 Who
we are? |
| HorizonCosmopolite is a Montreal-based organization that offers people the opportunity to travel in other countries and experience, through educational programs, a way of life and a reality that is different from their own. These programs give participants the chance to live an educational and enriching experience by sharing daily life with people of a different culture. |
| How
long have you been in operation? |
| Our business was officially established in 1997. Since that day, more than 3000 people have used our services to go abroad, both individually and in groups. |
 Why
should I pay to do volunteer work ? Read
the entire document |
| The majority of the countries we
work with are developing countries (often referred to as "third
world" countries). They have a sufficient local labour force
to carry out the work that you will be doing. Unless you are a specialist
in a technical field, your presence there is not essential.
Consider the fact that someone in an organization awaits you and has taken the time to organize lodging and a work placement for you. These not-for-profit organizations work in fields that receive very little governmental support:community development, assisting marginalized people, environmental protection, education, etc. Finally, you must not think that participating in a program in a developing country means you will "save" people in need. Surely, your presence there will be beneficial on many levels, but understand that your primary reason for going abroad is to experience a different way of life and a new culture, to discover another country and its people, and also to discover your own strenghts and weaknesses. Participating in daily activities, in protecting the environment or teaching English are mostly ways of enabling you to live a true cross-cultural experience. Organizing all of these things involves costs, but the experience itself and what you learn from it stays with you for a lifetime! » More information |
| What
happens if a problem arises during the program? |
| Our partners often work with foreigners
and know what to do if problems arise. Although we do not have field
representatives, our team and our partners abroad will be available
if ever you require help, as long as you are still in the intership's
location. However, we cannot be held responsible for any accidents
that may occur abroad, just as we cannot predict the level of culture
shock you will experience or how well you will adapt to your new environment
and living conditions. We can help you prepare for your trip and provide
you with as much detailed information as possible regarding the program
and way of life in the country you will be visiting. However, we are
unable to judge your level of tolerance to situations different than
those you are familiar with in Canada. We will give you as much information as possible so that you are prepared when faced with unpredictable situations, but keep in mind that the unexpected is part of the traveler's experience! |
| What are your requirements for a working knowledge of English |
| Several of our projects demand a basic level of English. If you are confident with your level of English and if you believe that in the time of illness you would be capable of explaining to a doctor your symptoms or asking for advice, then you should be able to participate in our internships. In regards to teaching English, we do not expect an extensive knowledge of English grammar. However, you should be comfortable with teaching basic vocabulary and the general principles of the language. Of course you should also have a lot energy…! |
| What
kind of contacts do you have abroad? |
| We work mostly with NGOs (non-governmental
organizations) and community organizations in various countries. These
organizations have been in operation for several years and are able
to arrange activities for foreigners. Our partners want their countries
to be explored and discovered, and therefore, they encourage exchanges
between peoples.
Like Canadian NGOs, our partners do not have the financial means to offer these programs free of charge. For this reason, there are fees for participating in their activities. |
| What
are your guarantees? |
| If, for one reason or another, our
partner does not accept you, you will be reimbursed for the total
amount of your registration fee. While we guarantee that someone will
await your arrival in the host country, it is rare that someone will
meet you at the airport. Accommodation will be arranged, meals will
be provided and a work project will be established. We try to give
you the most accurate information, but we cannot guarantee that your
work project will be exactly as you expected.
Also remember that you will be traveling alone, therefore no one will be there to hold your hand, so you must be responsible and independent. We will answer all your questions and will let you know of both negative and positive feedback received from past participants. We try to inform you as accurately as possible about your program in order to avoid surprises and disappointments. |
| Do
I need to have any qualifications? |
| No, the majority of our programs are open to anyone between 18 and 70 years of age. You must have an open mind and an adventurous spirit. You must expect the standard way of life to be notably different than what you already know. While some programs require specific skills, most do not. The most important pre-requisites are resourcefulness and a thirst for adventure. |
| When
should I register if I want to participate in an individual program? |
| You must contact us at least 3 months
before your date of departure. Some programs have fixed dates for
the registration, although most programs are available at any time,
provided you allow a couple of weeks for registration and to reserve
your place. You should also know that in some countries vaccinations
are obligatory and it may take a couple of weeks to have them all
done. We will try to have you well prepared before your departure,
and this will take several weeks. For more details about registration
procedures, click
here. We also offer a mandatory one-day pre-departure training. It is offered once every three months. Registering three months before your expected date of departure will enable you to attend the pre-departure training. For more details about the pre-departure orientation day, click here. |
| Can
I participate in several programs ? |
| Yes. You must discuss the itinerary you want to follow and the possibility of registering in different programs. For the second program we charge an additional $325 + taxes ($366.84) which is completely refundable if you are not accepted. |
| If
I am accepted and then I change my mind am I reimbursed?
|
| No |
| What
are the advantages of going abroad and participating in such a program? |
| You will find it to be one of the
most personally enriching experiences and one that helps to develop
the skills needed in the world of tomorrow: leadership, independence,
a sense of responsibility, ability to adapt to a new environment,
resourcefulness, knowledge of several languages, intercultural relations,
group work, group decision making, etc.
Travel and volunteer work is often well regarded by employers as well. These are two very important elements in a world that is becoming smaller and smaller, where versatility is an asset. |
| » Questions about programs for Secondary Schools and Community Organizations. |
| » Questions about programs for Post-Secondary Level Group. |