Frequently Asked Questions

In order to help you better understand the process of becoming a Good News Corps volunteer, here are answers to some frequently asked questions by previous applicants.

FAQs

• How will I know if I am qualified?
• May I postpone the date of dispatch?
• After the completion of domestic training, when are we dispatched overseas?
• How long do Good News Corps volunteers serve? Are shorter durations available?
• Do I need to speak a foreign language to be qualified to apply and/or be sent as a volunteer?
• Do I need a college degree?
• Will I be serving in my mission alone?
• When do I officially complete my term of service?
• How do we choose our volunteer field?
• What provisions do the Good News Corps volunteers receive?
• How much does it cost?
• Should we take our own money? How much do you recommend?
• What will occur upon my completion of service?

How will I know if I am qualified?

Being part of the Good News Corps is not about experience, skill, strength or even ability. Instead, the Good News Corps takes you and molds you into an individual who possesses all these qualities. Each candidate will be evaluated by Good News Corps counselors who will ultimately determine your qualification.

May I postpone the date of dispatch?

The training and workshops attended this year are preparation for dispatch in June. You are welcome to participate in the training and workshops even though you do not plan on being a volunteer this year, but have plans to be one in the future. However, you must participate in the training and workshops again for the year you wish to be dispatched.

After the completion of domestic training, when are we dispatched overseas?

Final training will take place in May, and you will be dispatched in June.

How long do Good News Corps volunteers serve? Are shorter durations available?

Good News Corps volunteers serve one year (approx. 11 months). Although this may seem like a big commitment to college students, past volunteers find that 11 months is actually too short - there is so much to be learned and gained.

Do I need to speak a foreign language to be qualified to apply and/or be sent as a volunteer?

Speaking a foreign language is not a requirement.

Do I need a college degree?

A college or university degree is not mandatory.

Will I be serving in my mission alone?

Being a part of an international program operating within many different countries, you will be working as a team and have frequent contact with fellow Good News Corps volunteers, team leaders, and branch office.

When do I officially complete my term of service?

Your service will begin in June and will conclude in May of the following year.

How do we choose our volunteer field?

You may choose three countries in order of preference. Space is limited; therefore, in the event of one location having too many applicants, recruiting staff will then consider other factors in order to select which volunteers will have priority. Your participation in the workshops and the staff’s evaluation of you from the workshops will have a large impact in offering priority to volunteers. We strongly encourage you to actively participate in Good News Corps workshops.

What provisions do the Good News Corps volunteers receive?

The Good News Corps provides all volunteers with room and board at designated facilities in the host country. Other essentials such as basic transportation and basic toiletries are also provided upon arrival. The Good News Corps believes in providing as much as possible to assist volunteers in accomplishing their work overseas.

How much does it cost?

Volunteers will need to prepare the funds for air travel to and from their host country, as well as any costs involved in the securing of travel documents or visas. Volunteers must also purchase travel/health insurance before departing. In the event of a medical emergency that cannot be attended to by the branch office, volunteers will need to avail themselves to the services offered by their insurance policy. The Good News Corps recruiting office can offer guidance in finding an insurance policy; however it is the responsibility of the volunteer to prepare in advance for departure overseas.

Should we take our own money? How much do you recommend?

While Good News Corps will go out of its way to provide for volunteers, it is recommended that volunteers do bring a certain amount of their own money. Large sums of money are harder to keep secure in other countries, and access to banking may be limited based on location, therefore 10% is a convenient figure for volunteers to use for personal needs and things like souvenirs.

What will occur upon my completion of service?

You will have changed a lot by the time you return from service. We are confident that the Good News Corps experience will have a turning point of your life. Along with other volunteers who have completed the service, you will be a part of a global network of students, a network composed of open-minded people who can understand and embrace others.

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