Frequently asked questions about students on mission projects

Question 1: How long will it take until I know if I'm accepted for student missions?

Answer: Once the Student Mobilization Team receives your application and all four references, your application will be reviewed. The review process takes two-three weeks and you will hear back from the Student Mobilization Team as soon as your application is reviewed." .

Question 2: What does “on-the-field cost” mean? What does it include/not include?

Answer: “On-the-field cost” is the amount of money you are responsible to provide for food, lodging and in-country transportation during your mission project. “On-the-field-cost” does not include airfare to and from the United States. The “on-the-field-cost” is listed on the Mission projects page and is also listed on the second page of any project description form you receive after you are assigned to a project.

Question 3: Where do I send the money I raise for my international missions project?

Answer: The money for your plane ticket to and from the field should be sent to the travel agent to whom you have been assigned. The money for your “on the field cost” should be taken with you to the field. Once on the field, you can give that money to your field supervisor.

Question 4: How do I raise all the money for this project?

Answer: For ideas and examples of how to raise money for international mission projects, go to the Handbook for Funding Student Missions. For other fund-raising ideas, click here.

Question 5: What types of scholarships are available to help with the trip cost?

Answer: A scholarship may be available through the state collegiate ministry office in the state where you attend school if you are assigned to one of the international mission projects sponsored by that state.

Question 6: Am I required to have the insurance you offer? Will my parents’ insurance cover me when I’m overseas?

Answer: YES! In order to serve through the IMB, it is necessary to have overseas travel insurance through Adams and Associates International (Columbia, SC) because of the breadth of the coverage, the amount of the coverage and the quickness with which Adams processes overseas claims. This insurance is not just medical insurance, but comprehensive travel insurance. Through Adams and Associates, the IMB offers the greatest amount of coverage for the least cost of any U.S. insurance company providing international coverage for only $2/day. Insurance information will be sent in the e-mail detailing your assignment.

Question 7: How much will immunizations cost?

Answer: Prices for immunizations vary according to which immunizations you need and the place you receive them. The necessary immunizations for the country in which you will serve are listed at http://imb.org/medinfo. Look at the list of immunizations and call your county health clinic to get prices on each immunization. Check our guidebook for savvy shopping tips on finding immunizations for the cheapest price.

Question 8: Do I have to get the recommended immunizations?

Answer: You have to get the REQUIRED immunizations or you will not be able to enter your host country. The recommended immunizations are simply recommended. The International Mission Board strongly suggests that you receive all recommended immunizations.

All immunizations given to you are recorded in a Certification of Vaccination booklet. You must take this booklet with you to the field as proof of immunization for entry into the country.

Question 9: How do I get a passport?

Answer: Passport applications and passport renewal applications are available from your local post office or the applications can be printed from www.travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html. To apply for a passport, you are required to submit a copy of your birth certificate. If you do not know where to find your birth certificate, go to www.travel.state.gov/passport/services/cert/cert_2257.html

Question 10: Where do I get passport photos?

Answer: Passport photos are available at AAA travel bureaus, most Kinko’s copy centers and photo studios such as Sears. Look in the Yellow Pages under “Passport” for a list of locations near you that provide passport photos.

You must have standard passport photos to send to the passport agency or visa agency. A snapshot of you or a picture of you cut out of a snapshot will not be accepted by the passport or visa agencies.

Question 11: Do I have to apply for my passport before I know if I am accepted for student missions?

Answer: No, but it’s a really good idea since passports take about 6 weeks to be processed. The Student Mobilization Team will process your student missions application without passport information in it, but don’t wait any longer to apply for or renew your passport. If you are not assigned to a student project this year or if you decline your assignment, your passport will still be valid for 10 years.

Question 12: What is a visa?

Answer: A visa is a document stamped in your passport that gives you permission to enter a country. Some countries require visas and some do not.

Question 13: Who will tell me the correct kind of visa to get and where to get it?

Answer: Your travel agent will know if you need a visa and will assist you in applying for one. Sometimes tourists can apply for visas in the airport once you have arrived in the country. If that is the case, your field supervisor will know that information. Check with your field supervisor about where to apply for a visa before asking the travel agent to help you with this requirement. Also, verify with your field supervisor what type of visa you will need. The travel agent does not necessarily know this information, so be sure and confirm it with your field supervisor.

Question 14: Do I have to use the travel agent you recommend?

Answer: Using the travel agent we have recommended causes the least amount of difficulty and confusion. The travel agents we recommend will schedule you to fly to your assigned country with any other members of your team and will ensure that you arrive on the day the missionaries have requested you to arrive. If you find a cheaper price elsewhere, mention that price to the travel agent we recommend to check if s/he can find the flight at that price.

Question 15: Can I use frequent flyer miles for my travel?

Answer: Yes, frequent flyer miles are not a problem to use for your international mission project. The travel agent we recommend will not make the arrangements for you, so you will have to check with other team members about the flights they are on if you want to travel with your team.

Question 16: Should I take cash, traveler’s checks, a credit card or an ATM card?

Answer: Ask your field supervisor what type of money is most helpful in your country of service. Cash is always the easiest to convert to a different currency, but if it is stolen it cannot be recovered. Traveler’s checks can be recouped if lost, but sometimes it is difficult to find a place to convert them into the local currency, depending on your location. An ATM card can be very helpful in some places but not everywhere. Credit cards, like ATM cards, are useful in some places but not everywhere. Be aware that credit card companies often charge a small transaction fee to change the charge from American dollars into the local currency. Also, notify your credit card company or your bank (for ATM card use) about the country you are travelling to. Otherwise, they may put a hold on your card when they see charges come in from overseas, thinking that your card number has been stolen.

Question 17: What are good gifts to bring for my missionary supervisors and their kids?

Answer: Taking gifts to your missionary supervisors and their children is an excellent idea, especially if you stay in their home. Christian books and music CDs that have just come on the market are good gifts for missionaries and MKs (missionary kids). You might ask missionary parents what small gifts their MKs would most enjoy. Candy and Kool-Aid® packets are often a hit with MKs.

Often missionaries will appreciate food items such as muffin mixes and seasoning packets that are not available in the country where they serve. Ask your field supervisors what you can bring that is not readily available to them.

Question 18: Will there be orientation for my project before I go?

Answer: Orientation is available in your state at various times throughout the year. Your state student department may also offer orientation for all international summer missionaries. Click here for a list of orientations in your state.

Question 19: How much will orientation cost?

Answer: Orientation cost is determined by the people leading the conference. Click here for a list of orientation options in your state. For each option, contact information is provided for the person who can tell you the cost of orientation.

Question 20: How are people assigned to projects? Will I get my first choice?

Answer: We do our best to assign students to their first choice if that project is a good fit for the student's skills and abilities. If for any reason you are assigned to a project you did not request, you will be contacted first for your consent.

Question 21: What are the deadlines for applying?

Answer: Your application is due in our office with all references three months before your project begins.

Question 22: How much will the plane ticket cost?

Answer: It depends on where you go. Contact the travel agent assigned to your project. Get a price quote for your plane ticket here. RULE OF THUMB: The longer you wait to book your ticket, the more expensive the ticket will be.

We recommend that you buy your plane ticket AT LEAST THREE MONTHS before you leave the United States. The longer you wait to purchase your ticket, the greater the risk that seats will not be available.

Question 23: What is the average price of an international mission project?

Answer: There is no way to estimate this. It depends on where you go (Europe is less expensive to fly to than the Philippines, for example, but it is more expensive to live (eat, stay, shop) in Europe than in the Philippines.).

Question 24: Who knows the details about my assignment?

Answer: First and foremost, you have the details about your project. Second, the Student Mobilization Team in the Richmond office of the IMB has logistical information about your project. Third, your field supervisor has cultural information and specific details about your job assignment. For more information, see the “Details” page.

Question 25: What kind of supervisor will I have?

Answer: On-field supervision will be particular to each assignment. You will be accountable to a career missionary, but day-to-day supervision may be with a local church leader or other IMB personnel such as a Journeyman (two-year missionary).

Question 26: Is it safe to go overseas?

Answer: IMB missionaries will not invite students to work with them in an unsafe environment. Each situation is as safe as possible. However, any environment can become unfriendly at any point. Being in God's will and using good judgment is the best insurance for safety. Student Mobilization and your field supervisor will give you tips on staying safe and healthy in your country of service.

For more info about safety on the mission field, see

www.thetask.org/students/Approved/security.htm

Question 27: How serious is the security issue in some countries?

Answer: Very serious. Security of missionaries and mission work in restricted access countries is a high priority at the IMB. We don’t want to jeopardize your safety or the safety of our missionaries. We also don’t want to jeopardize the safety of local believers who could be persecuted or killed if we are incautious about the information we share regarding Christian work in their country.

When you communicate with people in countries with Security Code 2 or 3 be careful of the language you use in e-mails, letters and on the phone. Don’t use any of the following words: missionary, International Mission Board, Bible, prayer, Jesus, God, Lord, evangelism, church planting, witness. If you will be serving in a Security Code 3 country, make sure to brief anyone who knows about your project or who might try to contact you (family, friends, and church members) on these guidelines.