The answer to this varies depending on the country that you serve in. Typically, our programs take place near the end of June with a return date of early August. Check out the opportunities we have in the Locations section to view exact dates!

The answer to this also varies depending on the country that you serve in. This summer our program costs range from $3,700 - $5,300. The program cost does not include international airfare.

• International travel
• Food and housing
• Sightseeing opportunities
• Medical and evacuation coverage
• Orientation, training, and debriefing
• Visa and document processing
• Support development materials
• Donor receipting
• Teaching curriculum
• Screening and team placement
• Contracts with individual host schools

• Domestic airfare to and from the designated gateway city
• Domestic baggage fees
• Postage and preparation of your newsletters
• Optional spending money ($200–$400 suggested)
• Obtaining or renewing a passport (visit www.usps.com/passport for current costs)

Note: ELIC allows participants to raise additional funds and to be reimbursed from those funds for the actual costs of domestic airfare and up to $250 toward additional expenses.

ELIC personnel are available to help you from the first time contact is made, up until you depart for the summer. This includes guidance in everything from raising support to figuring out what documents are needed in order to serve. We want to make sure all of your questions are answered!

The Engage program begins with a week of training and Orientation upon arrival in your host country. This preparation will focus on your own development, team building, curriculum, and cross-cultural training. The goal of Orientation is to provide you with the confidence and education you will need for the most memorable and rewarding summer.

Absolutely! ELIC successfully prepares and sends hundreds of volunteer participants to Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa every year. We will provide you with a variety of tools and resources to help you build a strong support team. Some of these helpful tools include

• Support-raising guide
• Donor cards with your information on them
• Prepaid return envelopes for easy giving
• An online portal for you to track all donations/donor information
• Support letter samples
• Access to support-raising videos
• Additional suggested reading

In addition to providing you with these resources, ELIC’s Engage team all have previous experience raising support and have specific knowledge on how to get you there.

The final application deadline is February 28. Early application is highly recommended as we have limited spots available.

You can apply for Engage even if you don’t yet have a passport. You are encouraged to apply for your passport as soon as possible. Once you have been accepted, you will be required to send us a scan of your passport so we can secure your visa and international flights. If you wait too long, you will need to pay additional fees to expedite your passport application.

Visa forms will be provided for you to complete and return to ELIC by a specified date. ELIC staff will then work with the appropriate consulate to secure your visa.

Vaccinations are not required for participation in ELIC’s Engage program. You should consult your physician and the Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) for specific information about the area where you will be traveling.

Each participant is limited to one piece of checked luggage weighing no more than 40 pounds. In addition, carry-on luggage is limited to one bag weighing no more than 20 pounds and one smaller personal item such as a purse or laptop bag weighing no more than seven pounds.

Depending on the country that you’re traveling to, your living situation will vary. Typically, our teachers live in a dorm-like setting, an apartment, or a guesthouse with their team near the location where they are teaching. Teachers do not live with host families.

Our teachers’ safety and security is a top priority for our organization. ELIC’s Security Management Team, along with our global network of experts in safety and security, carefully monitor events that take place in all countries of service. We regularly review the needs related to placement in these locations down to the city level. In addition to our extensive safety and security policies and procedures, we have developed a rigorous training program for those serving in challenging locations. ELIC strives to prepare our teachers for any possible safety or security issues, no matter how unlikely.

No. The students you’ll be teaching, and the administration and faculty on the school campus, are already able to speak at least basic English.

ELIC encourages team participation and will work with you to place friends on the same team according to your preference. ELIC staff will be glad to talk with you about how to find more students from your school, staff from your work, or even family members to serve with you this summer.

Our team will follow up with you with the next steps after ELIC receives your completed application.