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Alaska - FAQTell me more about AlaskaWhat kind of volunteer work is available? What will I be actually doing? Where will I be located? What are the living arrangements when volunteering? When do I need to arrive in Alaska? Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering? Are there more expenses once I arrive? How much do things in Alaska typically cost? How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement? ------ Tell me more about Alaska? There is a reason that Alaska has been deemed �The Last Frontier�: it is a place where you can still see wilderness in many forms; many people feel that they are standing on the edge of discovery when they visit Alaska for the first time. Alaska is home to more than half of the world�s glaciers, the tallest mountain in North America, Mt. McKinley, is one-third the size of the entire United States of America, is the only state to have borders on three different seas, and so much more. Alaska is rugged and steeped in the history and tradition of more than 10 distinct Native Alaskan Cultures; it is one of the only places left where many individuals still choose a subsistence lifestyle. Visiting Alaska brings one a sense of truly being a part of nature and all of her raw energy and thrills. What kind of volunteer work is available? Volunteers will be able to choose from a variety projects located around the state. Each project is different but they range from organic farming, to working on an archaeological dig, to water quality monitoring; please see each individual project�s page for details. What will I be actually doing? On each project the volunteer will work closely with the established scientific research projects unique to the region. The archaeological dig project, for example, will involve hard work in the field digging up artifacts and after the dig doing meticulous work in the museum documenting and cataloging the data found. Volunteers have the freedom to develop their own specialised research project as well as taking part in some of our longer-term projects. Where will I be located? Each project is located in a different region of the state of Alaska and a few require an additional flight from the main airport in Anchorage to reach the project itself. What are the living arrangements when volunteering? Depending upon the project, the accommodation will vary. Many of the projects use tenting situations for the duration of the project, while others are home-stays. When do I need to arrive in Alaska? You are expected to arrive on or before the date which is outlined in each project page�s description. Typically, volunteers will be greeted at Anchorage International Airport on their arrival, however, on some projects volunteers will fly directly to the destination where their project is taking place and is met by the project leader there. Are we able to do any sightseeing while volunteering? The program will expose you to some of the most dramatic scenery in the world, but for extended self-guided travel, we recommend you allow time at either the beginning or end of your volunteer experience. Are there more expenses once I arrive? The program fee covers accommodation and meals. If you arrive early or intend to stay beyond your volunteer time in Alaska then you will need to have additional money for this time. Other expenses not covered by your application and program fees include: your flights, entry visa, travel insurance, departure tax, and any personal spending. How much do things in Alaska typically cost? Alaska, in general, is more expensive than the rest of the U.S. because of the fact that most things are imported. To give you a sense of the average cost of living in Alaska, a premium coffee from a caf� costs US$3.50, a meal out between US$8.00-$20.00, a movie ticket US$10.00. How many volunteers are there on site at the same time? The amount of volunteers at a time is different from project to project, but usually there are 2-4 at a time. Who organizes my visa for my volunteer placement? You will, if you require one. Most countries have a Visa Waiver Agreement which is valid for 3 months. ------ Question not covered here? Please check the generic FAQ, and if still unaswered, please submit your question here. (We aim to answer all email within 48 hours). Click here to apply for the Alaska program. |
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