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Language & Orientation Week Delhi – India
The 1 week long Orientation week is highly recommended for volunteers to understand and soak in a bit of India before the start their volunteering program in India.
This is a one-week orientation program based in South Delhi, combining Hindi language classes, cultural sessions, and guided tours of the city before you start a longer volunteer placement in India. Days include visits to sites such as Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, and Lotus Temple, a temple-focused day at Akshardham and Birla Temple, and a day trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal with the local coordinator. It suits volunteers who want time to adjust to India and pick up basic language skills before their placement begins; no previous experience is needed, minimum age 17.
The program runs for 1 week, starting twice a month (sundays), with the next start on 20 Sep 2026. You stay in a hostel in South Delhi, in air-conditioned dormitory or private rooms, with two vegetarian meals a day from Monday to Saturday. The cost is $599, deposit included. Choose this program if you want a structured, staff-led introduction to Indian culture and language before moving on to your main volunteer project.
- Opt for Language and Orientation Week in India and learn about the subtle distinctions in Indian languages and culture
- Get to learn some commonly used Hindi phrases and when to use them
- Get an in-depth orientation about the volunteering projects, the city, the do’s and don’ts and ways to make most of your trip
- Get engaging and interactive sessions with the local coordinator and quench your curiosity about the country
- Ideal project to start the trip to India with
Your role on this program
- Attend the welcome orientation on your first day covering safety, culture, and basic history of India
- Take Hindi language classes introducing words and phrases used during your later volunteer placement
- Visit historical sites in New Delhi including Qutab Minar, Humayun's Tomb, India Gate, and Lotus Temple
- Join interactive sessions with the local coordinator on topics such as arranged marriage and joint family systems
- Watch a Bollywood movie to connect language lessons to everyday cultural context
- Visit Akshardham Temple and Birla Temple on a dedicated temple day
- Take a day trip to Agra to see the Taj Mahal with the local coordinator or a representative
- Explore local markets and heritage sites in Delhi during free time
Exact duties vary with the placement's needs, the season and your experience.
Role boundaries
This week is preparation, not project work: you do not take on any volunteering tasks, teaching, medical, or childcare duties during this program. All sessions and outings are led and supervised by the local coordinating team in Delhi, and the itinerary may vary with local conditions or the group's needs.
Program itinerary
Sunday: Arrival at Delhi airport and be welcomed by a local staff member. Head to the Volunteer’s Home in South Delhi.
Day 1: Welcome to India, introduction to the program in Delhi, safety issues, basic culture and history about India. Also, learn about your week’s program and details about your volunteering program in India to follow after the first week. In the evening, welcome dinner with the coordinator and other volunteers.
Day 2: Take a Tour to some of New Delhi's most well known historical and heritage sites. You’ll get to witness Qutab Munar and Humanyun’s Tomb, both of which are the symbols of the Mughal Rule in India. Additionally, you’ll also visit the India Gate, a memorial for martyred soldiers and Lotus Temple, a Baha’i place of worship. In the afternoon, lunch will be provided at a restaurant where you will get to experience authentic Indian food.
Day 3: Interactive session with the volunteers and the local coordinator on different topics such as the arranged marriage system in India and the joint family system. Hindi language class starts in the afternoon and you are introduced to basic Hindi words and phrases.
Day 4: Hindi language class continues till the afternoon introducing you to more words usage of which will be helpful during the volunteer placement. In the evening, watch a Bollywood movie at a cinema or in the volunteer house to understand, some of the terms you have learned, better and get a grasp of the culture of the country.
Day 5: Temple Day Today. Visit Akshardham Temple and Birla Temple.
One of the beautifully built temples in Delhi, the trip to Akshardham temple is bound to leave spellbound. Second in line is Birla Temple, a temple spread over 7.5 acres, adorned with many shrines, fountains, and a large garden with Hindu and Nationalistic sculptures.
Day 6: Finally the day to experience the quintessential bucket list experience of India. Take a day trip to Agra to see 'Taj Mahal' - one of the seven wonders of the world, along with the local coordinator or representative.
NOTE: Volunteers should keep $55-60 handy as the monuments entry fee.
Cost $250 for this 1-week program.
Taj Mahal trip cost - $100
The Language Week Starts on 1st and 3rd Monday of every month
Who can join and what you need
- Minimum age 17, with a parental consent form required if you are joining under 18
- No previous volunteering or language experience needed
- An open mind and a flexible attitude for adjusting to a new environment
- Fit and healthy at the time of joining the program
- A clean criminal background check report with no criminal convictions
- Travel and medical insurance, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges at extra cost
The placement, its limits and your part in it
The week is run by Volunteering Solutions' local coordinating team in Delhi, who lead the orientation, language classes, and all outings. Sessions are structured around the itinerary, and the coordinator or a representative accompanies you on tours, temple visits, and the day trip to Agra.
Because this is an orientation period rather than a placement, there is no contact with children, patients, or vulnerable groups, and no service tasks are assigned. Your contribution during this week is limited to learning: picking up basic Hindi and cultural context that carries into the volunteer placement that follows, with a clean background check required before you begin.
Start dates
Weekly start dates, year-round — pick any week across the next two years.
Program fees by duration
Prices include your $249 booking deposit — which is deducted from your total program fee. Your deposit stays valid for one year, during which you may enroll in multiple programs. A 5% international banking fee applies to credit-card payments in USD or AUD.
| Duration | Total price | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 week | $599 |
Indicative conversion — your booking is charged in the currency you choose at checkout.
✓ What you're paying for
- 24 hrs Assistance and support from staff
- Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
- Pick up from the airport
- Orientation
- Food (2 times a day from Mon – Sat)
- Accommodation
- Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)
Not included
- Airfare
- Return Trip to Airport (Can be arranged at extra cost)
- Local Transportation
- Visa Fees
- Vaccinations
Accommodation & meals
Airport Transfer
Upon arrival at the Indira Gandhi International Airport, volunteers will be greeted by a member of the local coordinating team in Delhi. Scheduled pickup services are available between 8am and 8pm on the program start date. Participants who are already in the country or arriving early can also be picked up from a predetermined meeting point. If you arrive outside scheduled pickup hours, we can arrange for pickup at extra charges.
Accommodations
Participants in Delhi are provided accommodation at a conveniently located hostel in South Delhi. Located at just a five-minute walk from a Metro station in South Delhi, the hostel offers easy access to iconic landmarks like the Lotus Temple and Khan market.
The hostel has spacious dormitories and private rooms that are perfect for a cozy stay. Whether you’re lounging in our cozy common area or enjoying a hearty meal at our in-house cafe, every aspect of your stay is designed for comfort and convenience. Additionally, the hostel has an open outdoor area, which is ideal for connecting with fellow travelers.
All rooms in the hostel are air conditioned. While bedding is provided, you should bring your own towels and toiletries.
Upgrades to private single or double rooms are available at extra charges.
Orientation
A comprehensive half-day orientation session will be conducted by our staff on the day following your arrival. The orientation covers essential topics such as culture, greetings, locations, transportation, and other details outlined in your trip itinerary.
Meals
Renowned worldwide for its diverse flavors, Indian cuisine takes center stage during your volunteering experience. Indian vegetarian meals will be provided at the hostel itself.
Free Time Activities
During their free time, volunteers are encouraged to explore local markets, heritage monuments and dine at different restaurants in Delhi to savor the rich variety of Indian cuisines. Delhi has a lot to offer and there are plenty of things to do and see in the bustling capital city.
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Life on the program
Getting there and who looks after you in India
Airport pickup
You are met at Indira Gandhi International Airport by a member of the local coordinating team, with scheduled pickups available between 8am and 8pm on your start date. If you arrive outside those hours or from a different point, pickup can still be arranged at extra cost.
First night
You are taken to the hostel in South Delhi and settle in. In the evening there is a welcome dinner with the coordinator and other volunteers.
Orientation
A half-day orientation session is held the day after arrival, covering culture, greetings, locations, transportation, and the details of your week's itinerary.
First days and ongoing support
The following days combine Hindi classes, city tours, and cultural sessions, with the local team and a 24-hour emergency contact available throughout the week.
From volunteers in India
Frequently asked questions
What do I actually do during this week?
You take Hindi language classes, join cultural sessions with the local coordinator, tour historical sites in Delhi, visit temples, and take a day trip to see the Taj Mahal; it is a preparation week rather than project work.
Do I need experience or qualifications to join?
No previous experience or language skills are needed, just an open mind and a flexible attitude; a clean criminal background check report is required.
What does a typical day look like?
Days follow a set itinerary that mixes language classes, guided tours, temple visits, and cultural sessions with the coordinator, with one day set aside for the Taj Mahal trip.
How long does the program run and when can I start?
The program runs for 1 week and starts twice a month (sundays), with the next start on 20 Sep 2026.
What does the cost include and what is the deposit?
The program costs $599, deposit included, and covers accommodation, meals, orientation, airport pickup, and staff support; the $249 deposit counts toward this total and is refundable if no place can be offered.
What is not included in the price?
Airfare, the return trip to the airport, local transportation, visa fees, vaccinations, and monument entry fees such as those for the Taj Mahal day trip are not included.
Where do I stay and what do I eat?
You stay in air-conditioned dormitory or private rooms at a hostel in South Delhi, with bedding provided; two vegetarian meals a day are served at the hostel from Monday to Saturday.
How does airport pickup work?
You are collected from Indira Gandhi International Airport by local staff, with scheduled pickups between 8am and 8pm on your start date; pickup outside these hours can be arranged at extra cost.
What support is available during the week?
The local coordinating team runs the orientation and all sessions, and a 24-hour emergency contact is available throughout your stay.
Do I need a visa, insurance, or vaccinations?
Travel and medical insurance is compulsory, either your own policy or the one Volunteering Solutions arranges; visa fees and vaccinations are not included, and guidance on these is sent before departure.
Is a background check required?
Yes, participants must provide a clean criminal background check report and have no criminal convictions before joining.
Who is this program suited for?
It suits volunteers aged 17 and older who want a structured cultural and language grounding in Delhi before starting a longer volunteer placement in India.
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