Volunteer in Spain
Quick Info | |
| Date: | Flexible |
| Price: | Starting from $1100 |
| Levels: | B1, B2, C1, C2 |
| Type: | Individual |
| City: | Cadiz, Seville |
| Students: | MS-HS Student |
| * See details below | |
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROGRAM
Is this course for me?
Individuals have the opportunity to get involved with the local community by volunteering. Private language classes may be added on. This is an excellent manner to fulfill community service requirements at home, while helping others and learning about the culture of Spain.
Some examples of the volunteer work available for high school students 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 older people with physical and mental disabilities.
- 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.
Where?
Students have the opportunity to do this in the capital city of southern Spain, Seville, where they will discover firsthand the essence of Spain – flamenco, the scent of orange blossoms, flower-decked patios, Moorish palaces and beautiful gardens. They also can do this in Cadiz, Western Europe’s oldest city, with endless white sand beaches, and a beautiful ancient city center. Get ready for the best experience of your life!
Highlights
- Fulfill community service requirements at home by getting involved internationally.
- Delve into the different social realities of Spanish citizens.
- Make a difference by helping others less fortunate than yourself.
- Learn about the customs of Spain firsthand by living with a carefully selected family.
- Experience the culture through interactive visits.
- Challenge yourself and boost your college application.
| 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 | Volunteer work (Monday-Friday). |
| 2:00 - | 2:30 | Time to return home to have lunch with family. |
| 2:30 - | 3:30 | Lunch with family. |
| 3:30 - | 4:30 | Free time after lunch for "siesta" or spending time with family/friends. |
| 4:30 - | 5:00 | Allow time to walk or take bus to the meeting point. |
| 5:00 - | 7:00 | Possibility of classes. 2 cultural visits/week are included. |
| 7:00 - | 8:30 | Free time with friends before dinner. |
| 9:00 - | 10:00 | Return home for dinner with family. |
| 10:00 - | 12:00 | Possible nighttime activity. Home with family. |
| PROGRAM | DATES | LEVELS | HOUSING | STUDENTS | PRICE |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Service Program in Spain | 1 week | B1, B2, C1, C2 Intermediate Advanced | Family homestay | HS | $1100 |
| Community Service Program in Spain | 2 weeks | B1, B2, C1, C2 Intermediate Advanced | Family homestay | HS | $1700 |
| Community Service Program in Spain | 3 weeks | B1, B2, C1, C2 Intermediate Advanced | Family homestay | HS | $2300 |
| Community Service Program in Spain | 4 weeks | B1, B2, C1, C2 Intermediate Advanced | Family homestay | HS | $2900 |
| Community Service Program in Spain | 5 weeks | B1, B2, C1, C2 Intermediate Advanced | Family homestay | HS | $3500 |
| Community Service Program in Spain | 6 weeks | B1, B2, C1, C2 Intermediate Advanced | Family homestay | HS | $4100 |
What's included?
| Classes | |
| Activities | |
| Weekend Excursions | |
| Family Homestay | |
| Airport Transfer | |
| Health Insurance | (Consult with MundoLengua for specific conditions) |
| Supervision | |
| Airfare |
Dates refer to the expected arrival and departure days in Spain. Extra days will be charged accordingly.
Do I need to buy my own flights?
You are responsible for purchasing your own flights. It is very important to make sure you have a valid passport and secure your flights early. Southern Spain is one of the most popular destinations worldwide. The longer you wait, the more you are going to pay for flights. We will pick you up at the arrival airport in Spain. For Seville, you should look for flights into Seville airport. It is possible to arrange pick-up in Jerez de la Frontera (Cadiz) or Malaga airports, but there will be a surcharge. As well, it is possible to fly into Madrid and take the high-speed train down to Seville. Ask us for more details.
Will I have volunteer service every day?
The actual schedule of service will vary. We will confirm this with you, along with the actual organization, beforehand. Some organizations will allow for students to work every day, whereas others will not. We will do our best to provide the maximum amount of volunteer service (meaning at least once per day), even if this means providing you with more than one organization.
Will I be supervised at the community service?
We will always accompany you on the first day to introduce you to all key people and get you started. You will be able to rely on a team of personnel in each organization for any concerns.
How long can I come?
Most programs will last anywhere from 1-6 weeks. As we custom-design our programs, simply consult with us for more details.
How good does my Spanish have to be?
You don’t have to be fluent, but you must have a high enough level of Spanish to work and contribute at the various organizations. This usually means an intermediate or advanced level of Spanish. Your interactions with staff will be in Spanish. That being said, in some instances the work will be manual, and this can be explained with minimal Spanish.
Assuming I want classes, how do you determine my Spanish level?
Before arrival, you will take an online placement exam. This will help us determine your level. In addition, you will supply us with the number of years of high school Spanish that you have completed.
What are the classes like?
Above all else, they are interactive and communicative. Given that these would be personal lessons, you would have the opportunity to make quick gains by focusing on areas that most interested you. Our classes normally include studying both the language and culture. In fact, we like to study the language through the culture. That being said, we are open to designing the appropriate class for you.
What are some examples of the activities?
Typical visits will include the Cathedral of Seville, Royal Palace, Plaza España and Maria Luisa park, Santa Cruz old Jewish quarter, Bull ring and Arenal neighborhood, flamenco show, etc. We will also include a welcome tapas meal in a restaurant.
What will I do on the weekend?
This is a great opportunity for you to travel. You can use both Friday and Saturday to visit other areas of Spain, or Europe. We will help you plan the perfect trip, based on your interests.
What are the families like?
You want 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 either share a room with another student in the program, or have your own room. This depends on your dates. You will most likely share a bathroom. Families make all of the meals for students, 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. Families also wash any clothes for students. Some families have children, 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 students 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 don’t want to live with a family?
We can also help you find a reasonably priced room in a shared apartment with other international students. In this case, you would be renting a room in the apartment. Our fees would change, so please consult with us.
How much free time will I have?
One thing that students love is that this program combines the best of both worlds. They have the daily structure of their volunteer work and classes and/or activities, with some free time thrown in. Some students are more independent than others, and relish this time to explore the city, make friends with the locals, enjoy sports, shopping, etc. See a typical day in this section, but rest assured that you will have some free time every day for yourself.
Will I meet other international and Spanish students?
Absolutely! It will depend on the groups studying at any given time, but we tend to have a mix of American, Canadian, and European students. We also have partnerships with local Spanish schools. We will try to involve you as much as possible in any activities with other students. As well, you will be interacting with Spanish people every day in your volunteer organization, making great friendships.
How much supervision will I have?
You will be able to count on 24 hour / 7 day a week supervision from our multi-lingual staff. Your safety is our top priority. As such, you will be required to carry a Centro MundoLengua ID card with emergency phone contacts. Your family will also have this information. You will be able to rely on an extensive network of directors, teachers, and coordinators to facilitate your stay in Seville.
