Volunteering with the International Citizen Service

Oh, I did this last year, went to Sierra Leone for 3 months but I was on a separate healthcare strand which doesn't exist this year.

Hi
I have only just applied for this 2 days ago, i generally didn't know it existed until i came across it the other night. Most organisations expect you to pay towards all your costs and so i have never been able to afford to do it. It is something i have wanted to do for along time, when i had the free time to do it that is. Im worried that i won't get a place for the next departure as that is the only one i can really do as from mid may i have nearly 4 months off until i do second year in uni. Does anyone know where the assessment days are held? is it just London.

Hey, I had an assessment day last week with International Service and hope to go to Palestine (haven't heard back yet). Just thought I'd let you know the day was fine, really quite relaxed. There was a group exercise where we had to arrange cards in an order as a team, and in the interview they just ran through your answers from the online application. Hope it goes well!

I had an assessment day with VSO last week aswell same as before really relaxed and stuff not what i expected and there is only a small group of people during the day like 6. waiting to hear back anytime soon reaalllly wish i get it

My application got accepted with VSO which was the one i wanted. But i had to turn down going the assessment day as it stated in the email i could be away until end of oct. And with uni i cant do it. I emailed sarah at VSO and told her the situation, she told me to re apply for the departure in june next year nearer the time which im am for sure going to do. Its a shame i found out about it all too late. Good luck to everyone who gets a place, be an amazing experience

Ah wicked! Is it mainly uni students that apply? I have a feeling I'd be one of the youngest if I got through D: Where do you want to go? (If you get a place) do they ultimately decide what country you go to? Good luck anyhow

Well everyone is really friendly so you should apply Im going to tanzania it is where I wanted to go and yes they do decide but if you can give a good reason and if they have spaces they will transfer you

Aw that's good to know, I've applied, but for leaving in September so my assessment day's not until June 21st! How long after your interview/assessment day did you find out you had a place?

Also, have they given you any help for fundraising or ideas? And is it fundamental that you raise £800? I'm slightly worried that I wouldn't be able to raise the money as I was hoping to use, (for want of a better word) my school to do cake sales and that sort of thing, and I've already technically left school the day before my assessment day! This is all providing I even get a place as well, don't want to jump any guns and tell all the teachers to sponser me if I don't get placed! Fingers's crossed, eh!

Congrats btw, and why did you pick Tanzania out of interest? - that's my first choice too

For those of you who got the place, did you get your preferred choices?

hey, I'm at an assessment day on the 26th of June with the VSO, has anyone had one already with them? I'm slightly apprehensive about it as ive never done anything like this before. What should i expect?? xx

I didn't put any preferences, but from what I can tell by talking to the people I'm going with, most got their preferred organisation but quite a few didn't get the preferred country.

Just saw your update on this thread about your fundraising, congratulations on raising the money! Have a brilliant time!