International Student Volunteers

Each participant must complete and submit an ISV Application. Applications may be submitted online on the ISV website (see Apply Now link), or Applications may be mailed to the ISV USA office. There is no commitment in submitting an Application as each participant must first be accepted into the ISV Program before he/she may participate.
Within approximately 10 business days of receiving an Application, ISV will contact the participant in regards to: a) Acceptance into the Program, b) Non-acceptance, or c) Our need for more information.
If accepted, accompanying the Acceptance letter and email will be instructions directing the participant to the next stage of the process, the completion of the ISV Program Agreement. The ISV Program Agreement must be signed and returned to the ISV USA office with a $400.00 USD non-refundable, non-transferable deposit. For each additional Two-Week Volunteer Work Project or Adventure Tour (Customized Program) participants may choose to add to his/her Standard ISV Four-Week Program, there will be an additional $100.00 non-refundable, non-transferable deposit required.

ISV accepts participants we feel will make a valuable contribution to the ISV Program. ISV looks for certain qualities in those who apply:

Applicants who are motivated to learn about the cultures and peoples of the country they are visiting, and the local issues regarding conservation or social community development. During their ISV Program, all participants will be required to join in group discussions on relevant issues and to keep a daily journal reflecting that which they are learning.
Applicants with a strong desire to give of themselves as they volunteer in the process of making a significant contribution to conservation efforts or children and families of developing communities.

Graduates, as well as undergraduates, may apply.

Non-students may also apply if they meet the criteria as stated above.

All participants under the age of 18 must have a parent or guardian’s signature on the ISV Program Agreement in order to participate on the ISV Program.

Please be advised that departure dates and spaces are limited for each Volunteer Work Project in each host country. Therefore, ISV will accept participants on a first come-first serve basis, in the order that their agreements and deposit are received. When spaces are filled to capacity, participants will be placed on a waiting list and all non-refundable, non-transferable deposits will be returned to them.

The ISV non-refundable, non-transferable deposit of $400.00 USD (and any additional $100.00 USD deposit(s) for the Customized Program Options), must be submitted with the signed ISV Program Agreement and are non-refundable, non-transferable. These monies will assure ISV of the desire to participate in the Program and enable us to make the necessary program arrangements and reservations for a participant. Upon receipt of the non-refundable, non-transferable deposit(s), and the signed Agreement (and subject to space availability), ISV will reserve the participant a spot in our Program and email the participant an Allocation Letter. Included in the Allocation Letter will be the departure date(s) and assigned country(s).

NOTE: If participant has only one country and/or date preference, then this must be indicated in writing on the signed Agreement and sent in to the ISV USA office. If ISV is unable to reserve this space, we will immediately return any deposit(s) and place participant on a waiting list. The more flexible participants are in terms of country preference and departure dates, the easier it is for our ISV office to assign participants to one of their preferences.

At no time will any monies be transferred from one participant’s account to another. Participants with a cash flow problem may contact ISV to receive instructions on ISV’s payment plan for the deposit ($200.00 USD now, and $200.00 USD within 30 days.)

All payments towards Program costs (including donations) are due in the ISV USA office on or before sixty-five (65) days prior to departure to his/her host country.

ISV will send a final invoice statement 80 days prior to the participant's departure date to host country, reflecting the total amount received through private payments and donations and any balance due. All costs quoted are in US Dollars.

Participants may make payments towards their cost balance at any time prior to the sixty-five (65) day “prior to departure date” deadline.

If all monies are not received in the ISV USA office 65 days prior to departure, ISV will assume the participant has cancelled and cancellation fees (as specified below) will apply. In the case of late payments, a $50.00 USD late fee will be charged.

The Standard ISV Program: The Standard ISV program is four weeks in length, consisting of a Two-Week Volunteer Work Project and an ISV Two-Week Adventure Tour. The cost is $2,995.00 USD, regardless of the country that is chosen.

The Two-Week Volunteer ISV Program: ISV participants may choose to participate in a Two-Week Volunteer Project only, with no adventure tour. The cost is $1,695.00 USD. This Program will only be available on specified departure dates for each host country. Please email our office for Two-Week Volunteer Program dates. (Available only to participants taking the ISV Group Flight).

The Customized ISV Program: ISV participants may add to their Standard ISV Four-Week Program by choosing one or more additional Two-Week Volunteer Work Projects and/or Two-Week Adventure Tours. This may take place in as many as three other ISV Program countries. (Available only to participants taking the ISV Group Flight).

Additional costs to add each Two-Week Volunteer Project(s) and/or Adventure Tour(s) to participant's Standard ISV Four-Week Program:

*DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL Airfares and Air Taxes are not included in the ISV Program Cost.

Trying a variety of foods from other cultures can be fun and a challenge, and is part of ISV’s philosophy for an authentic experience overseas. Food on the ISV Program generally reflects the local cuisine. Some foods that are part of a regular diet at home may not be available and participants may have to include new foods in order to maintain a balanced diet. Vegetarians are easily provided for; however, ISV is unable to cater to very specific diets. Participants with food allergies (i.e. nuts) must ensure that ISV is aware of the existence and severity of the allergy. Please include this information on the ISV Application or email the ISV USA office. Participants with specific dietary requirements may need to supplement the included meals at their own expense.

Important reminder: All participants must ensure that ISV has recorded their dietary needs (i.e. vegetarian) prior to departure to his/her host country. Please also include any allergies to foods as part of your dietary and medical information.

Volunteer Project
Three meals per day are provided on the Volunteer Projects. Each project is a little different. Sometimes host organizations provide the food to volunteers (such as via host families), while other projects require participants to contribute to the meal planning and preparation. An ISV Project Overview (provided approximately 30 days prior to departure to your host country) will advise participants of the meals that can be expected on the project.

Adventure Tour
The number of meals provided during the Adventure Tour varies depending on the host country, but as part of the Program cost, at least half of the meals will be provided. For all other meals, we encourage participants to explore the local restaurants and eateries in their area. Participants should make note of any health and safety information provided by their ISV Tour Leaders prior to trying new foods or restaurants.

Note: Be on time for meals! No reimbursements will be made for participants who miss their included meals by being late or by choosing not to attend.

Participants traveling to Australia or New Zealand on ISV Group Flights departing from Los Angeles must attend a two-hour registration on the day of departure. The location of the registration will be nearby to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at a local hotel. ISV will provide additional information on this Registration as it becomes available.

All ISV participants will have a “Project Orientation” upon arrival in their host country. Details will be provided to participants in their Travel Manual which will be sent thirty days prior to the departure date to his/her host country.

Please note that the dates may vary slightly depending on airline negotiations & changing flight schedules.

Return dates will automatically be set to coincide with the end of the Program. If an extension is desired in his/her ISV Program country, the participant must inform the ISV USA office in writing of the desired return date no later than 90 days prior to the departure date. Any changes to airline tickets within 90 days of departure are subject to availability and will incur a change fee. International airline ticket(s) will be issued to participants on an ISV Group Flight approximately 14 days prior to departure. Participants who are required to attend the Pre-Departure Registration in Los Angeles will receive their airline tickets at that time.

Cancellation of the Program must be in writing (email or mail). No verbal cancellations will be accepted. When ISV receives a written cancellation, a cancellation fee will be incurred to cover the expenses and costs suffered by ISV due to the cancellation. The amount of the cancellation fee is determined by the number of days prior to the departure date to participant’s primary country that the written cancellation notice is received and is specified as follows:

* Airfare is not included within this cancellation policy. Refunds for airfare will be based upon the amount ISV is able to recover from airlines, vendors and operators.

All refunds will be given at the END of the ISV Summer Program term. (October – November)
Participants are responsible for contacting their travel/trip cancellation insurance provider for information on refunds for cancellation fees incurred. If the reason for cancellation falls within the terms of his/her travel/trip cancellation insurance policy then the provider will normally refund any cancellation fees to participant.

* Airfare is not included within this cancellation policy. Refunds for airfare will be based upon the amount ISV is able to recover from airlines, vendors and operators.

Participants who leave the ISV Program before the completion:
Any participant who voluntarily leaves or is removed from the ISV Program before the scheduled completion of their full Program will not be refunded by ISV for any portion of their Program costs, nor will they be permitted to rejoin the Program at any time during the Volunteer Work Project or the Outdoor Adventure Tour, including optional excursions and activities. ISV cannot assume responsibility for any participant once he/she has left the supervision of the ISV Program staff. This policy includes any participant being required to leave the ISV Program as requested by ISV staff for breach of contract, medical or personal reasons. Participants who leave the Program due to medical or personal reasons (injury/illness or family crisis at home), should consult his/her travel insurance provider, which may provide for partial or full recovery of his/her Program fees, depending on the reason for leaving. Participants who leave the Program for medical reasons (illness or injury that requires medical treatment or a short stay in the hospital) may be permitted to rejoin the ISV Program at the discretion of the ISV staff.

ISV requires all participants to secure travel/trip cancellation insurance. Travel/trip cancellation insurance may be obtained from any campus travel agency or through STA. You may contact STA Travel at (877) 777-8717 or visit their website at www.statravel.com.

Participants should compare and contrast policies from different suppliers and select a policy that meets their individual personal and financial needs, and contains the policy conditions they require.

Please read any insurance policy thoroughly to become familiar with the cancellation circumstances that may be covered. These vary greatly from policy to policy.

NOTE: Many travel/trip cancellation insurance companies require participants to purchase coverage within 14 days after receiving his/her assigned Program and date via email. Failure to purchase travel/trip cancellation insurance within 14 days after receiving his/her assigned Program and date via email may result in the loss of some benefits available under the “Buy Early Feature” of some policies. It is highly recommended that participants purchase travel/trip cancellation insurance within 14 after receiving his/her assigned Program and date via email.

Proof of Travel/Trip Cancellation insurance must be submitted to the ISV USA office no later than sixty-five (65) days prior to the participant’s departure date to his/her host country.

If a participant selects one of the STA travel insurance packages, STA will automatically supply the required travel insurance confirmation and information to ISV, Inc. If a participant selects another travel/trip cancellation insurance carrier, the participant is responsible for submitting their insurance confirmation and information to ISV no later than 65 days prior to participant’s departure date to his/her host country.