We’re excited that you want to work with Shanti Bhavan.

COVID-19 Update: Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, Shanti Bhavan has canceled the volunteer program for the remainder of 2021. We will open spring 2022 applications on October 1st. However, we have yet to determine when volunteers will be invited back to campus, as travel to India continues to be restricted.

We accept volunteer applications in three cycles each year. Depending on when you want to volunteer, you should complete an application in the following windows of time:

Summer term (June – August): Accepting applications from November 1st to January 31st
Fall term (September – December): Accepting applications from March 1st to June 30th
Spring term (January – April): Accepting applications starting October 1st

Volunteer positions at Shanti Bhavan are highly competitive. Placements are awarded based on merit, with additional preference given to early applicants. Please complete the entire application below, and expect a 4-8 week processing time.

Shanti Bhavan recruits volunteers with the understanding that almost always at some point in time, due to a variety of unpredictable situations, you will be uncomfortable – whether it’s due to food, living conditions, time constraints, cultural differences, etc. The children of Shanti Bhavan have experienced extreme trauma and difficulties. Please carefully consider how you may respond to this context.

Application Requirements

Volunteer applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
There is a six week minimum commitment for summer applicants and four-week minimum commitment for spring and fall applicants, waived only under special circumstances.
One letter of recommendation is required, submitted with this application.
Application must be submitted in English. Shanti Bhavan is an English medium school, and volunteers are required to be fluent in the English language.

Application Process

Submit the online application form below.
Submit your recommendation letter within the online application form, or have your recommender email their letter to [email protected] within one week of submitting your application.
Fulfill up to two rounds of video interviews.
Complete online training modules and required training deliverable (post-acceptance).
Participate in two online, pre-departure training sessions (post-acceptance).

The Shanti Bhavan Children’s Project is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, status as an individual with a disability, gender, or sexual orientation. All information will be held confidential unless specified otherwise.

Apply here:

Thank you for your interest in volunteering with Shanti Bhavan! We are excited to learn more about your experiences. Please note that thorough responses will be given preference and incomplete applications will be discarded. Due to the high volume of applications, not all applicants will be offered the opportunity to interview.

Volunteer at Shanti Bhavan!

Please complete the entire application form below. It can take up to 4-8 weeks to process an application, please plan accordingly.

Personal Information
Name*
First Last
Email*
Phone*
Current Address*
Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
Permanent Address
If different from Current Address

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code Country
What is your date of birth?*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Do you have a valid passport?*
From which country or countries?
How did you hear about Shanti Bhavan?*
Tell us more:
Have you volunteered at Shanti Bhavan before?*
When did you last volunteer?
e.g. Jan - March 2017
Please select your projected (or preferred) date of arrival.*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY

Note: If you intend to volunteer during the summer term, we ask that you commit to a minimum of 6 weeks on campus. For the fall and spring terms, the minimum stay on campus is 4 weeks. Shanti Bhavan is out of session from mid-December through the second week of January and from mid-April through the end of May. The school will not accept volunteers during these time periods.
Please select your projected (or preferred) date of departure.*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY

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Education History
High School*
Name, Location, Years in Attendance
College or University*
Name, Location, Years in Attendance
Degree and Course of Study*
Graduate School
Name, Location, Years in Attendance
Degree and Course of Study
Language
Languages spoken and degree of proficiency
Certifications
e.g. CPR, First Aid, CPA, professional
Technical Skills
e.g. computer, art, performance skills

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Professional Experience
Company Name*
Position*
Start date*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
End date*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Nature of Work*
Company Name
Position
Start date
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
End date
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Nature of Work

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Additional Experience
Please include information about any additional experience that has prepared you to work with children in an educational setting.
Organization
Position
Start date
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
End date
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Nature of Work
Organization
Position
Start date
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
End date
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY
Nature of Work
Current Resume
Drop files here or
Please feel free to attach additional information as necessary. This can include a current resume or CV, university acceptance letter, biography, letter of support etc.

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Reflective Questions
The application process for volunteering at Shanti Bhavan is highly competitive. Our staff is committed to a thorough review of prospective candidates, to ensure that our students are learning from high caliber, dedicated volunteers. Please answer the following questions honestly and completely.
The nature of this volunteer experience demands a substantial time commitment from a thorough application process to spending several weeks volunteering. Why would you like to make this experience a priority?*
Some things to think about: Will your time in SB constitute the entirety/ part of your holidays from work? Do you have outside responsibilities that would be difficult to fulfill on campus? (examples: are you writing your master thesis? Do you have any university work/ projects to finish? Are you conducting research? Do you have frequent mandatory calls with your employer/ university/ mentor? etc).
What do you anticipate will be the most difficult aspect of this volunteer experience?*
Identify and describe your top three strengths*
Please provide a 2-3 sentence explanation of each.
Of the three strengths above, choose one. How did you develop this strength?*
Identify and describe one of your weaknesses*
Please provide a 2-3 sentence explanation.
How are you working to improve this weakness?*
How do you typically respond to constructive criticism? When you have feedback to offer, how do you present your thoughts?*
Are you comfortable teaching children?*
Are you comfortable disciplining children?*
Are you comfortable with group brainstorming?*
Are you comfortable with managing professional relationships?*
Are you comfortable with communal living?*
You may have up to two roommates at a time while on campus.
Are you comfortable staying in a room without AC?*
Our rooms have electric-powered fans but no AC.
Are you comfortable without regular access to hot water?*
Shower facilities are not available. Volunteers use bucket showers to clean themselves.
Are you comfortable living in an environment with bugs?*
Snakes, scorpions, mosquitoes and spiders may be encountered on campus.
Are you comfortable with a simple diet?*
e.g. pre-determined portions, regulated meal times, primarily vegetarian foods
Are you comfortable facilitating extracurricular activities?*
Are you comfortable with limited personal time?*
Are you comfortable with last-minute changes in schedules/plans?*
Are you comfortable volunteering in a cultural context that may be different from your own?*
e.g. teaching practices, communication styles, discipline

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Teaching Scenarios
You are working with a group of 12th grade students, and you notice that the entire class is distracted and not engaged. What are some steps you could take to re-engage the students?*
You are working with a 5th grade child who suddenly does not want to participate in the activity taking place in a classroom setting. How would you respond to create a positive and effective outcome for that child?**
You are with a group of 20 restless and excited 3rd grade children, teaching a social studies class. How can you meet the needs of the energetic students while also achieving learning goals for the class?*
You're walking by the 2nd grade classroom where you notice a child has been asked to stand at their desk as a consequence for distracting their classmates. How would you respond to this disciplinary measure, given that the class is being taught by a full-time Indian staff member?*
What age groups are you comfortable teaching?*
Select all that apply.
For the following questions, please select what grade levels you feel comfortable teaching -- Computers:*
Select all that apply.
Science*
Select all that apply.
Mathematics*
Select all that apply.
Social Studies*
Select all that apply.
English Literature*
Select all that apply.
English Language and Writing*
Select all that apply.
Indian History*
Select all that apply.
Indian Civics*
Select all that apply.
Geography*
Select all that apply.
Public Speaking and Debate*
Select all that apply.
Individual Tutoring*
Select all that apply.
Dance*
Select all that apply.
Choir*
Select all that apply.
Art*
Select all that apply.
Please list any other subjects or extracurricular activities that you can teach.
Is there anything else you would like us to know?

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Letter of Recommendation
You are required to provide 1 letter of recommendation and 1 additional reference. Please upload the letter of recommendation here. Note: We prefer that your recommender is able to speak to a recent experience teaching or working with children.
File*
If your recommender prefers to send us their letter separately, upload a note indicating the date we can expect to receive their letter by. Please ensure it is within one week of applying. They can email the letter to [email protected]
Recommendation Contact Information*
Please provide information for your recommender
First Last
Email*
Phone*
In what context do they know you?*
Additional Reference Contact Information*
Please provide contact information for your additional reference. This person will not be required to submit a letter on your behalf but may be contacted by Shanti Bhavan staff.
First Last
Email*
Phone*
In what context do they know you?*

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Emergency Contact Information
Name
First Last
Relation
Email
Phone
Volunteer Agreement
Thank you for taking the time to fill out this application. We are pleased to get to know more about you and your interests in working with Shanti Bhavan. By submitting this form and the electronic signature below, you acknowledge and agree to your eligibility to take part in the program, that consuming tobacco, alcohol, or drugs on campus will result in you being asked to leave, and that you will complete all mandatory training sessions prior to departure. Further, you agree to alert Shanti Bhavan of any changes to your submitted application. If accepted and anything changes regarding your planned arrival or departure dates, you will give Shanti Bhavan a minimum of 6 weeks notice.
By signing here I affirm all of the information in this application is accurate*
First Last
Date*
Date Format: MM slash DD slash YYYY

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Application

Apply today and make a difference.

We’re excited that you want to work with Shanti Bhavan.

Application Requirements

Application Process

Apply here:

Volunteer at Shanti Bhavan!

Personal Information

Education History

Professional Experience

Additional Experience

Reflective Questions

Teaching Scenarios

Letter of Recommendation

Emergency Contact Information

Volunteer Agreement

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