Frequently Asked Questions

FAQs for students

Are you challenges ethical?

We pride ourselves on our work in providing ethical and sustainable short-term programs. Our charity, the FutureSense Foundation, work in-country year-round in close partnership with the local community to ensure the work we’re doing is actually needed and contributing to their long-term goals. It’s also important to us that our work supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

We are also a carbon-neutral and certified B Corporation (Corp) Organisation, demonstrating our commitment to our high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability.

Who can join your Challenges?

If you are passionate about creating positive and long-term impacts in the community, willing to work cooperatively in a group environment, and are excited to kickstart your Global Citizenship journey, we encourage you to join one of our challenges. (Please note, our teams are usually made up of students, around the age of 18-25, with varying skillsets, degrees, qualifications, etc.)

Will I get to know the people on my team before I travel?

Yes, as part of your pre-departure support, you will join a virtual session with your fellow team members and the in-country teams, so you get to meet those who are travelling with you!

You can connect to the rest of your team through specific Challenge WhatsApp group Chats. If your group has a Challenge Leader, they may also organise in-person catch-ups before departure!

Will the country I travel to be safe?

We follow the guidance of the Australian Government in relation to the safety of the countries where we travel to. Your safety is our top priority, and we work very closely with our in-country team on regular risk assessments and mitigation plans. Under no circumstances would we run a program in an area that we deem to be unsafe.

Do I have to pay for my Challenge all at once? When are payments due?

It is up to you!

To register for a Challenge, you will secure your spot with a $250 deposit.

Once you have secured your spot, we can organise a flexible payment plan for you (weekly, fortnightly, or monthly) to pay off the challenge cost. The last payment will be due 8 weeks before your departure!

What is and isn't covered in the Challenge cost?

The cost of your program covers:

Accommodation and meals (3 x vegetarian meals made fresh every day during the week)
In-country transport
Airport pick-up and drop-off
Pre-departure support and session with your in-country team
24/7 support from our in-country team during your program, from when you arrive at the destination airport until you get dropped off.
An in-country induction and orientation program
A Challenges Abroad merch pack

What it doesn’t cover:

Flights
Vaccinations
Travel Insurance
Visa

How do I organise flights?

We leave the booking of your flights up to you, so if you want to organise to travel before and after your program, you can easily do that! Often our groups chat and book their flights together, either online or by visiting a travel agency. Once you sign up to your Challenge, we’ll send you a welcome pack that has all the information you need to book your flights to be met by our in-country team at the airport on your first day!

What vaccinations do I need?

The vaccinations you may need for your Challenge will depend on your destination country, and sometimes whether or not you’re doing the extension trip. We recommend going to your GP as soon as you are booked onto one of our programs to enquire about the vaccinations you might need.

I take medication/ experience an illness? Can I still join the challenge?

Yes, as long as you disclose your medication/illness via your challenge portal, we are happy to support you during your challenge. We have many students who have illnesses/take medication that travel with us every year, so we are happy to support you too! Please note, we may need a ‘fit to travel’ and ‘action plan’ depending on your condition, so that we can best support you in-country. We also cannot administer any medication, so ensure you bring it with you!

Can I receive course credit from my university by participating in a Challenge?

It depends! We have partnerships with a number of Australian Universities that allow you to receive credit when you participate in one of our programs. If you’re not sure whether your University has a partnership with us, reach out and we can help. If your Uni doesn’t have a partnership, you can often still follow a process of applying for credit by participating in a ‘non-partner’ program. We recommend contacting your Course Coordinator to chat about starting that process.

I am booking with my friend. Can we be in a room together?

Our accomodation varies from location to location, but is often shared-dormitory style. We will do our best to accommodate you and your friend. Just let us know when you make your booking!

I don’t know whether I want to do the extension trip yet? What can I do?

You will need to confirm with us whether you want to add the extension trip to your challenge 3 months before departure, but it can be added after you make your booking! However, we encourage you to make this decision as soon as possible to plan your travel plans accordingly. (Please note that extension trips only go ahead if there is a minimum of 6 participants travelling.)

I have a dietary requirement? Can I still join the challenge?

Yes! As long as you let us know of your dietary requirements via your challenge portal, we are happy to work around any of your dietary requirements! We have many students travel with us every year with dietary requirements, so we are more than happy to support you too!

What will my 2 weeks look like?

Your in-country experience will vary depending on the country, the specific challenge you choose, and the unique needs of the community you’ll be working with. We confirm your itinerary in the weeks before departure. This is because it’s tailored to your team’s specific skills and interests, as well as the needs identified through a community assessment carried out by our charity partner, FutureSense Foundation, and its in-country teams. This approach ensures that your experience is not only meaningful and engaging, but also positively and sustainably supports the local community. In the meantime, make sure to download a sample itinerary for your chosen country and challenge to get a sense of what to expect. Once you sign up, you’ll receive more detailed context and a personalised itinerary as your departure date approaches!

What pre-departure support will I receive?

Your pre-departure support begins before you even sign up, with the Team at Challenges Abroad being ready and willing to help answer any questions and help run through the challenges with you before you sign up!

Once you sign up, you will receive a Welcome Pack and Portal Log-In access within 24 hours!

The welcome pack will cover everything you need to know to help you start preparing, including

A country snapshot
More about your challenges and the activities they may involve
How to prepare for your challenge (flights, passport, visa, vaccinations, travel insurance, WWCC and country research)

20 weeks before depature, you will receive a detailed packing list.

16 weeks before depature, you will receive a destination guide.

8 weeks before depature, you will receive a detailed briefing pack with an itinerary and more context on your challenge, plus have a virtual call with your in-country team and participants who are travelling with you, to make sure you are ready to travel!

You can also contact one of the team at Challenges Abroad or the Support Team any time with any questions. We are here to help!

I am ready to sign up. What are the next steps?

If you are ready to take the leap and join a life-changing Challenge! All you need to do is sign up here!

Remember, you will receive confirmation, your welcome pack, and portal access within 24 hours of signing up!

Let the journey begin!