Volunteer in Albania
With a landscape including rugged mountains and a lengthy stretch of Adriatic coastline, Albania is home to a rich blend of religions and cultures. After World War II, Albania remained staunchly isolationist until its transition to democracy after 1990. The 1992 elections ended 47 years of communist rule, but the latter half of the decade saw a quick turnover of presidents and prime ministers. While there have been signs of economic progress with inflation under tighter control and some growth, the country remains one of the poorest in Europe. Unemployment is high and poverty widespread. VIP has developed many relationships with non profit organizations in Albania, creating a variety of individual volunteer placement possibilities.
Arrival and Orientation - Accommodations - Fees
Participants will be welcomed at the airport by a representative of Experiment Albania, our VIP representative organization in Tirana. A two-day orientation program will be provided upon arrival which will cover basic information about the volunteer placement and about customs & daily life in Albania. During the orientation, a basic Albanian language course will be provided to the participant, in order to enable him/her to communicate with the local people. This orientation concludes with the exploration of Tirana, the capital of Albania, visiting some cultural and historical buildings like National Historic Museum, Mosque of Et’hem Bej, etc.
During the program, depending upon the length of the stay (2 or 4 weeks) the volunteer will have the opportunity to visit the cities of Kruja, Durres and Shkoder accompanied by a local Experiment guide. Included in these excursions may be visits to the most important historical and cultural places of these cities such as the Museum of Gjergj Kastrioti Scanderbeg, the Ethnographic Museum and Traditional Bazaar in the city of Kruja, a Roman Amphitheater and Archaeological Museum of Durres, the Rozafa castle in Shkodra, etc.
During the volunteer program, a homestay will be provided for participants under the age of 30, with the exception of the program in the Romani Community Center where the volunteer will be accommodated in a guest room at the center. For those volunteers over 30 years of age, the VIP office in Albania will assist in locating other accommodations near to the project site. These participants also will have to pay for their own meals in addition to the regular program fees.
Program fees 2012*
| 10 Days | US$ 1155 |
| 2 Weeks | US$ 1300 |
| 4 Weeks | US$ 1445 |
What’s included
- Application processing
- Airport transfer (Arrival & Departure)
- Two day orientation upon arrival
- Albanian language instruction
- Volunteer project placement
- Excursions and visits to other cities
- Out-town transportation during the visits to other cities
- Homestay where applicable
- Dinners are provided with a homestay (not breakfast or lunch)
- Breakfast at the Romani Community Center (not lunch or dinner)
- Entrance to the museums and other historical places
- In country staff support
What’s not included
- Travel to and from Albania, visa expenses if any
- Daily transportation to the project
- Required travel and accident insurance
- Personal expenses, including international phone calls
- Meals as noted above (estimated costs $130 to $160 US per month for meals)
* Note: Published prices remain subject to change in case of major currency fluctuations. Contact your sending office.
Payment schedule
A deposit of 20 % of the total program fee is required with the participant’s application. It is non-refundable upon notification of acceptance. The balance of the program fee is required 30 days prior to departure.
Cancellation policy
- Cancellation after acceptance and prior to placement confirmation – the deposit is forfeited
- Cancellation after confirmation of placement – 50% of the program fee is forfeited
- No show or early departure from program – 100% of the program fee is forfeit
