What will ARC offer me? ARC offers volunteers the chance to spend three weeks living and working in some of Europe's most beautiful cities, in a community of young people from across Europe. ARC offers a unique opportunity to become part of the life of another city, and to explore and discover other cultures and religions?
What will I be doing? ARC volunteers work in the local cathedral, giving guided tours in their own language. Guides from ARC UK often guide visitors from Britain, Australia, the USA, Japan and Eastern Europe.
How often will I be working? ARC guides normally work five days each week, with two days set aside for organised trips and independent exploring. Evenings are set aside for free time to explore the city, although the group will often receive invitations for dinner and parties from the local community.
Where will I be living? Accommodation is usually arranged in either a student house or in a monastery/convent connected with the church. ARC volunteers generally have private cooking facilities and living areas though some projects are catered; bedrooms are either single or shared depending on the individual accommodation.
Will I be paid? Although ARC volunteers are not paid, the local church funds all the costs of accommodation and food, and often provides a small amount of 'pocket money' for group excursions/entertainment etc. The only expense not covered by ARC is the cost of travel to and from the host cathedral; we also suggest that volunteers bring a certain amount of money for souvenirs/ice cream/beer etc.
What does ARC expect of me in return? ARC expects all its guides to act as ambassadors for their home country and for ARC UK. All volunteers are expected to take an active part in the community's work in the cathedral, and to participate in daily moments of prayer and reflection: how this is arranged is down to individual communities. You do not have to be a regular churchgoer, but you will need to be actively interested in faith and its expressions, and open to new experiences, faiths and cultures.
