Frequently Asked Questions
Maybe you're wondering...
-
What about my personal safety? My parents need some reassurance....
- How much personal money will I need?
- Do I need all the immunizations & malaria medicine?
- Will I be able to check e-mail this summer?
- What phone number can I give my folks in case they need to contact me?
- Should I bring phone cards from the US to use?
- Can I use my credit/debit card at a local ATM?
What do I need to bring?
We are providing you a pretty detailed packing list that we strongly suggest you follow. This will help you to avoid bringing too much stuff that you won't need! You can access the packing list by clicking on the picture at the left, individual team pages, or through the Packing List page.
Back to Top
Can I bring my laptop? iPod? Cell phone?
Laptop: Unless you are a media team member, we would ask that you not bring your laptop. With the availability of internet cafes here in the Philippines, it really isn't necessary and will just be one more "thing" you'd have to keep up with.
iPod: It's up to you if you want to have your iPod with you during your travel to the Philippines. If you do choose to bring it, we will collect these upon your arrival at orientation for safe keeping during the course of the summer, returning it to you at debrief.
Cell phone: Again, if you feel better having this with you during travel that's up to you. Like the iPod situation, we will collect this upon arrival at orientation for safe keeping.
Back to Top
Do I need to get a visa before I arrive in the Philippines?
It is an option for your travel agent to secure a 59-day visa for you before your arrival in the Philippines. However, if you do not get this, you will still be allowed to enter the country! You can receive a 21-day tourist visa upon arrival which will be renewed over the course of the summer... this additional expense is included in your field expense budget. We've been told that actually you can get a visa up to 59 days upon arrival... you pay a $50 fee and can get it upon arrival. That is the best option!
Back to Top
I love mail!!! What is my summer mailing address?
PHILIPPINE TEAMS ONLY
Nehemiah Teams
Your Name
P.O. Box 80322
8000 Davao City
PHILIPPINES
Regular size envelopes normally take 10-14 days to arrive from the US. We would suggest not having packages sent to you... depending on your team assignment, only letters will be forwarded to team locations. Most likely, due to team locations, teams will only receive mail a couple times over the course of the summer.
What size backpack will I need?
A good sized backpack for you to bring would be one that measures 4000-4500 cubic inches. If you follow the packing list, you should be able to get everything you need in this.
If you choose to bring a duffle bag, a good size would be a LARGE (6700 cubic inches).
Either way you go, backpack or duffle bag, you will want to have a day pack (book bag size backpack) for daily use & short trips as needed.
Back to Top
What about my personal safety? My parents need some reassurance...
This is one of the most frequently asked questions, not so much by students, but by parents. We understand. We are parents too. We have 3 children. We, as parents, think about issues that haven’t even been considered by our children. I think back on some things I did when I was 14 or 15. My best friend and I were nearly killed in a sledding accident. (Duh… we didn’t think about the issue of having to stop at the bottom of the hill.) Our security was shaken on September 11, 2001. We learned in that moment that no place in our world is safe. We have developed what some psychologists call risk-lock. We are afraid to the point that this fear causes us to lose touch with reality. Click on the links below to read more about risk-lock as well as other informational documents.
Note from Mike Lopez and IMB Student Mobilization Team
In Turmoil a Lost World Needs Us More Than Ever by Erich Bridges
How much personal money will I need?
Depending on your team, you have been given a total amount that you will need for your "field expenses." This amount was given on the team request through the IMB and is also on our website on the Where page & click on your team name. Basically this will cover your transportation, daily food budget, & anticipated ministry expenses.
Personal money would be needed to cover: internet usage, personal hygiene items (toothpaste, shampoo, soap), postage, souvenirs, phone calls, etc.
Back to Top
Do I need all the immunizations & malaria medicine?
You were told to follow the IMB recommendations for your immunizations.
If you've seen the list, you'll notice that it is quite extensive. Our
personal recommendations would be that you make sure you regular immunizations
are up to date, this would include tetanus, DPT, polio, etc. We would also
suggest that you have the following: Hep A, Hep B, and Typhoid (this one
can be oral or injection).
In the past, some students have taken the preventative malaria medicine.
Malaria is not typically a problem in the areas where you will be working, but
we can't guarantee you wouldn't get it. However, medicine for treating
malaria is readily available here if it were needed.
Back to Top
Will I be able to check my e-mail this summer?
Asia is full of internet cafes which make the internet very accessible for the common man... meaning to say, those without a PC at home! For a low price (about 25 cents an hour) you can get on-line & surf to your heart's content! So, the answer is, "Yes!"... you should have opportunity to stay connected to family & friends through e-mail. Due to the remoteness of some of your locations you may not be able to do this on a regular basis... but you should be able to check at least a couple times over the course of the summer.
What phone number should I give my folks in case they need to contact me?
PHILIPPINE TEAMS:
Our home phone number is: 011-63-82-226-2782 (This is the complete international number they would dial from the US.)
Cell numbers: 011-63-919-762-2246 or 011-63-918-223-8905
KOREA TEAMS: 00-82-2-762-1337 Ask for Joe
You may not be in our immediate area, but we would have additional information on how you could be reached if necessary.
Should I bring phone cards from the US to use during the summer?
You will be able to call from here using local phone cards or by calling through an operator using a calling card or credit card. Depending on your location, some phone cards from the US are not useable here. However, as with the internet cafes, local calling stations are available where you can place international calls.
Can I use my credit/debit card at a local ATM?
Most local banks partner with either MasterCard or Visa networks therefore in areas where there are ATMs.... yes, you will be able to use your cards. (Our experience has been that there is sometimes an additional service charge for international usage.) HOWEVER... depending on your team location... not all areas have ATMs. So... check with us first and we will verify depending on your specific team location.
Back to Top
Nehemiah Teams: Rendezvous with Destiny
Page last updated: June 01, 2008