Volunteer Overseas in Chile

Chile’s recent history has been dominated with extremes of political and economic upheaval. Though it now appears to be one of the fastest growing economies in the region, there are still more than three million Chileans living in poverty.

Volunteer opportunities are available in different fields and geographical areas of the country. Work with abandoned and abused children in Malloco town (1 hour west of Santiago city) or in Temuco city in Chile’s South. Help develop CONAF’s ( TheNational Forest Conservancy) goals to promote and implement environmental awareness policies at a national park - a world biosphere reserve -in central Chile. Teach in rural schools around Mapuche communities in southern Chile.

Volunteering in Chile is an open invitation to rediscover and get to know yourself while learning from local culture and people. Improve your Spanish language skills and admire a country of breathtaking natural beauties and extremes.

Arrival and Orientation

Before your arrival in Chile, you will get a detailed account of your arrival procedure that includes transfer details and code, where to go and what to doin Santiago airport, who you should meet, host family information and your schedule for the first days after arrival. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be transferred directly to your host family and will get a welcome call from a VIP-Chile representative. VIP is "Volunteers for International Partnership," our partner who will handle your stay in Chile. To facilitate adjustment to a new country and to answer all your questions related to your program, you will have to attend an orientation session at EIL-VIP Chile office on the day and time setin your schedule. We will also provide you with a site orientation so you learn where you are, where your Spanish classes will take place and how to move back and forth using the local public transportation.

Homestays

During your program you will have 2 home-stays, with different Chilean families. Living with a Chilean family might be the highlight of your program. Families are easy to please and love caring for their family members and guests. Also, family gatherings are common every day of the week. We have developed relationships with families who will try to make your home-stay meaningful. We only ask for your openness to allow bonding and mutual learning. Getting involved in daily life will help you to experience and appreciate family life in Chile.

First Part of the Program: First Home-stay

During the first 2 weeks you will live with a Chilean family in Santiago, Chile's Capital City. You will be attending an intensive 32-hour Spanish Course with indoor and outdoor Spanish lessons and assignments (4 hours a day / Monday - Thursday). You will also have volunteer project orientation sessions to talk about project related issues, culture, economy, education and travel tips. During these two weeksin Santiago, you will also have a 1-day excursion where you will probably meet other volunteers.

Note: If you need more time to become familiarized or fluent in Spanish, you could extend this first part of the program up to 4 weeks at an additional cost.

Second Part of the Program: Second Home-stay

For 10 weeks you will live with another family in the town/city you have chosen for your project and you will begin working at the project site. Staff and all those involved will expect your best. You will also be an ambassador of your country. The impression people have of you will help the project and others who will come later. Experiment Chile - your host office - and local reps will remain in touch during the length of the program.

To Apply or Learn More

To learn more about volunteering in Chile, 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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