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Frequently Asked Questions
The Frequently Asked Questions documents answer many of the most common questions about our private group programs. It provides information about how Service For Peace works with university groups, what to expect during a program, a typical schedule, packing, emergencies, Internet and telephone usage, accommodations, food, and water, participation requirements, health and travel information, and more.
Be sure to check out our Frequently Asked Questions for Alternative Breaks if you are a university group, or check out our Frequently Asked Questions for Private Groups if you are a corporate group, family, high school, religious groups, business, or any other private group.
How is the Service For Peace experience unique?
To what extent is Service For Peace involved in the trip experience?
What does the program fee pay for?
Do participants need to speak another language in order to participate?
Do participants need to have previous experience in order to participate?
What will accommodations be like?
What does a typical daily schedule look like?
Should I buy travel medical insurance?
Will someone meet me at the airport?
What should I do if my flight is delayed?
Service For Peace involves volunteers in ongoing community development programs throughout the world. Our programs are designed to further the growth and development of individuals and communities through the shared experience of voluntary service.
Global PeaceMakers is a program of Service For Peace that involves youth and professionals in voluntary service programs designed to increase international cooperation and to break the cycle of poverty in nations throughout the world. At the core of our programs is the belief that sustainable community development is possible through active citizenship, collaborative leadership, and intercultural exchange.
How is the Service For Peace experience unique?
There are several key unique features of the SFP experience:
- Private group programs only take place in Communities of Peace where local SFP chapters have a strong presence and long-standing partnership. Our commitment to sustainability invites volunteers to experience local collaboration and be a valuable part of a much greater change in their host community.
- SFP specializes in sustainable community development. SFP is not simply a travel agency or trip provider. We are an established international organization with chapters that work with specific communities over periods of time. Typically, private groups will not be the first nor the last volunteers to pass through their host communities—though each group effects a unique, valuable, and significant positive change with a specific goal, developed together with the community and the group.
- SFP-AB programs emphasize leadership development and citizenship education. Our staff members are trained in leading reflective sessions, and in assisting site leaders (when requested) in designing and facilitating the service-learning program component.
To what extent is Service For Peace involved in the trip experience?
Regular pre-trip communication through email and video calls will prepare group leaders for the project. Service For Peace acts as a host organization for group programs. Service For Peace will organize all of the logistics for your project (worksite details, lodging, food, transportation, etc.) and will be living and working with the group participants 24 hours a day, as well as collaborate with group leaders to coordinate group activities and reflections. Our job is to facilitate a safe, fun, comfortable, and unforgettable experience for our groups.
GPM programs typically last between 1-2 weeks, but is flexible.
Program costs range depending on the host country, size of group, length of program and complexity of project. The average program fee starts at $750, not including airfare. Oftentimes, Service For Peace will assist accepted applicants with fundraising ideas and events. We are proud to be one of the most affordable international service programs available, and our low-cost program fee is all-inclusive except for airfare.
What does the program fee pay for?
Global PeaceMakers programs are essentially all-inclusive (excluding airfare). The expenses will cover the services we provide including room & board, in-country transportation, workshop & lesson materials, local excursions, and all the construction materials for the service project. A small percentage of the volunteer program fees also help the local staff in each respective country continue the work of the US volunteers’ in the communities with local volunteers.
Do participants need to speak another language in order to participate?
No! Each project will have bilingual staff members that are always available for translation.
Do participants need to have previous experience in order to participate?
No! We welcome participants from all levels of experience. As long as participants have the desire to serve, learn, and have the experience of a lifetime, we say “come on over”! There is work available appropriate to the abilities and skills of each accepted participant.
What will the accommodations be like?
Participants sleep grouped by gender and by rooms of 2-10 depending on the housing for the project. Participants should expect modest settings; past lodging sites include community-owned houses, rooms rented at a convent, small hotels, religious campsites, and elementary schools. We typically eat breakfast and dinner at this site and eat lunch to the worksite (prepared by the community—and delicious!). While these sites vary in the comfort level, participants can always expect running water, drinking water, and bathrooms.
What does a typical daily schedule look like?
A typical daily schedule might look like this:
- 7:30 Wake up
- 8:00 Breakfast
- 9:00 Depart for worksite
- 9:30-12:30 Work
- 12:30-1:30 Break for Lunch
- 1:30-3:00 Work
- 3:00-3:15 Break
- 3:15-4:30 Work
- 4:30 Depart for lodging
- 5:00-6:30 Shower/rest/free time
- 6:30-7:30 Dinner
- 7:30-9:00 Group activities, special guests, etc.
- 9:00-9:30 Reflection
Should I buy travel medical insurance?
Yes, all international participants should have valid emergency medical insurance. It is required that participants provide their primary medical insurance information, and participants should check with this insurance carrier regarding emergency travel medical coverage. In the event that the participant is not covered for emergency medical expenses abroad, separate emergency travel medical insurance should be purchased. Service For Peace cannot be liable for emergency medical expenses incurred during the program.
Will someone meet me at the airport?
Yes, Service For Peace staff will be waiting for you, wearing Service For Peace shirts and carrying a large Service For Peace sign.
What should I do if my flight is delayed?
We will be monitoring the arrival times and will be there when your delayed flight arrives.
