Volunteer Overseas in Brazil

Through our partner organization, Volunteers for International Partnership (VIP), we would like to introduce you to a multi-cultural nation of creative, vibrant and warm people. You are invited to live and work with people influenced by African, Native American, European and Asian cultures. Although Brazil is the ninth richest economy in the world, it is one of the poorest in terms of human development. Volunteers can make a difference by working with non-governmental organizations throughout the country. Environmental projects in Amazonia, social service projects in Natal, and education projects in Florianopolis are among the possibilities.

Program Overview

Arrival

You will be welcomed at the airport by your host family or a representative from the local VIP office. Classes and orientation will take place on the next weekday, either at the Experimento office if available in the region where you are staying, or at the project site.

Should you arrive on a Saturday or Sunday, you will spend a day or two meeting family members and getting a taste of Brazilian life. On the following Monday you will be introduced to your Portuguese teacher and begin the orientation to the program.

Orientation

You will start by meeting the Experimento Coordinator for a cross-cultural orientation; together you will discuss your first impressions of the homestay and living in Brazil with a family. Other topics like health and security measures, Brazilian cultural aspects, transportation systems and conditions, staff to contact in case of emergencies, procedures regarding classes, volunteer work, do's and don’ts and homestay issues will be also covered in this meeting. An orientation packet with useful information will be given to you at this time.

Language Courses

Your Portuguese course will take place during the first two weeks of the program (some other students may join the class if in the same level) to enable you to gain a functional knowledge of the language as quickly as possible. The course will contain classroom and outside classroom activities in order to apply and practice new language knowledge. The objective of the course is to learn practical communication and create a base to build upon for further language study.

You will have a 2-hour class per day, from Monday to Friday, with a 15-minute break. Our teachers know how to adapt to your learning style (not everyone learns a language in the same way!) and to develop your confidence and skills in using the language.

Besides the classes, your foreign language skills are expected to improve quickly as you go places, talk with people, watch films, plays and live a colloquial life. In some cases, the volunteer project may coincide with the language classes, which will allow the volunteer a good opportunity to begin to use the language.

Homestay

During your Portuguese course and project you will live with a Brazilian host family - an excellent way to learn about our way of life and to practice Portuguese. Brazilians have a reputation for being warm and fun-loving, making it easy for you to feel right at home. Experimento's selected host families will welcome and treat you as a family member. We will keep in touch with you and your family throughout your stay to assure that you both have a rewarding homestay experience.

Volunteer Service

After adapting to your new environment and having learned some basic Portuguese, it is time now to roll up your sleeves and give something back by working side by side with community members on a project designed by local people. Accommodation may be with another host family near the project site or even inside the project headquarter.

Our Volunteer Coordinator will be in touch with you and your host project periodically during your community service and you can call him at any time to report and talk about any concerns. Some typical host projects include:

	Assisting in a day-care center for underprivileged children or infants
	Tutoring underprivileged children after-school programs
	Assisting with conservation projects in national parks and natural reserves
	Working with handicapped persons

To Apply or Learn More

To learn more about volunteering in Brazil, 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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