FAQs for students

2. What if my school is not currently offering a World challenge expedition?

If your school is not involved with World Challenge you can still get involved! Our Team Challenge offers the same exciting adventure with groups of like-minded individuals from Australia and New Zealand. Contact World challenge to find out more.

3. How difficult will the trekking be?

Don’t be scared to stretch yourself a little bit; that’s what the expedition is all about. And remember that you’ll have a World Challenge Expedition Leader with you every step of the way to help you when the going gets tough.

You don’t need to be a star athlete to sign up for a World Challenge expedition, but we do recommend that you break in your boots before you travel. To prepare, go on a few warm up hikes with your friends, and take your dog for a few extra walks as you’re getting ready for your big adventure.

4. What if I don’t know anyone on my team?

Don’t worry; you don’t need to be friends with everyone (or anyone!) on your team at the start. In fact, the most diverse teams often have the best expeditions. You will get to know your teammates during the build-up to departure, and on the expedition itself you’ll become lifelong friends. The experience of expedition – the challenges, the surprises, the adventures, the jokes – will make you and your teammates closer than you thought possible. Of course, if you really want to travel with your best friend, that’s okay too - just get them to join the team!

5. Is it okay if I don’t make it to every team meeting?

Yes, it’s okay if you miss some of your regular team meetings. But the more you can stay in touch with your team and your teacher the better. A great way for your team to stay in touch is through your personalized “My World Challenge” team website. You can post messages to your teammates there and plan your next team fundraiser (or you can create a team Facebook group).

In addition to the meetings that you plan and run with your team, World Challenge will organize several team meetings. Normally these happen about once a semester. We’ll give you plenty of advance notice before hand, because it is really important that you (and you parents) try to make it to these meetings.

6. Where will we sleep on expedition?

Every destination offers different types of accommodation. For a real taste of adventure you might plan an itinerary that involves spending a few nights sleeping in jungle hammocks or in beach cabanas with palm-frond roofs. But in general your team will be able to choose your accommodation on expedition. You’ll be in charge of your own expedition budget so you can decide whether or not it makes more sense to sleep in your World Challenge tents or stay in a local hostel each night.

7. How frequently will we shower on expedition?

The answer depends on the destination but usually fairly often. Just remember that getting dirty never got in the way of having fun! You will always be just as clean (or as dirty) as your fellow teammates, and no one will mind either way. You will always have access to water, and can rinse off with sponges and baby wipes. And when your team decides to sleep in local hostels you’ll be able to take all the showers you want.

8. What will we eat on expedition? What if I have dietary restrictions?

One of the reasons to go on expedition is to explore a new culture, and one of the best ways to do this is to try new foods. You’ll be able to barter in local markets for interesting ingredients and try your hand at cooking them yourselves. Or you may be able to hire some local cooks to prepare delicious dishes for you during your service project or trek.

But don’t worry, you can almost always find your favorite comfort foods in-country too. When you shop in larger towns you’ll be able to stock up on peanut butter and Nutella for your whole expedition. Staple foods on expedition include rice and beans, pasta, and mac & cheese, but you can be as creative as you want when planning your own menu (as long as your Expedition Leader agrees that it’s healthy and nutritious).

It’s easy to be vegetarian on expedition and any number of dietary restrictions can be accommodated in-country. Contact the World Challenge office if you have more questions about how you can accommodate your dietary needs on expedition.

9. Can I take my cell phone on expedition? What about a camera or iPod?

We strongly advise against taking your cell phone on expedition. Chances are you won’t get coverage and if you do it will be really expensive. Also, a phone is just one more thing to lose or break on expedition.

You’ll be able to stay in touch with your family and friends over email and Facebook every few days (you’ll pass internet cafes in the larger towns that you visit). If there is an emergency your Expedition Leader can always get in touch with your parents via satellite phone and the World Challenge Operations Centre.

In general we hope that you’ll try to “unplug” while you’re on expedition. The less time you spend on Facebook at the internet café or listening to your favorite play-list, the more you’ll get out of your time in-country.

That said, we do hope that you’ll bring your camera with you on expedition (it will be on your packing list)! When you return, we’ll invite you to enter our annual photo contest (on Facebook).

10. If I drop out because I decide I don’t want to travel anymore, can I get a refund?

If you decide you no longer want to participate in the expedition, you are not entitled to a refund. The installments that you pay cover the costs of the pre-departure preparations for your team. However, if you find a friend to take your spot on the team you can apply for a refund through our “withdrawal with replacement” option.

10. Do I need a passport or a visa?

You don’t need to have a passport when you sign up for expedition, but you will need to get one before we book flights, usually about 12 months prior to travel. Similarly, you may need a travel visa in addition to your passport (this varies by destination). World Challenge will remind you when to apply for your passport (and visa) and help you understand the application process, but ultimately it will be your responsibility to make sure that you have the correct travel documents for expedition.