Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs for students & Families
Who can join one of your Challenges?
Will I know my team before we travel?
Yes! You’ll be travelling with classmates from your school, and as part of your pre-departure support, you’ll join a virtual session with your in-country team, so you’ve already met them before you fly.
Your teachers usually run pre-trip catch-ups too.
Do I need to be fit for the program?
Will the country I travel to be safe?
What's the supervision arrangement while we are away?
Students are always supervised.
They travel with teachers from their school, supported by our permanent in-country team – these aren’t fly-in guides, they live and work there year-round through our charity, the FutureSense Foundation.
What happens if a student gets sick or injured?
Students health and safety our top priority – we have real-time safety management system with a robust emergency response process.
Our in-country team is trained to manage common travel illnesses and has access to a network of vetted medical facilities. If anything, more serious happens, we’ll be in touch with parents straight away and travel insurance covers any medical costs.
Can my child contact home while they're away?
How much does it cost, and what's the payment plan?
How do we organise visas, and vaccinations?
Visa requirements vary by destination, and we’ll cover those in your welcome pack too.
For vaccinations, book in with your GP or a travel clinic as soon as you’ve signed up so you’ve got plenty of time.
I have a medical condition, take medication, or have a dietary requirement. Can I still join?
Yes – we’ll come up with a plan together to support you through every stage of your Challenges Abroad experience.
Just let us know via your Challenge Portal when you sign up.
Are your Challenges ethical, and what work will we actually be doing?
Yes – and we’re proud of how we do this!
Programs are designed in partnership with local communities through the FutureSense Foundation, which has permanent in-country staff identifying what’s needed.
Work falls into five themes – Education & Community, Environment & Climate Action, Health & Well-Being, Wildlife & Adventure, Leadership Development – and the specific projects depend on each community’s current priorities.
What if we need to withdraw or change plans?
Cancellations are handled in line with our Terms & Conditions, which we’ll always send you before sign-up. If something changes – medical, family, financial – get in touch early and we’ll work through your options.
We strongly recommend pre-departure travel insurance.FAQs for Schools
How do we partner with you?
Get in touch via our enquiry form or call us on +61 (0) 3 8400 4345.
We’ll set up a conversation to understand your goals – a one-off trip, a recurring annual program, or something more curriculum-integrated – and propose a Challenge that fits.
How long does it take to set up a program?
How much work is this for our staff?
What documentation do you provide for our risk assessment?
How do programs integrate with curriculum?
What's the minimum group size, and can we customise the itinerary?
What if travel advice changes before departure?
What if a student withdraws or there's a behavioural issue on the trip?
Withdrawals are handled in line with our Terms & Conditions.
Behavioural issues are managed by our in-country leaders, who stay in close contact with our Australian team and the school.
Serious incidents are escalated immediately – you’d be informed in real time, and full incident response protocols are available for review.