VOLUNTEER PROJECTS & INTERNSHIP PLACEMENTS

CDL Spanish School offers a variety of different volunteer opportunities:

1. Social Work/Education/Health Care
90% of all volunteer projects in Guatemala are social projects, such as schools, orphanages, childcare centers, medical centers, and hospitals, with very basic facilities and out-of-date resources. Many of these places are in urgent need of assistance and may not have time or experience to fully develop and apply the skills of a volunteer. For participants without experience in developing countries or without experience in environments where resources are scarce, the situation might be disturbing or frustrating in the beginning, and it is important to know how to make yourself useful as opposed to waiting to be told what to do.
Work opportunities range from abused, poor, orphans, street children and physically and/or mentally disabled children, adults and elderly to general education.
Placements that require a medical or nursing background are available for doctors, nurses and medical students with various areas of specialization. You are placed according to your skills and to current needs of the clinics and hospitals.
CDL Spanish School also offers a unique MEDICAL program for professionals and medical students.
2. Environment/Nature/Wildlife
Volunteers have the opportunity to work in a rescue center to care for and rehabilitate wild animals that were confiscated from the black market by the Guatemalan government. Other work areas are: environmental education, marine turtle conservation, reforestation and habitat preservation. These placements are mostly located in the more remote areas of Guatemala, such as the region of Peten or fishermen villages along the pacific coast.
Typical duties consist of helping to feed the animals, assisting with veterinary medical treatments and construction of new facilities and cages. Volunteers also participate in programs involving the local population by raising awareness and education about animals and nature.
3. Construction
Housing is still a big problem for many Guatemalan families. Therefore, organizations are putting their efforts together to build appropriate simple housing for families in need. Volunteering at construction sites involves physical strength and hard work, but is a unique way to fulfill a family’s dream by providing a home for their children. Building is realized by Guatemalan construction workers and help of the family. The construction sites change frequently and are mostly small and remote villages around Antigua.
List of all volunteer placements
4. Internships with for-profit companies
Are you studying and need to do fieldwork or an internship to complete your education? Do you simply want to get some practical work experience to be able to improve your resumé (CV)? Send us your current resumé and a letter about yourself, telling us who you are and what you want to do as an intern. We will match you with a Guatemalan company. The only requirement is that you take at least 2 weeks of Spanish with us at CDL Spanish School before you start and that you are over 18 years of age. Right now, there are several opportunities in the fields of web design/graphic design, marketing and communications, accounting and business administration, tourism, teaching English and construction. Some companies may offer some kind of compensation. The costs are the Spanish Program and optional homestay during your internship, $85 per week.

VOLUNTEERING APPLICATION

Together with the regular reservation form for Spanish Programs, a separate Volunteering Application has to be filled out with the following information and e-mailed back to us at info@cdl.edu.gt. This information is very helpful to us in order to place you adequately, as well as being a very good excercise for yourself to prepare mentally for what you are going to do.

1. Start and end dates of volunteering

2. Detailed curriculum vitae in English and, if possible, one in Spanish

3. Indication and explanation of which category of volunteer work is preferred

4. Explain your reasons for wanting to participate in this program. Why do you think you are a good candidate for it?

5. What research have you done on the area you want to visit?

6. What are your expectations regarding the placement (work, environment)?

7. What potential challenges (besides the language) do you think you might encounter in the work environment?

8. What does the phrase "culture shock" mean to your? Name some emotions you might feel. Have you ever experienced it?

9. What qualities do you attach to life, work and travel in another country?

10. Please describe the type of work you think you would most enjoy for the placement type you have listed on the application.

If it is a Wild-life and nature preservation project, please describe your interests: volunteering with animals, at a garden or farm, in an agricultural cooperative within the local community.

If it is an Education, Health or Social project: school (ages of children), orphanage, rehabilitation center, healthcare placement, please list your medical certification or area of expertise and whether you are certified in that area.

11. Explain how you would apply some of your current skills and interest to your descriptions of the work mentioned in Question 7.

12. How long, if at all, have you been studying Spanish? And in what setting? What do you plan to do before you leave your home to prepare your Spanish?

13. What languages do you speak/have you studied and for how long?

14. Where have you traveled (both domestically and internationally)? How long did you spend at each place? What prompted you to go to each place (relatives, friends, general interests to visit)?

15. The Volunteering Program encompasses various types of organizations that make up its placements: non-profits, for-profits; local, national and international governmental organizations, etc. Are you flexible enough to work in any of the above?

16. What independent travel are you planning after your volunteer commitment ends?

17. Do you realize that volunteer work may be full-time, including weekends, and that it can be very difficult and at times boring?