GoEco > Asia > India > Culture Week in Goa

India – Culture Week in Goa

Fast Facts

Please Note: This program is temporarily unavailable. Check out our alternative programs in Asia or schedule a one-on-one call with one of our expert volunteer advisors.

Discover Goa! This week-long cultural experience is the perfect way to start your volunteer abroad vacation in India. Meet fellow participants and future volunteers, learn about traditional customs and go sightseeing.

Program Highlights

Get a taste of Indian culture in the exciting city of Goa
Visit various sights and relax on pristine beaches
Watch a Bollywood movie, take a cooking class and join a Hindi language class
Enjoy a relaxing yoga session and take a self-defense class
Book Culture Week with the program Teaching and Community Work in Goa and you will receive a 50% discount off the full price of Culture Week. *Discount will be applied to your final balance.

Itinerary (One-week commitment):

Arrival Day, Sunday: Arrive at Goa International Airport (GOI). Participants will be picked up from the airport and taken to their accommodation in Goa. Settle into your new home for the week and get to know your fellow participants.

Day 1, Monday: Following breakfast, participants will receive a welcome introduction to the program in Goa, followed by lunch. In the afternoon, participants will visit Mapusa city and the local market. The evening brings dinner and a chance for participants to get to know one another.

Day 2, Tuesday: This day will start early and with a light breakfast, followed by a self-defense lesson! After the daily dose of karate, participants will return to the center for a big breakfast. Participants will visit Fort Aguada and Sinquerim Beach this afternoon. The evening brings a movie night.

Day 3, Wednesday: Participants will enjoy another early start and light breakfast, this time followed by a yoga session. Following the big breakfast after yoga class, participants will enjoy a Hindi language lesson and learn to make Indian chai tea. Participants will enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the beach, and end the night with a Bollywood movie.

Day 4, Thursday: On this day, participants will learn about some of the volunteer opportunities that are available in Goa, following Culture Week. Visits will be to a local kindergarten, elder home and animal shelter.

Day 5, Friday: Highlights of this morning include visits to a local church and spice plantation, complete with a special lunch at the spice farm. Following lunch, participants will take a scenic boat ride and explore a beautiful waterfall nearby.

Day 6, Saturday: Participants will depart from Goa this morning or stay on and volunteer at one of the projects.

Please note: Itinerary is subject to change.

Location of the Project: Goa, India

Project length: 1 week

Arrival Airport: Goa International Airport (GOI)

Volunteer Work: Min age of 18. Age exceptions: Participants aged 16 and 17 may apply with parental consent.

Age: Min age of 18. Age exceptions: Participants aged 16 and 17 may apply with parental consent.

Number of Volunteers: Up to 20 international participants

What’s Included

Accommodations: Shared, single-gender rooms

Food: Three meals during the week, two meals on weekends

Airport Transfers: Airport pickup is provided upon arrival

Support: Comprehensive and professional pre-departure travel guidance, 24/7 GoEco emergency hotline, experienced local field team.

What’s not Included

Flights, visas (if required), travel health insurance, lunches on weekends, personal expenses.

Location

Goa is one of India’s most cherished states. Located on India’s western coast, Goa has long been renowned for its natural beauty and warm, humid climate throughout the year. It’s no mystery why Goa is consistently ranked among India’s top tourist destinations, with its golden sandy beaches, coconut groves, vibrant green paddy fields and dense forests. This project is located in North Goa, in a small countryside village called Saligao, which is about 20 minutes away from the coast.

Volunteer Work

Living Arrangements

Internet icon Internet: WiFi is available at the volunteer center.

Laundry icon Laundry: Participants should expect to wash clothes by hand. There are laundry services available for an additional fee.

Accommodations icon Accommodations: Participants will stay at the volunteer house in Goa, a beautiful Portuguese-style house, which includes a garden, kitchen, western toilets, hot showers and a computer. The single-gender rooms with en-suite bathrooms are shared with up to six people. There are fans but no air conditioning. Upgrades to double or private rooms are available for an additional fee, pending availability. Families must upgrade to private accommodations for an additional fee.

Food icon Food: Participants are provided with three meals a day on weekdays and two meals per day on weekends. The meals are a mix of Western and Indian foods, consisting mainly of vegetarian foods including rice and vegetables. Participants can expect to have a chicken dish about twice per week. Participants can also use the kitchen facilities to cook for themselves or eat out at any of the local restaurants.