FAQ
Click on a question below to find out the answers to some of our most frequently asked questions.
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What is the primary goal of an international outreach trip?
Do I need medical experience to go on a trip?
How will airline travel arrangements be made?
What assistance is available in covering the cost of the trip?
Can I arrive earlier or leave later than the dates of the trip?
What is included in the trip fee?
Why is lunch not included in Trip fee?
What health precautions should I take when preparing for my outreach trip?
Is travel insurance included in the program fee?
Can I get my own room or do I need to share?
How are communities chosen for BTC Outreach Trips?
If I decide not to go on the trip, will my fees be refunded?
I am not a student. Can I still travel on a trip?
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What is the primary goal of an international outreach trip?
The goal of our outreach trips is to provide needed resources and services to underserved communities around the world. We work to understand the needs of the community and create customized programs that are culturally mindful and accepted by the community. Through our unique outreach trips, we provide the opportunity for international communities to come together and relationships to be born..
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Do I need medical experience to go on a trip?
Absolutely not! We encourage everyone to sign up for our trips, regardless of any previous medical experience. There is always a way to help and offer your skills to the team. For individuals who are looking into the medical field, our trips provide hands on experience working in a clinic and providing basic medical care.​
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How will airline travel arrangements be made?
Each team member is responsible for purchasing their own plane ticket. Specific flight information will be provided to team members to assist them with the booking process. A copy of your flight itinerary must be provided to us.
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(Here are some tips on saving money on your flights: https://www.cheapair.com/blog/travel-tips/when-to-buy-airline-tickets-based-on-1-5-billion-airfares/)
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What assistance is available in covering the cost of the trip?
A limited number of scholarships are available from time to time. Please contact us to learn more about any available scholarships and the application process. We also encourage team members to hold fundraisers to help subsidize the trip cost.
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Can I arrive early or leave later than the dates of the trip?
Team members are allowed to travel independently on the front or back end of the trip. The countries and regions we visit are beautiful places with vast amounts of history and culture to discover. It will be the responsibility of the team member to cover any added costs resulting from additional travel and activities.
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What is included in the trip fee?
The trip fee includes the following:
Lodging, breakfast, dinner, drinking water, program supplies, planned excursions, ground transportation, translators, guides, and visa fees (if applicable).
The trip fee does NOT include:
Airfare, passport application fees, lunch, and baggage fees
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​Why is Lunch Not included in Trip fee?
In order to avoid any delays in the services we provide, lunches are staggered; having lunch readily available for then that window presents itself is beneficial. As a result of this logistical concern, we do not coordinate or plan lunch meals for our volunteers. Prices per day depend on the trip location and the cuisine of the communities we partner with; we provide time for the team to purchase items from the grocery store for lunch.
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What health precautions should I take when preparing for my outreach trip?
Though our goal is provide health and medical assistance to communities abroad, personal safety and awareness is important when traveling to foreign countries.
To see a list of health recommendations including vaccinations, medications, and health tips, please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. Links are provided below.
Click here to view recommendations for the Philippines.
Click here to view recommendations for Myanmar.
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Is travel insurance included in the program fee?
Travel insurance is not included in the program fee, but it will be mandatory for you to purchase after signing up for the trip. Travel insurance is a necessary precaution for all international travels, covering potential medical expenses, lost/stolen luggage or flight changes. Additional information will be provided to you.
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Is Be the Change an NGO?
Yes! Be the Change is registered with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We believe in a personal, hands on approach to making positive change in the world. Though we often partner with community and local government officials during our trips, we are an independent organization dedicated to empowering people on both sides of the trip to achieve change in their communities.
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Can I get my own room or do I need to share?
We focus our programs on communities that are under resourced; often lodging is limited and must be made to accommodate the entire team. You can request to have your own room, but this accommodation cannot be guaranteed. Please note that additional costs may apply; contact us for further inquiry.
How are communities chosen for Be the Change Outreach Trips?
There are many places in the world in which medical supplies are scarce and access to healthcare limited. Be the Change does not attempt to be an alternative to a stable healthcare system, which many communities are in need of. Many of the communities are chosen because of contacts we have in the area. Be the Change conducts discovery trips to the communities we serve in order to build relationships with the community, identify needs, and plan logistics for our outreach trips.
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Is there dress code?
There is no specific dress code for the trip. Health professionals are encouraged to wear scrubs on clinic days, but overall, modesty is the rule of thumb. Please note that shirts must not have inappropriate messages or logos or anything that could be misconstrued as inappropriate. It is also important to consider the climate of the trip location; much of our trips are spent outdoors working with communities. Dressing comfortably and prepared for the climate is a key health and safety precaution.
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If I decide not to go on the trip, will my fees be refunded?
The first installment of the trip fee is refundable until a certain date. Please check the trip information page for specific information.
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I am not a student. Can I still travel on a trip?
Yes! Be the Change encourages all individuals to participate on our outreach trips. These trips great experiences to see foreign countries and learn about different cultures and the medical field. More importantly, however, our trips provide an opportunity to offer oneself and one’s skills to those communities who do not have the institutional resources that are available in Western nations.