Global Volunteer

Programme
EP BOOKLET
AIESEC IN NUS AY1617

PAGE 1
Phase Content Page

Open -How to set up opportunities portal 2-7

-How to use opportunities portal

-How to choose the best project for yourself
-How to apply for preferred projects
-How to schedule interview and prepare for the interview

Matching -Packing list 8-11

-VISA application
-Potential things EP can prepare to share about Singapore
culture.

Realisatio -Possible problems that EP might face in the country 12-14

PAGE 2
OPEN STAGE
1. Creating your account on the AIESEC Opportunities Portal

Step 1:​ Search for ‘AIESEC Opportunities Portal’

Step 2: ​Sign up for an account.

PAGE 3
Step 4:​ Fill in your personal particulars and follow the instructions on the portal to
update your preferences.

PAGE 4
Step 5:​ After creating your account, choose ‘Global Volunteer’ on the login page.

Step 6:​ Once you arrive at the opportunities search page, you may specify your
available duration, preferred location and chosen Sustainable development Goal
to support.

PAGE 5
 2. Choosing the right project

In the Opportunities Portal, you can select the location, your ideal Sustainable
Development Goals, and your ideal country. From there, the portal will filter out
projects which are best suited to your choices.
Also, in choosing the best project for yourself, do consider factors like:
● Finances (Further countries like those in Latin America are more costly)
● Safety (Certain countries have slightly more safety issues compared to
others)

The 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):

1. No Poverty
2. Zero Hunger
3. Good Health and Well-being
4. Quality Education
5. Gender Equality
6. Clean Water and Sanitation
7. Affordable and Clean Energy
8. Decent Work and Economic Growth
9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
10. Reduced Inequalities
11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

PAGE 6
 12. Responsible Consumption and Production
13. Climate Action
14. Life Below Water
15. Life on Land
16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17. Partnerships for the Goals

3. Applying for various projects

You will be contacted by your EP managers by the end of the week.

Get your EP manager to activate your account and meanwhile, you can browse
the projects available on the Opportunities Portal.

Apply for at least 5 projects, so that the chances of you securing a project is
higher!

Click ‘Apply Now’ and you’re done!

PAGE 7
 4. Scheduling your interview

Once you apply for the project on the online portal, the project manager over that
side will contact you through your email to arrange for Skype interview soon
(normally in less than 5 days). So remember to check your email frequently!

5. Preparing for your interview

Now that you have secured an interview, you should start preparing for the
interview.

Possible questions by the project managers you can prepare for:

● Why did you choose the particular project?
● Why do you want to go to the intended country?
● Do you have any past experiences with regards to the job scope of
project?
● Why should we choose you over others to embark on this project?

In addition, during the interview with the project managers, you will have the
opportunity to clarify details with regards to the project you will be embarking on
and other key considerations with regards to your stay in the country of the
project. Here is a list of considerations that you may wish to clarify with the
project manager during your interview:

● Project fee
● Project duration (Start/ end date, flexibility)
● Visa permit (visa type)

PAGE 8
 ● Airport pickup
● Transport
● Food and Accommodation
● Basic living cost
● Job Scope
● Timeline
● Working hours
● Safety
● Expectation

Also, don’t forget to check the credibility of the project during the interview and
ask questions that may not have been reflected in the online job description.

6. After interview

Once you are accepted by the project (notified by email) and you decide to go for
the project:

● Sign acceptance note on Aiesec opportunities portal

● Do LDM survey on Aiesec opportunities portal
● Contact your EP manager to approve your matching on the portal
● Successfully matched!

MATCHING STAGE
1. Basic Packing List for GV Trip:

PAGE 9
S/ Item Quantit
N y

1 T-shirt/Long-sleeved Shirt

2 Running shorts/Comfortable shorts

3 Long pants/Jeans

4 Undergarments

5 Towel

6 Toiletries (Shampoo, facial wash, soap,

etc)

7 Toothbrush and Toothpaste

8 Running shoes

9 Slippers

10 Socks

11 Jacket/Hoodie

12 Umbrella/Poncho

13 Water Bottle

14 Personal Medication (if any)

15 Inhaler (if asthmatic)

16 Additional small bag/backpack

PAGE 10
17 Plastic bags/ziploc bags

18 Mobile phone charger/power bank

19 Sunblock

20 Washing powder/detergent

21 Money

22 Torchlight

23 Passport/NRIC

24 Socket converter

2. VISA Application

Guide for Singaporeans

To determine whether or not you need apply for Visa, Follow the steps below
1. Go to ​www.mfa.gov.sg
2. Position your cursor over Consular Information ( Near the centre Blue
Tabs)
3. Position your cursor over Singapore Citizens
4. Click on Visa Information
5. Click on Proceed
6. Select your destination and the information on whether or not you need to
apply Visa will be provided to you

Guide for international students

PAGE 11
Go to the embassy website of the the country that you will be travelling to and
find out information about the visa requirement of your nationality, prepare the
documents needed and make a trip down to the embassy.

Assistance that you can get from AIESEC

A letter of employment/ proof from the hosting AIESEC (your project manager)

Things to note
● Chinese citizens are unable to obtain a Taiwan volunteering visa of 6-8
weeks
● VISA for Latin America countries are usually difficult to obtain and results
are uncertain, so prepare early!

When should you apply for your Visa

The appropriate timing to apply for visa is usually one month before the trip.In
addition, buy air tickets only after your visa is approved.

Things to take note of

Please be careful of the words you use during your application letter. For
example, in China certain words like internship means volunteer work as well.
Therefore, during the submission of invitation letter, inform the Chinese
AIESECers to state volunteer work explicitly. This is because an invitation letter
with internship stated would require you to apply for a work permit.

Do not worry as your EP managers will be there to guide you through this if you
are unsure of the procedure. If you have any queries regarding your visa
application, please do not hesitate to approach your EP managers.

PAGE 12
Like for eg apply visa to China certain words like internship means volunteer and
working too. So when submitting the invitation letter, tell the china person to write
volunteer work instead of internship because of internship then need to apply for
work permit.

3. Insurance

AIESEC programmes are recognised by International Relations Office of NUS

and they provide a blanket insurance for all exchange participants.
To check out the insurance details:

http://www.nus.edu.sg/finance/InsuranceCoverforOfficialNUSTrips.html

1. Read the insurance policy and decide whether it is sufficient for you. If it is
not, purchase your own personal insurance! We recommend
http://gobear.com.sg​ for you to compare different insurance policies and
pick the right one for youself.
2. If the insurance policy is sufficient for you, you do not need to fill in any
form to be covered under the policy.
3. However, if you need your insurance certificate for your visa application,
click ‘insurance certificate’ to download it (usually it will suffice) or click
‘Declaration forms’ ->’​Insurance Certification for Visa/Permit Application​’
and follow the procedure to obtain a proof of your insurance policy.

4. Sharing of Singapore Culture:

Prepare slides with photos of Singapore’s attractions

Prepare souvenirs for other EPs (e.g. Merlion keychain)

PAGE 13
Learn to cook some Singaporean/Asian local food if possible

REALISATION STAGE

Common problems EP What to do in face of these situations?

might face during the
trip

Nobody picking you up Stay calm. Use airport’s WIFI. Call relevant numbers
from the airport (Homestay family; EP manager; Receiving AIESEC)

Problems with your Talk it out.

homestay family However, if unacceptable, you may contact EP manager
or inform receiving AIESEC. A change of host family will
be attempted.

Conflict with project Talk it out! Silence breeds animosity

mates

National crisis/ disaster Inform receiving AIESEC of whereabouts

Contact Singapore embassy

Theft Stay calm and accede to demands. Contact local police,

receiving AIESEC, EP manager and family.

This section is to prepare you for potential problems during the trip.
Be prudent and vigilant so that you can make the best out of your global
volunteer experience with unnecessary mishaps out of the way.

PAGE 14
Some tips

1. Administration and logistics

a. Remember to contact your host family beforehand and send them a
reminder to for pickup
b. Get a data sim card
c. Note down emergency numbers (i.e. Police, Ambulance)
d. Plan for the day’s transport (Last bus timing, arrangement of
pickups, etc.)
e. Use Google maps for navigation
f. Familiarise yourself with the vicinity as soon as possible
g. If possible, change money before the trip
h. Get insurance before the trip (on top of the NUS insurance if
needed)
i. Medical checkup/ vaccines for certain countries

1. Physical Well-Being/ Safety

a. Remember to bring along personal medication
b. Malaria pills for certain countries
c. Avoid going out alone
d. Avoid returning back late
e. Try to inform host family of whereabouts; Get their numbers/email.
f. Never bring out more cash than required
g. Get a buddy!

1. Social Aspects
a. Be open!

PAGE 15
b. Language barriers: Use online translation tools; Sign and body language;
Facial expression; Draw - Be innovative though always good to learn some basic
greetings in the native language

1. Emotional Aspects
a. Call home regularly
b. Build rapport with host family: Remember to voice preferences! Don’t be
shy!
c. Make friends with project mates and AIESECers over that side - according
our past exchange participants, you may well have an international gathering at
some other part of the world in the future!

What to do if programme does not match up to expectations

● Feedback!
● Make friends
● Try to talk to the project manager, share your thoughts with him/her
tactfully and see what he/she can help you

● Feel free to contact your EP manager in Singapore if you need a listening

ear, they will be more than willing to help if possible

PAGE 16