LATE AUGUST - Depart for Taiwan. Once the teams arrive, they will have about a week of training before leaving for their team assignments.

EARLY SEPTEMBER - The teams arrive at their individual team stations. Most of our teams will start teaching within their first week.

NOVEMBER - By this time, the teams have been serving for over two months. New team members are generally pretty accustomed to the teaching schedule. At some point during this month we usually hold our VOICE Missions Retreat – a weekend where all the teams come together for a time of fellowship and encouragement.

EARLY-MID FEBRUARY - The first semester ends in early February. At this point our team members have the option to re-apply for another semester or return home.

TESOL TRAINING = $80. - $400.

There are many different options for TESOL training, but most online 60+ hour courses cost between $200.-400. For more information about TESOL training visit our Requirements page.

DISCIPLESHIP COURSE = $99 - $119.

All our new volunteers are required to complete the Rise Up discipleship course. This course will provide you with discipleship training and accountability throughout your first few months in Taiwan. For more information visit www.riseupdiscipleship.com.

BACKGROUND CHECK = $25. - $50.

Since you will be working with young children, we require a background check before joining the program. The cost of this screening varies state by state, but the price is usually between $25.-$50.

TAIWANESE VISA FEES = $200.

Because you will be staying in Taiwan for 11 months you will need a visa. The initial visa application costs $160. and secure shipping to the Taiwanese embassy will cost about $40.

FLIGHT = $500.

The cost of your airplane ticket will be subsidized by your sponsor, so you will only need to pay $500. for your ticket. (If you choose to extend your time of service for a second semester, you sponsor will return this money to you.)

HOUSING

Housing on or near the CEI will be provided for each VOICE Missions volunteer.

A LIVING STIPEND

You will be provided with a monthly living stipend. This stipend will be enough to cover your personal living expenses while you are in Taiwan.

ORIENTATION TRAINING

After arriving in Taiwan, you will receive some training to prepare you for your time serving in Taiwan.

SPONSOR EXPECTATIONS

Your sponsor expects that you will be a responsible and professional adult. Even though you are serving as a volunteer, your sponsor will expect the same level of professionalism that they expect from their hired staff. This means that when you are volunteering at their school you will need to whole heartedly participate and treat all the staff and students with respect.

VOICE MISSIONS EXPECTATIONS

VOICE Missions has many similar expectations to the sponsors. On top of these expectations, we also recognize that you are here for more than simple volunteer work – you are here to represent Christ. We expect all of our volunteers to demonstrate the character of Christ, abide by VOICE Missions’ rules, and work well with their team members.

Making the decision to go into missions work should not be taken lightly. During the 11 month trip you will likely face many difficulties as you work and minister in a different culture. Below are some questions to ask yourself before making the decision to come:

• Do I like working with children? 
  Volunteers with VOICE Missions work with children almost every day. Some of our volunteers teach over 1000 students over their 11 months of service.
  
  
• Am I OK with being immersed in a different culture? 
  The Taiwanese culture is vastly different from American culture. Americans living in Taiwan quickly learn that this culture does not have the same concepts about safety, privacy, and work/personal boundaries that the American culture has developed. As guests of this country, we are expected to show deference to this culture and learn to accept these differences.
  
  
• Am I willing to limit some of my personal freedoms while living in Taiwan? 
  Working on a mission’s team will limit some of your personal freedoms. Are you willing to give of yourself and your time in order to invest in your team and in the people of Taiwan?
  
  
• Why do I really want to come? 
  List all of the reasons why you want to come. Are these reasons good or bad? Make sure that you have good motivations for wanting to be involved in mission’s work.