Volunteering in another culture offers a unique opportunity to stimulate personal growth while making significant contribution to the local community. And what better way to motivate yourself and others in a country full of ancient culture and diversity? India offers immense potential for experiences and awareness, with incredibly warm people, colorful landscapes, and zen-filled environment.

Cultural Embrace partners with local NGOs to promote quality volunteer opportunities in Southern India.  Our goals are to assist at-need communities and to improve their standards of living. In order to keep the general atmosphere of the program consistent, projects are limited in space per arrival group, with a maximum of 15 volunteers, and divided by age.  Adult groups are defined as volunteers aged 30 years or more, and Youth projects will consist of volunteers from 18 to 29 years old.

We offer a range of volunteer programs that differ in duration, location, and work content. We have several short-term two-weeks projects for youths and adults, however, in order to impact the communities, some projects require an one month duration.  Additional extensions are available, as well as discounts for an extended period of stay.  To top off this unforgettable experience, we will include sight-seeing excursions (ie: Taj Mahal, elephant rides at Amber fort, beach visits, etc), home-stay accommodations during orientation, cultural activities (ie: cooking, yoga, meditation, etc) and other fun and exciting events for you to enjoy India.  

Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences!

Orphanage Assistance

Situated in the village Saliyana, help the children and staff at an orphanage that houses about 25 children of various age.  Provide the special individual attention that the children miss and assist with them with homework, health/nutrition, sports training and games.  

Teaching/Tutoring

Teach English and tutor other subjects to children, villagers and/or women groups by using casual conversation and activities.  Or, act as a role model for youth and adults through informal education classes and English camps. Many of the schools are located in rural provinces of the Himalayas or Goa.  These areas have the strongest need for English teachers and education assistance.

Social & Public Welfare

Assist elderly people, locals with disabilities, and staff of social services with daily routines.  Past projects include teaching life skills, English, computer training, and business skills. These projects improve the education, health, and economy of at-need communities and families. A variety of opportunities are available based on your experiences, skills, and interests.

Health Care Services

An increasing variety of work is required and being setup for volunteers at institutions for people with special needs and health issues.  The duties include everday care, maintenance of facilities, teaching, awareness building, and creative activities.  Specific projects to certain regions include:

Project Locations:

Rajasthan: (available September, 2007 to March, 2008)
This Northwest part of India is often called the most colorful desert in the World. Knowen for its rich hertiage, folk culture and festivals. Experience camel and tiger safaris, excursions to famous forts and Palaces. Limited volunteer positions are available at residential training camps for tribal girls and physically disabled children.  These camps are funded by the Government of Rajasthan and in operation for a period of six months. Volunteers will help the participants in education, computer training, physiotherapy (experience required), sports activities, and creative exercises for children that do not have the opportunity to go to school.  

Himachal Pradesh/Himalayan: (available March, 2007 to December, 2008)
Nestled in the valleys of the Himalayas, the state of Himachal Pradesh is known for its beautiful nature and pleasant climate during the harsh Indian summer. Volunteers will enjoy the beautiful snow capped mountains while taking part with adventurous activities like trekking/rafting or cultural trips to places like Dharamsala, home to the Dalai Lama and center for Tibetan culture. Projects include: working in a special school for mentally challenged children, assisting at a local orphanage, or teaching English and/or computer classes to adolescent girls and women. Severely understaffed, these schools and orphanages need assistance to provide adequate attention to each of the students enrolled. 

Goa: (available January, 2007 to December, 2008)
The state of Goa's main attraction are the sun-kissed beaches with termperate climate. A former Portuguese colony, Goa offers a totally different cultural dimension of India. Activites in Goa range from water sports to cultural sightseeing to breathtaking cruises. Volunteers have opportunities to teach or provide assistance at local schools or child-care facilities; or ASRO, a community care and support center for people living with HIV/AIDS; or a school for mentally-challenged children.  Act as a bridge between health care institutions and patients' families to create awareness in the community.

  Volunteering in India Offers:

• An unforgettable experience helping and improving Indian communities 
• An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
• An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: language, crafts, dancing)
• Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about 
• The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
• A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences 
• A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills   

  Cultural Embrace Offers:

• Guaranteed Volunteer Placement Prior to Departure
  Cultural Embrace pre-arranges your volunteer project before you leave home to ensure an easy and hassle-free transition to your new life abroad.   
• Housing & Board
  Basic, clean, and comfortable housing and meals during working and orientation days.  (Breakfasts only during excursions, unless otherwise specified)
  Homestay with local English speaking families in Jaipur during orientation, and shared accommodations at on-site volunteer facilities. 
• Visa Assistance
  Cultural Embrace will assist you with information to obtain a visa (if necessary), but we have no control nor the ability to guarantee government issuance and/or visa availability.
• Arrival Assistance, Hotel Stay & Transfer
  An airport pick-up from New Delhi or Bombay airport, transfer to one night hotel stay, and transfers to orientation and your local volunteer site will be arranged.
• Arrival Orientation
  Training about the local Indian culture, community, project duties, and lifestyle will be provided by your local representatives. Housing and board with carefully selected host families or volunteer facilities will be provided during orientation. 
• Excursions & Activities  
  Visit local attractions and participate in various cultural activities based on your volunteer location and duration.  Sample of included excursions per group and regions consists of:
  Short-Term - Adult/Youth:  Overnight hotel visit to Taj Mahal. Yoga and meditation classes. Weekend excursions for three-weeks program.
  Himalayan/Rajasthan - Adult:  Overnight hotel visit to Taj Mahal. Sightseeing of Amber fort in Jaipur with elephant ride. If volunteering at Himalayan region a 2 days/1 night excursion to Amritsar, the holy city of Sikh religion, and 2 days/2 nights trek in the Himalayas with overnight camping inclusive of all meals and necessary gear.  If volunteering at Rajasthan region a camel safari with overnight camping in the desert with full-board.
  Goa-Youth: 3 days/2 nights sightseeing of local village including trekking and rock-climbing. 3 days yoga & meditation course. Special "Bollywood" feature. 
  Himalayan/Rajasthan - Youth:  Sightseeing of Amber fort in Jaipur with elephant ride. If volunteering at Himalayan region a 2 days/1 night excursion to Amritsar, the holy city of Sikh religion, and 2 days/2 nights trek in the Himalayas with overnight camping inclusive of all meals and necessary gear.  If volunteering at Rajasthan region a camel safari with overnight camping in the desert with full-board, and tiger safari at Ranthambore National Tiger Reserve.
  Volunteer Materials
  Materials for various activities during the volunteer work like colored pencils, pens, markers, sports equipment, paper, games, etc are provided.
• Dedicated Transportation
  Transportation to and from volunteer sites throughout the program  
• Travel Insurance:  Basic Major Medical Coverage 
  Our policy provides basic medical coverage at your volunteer location. Cultural Embrace highly recommends additional travel insurance.
• Cultural Embrace Kit
  Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of living and working abroad.
• Full-time Representation
  Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and your host country prior to, during, and after your placement. 

• You must be at least 18 years of age.  Or, if younger than 18, you must have parental or guardian consent  
• Minimum volunteer commitment is 2-4 weeks, dependent on project and location. Weekly and monthly extensions can be arranged with discounted rates for long-term stays
• Enjoy working and serving others in an underprivileged and struggling environment.
• Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
• Dedication to the full term of commitment      

Location/Region	Price (in US$/ €)	Age Group	Minimum Duration	Extra $/week
Himalaya	$1500/ 950€	Adult & Youth	2 weeks	$350/ wk week
Rajasthan	$1465/ 930€	Adult & Youth	2 weeks	$410/ wk
Lower Himalayan/Rajasthan	$2255/ 1430€	Adult	4 weeks	$350 per  week
Himalayan/Rajasthan/Goa	$2175/ 1380€	Youth	4 weeks	$350 per  week

2008 Project Dates/Location

Adult & Youth: Short-Term Projects - Minimum 2 Weeks

Himalayan (Start Date)	End Date (2 Weeks)	End Date (3 Weeks)
March 27	April 11	April 18
April 24	May 9	May 16
May 22	June 6	June 13
June 19	July 4	July 11
July 17	August 1	August 8
August 14	August 29	September 5
September 12	September 27	October 4
October 9	October 24	October 31
November 6	November 21	November 28
December 4	December 19	December 26
Rajasthan (Start Date)	End Date (2 Weeks)	End Date (3 Weeks)
January 24	February 8	February 15
February 21	March 7	March 14
March 20	April 4	April 11
September 12	September 27	October 4
October 9	October 24	October 31
November 6	November 21	November 28
December 4	December 19	December 26

Youth: <30 Years Old - Minimum 4 Weeks (Start Date - End Date)

GOA	HIMILAYAN	RAJASTHAN
January 14 - February 10	January 7- February 3	January 21- February 17
February 11 - March 9	February 4- March 2	February 18- March 16
March 5 - April 6	March 3- March 30	March 16- April 13
April 7 - May 4	March 31- April 27
May 5 - June 1	April 28- May 25
June 2 - July 2	May 26- June 22
June 30 - July 27	June 23- July 20
July 28 - August 24	July 21- August 17
August 25 - September 21	August 18- September 14	September 1- September 28
September 22 - October 19	September 15- October 12	September 29- October 26
October 20 - November 16	October 13- November 9	October 27- November 23
November 17 - December 14	November 10- December 7	November 24- December 21
December 15 - January 11, 2009	December 8- January 4, 2009	December 11- January 18, 2009

Adult: 30+ Years Old - Minimum 4 Weeks (Start Date - End Date)

HIMACHAL/HIMALAYAN	RAJASTHAN
March 10- April 6	January 7- February 3
April 7- May 4	February 4- March 2
May 5- June 1	March 3- March 30
June 2- June 29
June 30- July 27
July 28- August 24
August 25- September 21
September 22- October 19	Sept 15- October 12
October 20- November 16	October 13-November 9
November 17 - December 14	November 10- December 7

Customize and combine this program with other programs in India, such as the India Culinary Program

1. Obtain the Volunteer Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:

(a) Download the forms:  Volunteer Form (pdf).   Volunteer in India Program Details and FAQ (pdf).

(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be mailed to you within 7-10 days.

(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089/(US toll-free) 1-888-214-8570 to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days.

2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.

3. Submit your completed application packet to:

CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA

Completed packet should include:

• Volunteer Program Application
• Signed Volunteer Agreement
• Copy of your passport (information page only)
• Copies of transcripts, diplomas, or certificates related to field of interest (if applicable)
• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter explaining what you want to do and why you want to volunteer in India 
• Two References: preferably professional and/or character references
• Doctor’s Certificate verifying that you are in excellent mental and physical health
• Copy of Police Clearance (obtainable from your community's local police station) 
• Two 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
• One smiling full-length photo of yourself
• US$200 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee) 

We recommend submitting your application at least 12 weeks prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your volunteer placement.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089/(US toll-free) 1-888-214-8570.