Preparing to Go!

To see all flight details for volunteer programs Amazonas Explored, Fiji Islands Discovered and Africa Unearthed 2013-2014 - see Flights.

Please note that all VESA participants must have medical insurance to travel on our program. VESA reserves the right to refuse any participant whom can not produce evidence of medical travel insurance at the commencement of the program

VESA recommends the following company for our travel insurance needs:

VESA strongly recommends that you speak to a medical practitioner about any further immunisations you may need. Malaria tablets are recommended if you are choosing to travel to Ecuador or South Africa.

VESA recommends the Travel Doctor - TMVC for all travel related medical advice and vaccinations. VESA and the Travel Doctor - TMVC have worked together on providing a solution tailor made to our participants' medical needs.

Simply mention you are a part of the VESA or Volunteer Eco Students Abroad trip when booking your appointment and you will be eligible for a rebate only consultation and for 10% off all travel/gastro kits.

Please be aware that if you are returning to Australia within 6 days of traveling in Ecuador you are required by the Australian government to have a Yellow Fever vaccination.

Click here for a list of Travel Doctor - TMVC clinics
or call 1300 658 844.

An electronic travel authority (‘ESTA’) is now required for all visa waiver countries including Australia and New Zealand for travel to the United States of America. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: The US Customs and Border protection has announced that from 8 September 2010 there will be a compulsory US$14.00 fee applied to applications for the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation.

Ecuadorian visas are free of charge and available upon entry into Ecuador for stays up to 90 days for Australian and New Zealand citizens. For advice on Ecudorian entry requirements for other nationalities please contact the Ecuadorian embassy in Sydney on (612) 9262 1373.

Australian and New Zealand citizens do not require visas for travel to Fiji. Any other nationalities must check with the Fijian embassy in North Sydney on (02) 8904 0476.

Australian and New Zealand citizens do not require visas for travel to South Africa. All other nationalities must check with the South African embassy in Canberra on (+61) 2 6272 7300.

Am I able to fundraise to offset the cost of the program?

Absolutely! In fact, we encourage all our students to actively fundraise to help pay for their program costs. Upon receipt of your deposit and confirmation onto a program, VESA will send out a fundraising package. The fundraising package contains a letter from VESA introducing you to potential donors, a letter from the local host organisation, a list of proven fundraising ideas and a receipt document.

Many of our students have raised all of the funds necessary for their program and flights costs. Join our Facebook group, Volunteer Eco Students Abroad to see some of their ideas.

Please note, whilst VESA is a volunteer organisation it is not a registered charity so donations will not be tax deductible.