Goa Culture Week in India

We highly recommend you start your trip with a comprehensive cultural immersion week followed by one of our community projects. It will help you settle in by meeting new people and understanding great aspects about the country you are visiting. Search other activities for week two onward in the ‘Related trips‘ section.

This program lets you explore the life and style of Goan people. This is a very important step that will prepare you for your stay in India. Loads of new things will be introduced to you and it will be the time to ask all your questions about the organization, the programs, the country, the culture and anything else that might come to mind.

Moreover, there will be language lessons, cooking classes, yoga sessions, sightseeing, visits to authentic Indian homes, workshops that will introduce you to the culture, visits to our project locations and much more!

You will also have the opportunity to learn about the projects which you will be participating on and training will be given to your prior to beginning your project the following week.

Local language communication will be part of this program, hands-on Indian cooking class, yoga sessions, visiting scenic sights and surroundings, and project training workshops. All these encompass this week making your entry to the Goan life.

Aims & Objectives
The purpose of this program is to help you get an understanding of the manners, norms, and etiquette that is inherent in Indian society as well as show you around and introduce you to your new surroundings.

Schedule
Monday
7:00 – 8:00 – Breakfast at the Center
8:30 – 9:30 – Introduction to the program including code of conduct and Do’s and Don’ts (House Rules).
9:30 to 11:30 – Visit to Old Goa and Spice Plantation
12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch at Spice Plantation
14:00 – 17:00 – Mapusa city visit and the local Market
18:00 – 19:00 – Dinner at the Center
19:30 – 20:30 – Relax for the evening

Tuesday
7:00 – 9:00 – Self Defense classes
9:15 – 9:45 – Main Course Breakfast
10:00 – 12:30 – Join a practical session of Indian Cooking
12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch at the Center
14:00 -17:00 – Sightseeing tour to visit Candolim & Sinquerim Beach
18:00 – 19:00 – Dinner at the Center
19:30 onwards Culture shock, discussion about safety and transport.

Wednesday
7:00 – 8:00 – Breakfast
8:15 – 10:00 – Yoga session
10:30 – 12:15 – Local Language Lesson, (Alphabets, sentences, phrases, names of fruits and vegetables, numbers); a short break to learn making Indian Chai (tea)
12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch at the Center
15:00 – 19:00 – Anjuna Beach and market visit
19:00 – 20:00 – Dinner at the Center
20:30 onwards Enjoy a Bollywood movie at the Center

Thursday
7:00 – 8:00 – Breakfast at the Center
9:00 – 12:00 – Project visit (Disability care, Kindergarten, Old Age Home, Animal Shelter)
12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch at the Center
14:00 – 17:00 – Project Visit (Community Outreach project and women empowerment)
18:00 – 19:00 – Dinner at the Center
19:30 onwards Orientation on projects which includes a Power-point presentation. Training on Project activities and group discussion along with an explanation about project structure

Friday
7:00 – 8:00 – Breakfast at the Center
9:00 – 12:30 – Go on a local bus ride to the capital city called Panjim. Walkthrough the streets of the capital, visit markets, churches, malls and more
13:00 – 13:30 – Lunch at Centre
14:00 -17:00 – Relax for the week followed by feedback of our Culture Week.
18:00 – 19:00 – Dinner at the Center
19:30 – 20:30 – Group activities.

This schedule can be changed and/or amended depending on weather conditions, local conditions and unforeseen circumstances.

Criminal Records Check
We require you to complete a criminal records check in order to take part in this experience. We can accept those that have been done in the last two years if you have the certificate. In the UK it can be done through the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), in the USA further details can be found on Travel.State.Gov, otherwise please search for your local service provider. We may also request a reference from a reliable source. You must supply these to us before departure and also take a copy with you to present to the in-country team.

Why do we require a criminal background check?
1) Ensuring a safe environment is conducive to learning, productivity and overall positive experiences for everyone involved.

2) We implement thorough screening processes and we are committed to safety and integrity, fostering trust among participants and the local community.

3) Conducting background checks serves as a preventive measure, deterring individuals with questionable backgrounds from attempting to participate in our programme.

4) Safeguards vulnerable people from potential harm within the programme.

Start dates are every week of the year with your activities starting on a Monday. We therefore request you arrive the Sunday between 06:00 and 24:00 to receive a free airport pick-up and transfer. Early or late arrivals will incur an additional charge.

Your trip will finish on the Saturday morning when you will need to vacate the accommodation.

Please also note that India is known for it’s festivals, so during some periods of your trip this may disrupt normal schedules. However, our in-country team are there to make sure you are kept busy and enjoying all aspects of your India experience.

Location
Consistently ranked among India’s top tourist destinations, Goa is the ideal place for first-time travelers and adventurers alike to acclimatize to a different culture. From caves behind waterfalls to villages hidden in sandy coconut forests, there is always something more waiting to be rediscovered. The mountain ranges and spice plantations enhance the beauty of this glorious state. Apart from its natural beauty, this former capital of Portuguese India and home to various UNESCO World Heritage sites has a lot to offer in terms of architecture with churches, cathedrals and forts abounding. Put together, it is all of these aspects and more that make Goa the ultimate travel destination.

Accommodation & Food
About the Accommodation
In our centre, there is a mini library, a dining room, a lounge area where you can hang out with fellow participants and a beautiful garden to relax.

Furthermore, there is a refrigerator which you are welcome to use to store food and beverages.

Available Room Types

* Three meals per day during weekdays and two per day on weekends
** Water, tea, coffee and milk
*** At an additional fee

Food Arrangements
The meals are a mix of Western and Indian food, consisting mainly of vegetarian dishes including rice and vegetables. You can expect to have a chicken dish about twice per week. You can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for yourself or eat out at any of the local restaurants.

Facilities
ATMs: There are ATM’s around our centres. The closest one to our residence is about a 15-minute walk from the house.

Shop: The closest local supermarket is a 15-minute walk from the centre.

Mandatory Orientation Day
On the Monday of your first week at this location, you will join our orientation day, to familiarize you with the surroundings as well as local culture. Your program will continue as usual from Tuesday onward throughout the rest of the week.

Schedule
– Welcome, introduction to India, House rules, Code of Conduct and handling of documents
– Visit a spice plantation, visit the local market, and a few supermarkets located close to our centre. You can also utilize this time of the day to exchange your currency or purchase any of the essential items you might need during your stay.
– Lunch
– Visit Slum Outreach School & join the education program for migrant slum children of all ages (This activity is optional)

Activities & Events
No scheduled activities outside the program.

Sights & Surroundings
Goa has a very long coastline with an almost unbroken sand cover. So, if you’ve come looking for sun, sand and sea without the crowds and the fuss you’ll be pleased to discover these beaches tucked away in quiet recesses where you can go to truly escape the world. Here is our list of secluded beaches to try during your Goa weekend getaways. You might have to take your own food and water as there are no eateries or accommodation near some of them. And though some of them may seem out of their way, you’ll be glad for the peace and quiet when you get there.

• Butterfly Beach
• Kakolem Beach
• Galjibag Beach
• Hollant Beach
• Betul Beach
• Arambol Beach
• Agonda Beach
• Cola Beach
• Velsao Beach
• Sinquerim Beach
• Siridao BeachGoa has a pleasant climate all around the year. Monsoon season is from June to September which is the rainy season for Goa. Goa gets an average rainfall of 330 cm annually which is about 90% of its annual rainfall. This season also happens to be the favourite of the travellers coming to Goa with its various celebrations happening. And from October to March it gets a very pleasant climate with clear skies and nights being busy with the festivals and sky full of fireworks. Summer starts in April and the long sandy beaches and the sunshine are so welcoming.

Transportation
From this location we do not provide free transport to other locations.

Accommodation
Volunteer camp with shared rooms (2-8 people per room); Basic but comfortable; Shared toilet and shower facilities; Communal areas for socialising and relaxation designed with an authentic Indian style; internet access and use of a TV with international cable channels; Single and double rooms may also be available – contact us.

Food
3 meals a day are provided on weekdays, and then 2 meals per day on weekends; Basic but nutritious vegetarian meals are provided. Meals are of a typical Indian fare.

Airport Transfer
Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you are arriving early/late. You be supported at the end of your trip in your onward travel.

Training
A full orientation and project induction takes place. You will also receive full training relevant to your volunteer role.

Support
Pre-departure help and advice; Local in-country team; 24 hour emergency support.

Donation
Part of your fee is used to buy decent equipment for the project and community you work with. If you wish to bring further donation, please make sure that this is in the form of equipment and not monetary donations.

Flights; Travel Insurance; Visas; Vaccinations; Spending money; In country travel; Laundry service; Extra activities not on itinerary; Departure transfer.

Preferred Duration
This is a one week trip only to help you settle into a new culture and get to know people in a similar situation to you. We would encourage you to join one of our community projects after this cultural immersion week and participate in a worthwhile activity that you will remember for years to come.

Pre-requisites
No prior experience or qualifications are required, but an interest in understanding a new culture and actively getting involved with it. Participants will also require a CRB/DBS check in order to take part in the project.

Ideal for
Cultural experience abroad, community projects in India, settling into a new culture, Indian cultural experience, those on a gap year, student holiday or career break that want to experience India and it’s amazing people and culture.

Suitable for ages 17 to 80

Most participants are between 18 and 25, so please be aware of this. Those under 18 will need to provide parental consent. We do welcome older people because of the value and experience they bring to the community.