Our staff's works closely with our partner organisations to ensure they understand the nature and purpose of ARA. All our placements are regularly checked by our staff. Our staffs regularly visit host-families, volunteers and placements to ensure all is running smoothly. We maintain a cycle of monitoring of all volunteer accommodation and placements. On arrival our staff will make a final check that your accommodation and arrangements for your placement are acceptable. Again, during the first week we shall be in contact to ensure all is satisfactory. After the first week, volunteers vary in the amount of contact that they need with local staff; however we actively check on the status of every volunteer weekly - through direct contact or through the host family.

Accommodation

All accommodation is checked regularly by our overseas staff. Accommodation is only accepted if it is clean, hygienic and comfortable. At least one member of the family will be able to speak Basic English, and the family will understand ARA's aims. They must also be interested in having an English speaker to stay. Detailed records are kept of every host family, and these are updated after inspection visits. Checks are made before and during volunteers' stays.

Supervisors

Each volunteer, regardless of whether on a teaching, medical, conservation or other placement is allocated a supervisor. The supervisor is not only responsible for enabling volunteers to carry out their work, but also for ensuring that they are happy and assisting them at their placement with any problems or concerns.

Staff

We take pride in the "hands-on" approach undertaken by our staff, who are well-versed in "everything Ghana," as well as the structured, hassle-free programs and services we provide from start to finish. Compare other programs with ours, and we are confident that Study Australia provides unmatched personalized service, quality, options and flexibility for your study-abroad adventure.

Meeting on arrival

We will meet you at the airport unless you request otherwise. We use our own members of staff when possible, but in some cases we may use an approved transfer company to pick volunteers up from the airport. You will be met by someone carrying an ARA sign, who will welcome you with your full name. They will carry some form of identification that you can validate. It is also our responsibility to help you get back to the normal international point of departure at the end of your placement.

Induction

All volunteers have an induction to the region where they'll be living.

·          A Welcome Pack with details of the local office, other volunteers, maps and other useful information (such as banks, doctors, and public transport);

·         A tour of the area on local transport that you'll need to use regularly (such as tro-tros in Ghana,)

·         We'll advise you on local customs and what to expect while you are away and help you feel confident in your new environment.