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Which airport do I need to fly into?
You will need to arrange a flight that arrives into Colombo International Airport.
Do I need a visa?
You will receive a free 30-day visa on arrival. You can pay to extend this by another month if necessary.
Will I be met at the airport?
Yes our representative will personally meet you at the airport and take you to your accommodation where you will meet your home stay family.
How far is the airport from my accommodation?
It's around 7-8 hours (190Km). If you arrive late afternoon/evening then you will stay one night in Colombo and then be taken to the project the following morning.
Is my accommodation close to the project site?
Most of the home stays will be close to the school so you should be able to walk. If not then bicycles will be available.
When will I meet the children?
Within the first few days of arrival you will receive an orientation and you will meet the Principle and then your school.
The Principles will show you the timetables and introduce you to your class. Schools generally start at 7:30am-8:00am and close at 1:30pm or 2pm. Each period will last about 40 minutes duration with a 15 min tea break.
Are there opportunities to organise additional after school activities for the children?
In the afternoon you can put on extra classes for children especially for those that are about to sit public exams. You can organise music, drama, art classes etc. Or you can simply join the children in the area, for sports and social activities.
How many days off will there be from teaching?
All weekends are free. Plus there is a day off each month when there is a full moon. There is at least one public holiday day off each month.
What activities are there to do in Polnnaruwa?
Visit archaeological ruins, wild life parks, national parks, jungle trekking, biking, fishing.
Are there beaches near by?
The nearest beach is 2 hours away.
Are there banks, Internet cafes and hospitals in the local area?
Yes to all of the above.
Do I need to have had teaching experience or gained a TEFL qualification?
No you do not have to have a TEFL or any teaching experience. As long as you can speak English, act in a professional manner and are friendly then you will get a long fine.
How old are the children that I will be teaching?
Children will be aged between 6 and 19 years.
Can I choose which age I teach?
It would depend on the needs of the school. There will be an opportunity to meet with the Principle to discuss issues like this.
What is the average class size?
30-40 children
On average, how many pupils in a school?
Around 100-2000.
Will I be assisting the teacher or have my own class?
Initially the volunteers will be with the teachers for the introduction and then the classes will be handed over to the volunteers.
I am planning on joining the programme with a friend. Can we teach at the same school?
Not normally as most schools don't need more than one volunteer. However we could find two schools close to each other.
Could we stay at the same home stay?
It could be possible, however you would needs to share a room.
What about money?
The Sri Lankan currency is the Rupee.
Less people use traveller's cheques these days but major banks still do. American Express, Visa and Thomas Cook are the most widely accepted.
Any banks/exchange bureau will change major currencies such as Pound Sterling, US dollars and Euros. Most major towns have these facilities. Remember to change rupees back into hard currency before you leave the country for the best rates.
There is a wide network of ATMs across Sri Lanka. They accept Visa, MasterCard and Cirrus/Maestro.
How much extra spending money will I need?
This will depend on your personal life style. However as a general rule you will need around £3 per day (£85 for 4 weeks). More if you want to travel around, do some tours, do some sovereign shopping or have a few beers etc.
Is it safe?
Sri Lanka is reasonably safe. However you should still take precautions as you would in any country. It's best to carry your traveller's cheques, cash, passport, air tickets etc in a money belt under your clothes.
Can I use my mobile phone?
In remote areas, mobile phones are considered a luxury. In these areas, mobiles tend to be non operational as there may not be signals. You will be able to use a pay phone in the area. Local calls are timed and cost about Rs 25 for two minutes depending on the distance. International calls can be made from thousands of communications bureaus and booths.
What's the weather like?
Generally the weather is hot and humid. July and August is the hottest. November to January tends to be the wet season.
Do I need any vaccinations?
You must visit your GP before you travel to ensure you are up to date with all your required jabs. It is recommended that you seek medical advice at least 6 weeks before you travel. Vaccinations you should consider are Diphtheria, Tetanus, Hepatitis A and B, Polio and Rabies. For longer term visits you may need more. We are not medical experts so you must check before you go.
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