Choosing a project with Frontier
When choosing a project with Frontier, it is important that you think carefully about what type of project will best match the type of experience you are seeking and how you would prefer your contribution to be spent.
For those wishing to contribute to an established group project working alongside similar, like minded 'Frontier volunteers', living and working on a typical Frontier field camp, located either on the beach, in the forest or on the open savannah with a dedicated group of staff on hand 24 hours, a Frontier Group project is probably perfect for you. If you want to contribute to a world class research and conservation project undertaking pioneering biodiversity surveys in remote, uncharted environments, then a Frontier Group project is almost definitely for you.
If, on the other hand, you want an opportunity to immerse yourself fully in the culture of a host country chosen from around the globe and live like a true local, then you should choose a Frontier supported project.
Some things to consider when choosing a project are:
- Do you envisage yourself living and working amongst a group of Frontier selected volunteers or would you prefer to be contributing in a more personal and independent way as an individual or part of a small group, integrated in the host country community?
- Do you want to sleep in a simple field camp (beach, forest or savanna), in a local style dwelling or tented longhouse, in a remote location or would you prefer accommodation with a bed and a shower in a volunteer house or homestay?
- Do you want to be supported by a group of Frontier field staff or would you prefer to be guided and mentored by the local community specialists or workers of our partner organisations or be supported by your homestay family?
- Do you want to be very much off the beaten track, in a remote location, isolated from the tourist or back-packer trail in a pristine environment or would you be happier in an urban or semi-urban setting with possible access to bars or cafés or even clubs and discos?
Remember that every project is different and some may vary from season to season. Arrival destinations and project locations may alter with seasons and project activities may vary reflecting the changing needs of the project and local community. A degree of flexibility is obviously essential with overseas volunteering especially since this will enable the local project to derive the maximum benefit from your valuable volunteer work. To help you choose, take a look at the table below for a quick reference guide to choosing a project. If you have questions about a particular project or need help in deciding which project might best suit you please look at the project information on our website, call one of our gap year travel advisers with no obligation on 020 7613 2422, or request a call back through our website for their expert top tips!
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Staff | A dedicated group of full time Frontier staff recruited by Frontier head office: on hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week providing mentoring and dive and research training (if appropriate), leading treks and introducing you to life in the field | Local community specialists or workers and officers of our partner organisations or host community representatives along with advice and support from your homestay family or volunteer house keeper or volunteer landlady |
Food | You will cook and enjoy simple and nutritious meals of beans, rice, noodles, pancakes and other staples, along with fruit and vegetables cooking over an open campfire helped by other volunteers. | You may be offered delicious, authentic, home cooked meals, prepared by your homestay family or volunteer housekeeper or cook, sample local specialities from a street market or cook along with other project volunteers in the volunteer house |
Location | You will be off the beaten track, in a remote location, isolated from the tourist or back-packer trail and surrounded by staggering landscapes and pristine environments | You will be welcomed by the local community and encouraged to adopt the local customs, culture and traditions of your host country. We have a wide variety of both rural and urban locations to choose from so there is something for everybody |
Accommodation | You will live in a simple field camp, in a local style eco dwelling or longhouse with a group of other carefully selected Frontier volunteers | You will have a bed in a volunteer house or carefully selected homestay with access to a shower and other amenities |
Entertainment | You will take part in organised camp activities, sports and games and themed parties along with a group of like-minded Frontier volunteers | You will have free time to explore the sights, sounds and smells of your host country and enjoy the hospitality of your hosts |
Other volunteers | You will be living and working with a group of Frontier volunteers, usually aged between 18 and 30. Volunteers are all carefully selected and interviewed for suitability, group size varies between projects but is usually somewhere between 4 and 30 | You will be living and working independently or in a small group of international or host country volunteers, not necessarily recruited by Frontier, either with a local community or with a partner organisation or institution |