Help the children of local Ecuadorian communities and work as a volunteer teacher. You will have the opportunity to prepare classes and run educational programs and workshops.
Programs Abroad
URUGUAY - Spanish Course & Volunteer – Community Work 
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Booking Nº: UR101 Country: Uruguay + Location: Montevideo Minimum Stay: 4 weeks Start dates: All year round Price: from 4 weeks, 950 USD |
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Task
You will carry out your volunteer work 2 afternoons per week while your Spanish course is held every day of week in the mornings.The organization where you will be volunteering aims to improve the standard of living for those who live in the most impoverished areas of Montevideo. Their work is carried out on three levels: First, they build a very simple wooden house for a family that had been living in a ramshackle house made of available materials (cardboard, wood, metal leaves, etc.) that lacked protection from the winter cold, rain or humidity. After attending to these most urgent needs in the settlement, they proceed to the next level; building a community center to be run by the community members. This NGO offers training to address certain problems such as contacting the authorities to get electricity or fresh water for the neighborhood. Upon request of the inhabitants, the NGO offers guidance on how to create and manage a farm, runs workshops on sickness prevention, educates children or adults, etc.
Once the neighborhood has achieved a level of self-management, the organization facilitates the relocation into permanant housing (with sanitary facilities, proper walls and roves, enough space for all the members of the family, etc.).
The organization depends very much on volunteer contributions. Volunteers are encouraged to assist in any kind of activity that is planned by the organization in order to supply them with strongly needed manpower. They usually work with 600 volunteers and 15 employees. This means that volunteers are invited to contribute at any level of the organization from building houses, designing new social programs, running workshops, etc. According to your skills and interest you will be assigned to special tasks.
Accommodation
The perfect accommodation is an essential part of our offering. We provide you with a home stay with a Uruguayan host family. Living with a local family is a great opportunity to get to know the Uruguayan way of life, habits, food, daily schedules, traditions hospitality and much more. It allows you to practice your Spanish in everyday situations, improving your vocabulary, pronunciation and the use of new expressions and phrases. You will get your own room and if you want you can arrange half-board to share meals with your host family.
Our host families are carefully chosen and will welcome you as a part of the family and make you feel at home throughout your stay in Uruguay.
Requirements
Language:4 weeks Spanish course.
Skills:
No special skills are required.
Age:
18+ years
Insurance:
Full travel & medical insurance for Uruguay.
Visa:
Usually, tourist visa is fine for up to a 3 months stay. However, we recommend consulting the Uruguayan Embassy of your home country.
Details
You will participate in a Spanish group course in Montevideo during the mornings and volunteer 2 to 5 afternoon per week. Group classes consist of 20 hours per week with 55 minutes each class.Classes begin throughout the year. After an assessment test, you will be assigned to one of the 6 different levels of classes (from “beginner” to “very advanced”) to meet the special requirements and enhance the learning of each student. Learning sessions take place in group classes with a maximum 5 students per group. Groups are divided into 6 skill levels to ensure the necessary homogeneity for faster learning. All classes are taught entirely in Spanish and have been prepared specifically for foreign students.
The Spanish school in Montevideo is recognized by the Ministry of Education of Uruguay and offers highest academic standards. It employs the best local teachers, all having graduated from university with degrees in linguistics or other relevant disciplines. The institute’s teaching methodology is based on three fundamental principles: academic excellence, professional service and complete immersion.
To find out more about the Spanish school in Montevideo and its facilities click here.
Source: Google Maps
Prices
| in USD | Spanish & Volunteer | Homestay (2 meals) | Homestay* | Shared Apartment* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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4 weeks |
950.- |
860.- |
640.- |
640.- |
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extra week |
200.- |
215.- |
160.- |
160.- |
* Self-catering. Enrolment fee 45 USD.
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in USD |
|---|---|
|
Airport pick-up |
45.- |
What’s included:
- Accommodation
- Orientation kit
- Local support
- 24h-Emergency Number
- Free internet access at school
- Airport pick-up
- Quality Spanish Course
- Teaching material
- Evaluation test
- Refreshments, coffee and tea at school
- Activity calendar
- Language Certificate
- Volunteer Work Placement
- Free dictionary
What’s not included:
- Flight
- Medical Insurance
- Visa (if necesary)
- Personal expenses
Country
Country information Uruguay |
 Uruguay is one of the smallest South American countries encompassing only 68,000 square miles of land, just slightly bigger than Washington State in the USA. Located in the southeastern region of South America, Uruguay is bordered by Brazil to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the south, and Argentina to the west. This country is home to 3.3 million people, with 1.5 million inhabitants in the capital city of Montevideo.
The country’s landscapes feature lush plains and rolling hills with fertile coastal lowlands. An estimated 90% of the population was formed by European descent, moreover Portuguese immigrants in 1680. However, the Spanish founded Montevideo in the early 18th century. Uruguay’s capital of Montevideo is a smaller, quieter, and more laid-back city compared to its big sister of Buenos Aires about 124 miles away. Montevideo is home to 43% of the country’s inhabitants. The colonial buildings, built during the rivalry of the Spanish and Portuguese are what gives the city a very special charm. Though Montevideo is the largest city in Uruguay, the country fosters only about twenty urban towns. Montevideo is one of the major ports of South America. Besides being the country’s biggest city, it is also the governmental, financial and commercial center of Uruguay. Uruguay’s economy is strongly dependent on agricultural products and its exportation. Surprisingly, Uruguay is one of the most economically developed countries in Latin America, with a high GDP per capita and the 47th highest quality of life in the world. Montevideo has become quite the focal point of Uruguay due to the cities central location, income revenue, rich history, dense population and cultural activities. From museums, theatres, concerts, popular festivals, international exhibitions and shows, there is much to do during the day. This city also has an entertaining nightlife scene concentrated in the old part of town where the academy is located. Here you will find an ever-increasing amount of pubs, restaurants, tango shows, discos and bars with Brazilian music and even flamenco. Located on the riverfront of Rio de la Plata, Montevideo includes a spectacular pedestrian walkway along the river for locals and visitors alike. Uruguay’s Atlantic coast and beaches are among the South American tourist hot spots, especially Punta del Este which has upwards of hundreds of thousands of tourists each year. Most commonly, you will find loads of Argentines and Brazilians who spend their summer vacations here at Punta del Este. It is also highly utilized by those looking for first-class hotels, elegant casinos and prestigious yacht clubs. Other unique luxuries of Montevideo, in addition to its beaches, are the enormous parks and green areas planted plentifully throughout the city! Since Uruguay is home to world-class beaches, the summer months of December through February bring loads of vacationers. Along with warm sun, relaxing beach days and city explorations, be prepared for the Montevideo summer crowd! The average daily temperature for summer months can be extremely hot along the coast and slightly cooler inland. The months between April and November bring strong winds and cooler temperatures good for windsailing and paragliding! Generally, Uruguay seems to have been greatly influenced from its neighbors, as you will find similarities in speech, food, culture and traditions as in Argentina and Brazil. Still, Uruguayans hold unique pleasant attitudes towards life and friendly foreigners. They enjoy talking about their country, and if you have the chance, use this opportunity to learn more about Uruguay and its culture first-hand.
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