Argentina

Argentina is bursting with cultural charm and natural wonders.  It is a country of vast beauty including the tropical north with the spectacular Andes, the large Pampas and the chilly deserts of Patagonia in the south.  To volunteer in Argentina is to experience the Latin way of life working with enthusiastic and passionate Argentineans. You can do this by either teaching English to students in private schools or language institutes or through caring for children and young adults in children’s homes and residential centres, maybe even both!

Placement Locations

Teaching placements are located in the provinces of Neuquén, San Luis, Cordoba and the city of Buenos Aires. Community placements are located in Cordoba and recently we have started to combine community work placements together with English teaching. Most placements are on the outskirts of, or a bus ride from, provincial capitals with populations of around 80,000 to 120,000 people except for the city of Buenos Aires, where there are 13 million people. There your placement would be located in the Northern suburbs. The remaining placements are in smaller towns of some 25,000 inhabitants.

Is it for me?

If you are looking for a new cultural experience and can adapt to the Argentinean pace of life, then a rewarding time awaits.  You will need to show flexibility and initiative. In turn, you will have the chance to develop your Spanish and build strong ties with your hosts. It is necessary to have a good intermediate knowledge of Spanish for Community placements however, basic Spanish is acceptable for Schools or Teaching placements.

Roles Explained

Schools Assistant placements are based in top private schools. You will provide support to kindergarten or primary teachers and assist the children with their English schooling. These placements are ideal for those interested in working with children or thinking of pursuing a career in teaching.

English Teaching placements may be in fee-paying schools for both primary and secondary levels, or at private language institutes for children aged from 10 years through to adults.  English is considered to be a very valuable language to learn and volunteers use their conversational English skills to assist and support both teachers and students in the classroom.  Classes at the institutes are run during the day and evening, and often volunteers assist with some evening classes.

Community / English Teaching placements are available in children’s or residential homes, where some of the children with learning difficulties reside when they become adults.  Volunteers provide support within the children’s home to residents who range in age from newborns to 16 years old.  In the home, volunteers assist with the day-to-day running of the centre.  Activities with the residents, such as arts, drama and sport, are also greatly appreciated and enjoyed.  No English is spoken in these centres, so volunteers need to learn to speak basic Spanish before their placements begin. This kind of work is combined with English teaching in schools nearby.  The working week for placements in Argentina ranges between 15 and 36 hours.  Weekends are usually free.

Accommodation and Food

Volunteers are usually accommodated either with a host family or an adult host at teaching placements. Host families may expect the volunteer to integrate and to contribute to family every day life.  Despite the fact that Argentina is a big meat producing country, vegetarians have always managed without any problems. Both accommodation and food are provided by the host.

What’s Included?

Pre-departure briefing
Airport pickup
Accommodation & food (unless otherwise stated)
In-country orientation
In-country support
24/7 emergency support

Need to know

Pre departure briefing – All volunteers are invited to a group briefing prior to departure.
Language – Some placements require a good standard of spoken Spanish. This is essential for community placements.
On arrival – Volunteers attend a 3-4 day orientation in Buenos Aires.

Costs

Interview fee $100
Contribution fee $3300
Tax $15

You will also need to budget for:

Travel insurance
Airfares
Visa
Teaching skills course (teaching placements only)
Police check

Travel

Volunteers meet at weekends and on holidays and generally make the most of their free time to explore Argentina and neighbouring countries. Iguazu Falls, on the border with Brazil, are spectacular and not to be missed. Neither is the Perito Moreno Glacier in the Parque Nacional de los Glaciares to the south in Patagonia.  In between are gorgeous colonial cities, buzzing artistic and cultural centres, vast sandy beaches, vineyards, the Lake District, the breathtaking Andes Mountains, gauchos and of course Buenos Aires and the tango.

 

Program overview

Minimum age:
18
Departs:
March or August
Duration:
4 months

Roles available:

Local support in Argentina

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Quick facts

Language:
Spanish
Population:
40 million
Timezone:
GMT - 3
Climate:
Generally temperate
Currency:
Peso

Testimonial

“The architecture here is amazing, the cathedrals are unbelievable; centuries old yet like new. My host family is seriously my family and I feel like I’ve known them for years. My Nan gives me hugs and loves to thumb through the dictionary with me so we can put sketchy Spanglish phrases together.” Rui Chen, English Teacher

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