Volunteer in Spain
Quick Info | |
| Date: | Flexible |
| Price: | Starting from $500 |
| Levels: | B1, B2, C1, C2 |
| Type: | Individual |
| City: | Cadiz, Seville |
| Students: | Adult, College Student |
| * See details below | |
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
Is this program for me?
This program is for students with at least B1 level of Spanish wanting to make a difference and to gain invaluable experience through public engagement. Our university students typically have the opportunity to volunteer at various organizations either during the summer, or during fall or spring semester, during 1 to 6 months. Some of these opportunities include:
- Helping to feed the needy, painting the houses of people with poor economic possibilities and sorting material.
- Helping troubled and marginalized youth (immigrants, Gypsies, etc.) through sports, arts, handicrafts, educational support, English classes and dance.
- Assisting people with physical and mental disabilities in a Multi-purpose Social Center.
- Preparing/serving lunch and clearing the tables in a food center for people with poor economic possibilities.
- Taking care of babies between 2 and 4 years old.
- Teaching English to young people.
- Swimming with physically-disabled people.
- Teaching English and Spanish to immigrants.
- Taking care of elderly people.
- Serving breakfast to economically disadvantaged children and clearing the tables.
Where?
In two of the most representative cities of southern Spain – the capital city of Seville with its' flamenco, scent of orange blossoms, flower-decked patios, Moorish palaces and beautiful gardens, and Cadiz – with its’ endless fine white sand beaches and beautiful ancient city center.
Highlights
- Make a difference in the community.
- International volunteer experience, which will boost your resume.
- Make important gains in your Spanish language proficiency in safe, manageable, and friendly cities.
- Learn about the customs of Spain by living with a carefully selected family.
- Optional activities: concert, theater, Arab Baths, bullfighting, kayak, bicycle, thematic tours, etc.
- Benefit from the support and experience of Centro MundoLengua to organize your weekend trips.
- Make new friends in a fun and safe atmosphere with other international and Spanish students.
| TIME | ACTIVITY | |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | Time to wake up! | |
| 7:00 - | 7:45 | Shower and dress. |
| 7:45 - | 8:30 | Breakfast with family. |
| 8:30 - | 9:00 | Allow time to walk or take bus to the volunteer center. |
| 9:00 - | 2:00 | Community Service. |
| 2:00 - | 2:30 | Time to return home to have lunch with family. |
| 2:30 - | 3:30 | Lunch with family. |
| 3:30 - | 10:00 | Free time after lunch: “siesta”, spending time with family/friends, tutoring with Centro MundoLengua when required, etc. |
| PROGRAM | DATES | LEVELS | HOUSING | STUDENTS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Service Program in Spain | Less than a month | B1, B2, C1, C2 | *Not included | Adult/ College Student | $500 |
| Community Service Program in Spain | Between one month to three months | B1, B2, C1, C2 | *Not included | Adult/ College Student | $750 |
| Community Service Program in Spain | Between three months to six months | B1, B2, C1, C2 | *Not included | Adult/ College Student | $1000 |
*We can arrange accommodation in a family or a shared apartment. Please ask for more information.
What's included?
| Advising | |
| Airport/bus station/train station reception | |
| On-site orientation | |
| 24 hour assistance | |
| Family homestay, 3 meals per day and laundry | |
| Mobile phone | |
| Private tutoring | |
| Medical and life insurance | |
| Social and cultural activities | |
| Excursions | |
| Official transcript and credits | |
| Class materials | |
| University certificate | |
| Airfare |
Dates refer to expected arrival and departure days.
What about my arrival in Spain?
MundoLengua will organize your pickup at the airport. Students will also receive a welcome kit and an orientation tour.
Why volunteer?
Volunteering is a great way to make a difference, get a different perspective on life, develop new skills, get valuable experience, create new networks, and make new local friends. Furthermore, you can be recognized for your volunteer experience with Centro Mundolengua. Centro MundoLengua cannot determine how a student's home university will recognize volunteer placements taken abroad, and it is the student's home university who will ultimately decide the recognition and application of credits for each student's degree plans. Because of this, it is important for each student to meet with a study abroad advisor or academic advisor regarding the anticipated volunteer placement they wish to do and how this will be transferred back in terms of credits. Centro MundoLengua will be happy to supply any information necessary to help with this process.
Assuming that I want to live with a family, what is living with a family like?
You wanted to be immersed in the culture and language. This is the best manner! Host families have worked with us for many years, and are all carefully chosen and visited by our housing director. Most families live in middle-class apartments, with the usual comforts of life. You will most likely share a room with a friend, or other student from the program. You will also most likely share a bathroom. Your family will make all of your meals for you, so this is an excellent opportunity to try many new home-cooked Spanish foods. We can also deal with special diets, but we need to know this in advance. Your family will also wash any clothes for you. Some families have children your age, whereas others don’t. Some have pets, and others no. Families come in all shapes and sizes. Our housing director is onsite every day, willing to help you with even the smallest of issues. Students develop close bonds with their families, and really love this aspect of the program. They also have the opportunity to practice their Spanish in a real-life setting, outside of the classroom.
What if I want to live in a shared apartment with other international students?
Centro Mundolengua can help you to find the accommodation corresponding to your needs.
What about extra-curricular activities?
During semester terms, students can participate in the activities organized by Centro MundoLengua, one or two times a month. The activities include language exchanges, cultural visits, cooking classes, sports activities, salsa and flamenco dance, etc. The students can also opt for the many optional activities offered by Centro MundoLengua which include concert and theater outings, bullfights, football matches, kayaking, bicycle riding, etc. Students will also benefit from the support and experience of Centro MundoLengua to organize other weekend trips.
Will I meet other people?
Getting involved as a volunteer in Spain will allow you to meet lots of different kinds of people and make new friends, mainly from Spain. This will allow you to live like a local and to dramatically improve your Spanish skills. It is also a great opportunity to develop your professional network.
