Is it dangerous to join our programs in Africa? In India? In Nicaragua? Every so often, we receive these and similar questions from interested individuals or their concerned parents.
Our answer?
We have a risk assessment and safety management plan in place at every location where we operate, with a designated person responsible for ensuring that all team members are trained to meet safety standards and to provide an appropriate response in case of an emergency.
However, you are also part of this equation. IF you adhere to a few basic behavioral rules, which we will educate you about in detail if you join our programs, both before your travel, in our online preparation session, and in our knowledge base, as well as on-site after your arrival during your program orientation, there is no particular risk in joining any of our worldwide programs.
Our risk assessment and safety management plans encompass the following aspects:
Transportation
For airport pickups and any transportation of our participants during the services we provide, we only use vehicles that are licensed for passenger transportation, insured, regularly maintained, and equipped with seatbelts.
If boats are used e.g. at our marine conservation programs, appropriate safety measures are in place, including life jackets, and participants receive instructions on how to behave safely while aboard.
For independent transportation during your leisure time, we only recommend reputable and licensed providers.
Health and Disease
If food and beverages are provided during your program participation, we ensure that hygiene standards are met
We have safety protocols for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in place, with measures taken in accordance with recommendations from health authorities. You will be informed about potential health risks.
During a longer stay, especially in less developed tropical countries with close contact with the local population and local food, it is not unusual for a foreigner whose stomach, circulation, or immune system are not accustomed to the local circumstances to become ill. In most cases, these are 'minor' issues such as diarrhea that can be easily treated on-site. While the risk can be reduced by certain vaccinations and precautionary measures, it cannot be completely eliminated though.
If needed, our local coordinator will direct you to a doctor or medical center.
Having appropriate travel health insurance is an absolute necessity. In most cases, treatments and medicines have to be paid for in cash or via credit card on the spot, and the insurance will then reimburse the expenses when you hand in the receipts. The travel health insurance would also cover transportation cost to a medical treatment.
Clinical elective students and medical interns will receive instruction on how to prevent infections, and all hospitals we work with for internships offer HIV PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis) services.
Contact information for mental health support is available.
Accommodation and Facilities
We ensure that construction standards are met at all accommodation we arrange, including checking for potential safety issues such as handrails, staircases, electrical wiring, and gas, and ensuring that emergency exits and fire extinguishers are available.
We check that the accommodation has no major issues with pests, mold, and other potential health risks. However, please note that in tropical and subtropical climates with high temperatures and high air humidity, it is impossible to have full control over this. If you find an insect, such as a cockroach, in your accommodation, it does not necessarily indicate fundamental hygiene or safety issues. You can reduce the risk by, for instance, not storing food in your room or tent, cleaning kitchen surfaces after use, disposing of food waste outside, regularly washing your bed sheets, and ventilating your room or shower room. Should there be any real issues, we will immediately address them.
We also take measures to minimize the risk of crime, such as theft, assault, or sexual harassment, by implementing safety measures such as having guards at our camps, providing lockable cabinets for valuables, and ensuring lockable shower doors, among others.
While living standards in less developed countries in which we operate may be different from what you are accustomed to, with the quality of construction and materials sometimes being inferior to those in northern or central Europe or the US, most participants are positively surprised by our camps, shared apartments, and host families. We ensure that everything meets safety and cleanliness standards. Please read the detailed descriptions of the accommodation on our website to have a realistic expectation. If anything falls short of your expectations, inform our local coordinators, who will try to resolve it.
Safety and Security
Petty crime due to poverty exists in all less developed countries to varying degrees. However, this should not deter you from traveling. In most cases, following general precautionary measures, which we will brief you about and are often common sense, is sufficient. This includes:
Don't overtly display valuables and cash. Those who walk around with wads of money, large cameras, expensive mobile phones, jewelry, designer clothes, and accessories naturally attract attention. You should estimate how much money you will need and avoid carrying much more than necessary. Store the excess in a secure location. In certain locations, it is advisable not to use mobile phones on the street and to opt for small cameras that can be discreetly concealed in your pockets.
Carry your valuables in zippered pockets close to your body; an old plastic bag is less conspicuous than a stylish camera bag!
Avoid lingering in dark, obscure, and deserted areas alone. At night, consider taking a taxi home.
Beware of pickpockets, especially in crowded and unclear areas, such as markets or public transport.
Never exchange money on the street. It is not only illegal, but the likelihood of being cheated or robbed is very high.
Steer clear of conflicts, and avoid provoking people.
We have had ten thousands of participants since 2007, with very few cases of participants falling victim to petty crime. Such situations usually occurred when participants were under the influence of alcohol and thus easy targets for pickpockets. Avoid situations such as being drunk at night on a beach in Zanzibar, on a street in Tanzania, or even in a bar in Tokyo!
Female participants can travel to all countries in which we operate without any problems. Some 75% of our participants are females. Out of the ten thousands of female participants we have had, nothing serious has ever happened to any of them. We will provide you with information about safety topics relevant to women. For instance, it is recommended to wear (or not to wear) at certain locations certain types of clothing and to consider certain rules of conduct when dealing with (local) men. In many cultures, local males can see it as an invitation to become bothersome if women openly speak out about sexuality.
Please adhere to the laws of the country you are traveling to. We will inform you about key aspects, as many countries where we operate have strict laws, for instance, regarding the purchase or consumption of illegal drugs. Don't buy or consume illegal drugs! You are required to sign a disclaimer agreeing that we can expel you from the program without a refund and will not provide assistance if you do not follow the laws of your host country.
We do not arrange programs in areas where there are wars, civil wars, and other armed conflicts.
Natural Environment
The natural environment does have certain risks, such as natural disasters like earthquakes, typhoons, or tsunamis, sun exposure resulting in burns or heat strokes, or encounters with wild animals. We will inform you about these dangers and, with appropriate behavior and precautions, the risk is minimal.
A realistic danger from wild animals exists only for activities directly dealing with potentially dangerous animals, such as being an animal keeper, ranger, vet, etc. Your supervisor for such projects will inform you about precautionary measures to minimize the danger posed by wildlife. It is self-explanatory that roaming cats, dogs, and other animals should not be petted or approached too closely.
Safety During Program Activities
When we arrange program activities, our supervisors will inform you about the safe use of tools if needed (e.g., gardening tools) and ensure that you wear suitable clothing, such as sturdy shoes when entering the forest, and provide work gloves, safety goggles etc.
First aid kits are available during all program activities.
For outdoor activities, weather forecasts and conditions are monitored by our staff.
If we place you with other companies/organizations, such as in case of internships, we also ensure that workplace safety regulations are in place.
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