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What is the difference between volunteering and service learning? |
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Both our volunteering and service learning programs are designed to provide a valuable service to communities in need, as well as a meaningful and memorable experience for program participants. The main difference is one of focus. In our volunteering projects, the focus is the experience itself, whether it be cross-cultural exchange, foreign language acquisition, a group travel experience, or a combination of all of these aspects.
Our service learning programs, on the other hand, actively integrate the volunteer experience with academic coursework and specific learning objectives. Service learning is a teaching methodology in which the student benefits from the practical application of theoretical knowledge while also serving the needs of the community and participating in international travel.
Our volunteer projects can be used as inspiration for a service learning program and our organization can help with curricular design, if needed. If you are not looking for an academic component, our volunteer projects can form the base of an excellent intercultural experience, team-building effort, or international group trip.
More Service Learning FAQs
More Volunteering FAQs |
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Why should my group use a third-party provider? |
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BridgeVolunteers has expertise and contacts in many regions all over the world, which facilitates program development for faculty members and administrators. Our goal is to make the program design process as easy as possible so that faculty members can focus on what they do best—teaching and inspiring their students.
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Which types of academic majors or studies are best for your programs? |
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BridgeVolunteers believes that service learning and study abroad should be available to students in all academic areas. For that reason, we work with faculty members in all academic disciplines in order to ensure that the program fulfills necessary learning objectives. We pay particular attention to students who are generally under-represented in study abroad. |
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How long are your service learning programs? |
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All of our group programs are completely customized, so the length of your program abroad depends on the needs of each group. We have the capabilities to create programs that last from one week to one semester. Our staff will work with your group to determine the best program length for your group. |
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Can college credit be earned? |
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Yes! We work with faculty members, administrators, and students to ensure that credit for our volunteer and service learning programs is easily transferred. We are more than happy to provide all the necessary paperwork including program descriptions, class syllabi, lecturer profiles, or any other necessary documents for your students to receive academic credit. For more information, please see our College Credit page. |
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Can I participate in a site visit? |
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Of course! We encourage site visits as they provide faculty members and administrators with a deeper understanding of the area, the culture, the volunteer projects, and our organization. BridgeVolunteers can work with your institution to arrange for site visits at any time of the year. We will also include pre-departure orientation, on-site support, and follow-up as part of the site-visit process. |
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Who do students serve? |
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BridgeVolunteers participants serve our partner organizations abroad and the local communities with which they work. Student participation on these projects will benefit local environmental and community advocates who have spent their lives promoting a specific cause. And most importantly, the local people, wildlife, and environmental causes aided by our projects will positively benefit from their work. |
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How do I create a customized program? |
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BridgeVolunteers specializes in customizing programs to meet the needs of each group. If you have special program requests or would like to modify a program you see on this website, just fill out our Request Info form and we’ll be happy to accommodate your needs. Our staff will walk through every detail with you to ensure that the trip meets your group’s interests and requirements.
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My institution does not have service learning programs.
How can you help? |
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Our organization is dedicated to providing the highest quality service learning programs. An important component of this goal is educating the public about the value of service learning as a recognized teaching method. As such, we are able to work with faculty members and school administrators to provide different program models in order to ensure that the desired learning takes place. Additionally, our organization can provide a variety of materials which explain the value of service learning and how to create or expand service learning programs at your institution. |
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Are there any language requirements to participate? |
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Knowledge of a foreign language is not a requirement on any of our programs. However, we believe that learning the local language will make each experience abroad more interesting, productive, and meaningful. For that reason, we have designed some of our programs to include language classes. BridgeVolunteers makes it easy to learn the language of the host country by scheduling language instruction around volunteer work. |
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What are program accommodations like? |
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Each project has different living arrangements depending on the needs of your group. Volunteers will either live with host families or in volunteer housing, usually lodges, dormitories, or camps. All of our projects include meals prepared by host families, project staff, or on a rotating basis by the volunteers themselves. Our Accommodations page offers more detailed information regarding lodging facilities and meals. |
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Is funding available for your projects? |
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BridgeVolunteers believes that cost should not hinder someone’s desire to volunteer. For that reason, we have prepared a Fundraising Tips package to help with ideas for how to raise funds for your program. In addition, we are in the process of seeking additional funding alternatives. Please inquire for more information. |
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How do I learn about health and safety issues in my destination? |
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For updated travel alerts, potential health hazards, and other related issues, please consult one of the following websites: US Department of State, UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, or Canadian Consular Affairs. |
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Who do volunteers serve? |
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BridgeVolunteer participants serve our partner organizations abroad and the local communities with which they work. Your participation on these projects will benefit local environmental and community advocates who have spent their lives promoting a specific cause. And most importantly, the local people, wildlife, and environmental causes aided by our projects will positively benefit from their work. |
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Why should I pay to volunteer? |
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As a volunteer with Volunteer Adventures, you will be working with one of our partner non-profit organizations around the globe. These non-profits are doing meaningful, much-needed work in their local communities, but are under constant pressure to keep staffed, organized, and to pay bills. These programs cannot afford to run without financial assistance.
Therefore, a specific amount of your volunteer fees are used as a donation to these organizations. These donations help keep the programs working and up-to-date, enabling them to continue to do their valuable work. Without your help, many of these projects would not be running, and the communities they serve would be at a loss.
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How long are your volunteer programs? |
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We offer projects that last from as little as a week to as long as a year. Minimum and maximum program lengths depend on the individual project. The majority of projects have an average length of 2-4 weeks. |
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Can college credit be earned? |
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Yes! We work with faculty members, administrators, and students to ensure that credit for our volunteer and service learning programs is easily transferred. We are more than happy to provide all the necessary paperwork including program descriptions, class syllabi, lecturer profiles, or any other necessary documents for your students to receive academic credit. For more information, please see our College Credit page. |
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Are there any language requirements to participate? |
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Knowledge of a foreign language is not a requirement on any of our projects. However, we believe that learning the local language will make each experience abroad more interesting, productive, and meaningful. For that reason, we have designed some of our programs to include language classes. BridgeVolunteers makes it easy to learn the language of the host country by scheduling language instruction around volunteer work. |
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What are program accommodations like? |
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Each project has different living arrangements. Volunteers will either live with host families or in volunteer housing, usually lodges, dormitories, or camps. All of our projects include meals prepared by host families, project staff, or on a rotating basis by the volunteers themselves. Our Accommodations page offers more detailed information regarding lodging facilities and meals. |
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Is funding available for your projects? |
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BridgeVolunteers believes that cost should not hinder someone’s desire to volunteer. For that reason, we have prepared a Fundraising Tips package to help with ideas for how to raise funds for your program. In addition, we are in the process of seeking additional funding alternatives. Please inquire for more information. |
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How do I learn about health and safety issues in my destination? |
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For updated travel alerts, potential health hazards, and other related issues, please consult one of the following websites: US Department of State, UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office, or Canadian Consular Affairs. |
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