Description:
Volunteer Abroad in Chile. Chile's landscape is stunning. The country stretches from north of the Tropic of Capricorn almost to the Antarctic Circle. The Atacama desert in the north is the driest place on earth - only trace amounts of precipitation have ever been recorded in some areas of the desert. Moving south along the Andes, the intensely arid desert gives way to vineyards, world famous ski areas, temperate rain forest, and large ice fields in the south. Boats headed for Antarctica regularly set sail from Ushaia on the Argentine side of Tierra del Fuego. The first national parks and reserves in Chile were first established in the 1920s, but despite these early conservation efforts, Chile is facing many serious environmental issues including deforestation, industrial pollution, air pollution and introduction of exotic species. Volunteers with a background in environmental science, agronomy, ecology, tourism or aquaculture are welcome to work in a variety of projects in national parks and reserves.
Location: Vina del Mar is located some 110 km north-west from Santiago (less than two hours drive), and borders with the port of Valparaiso to the south, two hours from the Andes by bus. The city has benefited from major investments in infrastructure that have greatly improved the traffic flow in the downtown area, especially in routes connecting Vina del Mar with Santiago, Valparaiso and Quilpue. A modern and efficient subway (Merval) connects Vina del Mar with the cities of Limache and Valparaiso, following the original railroad tracks between Valparaiso and Santiago. Vina del Mar is a very safe and easy to reach city; from Vina you can travel to any place in Chile by taking a bus. The bus station is located two blocks from the downtown, and at this station there are also available buses to Argentina and the rest of the neighboring countries. Vina del Mar is rich in culture, entertainment and tourism, and along with Valparaiso, a city located 10 minutes away by car or 5 by train, establishes the cultural heritage of the region.
Program Dates:
June: 10, 24
July: 8, 22
August: 5, 19
September 2, 23
October: 7, 21
November: 4, 18
December: 2, 16
Highlights:
Yes, Chile is that long sliver of a country that extends from the tropics to the southern-most inhabited point on the globe. This amazingly diverse country has arid desert in north; a mild fertile central valley; and a cool damp south that is made up of volcanoes and lakes. The Andes Mountains form its eastern border with Argentina.
The fertile central region is where the vast majority of Chile's inhabitants reside. The capital, Santiago, and the coastal cities, Valparaiso and Vina del Mar anchor this region. Nearby you'll find ski resorts, vineyards, and of course, the Pacific Ocean.
We partner with organizations in Vina del Mar, a popular seaside resort with a California-like climate. Vina del Mar (Spanish for "Vineyard of the Sea"), also known locally as La Ciudad Jardín (Spanish for "The Garden City"), is a thriving coastal city in central Chile, in the Valparaíso Region and Province. The population stands at 318,489 (April 24, 2004), making it Chile's fourth largest city. It is best known as a tourist and beach destination (with multiple beaches including Renaca, Las Salinas, Miramar, Casino, and others). One of its key attractions includes a gambling casino and a yearly music festival (Festival de la cancion de Vina del Mar). The city also hosts a yearly ATP tennis tournament (Moviestar Open).
Languages:
English
and Spanish
Cost in US$: Varies. Starts USD 995 for 4 weeks.
Cost Includes: Application Fee: USD 100 (refundable only if we are unable to find a placement that matches your request)
Cost Includes:
* Pre-Departure Materials
* Airport Pickup
* Orientation Session
* Housing
* Volunteer placement
* In-country support
* US-based staff support
Optional Spanish Classes: USD 120 per week
* Placement test
* 20 academic hours of Spanish Classes per week
* 3 levels offered (Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced)
* Class size : Maximum of 6 students.
* Class materials
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
conservation
and restoration
This Program is open to
Worldwide
Participants.
.
Typical Living Arrangements:
Apartment/Flat
and Home-stays
International Volunteers's Mission Statement: International Volunteers is the volunteer branch of ELI Abroad, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, founded in 2001, that partners with organizations from around the world making a difference in their communities. We work closely with these groups to ensure that our volunteers get meaningful experiences at reasonable prices. We have something for everyone: whether you want to teach in Ghana, work in an orphanage in Nepal, animal rescue in the rainforest of Ecuador, medical clinic in South India, or study in a university in Buenos Aires.
Year Founded: 2001