Application Fee: $200 This is separate from the program fee.
(Please see our application fee refund policy here)

All Programs: $695 

This is a one-time fee that remains the same no matter how long participants stay with the program. The programs in South Africa can last any length of time from two to six months.

Rent: If you decide to use our housing, rent is due monthly in Cape Town. Rent costs approximately $350 per month depending on where the participant stays and shared utilities for the month.  WiFi is available in most housing, and is billed according to the size of the download.

Sample Budget: $200 application fee, $695 program fee, $350 per month for rent, roundtrip plane tickets, travel insurance, $100 per week for food and getting around the city, fun money for activities (shark cage diving, surf board rental, sand boarding, etc.)  

All prices are listed in US Dollars. The program fees reflect the costs ELI faces when setting up a program. We work hard to keep our costs as low as possible. ELI is a registered 501(c)3 non profit. US taxpayers may be able to deduct some or all of the program fees (for volunteer projects only). If you are outside the US and wondering what these costs translate to in your currency, click here for an online conversion tool that will give you the approximate current exchange rate.

Program Includes:

Program Does Not Include:

We are very proud to offer internships and volunteer projects with some of the best companies and NGOs in the Cape.  These positions are intended for mature and responsible participants who can keep to a schedule and commit themselves to the position.  Further, our group housing is fairly independent: ELIers purchase their own groceries, commute to and from their work sites without supervision, and pay rent monthly.

Placement Process:  Please apply 3 months in advance for internships.  When you have been accepted to the program and the application fee is paid, then we send your file to relevant organizations and companies and we discuss your education, work experience, interests, proposed dates, and their needs and upcoming projects.  Once we find a position that we feel is a good match, and they make an internship offer, then we contact you to book your plane tickets and we email you an invoice for the program fee.  Sometimes there are more than one potential internship, and in that case we will contact you to see which would be your preference.  If we are unable to find a suitable placement for you (it's rare, but it can happen in specialized fields) then the application fee is 100% refunded.  If you decide not to go, the application fee is not refunded. The placement process in Cape Town can happen quickly or it can take up to 8 weeks - it depends on your field of study, experience, the time of year, etc.  Be sure to apply well in advance to ensure plenty of time for sourcing an ideal placement.  If you are working under a university deadline, we need to be informed of that deadline in your initial application.

Accommodation:  If you elect to use our housing, your housing assignment will be made a week or two before your arrival in Cape Town.  We work hard to minimize your commute time and match you with roommates who have similar interests whenever possible.  ELIers in Cape Town are from all over the world, so be prepared to live with an international bunch.  ELI arranges accommodations in shared houses and apartments in safe neighborhoods all over the city. Rent is not included in the program fee, it is due on the 1st of each month in Cape Town.  Rent is approximately $350 per month depending on where you stay and shared utilities. Bedrooms are typically shared, so if you would like a single room be sure to make a special request and know that rent will be a little more per month. All housing comes equipped with security, furniture, dishes, linens, WiFi and maid service. No meals are included with the accommodations, but each apartment or house has a full kitchen for participants to use.  If you are living in one of our shared houses, the bedrooms are single-gender but the houses are mixed-gender.  

Arrival Dates:  The arrival dates for the South African programs are completely flexible. We ask that no participants arrive December 23-27 or December 31-January 3. This allows our coordinator and staff in South Africa to spend the Christmas and New Years holidays with their families.

Visa: We will help you plan for your South African visa.  Check to see if your passport is from an exempt country.  

Apply Now
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.  We have set up a South Africa Checklist for you to see exactly what steps you will need to take to go abroad with ELI.

International Work Camps:
Three Week Camps: $595

Medical Internships:
Additional $50 per month for hospital and clinic fees.

Application Fee: $200
(Please see our application fee refund policy here)

Volunteer Work Permit
The Kenyan government requires all volunteers to get a permit from the local immigration office. The permit is approximately US$150 per month (15,000 Kenyan Shillings).

Accommodations:
Volunteers in Kenya stay with local host families.  ELI truly believes that this is the best way to fully immerse in another culture and get the most from an international experience.  All families are carefully screened and are well-respected members of the community with at least one family member who speaks English.  Participants will have either a private or shared bedroom with secure storage (volunteer must provide own padlock).  Bathrooms are shared with the host family.  Volunteers will be provided with breakfast and dinner daily. Please note that accommodation with the International Work Camp Program will be in group living situations. 

Arrival Dates:
Start dates are completely flexible, but we ask that volunteers arrive in Nairobi on a Saturday or Sunday if possible in order to start working on Monday.

We ask that participants not arrive December 23-26 in order to allow our coordinator and staff to spend the Christmas holiday with their families.

Apply Now
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our application advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.

Application Fee: $200
(Please see our application fee refund policy here)

The program fee is higher for medical and dental programs because hospitals charge an internship fee. The programs in Nepal are limited to a maximum of five months due to local visa restrictions.

Sample Budget: $200 application fee, program fee (depends on duration), visa fee (depends on duration), $50 a week for lunch and getting around, spending money for weekend trips (riding the elephants in Chitwan, renting a boat in Pokhara, rafting, bungee jumping, trekking, etc).

Program Includes:

* Pre-Departure Information
* Pick-Up from the Airport in Kathmandu
* City Tour/Orientation Half Day
* Volunteer/Internship Position 
* Accommodation in ELI's Volunteer House in Thamel
* Breakfast and Dinner at ELI's Volunteer House
* 24/7 Emergency Service

Program Does Not Include:

*Round-Trip Airfare
*Return Trip to Airport (it's a short taxi ride)
*Required Travel and Medical Insurance
*Visa Fees

Accommodation:  ELI participants in Kathmandu live together in our new volunteer house, located on the edge of Thamel (Kathmandu's tourist district). Our house is located near shops, cafes, English language bookstores, and easy access to all forms of transportation. Bedrooms are shared when the house is at capacity, so be prepared to have lovely roommates during the busy seasons (summer and fall).  There are western style flushing toilets, stand-up showers, free WIFI in the main living area, and solar panels that provide warm water (depending on the sun). There is electricity, but availability depends on the rolling black outs in Kathmandu. Please note, none of the buildings in Kathmandu offer indoor heat - if you are going in the winter be sure to pack a warm coat.

If you are interested in alternative housing, we can sometimes arrange a room at an orphanage or a homestay.

2016 Arrival Dates:  August 25, September 5, September 24 (all programs CLOSED for Dashain Oct 8 - October 13), October 17, October 31, November 14.  Please try to arrive on one of these days, as orientation will start the next morning.  If you need to arrive on a different day, check in with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Dashain occurs in Sept/Oct every year, and it is a major holiday (no one works, and most businesses/projects are closed the entire holiday).  Plan to take holiday during this time.  Most Nepali holidays are scheduled according to a lunar calendar, so they vary from year to year.  Here is a complete list of 2016-2017 Nepali Holidays.

2017 Arrival Dates: January 23, February 6, February 20, March 6, March 20, April 3, April 17, May 1, May 15, May 29, June 12, June 26, July 10, July 24, August 7. Please try to arrive on one of these days, as orientation will start the next morning.  If you need to arrive on a different day, check in with This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. 

Participants need to visit a travel nurse before their arrival in Nepal.  For immunizations, we defer to the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control.  Most nationalities can acquire a visa upon arrival at the airport in Kathmandu.  We will provide you with instructions in your Pre-Departure Packet.  For more information visit Nepal's Embassy in the US.  You will Fly into Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu. If you plan to travel on to India, you can get your Indian Tourist Visa in person at the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu.

Culture Shock is a common challenge for participants in our Nepal programs.  Be sure to read about the symptons and what you can do to curb those feelings. There is a blog entry about culture shock in our Director's Blog.  Lena compares Nepal and America in her blog Nepal: Culture Clash, and Timothy blogs on the same topic in Nepal: Cultural Discoveries.

Apply Now
After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.  We have set up a Nepal Checklist for you to see exactly what steps you will need to take to go abroad with ELI.

Application Fee: $200
(Please see our application fee refund policy here)

Programs require at least a two week commitment with a 6 month maximum stay.

All prices are listed in US Dollars. The program fees reflect the costs ELI faces when setting up a program. We work hard to keep our costs as low as possible. ELI is a registered 501(c)3 non profit. US taxpayers may be able to deduct some or all of the program fees. If you are outside the US and wondering what these costs translate to in your currency, click here for an online conversion tool that will give you the approximate current exchange rate.

Accommodations
In most placements, volunteers stay in a comfortable local guesthouse. Volunteers either have their own bedroom or share a bedroom with another ELI volunteer. All meals are provided, but participants are free to eat at local restaurants or street vendors if they prefer. There is easy access to internet cafes and tourist areas through convenient local bus lines. Want to see the menu? We have the full volunteer menu available!

Arrival Dates
Start dates in Cambodia are the first and third weekend of each month.

Notes and Helpful Links

Apply Now

After you fill out the Application Form on our website, our Application Advisor will be in touch to help you with the next steps.