You are going on a volunteer vacation! In this issue, we will address how to safely carry money, make sure you are spending the right amount and traveling with what you need and no more.

As you approach traveling to a foreign destination, especially for the first time, I recommend that you consult a current guidebook about the country. There are many authors, so find the one that best fits your style of travel.  They generally have an entire section on local culture, standard prices, standard payment forms and availability of banks/ATM’s, money exchanges, etc.  They may also address if US$ are acceptable until you can exchange some money, or even if the US$ is the preferred currency. US$ are often legal tender at foreign international airports.

Your second resource for money issues is the volunteer placement agency. They usually know all the ins-and-outs of how to handle money at your volunteer site.  While most, if not all, of your local expenses will be covered by the volunteer placement agency, you will want at least a little bit of local currency, or “pin money” for treats and souvenirs.

cont., page 2

Welcome to the second issue

for 2009!

This newsletter offers ideas based on experiences during my volunteer trip around the world.  

            Jane

Mapping Your Volunteer Vacation

Four EVVY AWARDS by the

Colorado Independent Publishers Association!

I was thrilled to be at the banquet when Mapping Your Volunteer Vacation was cited for excellence in four categories - Travel Book, Workbook, Printing and Layout Design.   This would not have been possible except for the efforts of my wonderful technical team of Faye Quam Heimerl, Barbara McNichol, Joyce Miller, Ronda Taylor and Cameron Fay.  THANK YOU SO MUCH!

It is currently available at my presentations or classes, at the Tattered Cover in Denver (www.tatteredcover.com) , at The Bookies (www.thebookies.net) or on my website at www.janestanfieldwish.com .

Money Issues -   continued from page 1

Next you need to decide what form of money to carry.  The most common for travelers are cash, credit cards, debit or cash cards, and traveler’s checks. Don’t forget to alert your banks and credit card companies about your plans. They need to know that you are going abroad including the list of countries and the range of dates you will be away. Special advice on credit/debit cards.  Make sure to take different cards that offer access to both major systems – CIRRUS and PLUS.  You don’t want to only have one and find that it is not accepted in your foreign locale.

Carrying Local Currency - If you decide to arrive with some local currency, Google to find the closest foreign currency exchange in your city. Call or contact them before you plan to visit, because not every currency may be available. Your final departing US airport will most likely have a larger exchange office with a greater range of foreign currencies.

What is the current exchange rate? - There are several currency calculators available to help you find out the current exchange rate even during your trip.  You may want to print off a little cheat sheet to carry with you that has the standard denominations and the equivalent in US$.  Check out www.xe.com and FXCheatSheets at www.onda.com/cgi/convert/cheatsheets.

Consider using ATM’s almost exclusively when abroad.  They usually offer the lowest exchange rates and you don’t have to wait for the bank to open. There may be a small bank fee back home for foreign transactions. You can minimize the fees by taking out larger amounts instead of lots of smaller withdrawals.

If you want to exchange a foreign currency to another currency, you may be better off waiting until you reach your next destination. Think about it.  If you exchange the local currency in the home country, they already have lots of that currency. But if you travel to another

READING RESOURCES!

Here are some books that offer information on volunteer vacations and around-the-world travel.

*The Give Back Solution - Susan Skog

* How the World Makes Love, and What it Taught a Jilted Groom - Franz Wisner  (author of Honeymoon with My Brother)

*Smiling at the World - Joyce Major

MAGAZINE IN THE SPOTLIGHT! 

Have you seen VERGE?  This is a wonderful international volunteer magazine out of Canada that offers insightful articles and resources for volunteers looking to go abroad.

This quarterly magazine has been published since  Sept 2002, but it came to my notice when Transitions Abroad ceased offering a printed magazine.  I had been reading TAbroad for years dreaming of when I was actually going to travel.

Every year they offer a directory of organizations that offer volunteer vacation, as well as adventure travel, internships, study, teach English, and working abroad.  Check out www.vergemagazine.ca.

country or back home, your may be offered a better exchange rate as the foreign currency is not as readily available.  REMEMBER TO

1. Carry/store the bulk of your cash in different locations, pieces or luggage or among different family members.

2. Carry your money in waist belts, sock or calf wallets or neck pouches. NEVER reveal your under-the-clothing wallet in public.

3. Carry an expendable travel wallet with a small amount of cash in you outer pockets. If you loose it, you have not lost the bank, just today’s pin money. 

Carrying and accessing money abroad does not need to take a lot of time and energy.  Plan ahead so you can focus on why you are traveling!