Volunteer Overseas in Argentina

Argentina is the second largest country in South America and the eighth largest in the world. Historically, Argentina has had a large middle class compared to other Latin American countries, but a succession of economic crises has significantly reduced its numbers. Today, the segment of the population that remains financially well off stands in sharp contrast with millions who live with economic hardships or in poverty.

Through our partner, Volunteers for International Partnership (VIP,) we offer you opportunities in Santa Fe, La Rioja, and other areas of Argentina to volunteer in education, social services, and child care to help improve the lives of those most affected by economic hardship.

Program Overview

Arrival

Upon arrival at the international airport in Buenos Aires you will be greeted by a member of the VIP staff, host family or person in charge of transportation and transferred to your host family.

Orientation

You will receive two different orientation sessions - one upon arrival at VIP's central offices in Buenos Aires and the other in your host community. At the VIP offices, the short orientation covers the differences in customs, language, etc. so you can adapt more easily to your family and to the service experience. At the host community, you will be exposed to an overall picture of the host project.

Language Courses

After the first orientation, your language skills are evaluated to "tailor-make" your Spanish program based on your level and needs. Special emphasis will be placed on communication skills and Argentine idioms. Our Spanish coordinators have ample experience in teaching. They also coordinate and teach the Spanish program for semester abroad students and supervise teachers as well as all review material. The teachers and VIP staff help you take full advantage of your stay in Buenos Aires. They assist in suggesting visits to historical landmarks, museums, typical ethnic neighborhoods etc., so that you put into practice what you learn during your course.

Homestay

During the whole program you will live with an Argentine family: the first two weeks in Buenos Aires and the following weeks in your project host community. Families differ considerably from one area to another. They are closely screened and oriented by VIP's homestay coordinator in Buenos Aires and by our local representatives in the interior. In all cases the coordinators are in frequent contact with you during your homestay.

It is nowadays difficult to define a typical Argentine family. Moreover, there are slight differences between Buenos Aires families and families in the interior, but one thing we can say is that they all belong to the struggling middle class, some of them on the upper segment of it.

For example, hosts can be professionals belonging to a two-income family (they would be considered upper middle-class according to Argentine standards). Most families have two or three children still living at home. Other families (in the interior mainly) can be self-employed and own their own businesses. In the city, and now more than before, in the provinces, hosts could be single parents with children. On rare occasions, a one-member household could host. Most upper middle class families are college-educated people, genuinely motivated to be exposed to the intercultural exchange and many may have had a homestay experience abroad themselves.

One of the most important characteristics of Argentines is their willingness to make a guest feel at home. They always consider it an honor to be able to offer their homes and make their visitors feel welcome. When a family makes the commitment to host, they are given an orientation to acquaint them with the characteristics of the program. They also agree that, besides providing suitable accommodation, they are expected to spend time with the visitor and do their best so that the experience proves enriching for them and for the visitor. It is important to bear in mind, though, that families living in Buenos Aires can have a much faster rhythm of life than those in the interior who stop after lunch for a “siesta”. According to experience, 90% of the families can offer the visitor a private bedroom and a shared bathroom.

Projects

After your two-week stay in Buenos Aires you will travel by sleeper bus to your host community. Wherever you volunteer, our local VIP representative or host family greets you and follows up on your service project and homestay orientation. When your project is completed you return to Buenos Aires by sleeper bus.

Evaluation takes place at our office whenever possible and then we transfer you to the international airport for your flight back home.

Since launching its volunteer program, VIP Argentina has hosted volunteers from Canada, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Spain, Switzerland and the US, as well as a multinational group.

VIP works with a number of NGOs and host organizations all over Argentina. Available Host Projects reflect changing needs and priorities and may vary depending on local conditions at the time of your placement.

After you apply, VIP works closely with your Sending Country and our Host Project organizations to find an appropriate placement that best matches your skills, preferences and capabilities. In some cases your volunteer placement will not be finalized until after you have visited on-going projects during your in-country orientation. Opportunities are available in many areas for volunteer service including Community Service, Child Care, and Teacher's Assistant.

To Apply or Learn More

To learn more about volunteering in Argentina, please fill out the form below by filling in the provided fields, and then pressing the Send button. Please be sure to provide your correct email address - you will receive automatic confirmation email shortly and we will respond to your request as soon as possible.

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