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Who is ILP?

ILP focuses on providing a meaningful semester abroad experience for college-age volunteers who make a difference by helping children in foreign countries learn the English language through a friendly and fun atmosphere.

Apr 8

Open

Where are the best places in Thailand to spend your vacation days?
While volunteers will be spending about 4 hrs every weekday in their classrooms, that leaves weekends and vacation days (about 9 total) to explore this beautiful country! Here are some of our favorite spots:
Northern Thailand:
☀️ Chiang Mai (best place to make friends with elephants and amazing night market).
☀️ Pai (quirky cafes with the yummiest food, waterfalls, and a red-dirt canyon).
☀️ Chiang Rai (elaborate temples—blue, white, and black).
Central Thailand:
☀️ Bangkok (Grand Palace, Erawan Museum, nearby floating markets, so much more!)
☀️ Erawan National Park (jade-colored waterfalls and fish-filled pools).
☀️ Ayutthaya Ruins (Thailand’s capital for 400 years).
☀️ Lopburi (aka monkey kingdom).
☀️ Hua Hin (beach resort city with themed shopping areas+attraction village for Santorini, Greece and Venice, Italy).
Southern Thailand:
☀️ Thai Islands (Krabi and Koh Lanta are favs but also recommend Koh Phi Phi, Koh Ya Noi, and Koh Chang).
☀️ Khao Sok National Park (kayaking, trekking, and sleeping in a bungalow on the water).
Where was your favorite place to visit in Thailand? Or where are you most excited to visit?
📷: @ashlynchugg Spring 2020

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Apr 7

Open

Did you have things you were worried about before you volunteered with ILP that didn’t end up being a problem?
Here are some common ones we hear that you can probably relate to:
▫️Feeling alone in a new country with no support.
✔️You will have a head teacher whose purpose is to support, train, and help the other volunteers. They will talk with the program manager regularly to address any concerns and make sure your group has the support you guys need. You will also have a local coordinator in your new country who speaks the language and helps everything to run smoothly.
▫️I won’t be able to talk to friends and family.
✔️ The only times we ask that you don’t talk to family or friends is when you are teaching or in training. Most volunteers talk with their family and friends back home every day. There are tons of great technology resources to use for staying in touch.
▫️I won’t know anyone in my group.
✔️ While some volunteers do bring a friend for their semester abroad, most don’t. Everyone will be trying to get to know each other! Other volunteers in your group may end up becoming some of your best friends.
▫️I don’t speak the language.
✔️Just learn a few basic words (hello, thank you, yes, how much, etc.) and you’ll be totally fine! Smile a lot and use google translate. 🙂
▫️I’ve never taught.
✔️Most of our volunteers haven’t! The ILP method is very straight forward and easy to learn. Your head teacher will also give weekly trainings and help with lesson planning as well if you ever have questions.
▫️I’ve never traveled.
✔️ You’re in for a real treat!! But heads up—it’s kind of addicting. You’ll make mistakes, but you’ll catch on quickly and will always have buddies in your group to travel with! Plus, your head teacher will be an experienced traveler and can help you with the planning.
What were you worried about before your semester abroad??
📷: @kendlykj Fall 2019

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Apr 6

Open

Umm yes we are obsessed with volcano boarding!! 🌋
But there are a lot of other reasons why spending a semester in Nicaragua is IDEAL.
➕The climate: tropical weather and sunny days. Dry season lasts from January-June and wet season (still hot) is from July-December.
➕Budget friendly: pretty much everything you can do in Costa Rica you can do in Nicaragua for as low as 1/2 the price.
➕The food: papusas, repocheta, rellenitos, quesillos, and yuca frita. This is the kind of food you’ll be craving months later.
➕Landscape diversity: you can go kayak around a lagoon, trek through tropical jungles to towering waterfalls, hike through slot canyons, cliff jump into beautiful water, and experience some of the prettiest beaches in the region!
➕The locals: Nicas (the people of Nicaragua) are some of the kindest, most generous, and loving people you’ll ever meet!
To read about 4 more reasons you should be planning for a semester in Nicaragua, head to our story and swipe up on the blog post. This place really is that good!!
📷: @dinosquadking @am.bennett Spring 2021

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Apr 5

Open

What exactly is included in the ILP program fee?
ILP has two different types of programs that volunteers can choose between: exchange programs and humanitarian programs. The amount of the program fee varies depending on which country a volunteer is going to, but our programs start at $2,520.
No matter what the program fee is for your semester, here’s what’s included:
✨ Roundtrip airfare.
✨ Housing.
✨ 3 meals a day.
✨ Your visa.
✨ In-person training.
✨ Culture and language workshops in your volunteer country.
So, what isn’t included?
▫️Your passport.
▫️ Travel insurance.
▫️ International phone plan.
▫️ Baggage fees.
▫️ Vaccinations.
▫️ Vacations you get to plan with your group (transportation, food, accommodations, activities, etc.)
▫️ Money for snacks.
We recommend bringing about $1,500-$3,000 for these additional expenses. But, ultimately how much extra you spend is completely up to you! We’ve had volunteers do a semester on $800 or on $4,000+.
Every location is really different, but no matter where you go, plan on having the adventure of a lifetime!
📷: @chloeanabella Spring 2021

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Apr 2

Open

Whale, we can add this to our list of amazing things to do in the Dominican Republic!
Here are other things you need to do before your semester there is over:
· Tried a new Gatorade flavor (cucumber lime anyone?).
· Watched the sunset from the roof of the house.
· Rode a gua-gua.
· Bought fresh mangoes fruit or veggies from the truck down the street.
· Gone snorkeling and taken a selfie with the fishies.
· Drank out of a fresh coconut (bonus points if you climbed up and picked it yourself).
· Seen huge bunches of bananas growing in the trees in your neighborhood.
· Gotten caught in a huge, tropical downpour (and gotten soaked).
· Snorkeled at 5 different beaches and found your favorite spot.
· Found sea glass in the sand.
· Played games with your group when the power went out.
· Walked/jogged to the beach from your apartment.
· Bought a “Dominican Stone”—turquoise gem jewelry.
· Enjoyed a fresh pina colada in a pineapple (virgin, of course) on the beach.
· Given the kids piggy back rides when they say “caballitos!”
· Played hockey in the street with the kids.
· Ordered a custom leather bag from JD Leather.
· Visited any of your kids in their homes.
· Walked home after class with your students wanting to hold your hand.
· Gone to a calmado for snacks (you’re ready for a gummy worm, cake, cracker, and juice picnic).
· Ordered from your favorite empanada stand so many times that they know you by name.
· Gone to a nearby ice cream shop for Bizcocho ice cream.
· Tried a Cauhuil (cawwheel—cashew fruit. The “seed” is a cashew).
Anything else we should add?
📷: @__just.ine__ @caity_baby15 Spring 2021

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Apr 1

Open

So, you’re getting ready for an upcoming ILP trip. So exciting!! But it can also be a bit overwhelming.
We’re here to help! Save this post cause it’s a checklist of all the things you need to do before departure!
1-3 Months Before:
☑️ Register with the embassy.
☑️ Figure out a phone plan.
☑️ Make plans for your car (if you have one).
☑️ Fundraise!!!
☑️ Collect teaching supplies.
☑️ Watch @ilptakeovers for info from last volunteers.
☑️ Complete ILP’s training in-person or online.
☑️ Purchase or gather essential travel gear.
1 Week Before:
☑️ Complete a travel notification for your bank.
☑️ Make copies of all important documents.
☑️ Download the travel apps you’ll be using.
☑️ Look over your flight itinerary.
☑️ Start packing your luggage.
1 Day Before:
☑️ Pack your personal item/carry on.
☑️ Weigh your luggage.
☑️ Charge your electronics.
☑️ Eat at your favorite restaurant.
☑️ Lay out everything you need.
Anything else you did to prep or that we should add to this list??
📷: @aubsowen Spring 2019

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Mar 31

Open

Say hello to one of the world’s top favorite European cities!
We cannot wait to be able to visit Rome again! But for now, we’re making the ultimate list of things we cannot miss on our next trip to the Eternal City! And since you also know the feeling of inescapable wanderlust, we though we’d share it with you!
So absolutely save this post, cause here’s everything you NEED to see, eat, and do in the beautiful, magical, Eternal City!
• Make a wish + toss a coin in the Trevi Fountain.
• Walk through the ruins of the Roman Forum.
• Experience the gigantic Colosseum + learn its history.
• Catch a peek of the white marble Altar of the Fatherland.
• Watch the sun pass over the hole in the Pantheon’s dome.
• Climb the Spanish Steps to Trinita dei Monti + look at the view.
• Wander through the galleries of the Borghese Museum.
• Stop + listen to a talented street performer.
• Enjoy a delicious lunch at Chef Alfredo’s Ristorante where Alfredo pasta was first invented.
• Try a handful of gelato flavors at Gelateria Frigidarium.
• Take an unforgettable tour of the Vatican + St. Peter’s Basilica.
• Relax near the fountains in the Piazza Navona.
Anything else we cannot miss? What are your favorite things to do in Rome?
📷: @abbeyladawn Fall 2019

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Mar 30

Open

So it still kinda feels like winter (we’re ready whenever you are, spring) but you need to find a cute swimsuit for your upcoming semester abroad?
Here are our favorite spots to get top quality, beautiful swimsuits no matter what time of year it is:
@kortnijeane
@albionfit
@limericki
@janelabay
@summersalt
@naniswimwear
@rad_swim
@hapari
Where did you find your favorite swimsuit?
📷: @caity_baby15 @em_mckaye Spring 2021

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Mar 29

Open

Wondering what to do with all of your pictures from the experience of a lifetime?
Print them:
Artifact Uprising
Parabo Press
Snapfish
Shutterfly
Mpix
CVS
Walgreens
Send them as postcards:
My Postcard
Touchnote
Social Print
Visa Print
Nations Photo Lab
Make a photo book:
Shutterfly
Chatbooks
Snapfish
Mixbooks
Artifact Uprising
What did you do with your photos?
📷: @mara.shutt Spring 2019

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