Let's Get Quizical Slv
You probably have lots of questions about your placement in Sri Lanka with SLV. This quiz is to help to answer those. Don't worry, it isn't a test and we're not taking note of your score, so feel free to retake it as many times as you like.
- 1.
Pre-departure Volunteers are required to arrive on the start date of their project. Placements end on the Friday of your final week. Please carefully consult a calendar before booking your flights, as they can be expensive to change.What are the options for flying home? (Hint, there's more than one)
- A.
A few days before your placement ends
- B.
On the morning of your last day
- C.
Later in the day of your last project
- D.
A day or so after your placement ends
Correct Answer(s)
C. Later in the day of your last project
D. A day or so after your placement endsExplanation
Your placement will end after your morning project on your last day (so around lunch time). We recommend booking your return flight for the evening of that day at the earliest.If you choose to stay in Sri Lanka after your placement, you'll need to organise your own accommodation. Many volunteers choose to spend a couple of days relaxing at the beach before flying home. If your placement is for 4 weeks, please check that your return flight is within your 30 days so that you don't overstay your visa! Rate this question:
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- 2.
Pre-departure In March 2014 the Sri Lankan government changed their visa requirements. Volunteers now need to have an Entry Visa before entering the country. All information regarding the visa process is given in the Acquiring your visa document on your SLV participant portal.When should you apply for your Sri Lankan Entry Visa?
- A.
You can apply at any time
- B.
You must apply for your visa at the airport
- C.
You should apply for your visa in the month before you go to Sri Lanka
- D.
SLV volunteers don't require visas as we're awesome
Correct Answer
C. You should apply for your visa in the month before you go to Sri LankaExplanation
The current visa process for SLV is as follows:3 months before your placement SLV will contact you asking for passport information (to be passed on to the Sri Lankan Immigration Department). About a month before your placement, Sri Lankan Immigration will fax us a list consenting volunteers to apply for an Entry Visa. We will forward you this fax by email so you can use it - along with the necessary documents - to submit your Entry Visa application to your nearest Sri Lankan High Commission (don't leave it until the last minute).Please read the Acquiring your visa document on you SLV participant portal for more information.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Pre-departure You can apply for your Sri Lankan entry visa either in person or through the post. If applying through the post, what type of postage should you use?
- A.
A4 brown envelope
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- B.
Padded jiffy bag envelope
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- C.
Recorded delivery
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- D.
Special recorded delivery
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Correct Answer
D. Special recorded deliveryExplanation
If posting your application it must be posted special recorded delivery.A prepaid, pre-addressed special recorded delivery envelope must ALSO be included so that the Sri Lankan High Commission can return your passport back to you. Without the correct envelope they will not send you back your passport and visa. The special delivery (silver bag) is next day delivery and insures items up to £500. Include a pre-addressed, pre paid for special delivery envelope for your passportto be posted back to youRate this question:
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- 4.
Pre-departure The types of resources volunteers use at projects range from arts and crafts (paper, pens, blu-tac, playdough, paints and string for friendship bracelets) to games (like cards, scrabble and even twister) and sensory objects like feathers and bubbles. Who provides resources for the projects?
- A.
SLV will provide all resources for projects
- B.
Your homestay will have resources you can take to projects
- C.
Volunteers should bring resources to use in projects
- D.
The projects will provide their own resources
Correct Answer
C. Volunteers should bring resources to use in projectsExplanation
Volunteers are required to cover the cost of all their resources and we recommend that you bring some teaching aids to use during your placement.Volunteers do buy resources when they are in Sri Lanka; on average spending £3-£10/$5-15 per week.SLV encourages volunteers to re-use resources to limit waste and unnecessary spending. Please read the kit list document on your SLV participant portal for more recommendations on what resources to bring with you.Rate this question:
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- 5.
During Placement Volunteers live in homestays in groups of 5-20, with 2-4 volunteers sharing a bedroom and 6-10 people sharing a bathroom. Each homestay has a family or couple who live either with volunteers or close by. Your room will be very basic compared to what you’re used to at home. What can you expect to find in your home stay?
- A.
Electric fan
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- B.
Wardrobe/drawers
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- C.
Squat toilet
- D.
Washing machine
- E.
Hot water
- F.
Mosquito net
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- G.
Mat to sleep on
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Correct Answer(s)
A. Electric fan
D. Washing machine
F. Mosquito netExplanation
Electric fans are limited to one per room, so you and your room mates will become experts at finding the one exact position where the fan can reach everybody's bedWardrobes and chests of drawers aren't commonly found in Sri Lanka, so please make use of your suitcase or backpackWestern style toilets are in the volunteer bathroomsA washing machine is in every homestay. However, we recommend hand washing your underwear and any of your best clothesHot water is not available in homestays but you will find cold showers are particularly refreshingEach bed has a mosquito netThe same basic single bed, mattress and bedding is provided for everyone - you aren't expected to sleep on the floor Cold showers are a great way to cool down in the afternoonRate this question:
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- 6.
During PlacementWhatever your placement, all volunteers work on a variety of projects. After the first week of orientation, your timetable will remain the same each week.Which would be the right timetable for a volunteer on the Mental Health placement (previously named Psychology placement)?
- A.
A full week with a variety of projects
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- B.
Full timetable of mental health specific projects
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- C.
Varied timetable with some time off for rest during the week
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- D.
Varied timetable with Monday morning for planning and Friday afternoons free
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Correct Answer
D. Varied timetable with Monday morning for planning and Friday afternoons freeExplanation
All of the placements are varied and include Children's projects, Special Needs projects, and Youth Teaching.The Mental Health Placement includes two sessions a week at a psychiatric facility.Monday mornings are dedicated to lesson and activity planning. Friday afternoons are free for travel.Our teaching projects include Youth Teaching and running activity sessions at Children’s Development Centres, primary schools and temples.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Pre-departure Although you can find most of the toiletries that you need in Sri Lanka, there are a couple of 'essentials' that you'll want to bring with you from home (we've learnt this from experience). What toiletry items are hard to find in Sri Lanka?
- A.
(Good quality) sun lotion
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- B.
Mosquito repellent
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- C.
Toilet paper
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- D.
Sanitary products
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- E.
Shampoo and conditioner
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Correct Answer(s)
A. (Good quality) sun lotion
B. Mosquito repellent
D. Sanitary productsExplanation
Although you can buy all the basic toiletry products at the local shops and supermarket, the popular brands from home may not be as easy to find and can be comparatively expensive.Good quality sun lotion, mosquito repellant with DEET and tampons (or a mooncup or keeper) are items that you'll want to stock up on before you go.Volunteers will need to buy their own toilet paper to use in homestays and public toilets. However, this is commonly found in local supermarkets.If you're particular about your hair products then bring these too - but either way you'll probably battle with 'hair frizz'.Read Toilet Matters for information on bathroom related matters in Sri Lanka.Rate this question:
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- 8.
During Placement Being aware of a country's social norms and cultural beliefs can make your experience abroad that little bit easier. Which of these practices are not usually done in Sri Lanka?
- A.
Wearing shoes inside the home
- B.
Waving at people
- C.
Eating with a fork and knife
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- D.
Speaking during meal times
- E.
Having visible tattoos
- F.
Public displays of affection
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Correct Answer(s)
A. Wearing shoes inside the home
C. Eating with a fork and knife
E. Having visible tattoos
F. Public displays of affectionExplanation
Understanding Sri Lankan culture enhances your stay and reduces the risk of accidentally offending anyone. More seriously, if the local managers at projects disapprove of our behaviour, we may be asked to stop working at projects permanently. Please remember this throughout your placement and in the local community.Shoes are not worn in homes or temples. If unsure, look for a shoe rack or pile of shoes outside buildings - and leave yours there too.Volunteers must cover visible tattoos during projects (using clothing, plasters or tubigrip). As well, extra piercings must be removed. One piercing on each ear and a simple nose stud are permitted.PDA is rarely seen in Sri Lanka and will attract attention. It’s even usual to see a couple holding hands. Please be aware of how seemingly innocent gestures can be misinterpreted.In your first day of orientation, our Sri Lankan team will introduce you to some common Sri Lankan cultural practices to help you feel a little more acquainted and to prevent any awkward faux pas.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Upon ArrivalVolunteers are asked to book flights arriving in Colombo/Bandaranaike International Airport between 7AM - 5PM on the day their placement starts. How will you get from Colombo airport to your homestay?
- A.
Volunteers should take a private taxi
- B.
SLV will wait for everyone to arrive and then take a coach to the homestays
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- C.
SLV will meet you at the airport and take volunteers in groups to your homestays - usually by mini-van
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Correct Answer
C. SLV will meet you at the airport and take volunteers in groups to your homestays - usually by mini-vanExplanation
After you've passed through immigration you will enter 'Arrivals' where a member of the SLV team will be waiting to meet you.At the airport you can withdraw money and, if you have time, buy a Sri Lankan SIM card.Once we have you and your luggage in the van we will take groups of volunteers (who've arrived around the same time) to their respective homestays.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Pre-departureTravel Insurance is insurance intended to cover medical expenses, trip cancellation, lost luggage, flight accident and other losses incurred while traveling. Everyone with SLV must have travel insurance to cover the duration of their placement. How should you go about getting insurance for Sri Lanka?
- A.
You shouldn't, SLV provides insurance for you.
- B.
Have look online to compare insurance policies, or use a company such as Gap Year Travel to buy insurance before you go to Sri Lanka.
- C.
You don't need insurance whilst in Sri Lanka.
- D.
If necessary you can buy insurance in Sri Lanka, so there's no need to bother before you go.
Correct Answer
B. Have look online to compare insurance policies, or use a company such as Gap Year Travel to buy insurance before you go to Sri Lanka.Explanation
SLV requires that, prior to departure, you purchase adequate travel insurance to cover your whole trip.If you're unsure who to buy insurance with, why not talk with other volunteers on Facebook for suggestions.Remember to check the conditions of your insurance and make sure you are covered for White Water Rafting level 3 (for the jungle weekend).Rate this question:
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- 11.
During Placement When organising timetables SLV considers how close projects are to volunteer's homestays. However, we try and reach as many projects as possible so please prepare yourself for journeys of an hour or more at times. How are SLV volunteers expected to travel to projects?
- A.
All projects can be reached by walking
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- B.
Volunteers travel to projects by local buses, walking and tuk tuks
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- C.
For projects that are difficult to reach, volunteers descend by parachutes.
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- D.
Some projects are quite far so volunteers stay over close by
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Correct Answer
B. Volunteers travel to projects by local buses, walking and tuk tuksExplanation
The majority of projects can be reached by local bus and walking, although some of the mental health projects require three-wheeler taxis (tuk tuks) or minibuses to get to.Volunteers pay for their own transport to and from projects and can expect to spend between £2-£4/$6-6 per week, depending on their timetable.Rate this question:
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- 12.
During Placement The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka is an island country in the northern Indian Ocean, off the southern coast of India. It is of similar size to Ireland (but feels bigger as transportation can be much slower).Where are SLV volunteers based whilst in Sri Lanka?
- A.
Volunteers are scattered around the island
- B.
Volunteers live together in a community centre in Colombo and travel to projects outside the city
- C.
Placements are located in 5 locations outside of Colombo and volunteers live in homestays
- D.
Volunteers are able to do placements in London as well as Sri Lanka
Correct Answer
C. Placements are located in 5 locations outside of Colombo and volunteers live in homestaysExplanation
We are based in 5 locations: 3 around the outer district of Colombo (Maharagama, Homagama, Kotte) and 2 slightly further south (Horana and Bandaragama).Volunteers live in homestays which are allocated according to their placement as well as homestay preferences.Once you have booked your flights you can complete the departure form on your SLV participant portal with the details of your arriving flight and if you have any homestay preferences. You can name one friend and we will really do our best to accommodate your request.Check out some photos of our homestays in Sri Lanka hereRate this question:
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- 13.
Pre-departure Whilst in Sri Lanka you will never be more than 2 hours away from a hospital during the week, and 4 hours at the weekends (depending on where you choose to visit). There is a large range of vaccinations available for people travelling abroad with some usually advised more than others. Please bear in mind that if you are on either of the mental health placements you'll need to take necessary precautions, as you'll be working in a hospital. Do volunteers need vaccinations before travelling to Sri Lanka?
- A.
Yes, you should consult your GP or local travel clinic regarding which vaccinations are necessary
- B.
No, vaccinations are not necessary
- C.
No, you will be vaccinated upon arriving in Sri Lanka
- D.
Yes, volunteers can be vaccinated at SLV meet-ups
Correct Answer
A. Yes, you should consult your GP or local travel clinic regarding which vaccinations are necessaryExplanation
When travelling outside your home country, it is advised to be vaccinated against some of the diseases found in other parts of the world. However it is each volunteer's personal choice whether to have vaccinations for Sri Lanka.Although all SLV staff have been to Sri Lanka we are not medical practitioners and so are not authorized to dispense health advice.We recommend that you consult your GP or local travel clinic regarding vaccinations as not all are necessary.Please read the Flights, Insurance & Jabs document on your SLV participant portal for more information on usually recommended vaccinations when travelling.Rate this question:
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- 14.
Pre-departure On average our volunteers spend 10,000-20,000 Sri Lankan Rupees a week (approx £50-£100 or $75-100) with the bulk of their money spent travelling in the weekends. You can spend a lot more or less depending on whether you spend like a local or have a YOLO budget. Sri Lankan rupees are hard to get hold of in the UK. What are our recommended methods of bringing money to Sri Lanka? (there's more than one option)
- A.
Cash – you can exchange currency at the airport when you arrive
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- B.
Debit card
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- C.
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.jpg "Pre-departure In March 2014 the Sri Lankan government changed their visa requirements. Volunteers now need to have an Entry Visa before entering the country. All information regarding the visa process is given in the Acquiring your visa document on your SLV participant portal.When should you apply for your Sri Lankan Entry Visa?")
