FAQs for parents
1. On average, how much do students earn for expedition?On average students earn 70% of the cost of their expedition. Obviously this varies from student to student – every year World Challenge sees some students who pay for their entire expedition and other students who don’t contribute anything. We encourage students and parents to sit down at the beginning of the World Challenge program and agree on realistic earning goals and timelines as they vary for every family.
We hope that all students will actively earn for expedition, as personal responsibility is a big part of the World Challenge ethos. During the build-up to expedition, World Challenge will give students ideas about how to earn money and share success stories from other students who have already met and exceeded their earning goals. Students and parents will have access to a variety of earning ideas through the team’s personalized “My World Challenge” website.
2. How will this expedition help my student’s education and development?
The benefits of hands-on international travel are immeasurable. Students who participate in a World Challenge expedition come away from the experience with an amazing wealth of life skills, as on expedition they are responsible for balancing their budget, organizing travel logistics, and communicating with locals.
Undertaking this sort of challenge at such a young age not only strengthens their character, it also broadens their horizons and makes them aware of the world around them.
3. Who will travel with the team?
Each team travels with an Expedition Leader (an experienced, certified guide) from World Challenge and a teacher from the school. Depending on the size of the team, an additional adult might be staffed; World Challenge has a maximum adult to student ratio of 1:8. During the trekking and project phases local staff are also involved.
In addition to their Expedition Leader and teacher, teams will be supported by World Challenge’s extensive network of in-country contracts including in-country agents, embassy contacts, and Planning Managers who are always available to support the team when they are on expedition.
4. Do parents get to approve the team’s Expedition Leader?
Before departure, parents and students will be able to connect with their Expedition Leader via the team’s personalized “My World Challenge” website. Families will be able to ask questions of their Expedition Leader and review his/her qualifications.
World Challenge appoints Expedition Leaders who meet our rigorous standards in order to be able to keep a team safe and foster the growth and development of each student in challenging developing world settings. However, if as a collective group of parents you are not comfortable with the team’s appointed Expedition Leader, we will find a replacement.
5. If my son or daughter decides to withdraw from the expedition, am I entitled to a refund?
The installments paid during the pre-departure program are generally non-refundable as these installments cover our costs associated with planning each expedition.
However, we understand that sometimes unforeseen circumstances force some students to withdraw from the program and we try to provide reasonable options for families seeking refunds. These are detailed in our Booking Conditions and broadly cover cases of medical withdrawals or withdrawals with replacement. For more information on our refund policy, please refer to the details posted on the team’s “My World Challenge” site or contact us.
6. How much contact will I have with the team when they’re on expedition?
While teams are away, World Challenge operates on a “no-news is good news” policy. Teams are equipped with satellite communication technology that allows them to be in touch with us at any point for any reason. So, while the team is abroad, World Challenge will not be sending out updates to families about what the team is doing. However, if there are any major changes to the team’s planned itinerary or any other aspect of the expedition World Challenge will communicate this information to parents directly.
That being said, while you aren’t likely to hear from World Challenge while the team is away, you may hear from the team themselves. Teams will have intermittent access to internet cafes throughout their expedition, so they will be able to send and receive emails. But don’t expect to hear from your child every day (or even every week). It’s not uncommon for challengers to be so engrossed in their expedition that when occasion allows for a quick email they simply forget!
If you have an urgent message that you need to send to your child, you will be able to call the World Challenge Operations Center (our safety and support center in the UK). They will then relay this message to the team via the satellite phone carried by the Expedition Leader. If this emergency necessitates the student leaving expedition, the Operations Center will coordinate this.
7. What happens if my student has an accident in a remote location on expedition?
Safety is World Challenge’s top priority. If an emergency arose, the team’s Expedition Leader would use his or her knowledge and expertise as well as our specialized World Challenge emergency protocol to mobilize the most effective immediate and long-term support possible. Learn more about our comprehensive safety and support resources.
8. What gear do I need to buy for my son/daughter’s expedition?
Once your child turns in their team application, you will receive login details for their personalized “My World Challenge” website. Here you will find a complete packing list for their expedition; the specific gear will vary based on the destination and duration of expedition.
World Challenge strongly recommends borrowing gear whenever possible, and searching for items on discount gear websites. As your expedition approaches we post lots of gear discounts and suggestions on our Facebook page. Please feel free to contact us to discuss any questions you may have about gear.
9. What airlines do you use?
Every year we research the most appropriate airlines and the best routing to use for each destination, and only use airlines that are IATA (International Air Transportation Association) approved. In general, this means that teams will fly on major international carriers.
10. Do I need to buy travel insurance?
When overseas, all students are covered under World Challenge’s extensive medical insurance. What is not covered by World Challenge’s insurance policy is personal gear; it is up to each family whether they would like to seek coverage for these items (though it should be noted that often a family’s existing policies cover personal belongings).
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