Questions & Answers
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Q: What is a Study Tour?
A: A Heifer International Study Tour is a small, specialized expedition which creates a better understanding of Heifer's unique approach for ending hunger and poverty while caring for the earth, by immersing participants in the everyday lives of the individuals and communities that are striving and thriving along the road to self-reliance with Heifer's assistance. Our tours take participants through spectacular geography and unique ecosystems to visit remotes villages and isolated peoples. A Heifer Study Tour goes beyond sightseeing. As you visit with the farmers and families who are working with Heifer to improve their lives and protect the earth, you learn more than you could have imagined. A Study Tour takes you beyond your ideas about poverty, and shows you what the human spirit is capable of overcoming.
Please visit our Past Study Tours page to see video and images and read articles written by former participants about their life changing experience.
Q: What is included in the cost of the trip?
A: Prices include accommodations, meals, in-country transportation, project visits, tour leaders and guides, workshops, sightseeing, a Heifer rolling backpack, nametag and SOS emergency evacuation insurance. Our trips are LAND ONLY to allow you the option of airlines and best fares as well as the opportunity for pre/post trips on an independent basis. Our tours do not include domestic or international air transportation to and from the country destination.
Q: Is there an age limit?
A: Regarding age, we always encourage younger people to submit applications for study tours. We require those under the age of 18 to have a parent/guardian accompany them. The Study Tours director and the tour leader would go over you and your children’s application/questionnaire to determine whether it’s an appropriate fit. We have had families go on many of our trips; but please keep in mind that Study Tours involve uncertain situations at times and long travel hours over rough roads. They are not “vacations” by any means. Unless a Study Tour is advertised as family or multi-generational, then most participants would need to be 13 years old (accompanied by a guardian) or older.
Another option may be to visit one of our Learning Centers. There are many hands on educational programs that Heifer can offer at one of our learning centers. Heifer Ranch and Overlook Farm - our learning centers in
Q: What is the typical group size?
A: The group size varies, depending on location, from 8 to 16 people.
Q: Are there any grant opportunities?
A: Heifer International is excited to offer a special Study Tour opportunity created specifically for educators. The tour begins in mid-summer with a visit to Heifer program areas in
By visiting Heifer project sites and partners, participants get to see firsthand how Heifer’s approach to development really works. A grant is offered to selected educators that will pay for most trip expenses. Applications and directions will be available at www.heifer.org/studytours and http://www.heifereducation.org in January of each year.
This is the only grant funded Study Tour we offer currently. We do not have the ability to offer scholarships for our other trips at this time.
Q: Does a Study Tour involve a volunteer/service component or hands-on activity?
A: Heifer is not a volunteer service organization for the public and does not offer a volunteer hands-on service component during our Study Tours. Hands-on volunteer work does not take place on our Study Tours nor within our projects. The itinerary usually does not include a physical aspect. For example, a study tour group may learn how a community improved their literacy rates; but the group would likely not participate in the building of a school. At Heifer International one of our development cornerstones is Sustainability and Self Reliance, and so if we were also to build animal pens or other shelters, we would not be encouraging our project partner’s self reliance. We work with community groups who are dedicated to working together and supporting each other, which also increases our projects’ sustainability. This is not to say that there isn’t a tremendous amount of infrastructure work to be done around the world—there absolutely is. However, other organizations like Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org) and Interaction (www.interaction.org) are specialists in that kind of development work, and in more "working" type of trips.
Our trips do not involve working at the sites, but rather becoming a witness to the work of ending hunger using training and animals to improve nutrition and income for rural poor. With a Heifer Study Tour, the service component comes when you get back - where you commit to pass on your knowledge of the need for sustainable development.
A better option may be to visit one of our Learning Centers. There are many hands on educational programs that Heifer can offer at one of our learning centers. Heifer Ranch and Overlook Farm - our learning centers in
Q: Can I just visit a project by myself?
A: In order to respect the dignity and privacy of our project participants, and to protect the limited time and resources of our field staff, we encourage visiting projects through organized Heifer International Study Tours as a way to ensure a safe and good experience for the visitors and communities, and reduce additional burden to our field staff. Currently, our programs lack the capacity to host visiting groups and individuals that are interested in seeing Heifer’s work unless they come through an organized Study Tour.
Q: Where will we stay?
A: All participants will be staying in tourist-class hotels throughout the trip. In many developing nations, there are only the options of one-star hotels and four-star hotels. Because of cleanliness and safety issues, we generally lodge at the four-star hotels, which are NOT equivalent to western four-star hotels. Some Study Tours do include a night spent with a community where Heifer works.
Q: What will we eat?
A: Most meals will be at the hotels or other high quality local restaurants – chosen and approved by our in-country staff for American stomachs. Meals tend to be simple but satisfying. We may eat in a restaurant, share local food in a village, pack a picnic or join a celebratory feast. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet special dietary needs.
Q: What should I wear?
A: Dress will be casual for most of the trip. Pack rugged, versatile clothing that is hand-washable and dries quickly, since laundry facilities will be limited, and wear comfortable, broken-in walking shoes. For women, a dress or skirt is typically more appropriate in rural areas. Check with your tour leader to find out about special events or the customs of a particular culture.
Q: Will it be strenuous?
A: While not exceptionally rigorous, a Study Tour is active travel. An adventurous spirit is a must! Participants must be physically independent and have medical insurance that is valid in the country they will be visiting. There are no trip physicians, and medical care may be hours away. Expect full days, rough roads, walking on rocky or hilly terrain, and traveling in unconventional vehicles that may not meet American safety standards. Conditions vary widely by area, and may include dust, altitude, sun, heat or cold. Your study tour leader can tell you more about the conditions of your particular trip. Itineraries may change during the trip, as Study Tour leaders judge necessary.
Q: Will it be dangerous?
A: While we certainly do not design tours to be risky, no travel is without risk. At Heifer we take the safety of our travelers very seriously. Study Tour leaders are knowledgeable staff and volunteers, who stay informed of local conditions that may present risk. And, Heifer has local personnel in the project areas we visit. We do require that you sign a liability release and assumption of risk form before departure.
Guidelines
Study Tour Fees and Tax-Deductibility
Heifer International is qualified as a charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and contributions to Heifer International are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Our Study Tours are offered as a means to further our charitable purpose of educating the public about hunger and poverty and inspiring people to take action towards ending hunger and poverty. Heifer International Study Tours do not include significant elements of personal vacation pleasure, and participants are expected to volunteer their services in support of Heifer's mission. As such, Study Tour fees may qualify as charitable deductions in the form of out-of-pocket expenses while performing services for a qualified charity. It is our recommendation that Study Tour participants consult with their personal tax advisor as to the deductibility of their Study Tour fees.
Resources
Travel advisories and information:
www.travel.state.gov
www.traveldocs.com
Immunization requirements and health advice for all countries:
www.cdc.gov/travel
www.drwisetravel.com
www.mdtravelhealth.com
Time zones:
www.worldtimezone.com
Passport/ U.S. Department of State:
www.travel.state.gov/passport/index
Weather:
www.weather.com
www.cnn.com/weather
www.wunderground.com
www.bbc.co.uk/weather/world
General travel information:
www.lonelyplanet.com
For additional information, check the website of the embassy for the country you are visiting.