Trip Details

Ever wanted to volunteer abroad? Whether you intend to take a gap year from studying, or just want to take time to carry out rewarding, voluntary work, this project will help you to grow as an individual through the experiences you will gain. Aiming to develop the volunteers knowledge and understanding of the theories underlying the delivery of the education, the program will challenge you to develop your own vision in the field.

Located in the city of Udaipur, a state of Rajasthan, the program for the role of Education and Community Volunteer adds a unique educational component to the existing Teaching program.

The Rajasthan Education and Community Volunteer program offers an interesting variety of locations educating students between the ages of 4 and 15. Placements include working at a Kindergartens and Schools.Evenings are for educating children at our community school project.

In carrying out this role, the attitude of the volunteer towards the students, and the quality of interactions, holds more importance than the teaching methods used. Although there are requirements to provide excellent experiences for the children, the schools accept a non-formal teaching approach combined in part with a curriculum. As a result, there is variety in the subjects being taught, which are often reflective of activities taking place at the school. Therefore, there is not a need to conform to local Indian teaching methods and participants are encouraged to choose a teaching method which works and is comfortable for them, bringing their own fresh ideas into the classroom.

A rewarding program for both the volunteer and the children, it provides opportunities for children in rural India to improve their future prospects through raising their knowledge of English, and gives you, the participant, an invaluable insight into the Indian education system and culture. Not to mention building relationships and making memories with students and teachers who will inevitably become friends.

Sharing your own skills and experiences is an important part of the program. While you work alongside the teacher you will help the children to develop skills in English, Mathematics and all other areas of the school curriculum. But they will also be interested in you as a person. The children will love to see pictures from your home, of pets, family, friends, houses or toys which are traditional to your country… if you are thinking of bringing gifts for the students, which can be a good idea, something like this would capture their imagination.

 

 

Trip Itinerary

Monday to Thursday

Each morning begins bright and early with a breakfast at 9am in preparation to depart for your assigned school at 9:30. When you arrive at the school you will spend between 10am and 12pm teaching alongside the class teacher.

You will be given a one-hour lunch break at 1pm, after which you will have 2 hours to prepare for the subjects you will teach at the community school between 4pm and 6pm where you will be providing quality experiences through games and natural interactions with the children as well as regular teaching activities.

Dinner takes place between 6:30 and 7:30pm and from 8pm onwards you will be expected to spend time preparing for the following days subjects and activities to be taught at your designated school.

Friday

Mirroring Monday to Thursday, Friday begins with breakfast at 9am with you departing for your assigned school at 9:30. There you will teach between 10am and 12pm before having a lunch break between 1pm and 2pm.

The afternoon will comprise of preparation time between 2pm and 4pm for the activities and subjects which you will deliver at the community school between 4pm and 6pm.

Following delivery of the teaching activities at the community school, you will have dinner between 6:30 and 7:30.

From 8pm on wards there will be a feedback session where you will receive constructive comments and have the chance to be self-reflective about your practice. This will encourage you to develop the quality of your teaching and the experiences you provide for the children.

Your schedule will look like this:

Monday to Thursday

  • 08:00 – Breakfast
  • 09:00 – Departure to the assigned school
  • 09:30 to 12:00 – Assist in teaching at the kindergarten school
  • 13:00 to 14:00 – Lunch
  • 14:00 to 16:00 – Preparation on subjects to be taught at the community school
  • 16:00 to 18:00 – Assist in homework, games, and interaction at the community school
  • 18:30 to 19:30 – Dinner
  • 20:00 on wards – Preparation on subjects to be taught for the next day at the kindergarten school or at the community school.

Friday

  • 08:00 – Breakfast
  • 09:00 – Departure to the assigned school
  • 09:30 to 12:00 – Teaching at the kindergarten school
  • 13:00 to 14:00 – Lunch
  • 14:00 to 16:00 – Preparation on subjects to be taught at the community school
  • 16:00 to 18:00 – Assist in homework, games, and interaction at the community school
  • 18:30 to 19:30 – Dinner
  • 20:00 on wards – Feedback about your week at the projects

Please note: This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances. 

Trip Accommodation

The Royal city of Udaipur located in the state of Rajasthan is commonly called the Venice of the East and nicknamed ‘the city of lakes’ is located in the princely state of Rajasthan. Primarily known for its art and architecture, it has temples dating as far back as 950 AD and palaces dating back to the Rajput era. Fans of The Jungle Book and James Bond films may recognize Udaipur as the birthplace of Bagheera and the location for the Roger Moore starrer Octopussy. Drawing several million tourists a year, it has loads to offer in terms of art, architecture, culture and cuisine. With all of this and more, Udaipur is one of the cities everyone should visit at least once in their lives.

Accommodation & Food

There is a mini library where you can read, a beautiful garden to relax in and dining and lounge areas where you can hang out with fellow participants. Rooms are shared on a single gender basis 4-8 people per room. There is an option to reserve a private room, this is subject to availability, and must be requested before booking at an additional cost.

 

Food Arrangements
The meals are a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish twice per week. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants.There is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.

Facilities
Our house is located five kilometres away from the city centre, where you can find anything you might need.

The nearest ATM and supermarket are located a 15 minute walk away from our accommodation.

Sights & Surroundings
Jaisalmer, a gigantic sandcastle that remains inhabited and has mesmerized people from all over the world. With ninety nine bastions, the castle encircles shops, a palace and more.

Pushkar, a Hindu pilgrimage town that is set around a holy late and home to one of the few Brahma temples, over fifty bathing ghats and over 400 temples. The main street is a long bazaar, where you can find any souvenir you can think of to bring back home.

Jodhpur, dubbed “The Blue City” for its blue-tinted edifices, Jodhpur is considered an architectural masterpiece due to its ever-photogenic streets and Mehrangarh, a magnificent fort that towers over the town.

Jaipur, a colourful and flamboyant city made famous by the Hawa Mahal, a pink-toned building that towers over the main bazaar and was historically built for royal women to be able to see festivals without being on the streets.

Ajmer, famous for its Islamic heritage and for containing one of India’s most important Muslim pilgrimage centres. In Ajmer, you’ll be able to find examples of Muslim architecture such as the Jain golden temples.

Trip Country Info

India

Capital: New Delhi
Language: Hindi, English and 22 other officially recognized languages
Currency: Indian Rupee (INR)
Time zone: UTC +5:30

India is known for its pyramid-like temples, its colorful streets and it’s crowded cities. This country represents one of the most vivid and the largest cultures in the world. From the golden triangle of Delhi, Jaipur and Agra to the coast where Ayurveda medicine was born, India offers a 360 degree journey through the most magical of lands. Known for being the second most populated country in the world, India will show you the faces of thousands of Hindu gods in its very vast collection of temples all throughout the country. The land of colors and smiles is ready to take you on your next adventure whether road tripping or helping out in local communities, this sub-continent will amaze your senses. India will shift the way you see the world.

India’s literacy rate is around 60% for women and 80% for men. The principal language is Hindi and English is also commonly used in all major cities. New Delhi, the capital of India, is what many would call the real deal when travelling through the country. It is one of the biggest and most populated cities in the whole world with up to 25 million citizens. New Delhi is known for its amazing cuisine and its new modality of “street food”, which means restaurants with every specialty you can imagine are available to you all throughout the city! Chennai is another of the biggest cities in India, known as the “Detroit of India” for its automobile industry. If you are looking for a quieter spot Kerala is the centre of lifestyle, art, architecture, language and literature in all of the country!

Gap year programs to India are enjoyed in a country with wonderful history that dates back several thousand years. In particular, one of the most incredible historical points of India is how four separate world religions originated here – Hinduism, Jainism, Sikhism, and Buddhism. Beyond this, however, India has only truly been independent as a nation since 1947, just a couple years after World War 2 concluded.

In that time, India has grown to be the eleventh largest economy in the world as well as the second most populous nation, second only to China. This isn’t particularly surprising when you consider that India has been an economic powerhouse for trade routes in the past, but it is very impressive to consider that India has almost reached the status of superpower over the course of 66 years.

The geography of India has been a target for nature lovers for many years but is finally becoming an easy place to visit and explore for foreign tourists. With the Himalayas to the north, the desert in the centre and the luxurious beaches to the west, India has a type of climate that suits the desires of just about anyone. Even if you have a soft spot for snow, you can easily embrace that love by visiting some of the northern mountains which are nearly always capped in snow and ice!

With thousands of years of history and an incredibly diverse climate, India is not a place you can simply read about and understand. You have to visit and immerse yourself within the various Indian cultures before you get an idea of just how amazing India really is. So what are you waiting for? Get in touch now to find out more about our amazing gap year volunteer programs and holidays in India or browse the latest experiences below.

Please Note TRU are not currently able to accept any volunteers in India due to the current Covid-19 pandemic. We will be sure to update you when it is safe to travel and restrictions ease in India.

Participant Criteria & Requirements

Standard Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

Additional Requirements

No requirements have been provided.

What's included

  • 24/7 support in case of emergencies
  • Accommodation
  • Airport Pick up
  • English speaking coordinator
  • Meals
  • Orientation

What's not included

  • Airport drop off
  • Flights
  • Travel insurance
  • Vaccination
  • Visa