Volunteer in

Morocco

Frequently asked questions (FAQ's - Morocco)

FAQ's Application and Program Details

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Rabat, Morocco? expand_more

It is advised to apply for the projects once the volunteering/ traveling dates are decided as there are limited spots available. The application fee is valid for one full year and can be sent earlier than the desired year of volunteering for timely confirmation of the seat. As soon as you decide the travel dates, we suggest you apply for the program and hold your spot. We generally follow the first come first serve rule.

How long will it take to process my application? Will my application be accepted? expand_more

Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After we review your CV and documents your booking is confirmed and the booking confirmation is updated in your My Account and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc.).

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Morocco Volunteer Programs? expand_more

Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Rabat, Morocco volunteer projects:
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project. 
Need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. Morocco is a country of different culture and traditions, though it is modernized, the cultural sensitivities need to be kept in mind before volunteering in Morocco. 
The volunteers should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
Volunteers need to have Clean Criminal Background Check Report for the childcare projects.
Knowledge of Arabic / French for the Women Empowerment and NGO Support projects.
Participants must be in good health.

Can I volunteer as part of a group? expand_more

Yes, you are welcome to take part in Morocco Volunteer Program as part of a group. We welcome families, friends, high school students, college/university and corporate groups to volunteer together in the programs. Volunteering Solutions Morocco Program has hosted student groups as well as families coming to volunteer in the programs.

I haven’t traveled or volunteered abroad before. Can I still be a part of VolSol? expand_more

Yes, most definitely you can, as we believe every participant brings something new to the project. If you do not have previous experience, we offer you the opportunity to have a great start with us. We make international volunteering easy – not only are our Volunteer Abroad opportunities rooted in offering you extensive support, but they are also very affordable.

What are the Program Locations in Morocco? expand_more

Our programs are located in Rabat, which is the capital of Morocco and also its third largest city. The city offers a great mix of modern and traditional cultures. The Medina is the old city area and most of our projects are located there, along with sister city of Sale. Medina has still managed to keep its old traditions, customs, and cultures intact. The moment you step into Medina, you would feel you are closer to Moroccan culture. Most houses in the Medina area maintain the old world charm. Most of our host families are also located in the Medina area and this would give you a great chance to understand what Moroccan culture has to offer. 

When do I need to arrive in Rabat for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Rabat? expand_more

All volunteers need to arrive at Rabat–Salé Airport (Airport Code: RBA) on the program start date i.e Sunday. 
If you are unable to find flights on the scheduled for the arrival dates, please get in touch with Volunteering Solutions team and we would be happy to provide you the pickup and accommodation from a different date depending on your flight schedule. You will need to pay extra charges for the accommodation depending on the number of days you arrive before the program start date.
A brief orientation would be conducted on the same or the next day where you will also be shown the area around the accommodations, the nearest ATM, market, and will be given safety guidelines as well as information about your project.

For how many hours will I volunteer every day? expand_more

Depending on the project, volunteers will work during the week from Monday- Friday for 5-6 hrs every day. You will have the weekends free, so you can travel on weekends. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.

Flights and Visa

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa? expand_more

All enrolled participants are provided information on the appropriate visa requirements for Morocco in the Pre-departure manual. You can also contact your Pre-departure point of contact to know more about the visa requirements.

Do I need a Visa to go to Morocco? expand_more

Citizens of countries such as UK, USA, Australia, Canada, Japan and majority of the EU countries do not need a visa to enter Morocco. On arrival, you can get a 90-day tourist stamp on your passport. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months.

What are the recommended airlines to fly to Rabat, Morocco? expand_more

Rabat–Salé Airport (RBT) has direct flight connections from European and Middle Eastern destinations. Ryan Air, Royal Air Maroc, Air France and Iberia are some of the major airlines flying into Rabat. 

You can also arrive at Casablanca Airport as it has more international flight connections. From Casablanca, you can travel to Rabat by train. 
 

Will I be picked up from Casablanca Airport if I take a flight till there? expand_more

Volunteers can also arrive at Casablanca International Airport, which is a much bigger airport than Rabat and is better connected to international destinations.
From Casablanca, you can arrive in Rabat by a convenient one hour train ride. Volunteers will be received at the Rabat Ville Station by the local coordinator or representative and will be transferred to the volunteer accommodation. 
The train ride from Casablanca to Rabat Ville is for 1:30 hrs.
You can click here for more information about the trains.

Health and Safety

How safe is Rabat and Morocco in general? expand_more

Volunteers are given safety precautions and instructions by the local coordinator during the orientation as well as in a Pre-departure handbook after one has enrolled for the project. Rabat is a safe city, but like in any new country, we always advise participants to be careful while venturing out. 

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need? expand_more

All participants are recommended to consult their physician or travel doctor before traveling to Morocco. To view the general list of vaccinations recommended for your travel to Morocco, click here.

Do I need to buy health insurance? expand_more

Yes, for all participants, it is mandatory to have a valid travel medical insurance for their trip. Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.

If you already have a valid Travel and Medical insurance, you can email us a copy of the same. It is also advised to bring along the Insurance documents during your trip.

Accommodation and Living

How do I get to the program location? expand_more

Your program coordinator in Rabat will take you to your placement and introduce you to everyone after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc. You will be told about the directions to the project from your accommodation and the mode of transport which you can use. Most preferred mode of transport within the town is the Public Bus or Taxi, the coordinator will be happy to guide you regarding that.

Can I know more about accommodation and food arrangements? expand_more

Volunteers in Rabat project have the option of staying in the volunteer house accommodation or with a host family. Volunteer house accommodation would be a great experience as one would meet other like-minded participants from around the world, the host family accommodation would be for those looking for a great cultural immersion.

The volunteer house accommodation has five rooms which are shared between the participants. The accommodation is located in a very safe and friendly neighborhood. The house has a big kitchen and showers for the volunteers use. 

The project placements are around 10-15 minutes away from the accommodations, also volunteers will be served 2 meals a day. We recommend participants to try their hands at some amazing Moroccan cuisine. 

What if I have my own accommodation. Can I still volunteer for the project? expand_more

Unfortunately, the entire volunteering experience is as much about volunteering on your project, as it is about the cross-cultural exchange and community building. A lot of that happens through the accommodation that we have set up, where one can enjoy by being with like-minded people. Additionally, for safety reasons, all volunteers must live in the allotted accommodation.

Can vegetarians be accommodated? expand_more

Yes, that is not a problem at all. But please do let us know about your dietary requirement beforehand.

Would I have free time during my program? Can I do sightseeing during my program? expand_more

Depending on your project placement, you may get evenings and weekends free to travel and explore the place. Weekends are free for the volunteers and you can go for a short weekend trip. There is a lot to see in Morocco and you can head out to Casablanca, Fez or Marrakesh.

What if I do not speak the local language? Would that interfere with my volunteering experience? expand_more

Do not worry, all the coordinators can speak and converse in English. Most of our participants are non-Arabic/ French speakers and they’ve never had any problems while communicating. Like we say, Love is expressed better through actions than the language. However, if you can learn some French/Arabic before coming it would be an added advantage for you.

Where can I change my money in Rabat? Are there ATMs in the city? expand_more

On arrival in Rabat, you can change your foreign currency to get Moroccan dirhams. Rabat Airport has a foreign exchange service and you can change your money there. ATMs are also available in the city.

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Morocco? expand_more

Your program fee does not cover your personal expenses. You will need to provide for yourself your personal expenses, such as bottled water, local transport, telephone, shopping, sightseeing etc. However, you should carry around $70-$80 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you choose to go on weekend trips out of town.

Connect with Past Volunteers

How can I connect with past Volunteering Solutions alumni as well as other former and current volunteers ? expand_more

We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the ‘Meet a Volunteer’ section on our website.