Frequently Asked Questions for Parents

Our High School Specials are trips abroad designed for teenagers aged 14 to 18.

They follow a set two-week itinerary and are fully supervised, providing the structure your teen needs to make the most of their experience.

We understand that sending your teen abroad is a big decision, so we’ve created this parents’ FAQ page to help answer your questions.

Before their trip

Will my child travel and live alone?

No!

They'll meet and live with like-minded teens from around the world.

Shared, supervised accommodation

Your teen will live in shared accommodation with other teen volunteers. This will be same-gender accommodation in host families, hotels , shared apartment, and homestays

Projects Abroad staff stay with them to provide continued supervision through the night

Flying with other teens

If other volunteers are flying from the same airport and joining your teen on the same dates, we’ll try to connect you so you can fly together

If you are unsure about your child flying alone, we offer chaperoned flights from London on some programmes to help ease the nerves of your child flying alone. On these, a member of our team will meet you at the airport, then fly with your child and other volunteers to their destination (and on the return flight home).

Whether they fly alone or with other volunteers, they’ll still be able to contact our team in the unlikely event that they have any issues during their journey

Airport pickup

A Projects Abroad staff member will pick up your child from the destination airport, no matter what country, programme, or time they arrive

Before your child's departure, you’ll be given the details of the staff member collecting. They’ll be waiting at the airport with a Project Abroad sign and appropriate identification

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Who are your programmes suited for?

Our supervised teen volunteer abroad programmes are specifically designed for 14 to 18-year-olds who want to explore new cultures safely, gain unique experiences, and connect with like-minded teens from around the world.

How long do your teen programmes last?

Our teen programmes run on set dates during the UK school holidays.

They last 2-4 weeks, giving your teen enough time to fully immerse into the culture and make a difference.

During their time on the programme, they'll work with a group of young volunteers and experience a mix of pre-planned activities as well as supervised travel.

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How safe are the countries where you base your programmes?

Safety is our number one priority. We only send our volunteers and interns to countries and destinations that are safe and politically stable.

We are constantly in contact with the British Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (as well as officials in other countries), regarding safety and stability.

We also devise and train our local staff on crisis management plans so they know what to do if an unforeseen situation occurs.

We're here for you every step of the way. From the moment you start planning your trip to the day your teen heads home, we'll be here to support you.

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During their trip

How much spending money will they need to take with them?

As the programme fee covers all their food, accommodation, and transport, they may only need a small amount for souvenirs and keepsakes.

This will vary depending on the programme they join and the country they choose. For an estimated amount for your chosen programme, contact one of our Project Experts.

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How will you monitor their access to drugs and alcohol?

We understand your concerns regarding drugs and alcohol. While respecting your child's independence, we prioritise their safety and wellbeing.

Strict adherence to the Projects Abroad health and safety guidelines is mandatory on all projects.

We have a zero-tolerance approach to drug and alcohol misuse and other harmful activities.

Teen participants receive round-the-clock supervision from a dedicated team. They're not allowed to venture out unaccompanied, ensuring a secure and structured environment at all times.

In the rare event of any policy violations, we take immediate and appropriate action to safeguard the wellbeing of all participants.

Our aim is to create a safe and enriching experience where your child can focus on personal growth, cultural immersion, and making a positive impact.

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What happens if my child wants to come home early?

In the rare case that your child is unhappy, we will do everything reasonably possible to improve their experience, this includes:

Our local coordinators are trained to monitor group dynamics and will frequently check in with your child to ensure their happiness with their social setting and accommodation.
Our teen programmes are structured with a wide variety of activities, meaning your child will find something they’re passionate about and won’t be stuck doing the same things.

If your child needs to leave early, they can do so at any time. Our staff will accompany them to the airport. However, depending on the circumstances of their departure, they may not be refunded for the remainder of their programme fee.

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My child only speaks English, is this an issue?

There are no language requirements for our teen programmes as they’ll have 24/7 supervision from our local staff, who speak both English and the local language.

English is spoken at a basic level in most of the countries we work in, so they don’t need to know the native language. However, they will likely pick up some phrases while there!

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