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Will I get to interact with the animals?
Although you may be involved in feeding and enrichment programmes on the project this does not mean that you will be coming into physical contact with the animals. Due to the treatment that they have received in the past or being unused to human contact, it is generally only the specialists that can really interact with the animals. Your role on the project is a very important one and you will be working closely with the animals, but you should not expect to be handling them.
Will I have the chance to go to the beach?
You are located in rural Central Florida, putting you roughly equal distances from both the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic coasts. On the Gulf of Mexico coast you are a good distance from the coastal resorts of Clearwater, Tampa Bay, Sarasota, Fort Myers and Venice. To the east (the Atlantic Coast) you are about 3½ hours from Miami and the surrounding beach resorts of West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Pompano Beach. These are all within easy reach on your one day off a week – you will need to get public transport from Sebring, or consider hiring a car.
Do I need a visa?
When you arrive into the USA you will automatically receive a 90-day tourist visa, which will cover you for the duration of the project and beyond. If you plan to stay in the USA longer than 90 days then you will need to apply for a visa.
Meals and accommodation are included- will I need any spending money?
As all your meals and accommodation are included, you will only need spending money for any extra activities that you would like to do. Volunteers on these projects tend to organise trips together in the evenings or on your weekly day off, so if you wish to take part in these little excursion you will need to budget some spending money for that.
If you plan on doing a few extra activities a week and a couple of visits to Sebring to use the Internet then you will need to think about a very maximum of £100 a week.
Will I have access to the Internet?
Currently there is no ‘public’ computer at the sanctuary for volunteers to use for the Internet, but there is a wifi Internet connection if you have a laptop that you would like to take with you. Your closest Internet facilities will be in Sebring, which is 30 minutes from the sanctuary. Members of staff visit the town three times a week so you can catch a lift with them to use the Internet.
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