Who is eligible?
All participants must be 18 years of age or older. In order to avoid visa complications, we will give preference to U.S., Canadian, and Indian citizens.

What is the duration of the program?
The summer program will last for five weeks. The program will run from approximately the end of May to the first week of July. Exact dates will be listed in the online application which will be up on the site in early January.

How is the program structured and what can I expect to do once I am in Kashmir?
Participants will be assigned to a project that will last for approximately four weeks. Volunteers can expect to spend a good portion of each day working with their project mentors and fulfilling their required tasks. Location, number of hours, and intensity of work will depend on the nature of the project and the qualifications. The first and last weeks of the program will be used to orient participants with Kashmiri culture and to go on organized trips to beautiful tourist sites.

What type of work will participants be expected to carry out?
Projects will be related to one of three fields: healthcare, education, and development. The nature of each project shall depend directly on the needs of our NGOs and other local partners, with whom volunteers shall be working with. Project assignment will depend upon your field of interest, qualifications, and any relevant experience that will best suit the needs of our program. At this time, we are asking interested applicants to be patient as we finalize the details of our projects.

What issues should I take into account as I decide whether to apply to the program?
Given the precarious environment in Kashmir, participants should be mindful of certain risks associated with travel to the region. While there, you may witness strikes, curfews, army blockades, and varying levels of regional violence. While certain measures can be taken to ensure your safety, please be aware that we will not be responsible for any thing that happens to you while you are abroad.