions.
From April until the start of October is summer, and in most places in India, is very hot. In June the monsoon rains start in Kerala down south, and move inland. Further north and in the rural areas of Rajasthan, it can get pretty cold from December to January- sometimes as low at minus 5 degrees!
Be prepared for some hot temperatures but if in the Sikkim region, bring along some warmer clothing as it can get cold in the mountains.
India is a country FULL of culture! From the beautiful colours, different religions, ancient traditions and the smells of spices- India is a country like no other. It’s the the second most populous nation after China, with over 1.2 billion people.
The most prominant religions are Hinduism and Buddhism and around 13% of the popualrtion are Muslim. Because there are so many religions, India celebrates a large number of festivals throughout the year. Some of these include Diwali, Holi, Eid and Good Friday.
In India, the cow is considered to be a Holy animal and you will see cars either driving around, or simply waiting if a cow is in the road holding up traffic! In some parts of India it is forbidden to eat meat or drink alcohol.
You will see many temples in India, as well as colourful clothing, particually the sari’s that the local women wear, and many cultural dance shows and activities.
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