Frequently asked questions - ISL
Please refer to the list below of commonly asked questions about the Go Global International Service Learning (ISL) Program. If your question is not answered below, please do not hesitate to contact us.
- How do I apply?
- What if I am graduating?
- If I am offered a position, how long do I have to decide whether to accept?
- How much does it cost?
- Why are all the program fees tentative until the placement offer is made?
- What happens after I am accepted?
- Will I be safe?
- Where will I live?
- Will I be placed in a group or alone?
- What kind of support will I have in the country I am going to?
1. How do I apply?
You submit an online application. Contact an advisor beforehand if you have any questions about the program and/or your eligibility before applying. The application consists of basic questions and essay questions. Set aside at least two hours to complete the application. Our programs can be competitive.
We review all submitted applications after the deadline. If you are successful in this initial screening process, you will be contacted by email to set-up an individual and a group interview.
Once the interviews are completed we will assess all candidates and make offers based on candidate suitability and available positions. You will receive an email regardless of the outcome of your interview.
2. What if I am graduating?
Contact the Go Global International Service Learning office to speak with an advisor. We give priority to students returning to campus for further studies so they can share their learning with other students, participate in debriefs and further apply the experience to the classroom. However, we can make exceptions on a case-by-case basis for recent graduates who can commit to some return sessions on campus.
3. If I am offered a position, how long do I have to decide whether to accept?
If you are offered a position on one of the ISL programs, you will receive an offer letter, an International Service Learning Agreement outlining your responsibilities in the program, and a Notification of Risk for the country of the program that you are being offered. You will be given one week to accept or decline the position, and if you choose to accept you must return the signed paperwork and the non-refundable deposit (submitted online to through the SISC) to the Go Global office.
4. How much does it cost?
Program costs vary per project based on the duration and average cost of living in the country. The cost of each program is listed on the program web page. In general, the program cost covers the following items (although specialty programs such as Reading Week experiences will vary):
- orientation upon arrival in country
- transportation to your placement from the airport in country
- room and board
- mid-session debriefing and retreat
- community partner management fee
- Go Global project management fee
- pre-departure learning sessions
- reflection materials and in country learning sessions
5. Why are all the program fees tentative until the placement offer is made?
In order to give students ample time to plan and prepare, placement descriptions and their related costs are often posted a year or more in advance. With fluctuations in exchange rates and normal increases in costs it is difficult to prepare an accurate estimate over one year in advance. Confirming the program fee at the time of offer allows us to ensure that the costs are appropriate and accurate. For Reading Week programs a large percentage of the cost is the flight (not included in 12 week programs) and this is highly variable.
6. What happens after I am accepted?
Once you accept the offer by returning your contract and deposit, you will participate in a group orientation to the program. In the four months leading up to the departure, there will be a number of pre-departure learning sessions to assist with preparing you for the experience of living, critically reflecting, and working abroad in a community development context. Participants also complete personal learning plans and meet with Go Global ISL advisors one on one. In addition to the learning sessions, teams often work together to host fundraisers and social events.
7. Will I be safe?
Every country has risks. As an ISL participant, we encourage you to be aware of the environment in which you will be working. Go Global International Service Learning programs are not run in countries which have a DFAIT travel advisory in the categories "avoid non-essential travel" and "avoid all travel." As a participant you are provided with a notification of risk for the country you are going to with your offer, and receive safety briefings during your pre-departure learning sessions and the in-country orientation. For more information about safety at Go Global, please visit the Safety Abroad webpage.
8. Where will I live?
Each program has different arrangements for living. Some will include stays with a host family and others will include staying in a hostel or compound of the organization with other individuals from around the world. We provide this information on the program information pages.
9. Will I be placed in a group or alone?
All programs are run with more than one person, but team size vary depending on the program. We determine the number of available spots in a group in collaboration with the community partner. Although you may be in the same community as others within your group, you may work on separate projects while on placement.
10. What kind of support will I have in the country I am going to?
There are various levels of support within the program. We will remain in contact with you throughout your placement. You will have a designated contact within the organization that you working with and in some countries there will be a UBC Local Representative.
Do you need further information?
We'd love to hear from you.
