In-country
It is best practice for a University staff member or a member of staff from the host organistaion to act as project manager and pastoral care for the student volunteers during their time in-country.
If a staff member from the University is not travelling to the project with the students, it is helpful to have a ‘keeping in touch’ plan, in order to get a sense of how the project is going, how the volunteers are doing, and if any issues arise. This should include communication with the student volunteers and the partner organisation.
It is important to have at least one member of staff that has a good knowledge of the project and is contactable for the duration of the project in case of an emergency.
You might want to also consider asking the students to write a blog or create a video diary of their time overseas. For example the Team Uganda blog and School of Materials Live in Labs project blog. This can be a good way to prepare for any returned volunteers activity.
