Travelteer Sri Lanka

FUNDING APPLICATION WINDOW FOR THIS PROGRAMME HAS NOW CLOSED
SEE OUR 'HOW TO APPLY' SECTION FOR DETAILS OF THE WAITING LIST

Travelteer is at the forefront of responsible travel and ethical volunteering. Having seen first-hand the positive impact that volunteering can have on local communities, the organisation has created a variety of charitable programmes that utilise volunteer skill sets to make a real difference. Their philosophy blends awe-inspiring adventure with high impact volunteering while maintaining a safe, social environment. The projects all support Travelteer Impact (their Charity), where 100% of student fund raising goes directly to the projects in Sri Lanka and Nepal.

Travelteer runs the following programmes based in Sri Lanka:

English Development programme - The programme works closely with Sri Lankan schools to create sustainable projects providing brighter futures for children in the local community through teaching and classroom renovations. Volunteers assist and lead lessons in the classroom, supporting pupils to gain a higher level of English developing key skills such as speaking, reading and writing. https://travelteer.co.uk/programmes/english-development

Sports Development programme – volunteers work at a ‘grass-roots level’ - Our aim being to unlock the potential of disadvantaged children through providing skilled volunteer coaches and funding for equipment and facilities. The programme provides hands-on experience for volunteers to plan and implement their own sport sessions in a developing country. Our projects focus on inclusivity and skill learning to promote health and wellbeing through the coaching of different sports! https://travelteer.co.uk/programmes/sports-development

Marine and Wildlife Conservation programme – this combines several different sub-programmes with the aim to help rehabilitate and conserve the environment and marine life in Sri Lanka. Help replant the jungle, rehabilitate turtles and work at their wild animal hospital, plus more! https://travelteer.co.uk/programmes/marine-wildlife-conservation
Textiles and Design programme – this programme aims to train and educate local women in textile skills and techniques. There is the opportunity for volunteers to design, develop and create new product lines for Travelteer. https://travelteer.co.uk/programmes/textile-design

In addition to the programme costs, all participants are required to fund raise a minimum of £75 per week they volunteer. Volunteers who are doing a placement of 4 weeks or more have a maximum required threshold of £300. The money raised enables Travelteer to buy equipment and develop the programmes further. 100% of the money raised goes directly to the programme that you volunteer in. More information is available at https://travelteer.co.uk/fundraising

Reasons to sign up!

The Travelteer team are always a phone call/email/ text away to answer any questions you have!
They will put you in contact with any other volunteers at Swansea University.
They will ensure you are fully prepared for your trip; helping you book your flights, sort your visa and even telling you what to pack in your bag.
Comprehensive 24/7 in-country support is provided by the Travelteer team.
In-county programme training is given at the start of the programme.

Costs and Funding

FUNDING APPLICATION WINDOW FOR THIS PROGRAMME HAS NOW CLOSED
SEE OUR 'HOW TO APPLY' SECTION FOR DETAILS OF THE WAITING LIST

Estimated total cost of participation*:
£2000 for 4 week programme (consisting of £159 non-refundable registration fee, £672 programme cost and approximately £1169 additional costs, such as flights and visas)

Funding available to eligible students:

Funding levels have now been reduced to the following amounts as a result of all Santander bursaries being allocated. Funding applications will be assessed every Thursday and students will receive follow up information about available funding shortly thereafter.

up to £1100 for students eligible for the standard bursary
up to £1300 for students eligible for the WP enhanced bursary
minimum bursary of £500 for eligible students and subject to availability

Please note that external funding isn't available for the 2 week programme.

You will be responsible for paying the non-refundable deposit directly to Travelteer. Your programme cost will be paid out of your allocated funding directly by Swansea University to Travelteer. You will receive the remainder of your funding at the start of your placement - please factor this into your budgeting! Please do not make any financial commitments to your chosen programme until you have been through the travel approval process and received confirmation of travel approval from Swansea University.

To receive funding, you will be required to complete and return the necessary documentation and fulfil the requirements of the funding you are awarded.

All programmes are offered subject to full travel approval. Students will be required to complete the university’s international travel approval process in order to participate in summer programmes and receive any associated funding. Swansea University’s travel cover is in place for students whose travel plans have been approved by the university. However, Swansea University’s travel cover does not cover any disruption arising out of Covid-19. Students are therefore responsible for any potential financial loss resulting from disruption caused by Covid-19. For full details of the University’s travel cover, please visit https://myuni.swansea.ac.uk/finance/insurance-information/travel-cover/.

*estimated costs are based on 2022 data and are subject to change and increases. To confirm programme costs for 2023, please contact the summer programme provider directly. Visit https://travelteer.co.uk/costs for more information

Eligibility

Students must be enrolled at Swansea University
Students cannot be in the final year of study
Postgraduate students can apply for funding but must provide evidence that their academic supervisor approves of their participation.
International students should speak to International@CampusLife to check the impact of the work placement on their Student Route visa

Widening Participation Criteria

annual household income of £25,000 or less (rising to £30,000 for Go Global bursaries)
students receiving Universal Credit or income-related benefits (for Taith and Turing only)
care leavers and care experienced students
care givers (excludes Taith)
estranged students.
refugees and asylum seekers.
first international or professional experience (for Santander only)

How to Apply

We are currently operating a waiting list system for this programme as all bursaries have been assigned. If you are still interested in the programme and would like to be added to our waiting list, please complete and return the Go Global Funding Application Form to studyabroad@swansea.ac.uk before 31st March 2023.

You will require full travel approval from Swansea University in order to participate. Therefore, please do not make any financial commitments to your chosen programme until you have been through the travel approval process and received confirmation of travel approval from Swansea University.

Volunteer sitting around a table with school children