Program Overview

Challenges Abroad India

Overview

Challenges Abroad's Social Impact in the Community programme in India offers a 4-week volunteering opportunity working with local communities in Dharamshala.

Programme Details

• The only funded Challenges Abroad programme in India is the Social Impact in the Community Challenge (4 weeks).
• Funding is NOT available for the two-week version of this challenge.
• Challenges Abroad is a social enterprise with a mission that's all about shaping the next generation of Global Citizens.
• Their programmes are designed to help participants gain new skills, expand their global awareness, and contribute to meaningful causes.
• Programme benefits include:
  • Designing and facilitating conversational English workshops to improve learners' confidence in speaking English.
  • Designing and facilitating workshops in creative arts, STEAM education, life skills, and/or environmental sustainability.
  • Working on an infrastructure project at local partner schools to create a safer and more conducive learning environment.
  • Raising cultural awareness, increasing confidence, and becoming more resilient.
• The project includes food, accommodation, 24/7 in-country support, domestic travel, and airport pick-up and drop-off (flights not included).

Costs & Funding

• Students can apply for funding for the 4-week Challenges Abroad Social Impact in the Community Challenge.
• Students awarded standard funding:
  • Pay a non-refundable deposit direct to Challenges Abroad (£195).
  • Go Global pays some of the funding direct to Challenges Abroad to cover the programme fee (£1600).
  • Go Global pays an initial funding instalment on arrival in India (£400).
  • Go Global pays a final funding instalment at the end of the programme (£100).
• Students awarded enhanced widening participation funding:
  • Pay a non-refundable deposit direct to Challenges Abroad (£195).
  • Go Global pays some of the funding direct to Challenges Abroad to cover the programme fee (£1600).
  • Go Global pays an initial funding instalment on arrival in India (£900).
  • Go Global pays a final funding instalment at the end of the programme (£100).
• Programme fee includes:
  • Airport pick-up and drop-off.
  • Accommodation.
  • Food.
  • In-country transport.
  • 24/7 in-country support.
• Programme fee does not include:
  • Flights.
  • Visa (free for UK citizens).
  • Vaccinations.
  • Personal spending money.
  • Any other additional costs.

Am I Eligible?

• Students must be enrolled at Swansea University.
• Students cannot be in the final year of study.
• Students must be 18 years old to participate in all programmes.
• Students will need to meet any eligibility criteria set by the programme provider/partner university summer school (where applicable).
• Postgraduate students can apply for funding but must provide evidence that their academic supervisor approves of their participation.
• International students should speak to the Visa Advice team to check the impact of participation on their Student Route visa.

Apply & Next Steps

1. Research:
   • Attend an information event on campus or online.
   • Research programmes via the website and programme provider webpages.
2. Apply:
   • Apply for funding via the Go Global team by completing the online application.
   • Apply to Challenges Abroad directly through their website.
3. Funding confirmation and student payments:
   • Sign a grant agreement and participation agreement.
   • Pay any required deposits, programme fees, arrange accommodation, and book travel.
4. International Travel Approval:
   • Complete Swansea University's Travel Approval process.
   • Watch the Summer Programme Travel Approval Overview video.
   • Complete the online Crisis24 training modules.
   • Complete the Health Declaration Form.
   • Complete the Request to Travel form to determine the risk rating of the planned destination.

International Travel Approval

All students must complete the University's International Travel Approval process to participate in summer programmes and remain eligible for funding.