PARTICIPANTS
ACADEMICS
PASSPORTS
VISAS
HEALTH
SAFETY
PACKING
TRIP SPECIFICS
FOOD

PARTICIPANTS

Who can go on a BrilliantTrip?

Anyone who is motivated to learn about the cultures and peoples of the country they are visiting and the local issues regarding conservation or social community development. If you choose a volunteer/adventure trip, all participants will be required to join in group discussions on relevant issues and to keep a daily journal reflecting that which they are learning. All travelers must be at least 18 years of age.

ACADEMICS

Can I receive academic credit?

Students have been successful in the past for receiving credits from their home institutions. It is the responsibility each participant to determine the transferability of the credits to their home institution in advance of their registration. We are happy to provide detailed tour itineraries or anything else necessary to aid the student with the request for credit from their home institution. See our academic credit page for more details.

Are there any language requirements?

There is no language requirement for most programs. Certain tours offer the opportunity to participate in "optional language lessons" prior to the start of their program for an additional cost. Please see detailed tour descriptions for additional language information.

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PASSPORTS

(The following Information is for U.S. citizens. Please contact your country of citizenship for more information on your country's requirements.)

Do I need a passport?

Yes. Travelers need a passport for all international travel. In many cases the traveler's passport must be valid at least six months after your scheduled return date. If you do not have a passport, your passport has expired, or you need additional pages, you should start the application process now! For information on how to obtain a passport, visit the U.S. Department of State at www.travel.state.gov/passport.

How do I get a new passport?

If you do not have a current passport, apply now. This will require a certified copy of the birth certificate. Depending upon the region, these can take a few weeks to receive. Start now. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Passport Services website for more information such as passport offices nationwide, passport applications, and passport renewals at www.travel.state.gov/passport.

How do I renew my passport?

If your passport has expired or will expire within six months of your scheduled return to the United States, you will need to renew your passport. Please note that if you have a passport that was obtained before you turned 16, you might need a renewal since passports issued before the age of 16 expire in 5 years (as opposed to the usual 10). Your passport must also be valid during the time of travel abroad as well as 6 months after your return to the United States, depending upon the airline used and/or the consulate requirements for your visa. Renew now. Visit the U.S. Department of State's Passport Services website for more information such as passport offices nationwide, passport applications, and passport renewals at www.travel.state.gov/passport.

What other considerations are there in regards to my passport?

Check your passport. If you are lucky enough to have filled up most of the pages in your passport, you might need to send in your passport to receive additional pages. Also, make sure your passport will be valid for your time of travel plus 6 months after your scheduled return date. What documents/information are necessary to obtain a passport? Visit the U.S. Department of State's Passport Services website for more up to date information on obtaining a passport at www.travel.state.gov/passport. Be prepared with the following items:

1) Proof of Citizenship (Previous U.S. passport or Birth Certificate (original or certified copy) or Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certification of Birth or Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship)

2) Two Passport-sized color photos

3) Your Social Security number

4) Identification (current, valid driver's license or previous passport). Note that your Social Security card is not considered valid identification.

How much does a passport currently cost?

New: $85
Renewal: $55
Expedite Fee: $60 (additional fee to assure a rapid issue)

Visit the U.S. Department of State's Passport Services website for the most current costs at www.travel.state.gov/passport.

How long does it take to get a passport?

According to the U.S. Department of State, routine applications are processed within four to six weeks of receipt. Requests for expedited service are processed within three weeks. If you need to obtain a passport sooner than 3 weeks, you will need to contact passport services. Since processing times depend upon the time of year, visit the U.S. Department of State's Passport Services website for updated processing times at www.travel.state.gov/passport.

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VISAS

(The following Information is for U.S. citizens. Please contact your country of citizenship for more information on your country's requirements.)

Do I need a visa to participate in any Brilliant Trip?

Visa requirements vary for entry and transit. Please see the program description for which you are interested for more information on entry and transit visas. Additionally, visit the U.S. Department of State's website at http://travel.state.gov/visa, then select "Americans travelling abroad", then select "foreign entry requirements". Select each country you will travel to and through (flight stopovers) for current requirements. Ultimately, the host country's embassy or consulate will issue (or in rare instances, deny) the visa, if one is required.

Non-U.S. passport holders may be required to have visas to enter some countries. It is the traveller's responsibility to make sure that he/she has all the necessary visas before he/she departs. Travellers must consult the consulate or embassy for the countries to which and through which he/she will travel regarding visa requirements.

Where do I get a visa?

Visas are issued through the embassy or consulate of the appropriate host country. Visit the U.S. Department of State's website at http://travel.state.gov/visa for more information. Visit www.travisa.com/travelvisa for additional information and assistance in obtaining visas.

When do I get my visa?

Visas are issued for a certain length of time. To avoid early expiration, the consulate typically will issue your visa no more than 90 days prior to your departure. Check with the consulate of the country you are travelling to for details.

Will it take a long time to get a visa?

The visa process can be lengthy and can take up to eight weeks (or more) before you receive your visa. You must check with the issuing authority for details. Also, visit www.travisa.com/travelvisa regarding expedited services.

How do I get a visa?

You must have a valid passport before obtaining a visa. To assist you, Brilliant Trips will help you obtain any documents that the host country requests regarding your tour. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to contact the appropriate consulate, provide all necessary documents, comply with any additional requirements given to you by the consulate and apply for your visa. You must have a valid passport to submit to the consulate while your visa is being processed.

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HEALTH

Do I need any vaccinations or immunizations?

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) divides vaccines for travel into three categories: routine, recommended, and required. While it is recommended you visit or call your doctor to tell you which ones you should have, it's best to be aware of them ahead of time. View the travel section of CDC's website at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/contentVaccinations.aspx#aware to look up your destination country's requirements and how far in advance you should receive any required vaccinations. Ideally, the CDC recommends you set up a visit to your doctor (or phone call) 4 to 6 weeks before your trip. Also see your detailed trip information for additional health information.

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What do I do about insurance?

All tour companies require you to have insurance coverage for the duration of your trip. You will choose the duration of insurance coverage when you purchase your trip through Brilliant Trips. You will not be able to move forward with a booking without purchasing insurance for the duration of your trip. The cost is in addition to your tour cost. The cost varies according to the length of time you will need coverage.

See our Insurance Policy Details page or download a pdf of the policy details.

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SAFETY

Is the county I'm traveling to safe?

Please check http://travel.state.gov/travel for the latest information. Safety is a top priority of our tour providers. It is an important reason we choose our providers. If you have a specific concern, please contact us.

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PACKING

What should I bring?

Please see the detailed tour information regarding what to pack. Always consider the climate and local customs of the countries you will be visiting. We also recommend you bring extra passport photos, a small amount of local currency, a credit card and debit card, important phone numbers such as emergency contacts and insurance contacts. Bring only what you can carry and be sure your checked baggage and carry-on conforms to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) regulations as well as airline requirements. Visit TSA at www.tsa.gov/travelers. Don't forget your camera and a journal to document your amazing adventure!

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TRIP SPECIFICS

If I'm on an ISV volunteer/adventure trip, do I get to choose which project I will be assigned to, or will ISV choose the project?

Participants are always welcome to state their project preferences. For this purpose, ISV will send all participants a specific form on which to submit their project preferences. Every attempt will be made to accommodate participants; however, many factors influence the project that ISV will assign you. For example, spaces on projects are limited and some projects only operate on certain dates. If you are earning academic credit, you will need to be assigned to a specific project with other academic credit participants. If you are traveling with a friend, this will also affect your placement. We cannot, therefore, guarantee that you will be placed on the projects that you most prefer.

If I'm on an ISV volunteer/adventure trip, will I be able to receive academic credit for my participation on the ISV program?

Details regarding academic credit for volunteer/adventure trips are available on the academic credit page of our website. Each participant is responsible to verify the transferability of academic credits to their home institution. Some students receive credit through independent studies. We are happy to provide anyone who is requesting credit from their home institution with any relevant materials they may need.

If I'm on an ISV volunteer/adventure trip, are the meals and lodging included in the price?

Our trips include all lodging and most meals. You must be on time for meals. No reimbursements will be made for participants who miss their included meals by being late or by choosing not to attend.

For the volunteer/adventure trips, what is an "INCLUDED" activity?

There are five "included" Adventure Tour activities included in the Program Cost. The final Adventure Tour itinerary with these included activities will be in your ISV Participant Travel Manual which will be sent to you 30 days prior to your departure date. ISV reserves the right to change these activities without notice.

For the volunteer/adventure trips, what is an "Optional Activity Package" (OAP)?

In addition to the five "included" activities in the Adventure Tour, ISV offers participants an exciting Optional Activities Package (OAP). These activities are more of the best in outdoor adventure and cultural appreciation opportunities. Each year about 95% of ISV participants choose to purchase the ISV Optional Activities Package as it adds great value to the overall experience. All activities in the OAP are organized by ISV staff prior to arrival. All participants have to do is show up and be ready to have a great time. These activities are offered exclusively to ISV participants at a discounted price.

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FOOD

I am a vegetarian. Is this going to be a problem?

Vegetarians must advise us at time of confirmation if they wish to have vegetarian meals available to them during their trip. Participants with very strict dietary requirements may need to supplement meals with additional food at their own expense.

What is the food like?

Trying a variety of foods from other cultures can be fun and a challenge, and is part of our philosophy for an authentic experience overseas. Food on your trip will reflect the local cuisine. Some foods that are part of your regular diet at home may not be available and travelers may have to include new foods in order to maintain a balanced diet. Vegetarians are easily provided for; however, our suppliers are unable to cater to very specific diets. Participants with food allergies must ensure that all involved are aware of the existence and severity of your allergy. Participants with specific dietary requirements may need to supplement the included meals at their own expense.

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