Volunteer/Internship Programs
Participation in volunteer opportunities abroad is an excellent way to immerse oneself in another country's way of life. ISA-ELAP is an enriching experience for proficient Spanish speakers who are seeking to contribute to an organization's responsibilities and mission while simultaneously learning about themselves in an unfamiliar, and at times, challenging environment. Participants develop skills, considered valuable to potential employers, such as problem solving, appreciation for community and diversity, the ability to cooperate and collaborate in an international setting, and a more intimate understanding of global issues. For important admissions information and to contact ISA-ELAP, click here. In each country, internship and volunteer options fall into specific service areas. Use the list below along with the Profile Form to consider which service area(s) interest you the most. A few examples are listed within each service area to give you an idea of what is available. Each ISA-ELAP experience is unique and depends on the participant's skills and level of Spanish as well as the organization's tasks at any given time of the year. Please contact ISA-ELAP advisors for sample activities that previous ISA-ELAP volunteers have helped carry out at various organizations. Please contact us if you have any questions. SAN JOSÉ AND HEREDIA, COSTA RICA- Social Work
orphanages, retirement centers, after-school programs - Education
community programs, low-income public high school, museums - Ecology/Conservation
national parks, zoo - Health Care
children's hospital, public/private clinic, dental office - Policy
research current issues with advocacy group - Museums
Children's Museum, Art Museum, National Museum
**Volunteer opportunities in the area of ecology/conservation are also available through the spring break volunteer program at Tenorio Volcano. There is no language requirement for this program.**
| GUANAJUATO, MEXICO- Social Work
orphanage, food bank, women's shelter, community programs - Education
after-school programs, pre-school and kindergarten - Nature/Conservation
nature preserve, environmental organization - Health Care Policy
retirement center, health workshops with women's shelter
| SANTIAGO, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC- Social Work
community programs, center for the blind, after-school program - Education
teach English or adult literacy, tutor, community programs - Health care
medical clinic, health workshops, distribute affordable medicine (pharmacy)
| BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA- Social Work
community programs - Education
after-school programs
| VALPARAÍSO AND VIÑA DEL MAR, CHILE- Social Work
community programs - Education
after-school programs, teach English - Health care
medical clinic
| LIMA, PERU- Social Work
community programs, micro-enterprise programs, non-profit fundraising - Education
after-school programs, English classes, tutoring - Policy and Human Rights
Workshops on labor laws, self-esteem and artistic expression
| CUSCO, PERU- Social Work
women's shelter, community programs, deaf-mute children, street children - Education
after-school programs, continuing education, tutoring, English classes - Health care
medical clinic, health workshops - Ecology/Conservation
mini-gardens - Policy and Human Rights
promotion in the health and legal fields
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Dominican Republic
Santiago Mexico
Guanajuato Costa Rica
San José Tenorio Volcano Argentina
Buenos Aires Chile
Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Peru
Cusco Lima |