Programs Abroad

URUGUAY - Spanish Course & Volunteer – Help Unsheldered People

	Project: Volunteer \| Spanish Course Booking Nº: UR103 Country: Uruguay + Location: Montevideo Minimum Stay: 4 weeks Start dates: All year round Price: 4 weeks, from 950 USD
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Task

You will participate at a Spanish group course in Montevideo during the mornings and volunteer in the afternoon at 2 to 5 days per week.

A few years ago, a group of secondary school students decided to help people who live in the streets of Montevideo. The decided to implement a routine to provide these people with very basic needs like warm meals and to help them passing the winters. For the past five years they have been cooking and delivering hot meals, to unsheltered people living in downtown Montevideo's streets. Twice a week, they gather at 7 pm at their former school to cook. Then, they get into a van and travel across downtown streets, looking for those that might need a hot meal. The warmth also comes in terms of company and conversation. Unsheltered people are often deprived of communication with other citizens. People of this group give great importance to talking and sharing some time with them, so that they can reassure their self-esteem.

You as a volunteer are encouraged to help with the cooking and delivering of meals. Furthermore, you will have the unique opportunity to interact with the beneficiaries of the project and learn a lot about real life situation that affect many people in the whole world. Personally spoken this project is very enriching and nourishing.

Accommodation

The perfect accommodation is an essential part of our offering. We provide you with a home stay in a Uruguayan host family. Living with a local family is a great possibility to get to know the Uruguayan way of life: habits, food, daily schedules, traditional hospitality and much more. It allows you to practice your Spanish in everyday situations, to improve vocabulary, pronunciation and to get a feel for the use of certain expressions and phrases. You will get your own room and if you want you can book 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 fell at home throughout your whole stay in Uruguay.

Requirements

Language:
4 weeks Spanish course.

Skills:
No specific skills are required. You should have the desire to work because you are responsible for the welfare and day-to-day care of the animals.

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 at a Spanish group course in Montevideo during the mornings and volunteer in the afternoon at 2 to 5 days per week. Group classes consist of 20 hours per week, while each teaching hour has 55 minutes.

Classes begin throughout the year. By means of an enrolment 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 maximum 5 students per group. Groups are divided into 6 skill levels to ensure certain homogeneity necessary 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 of them have 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.

Prices

in USD	Spanish & Volunteer	Homestay (2 meals)	Homestay*	Shared Apartment*
4 weeks	950.-	860.-	640.-	640.-
extra week	200.-	215.-	160.-	160.-

* Self-catering. Enrolment fee 45 USD.

	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, the bordering countries of Uruguay are 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 landscape features 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 laid-back 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. A unique luxury of Montevideo, in addition to its beaches, are the enormous parks and green areas planted plentiful around 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 about 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.