About YMCA COLead3rs
It is an International Volunteer Program for young leaders from different parts of the world who come to do Experiential and Playful Educational activities with all ages, to support the entire educational community, and create Intercultural Experiences through English as a foreign language. These young leaders become Cultural Agents.
Deadline to apply: March 21st. 2025
Duration of the Program: From June 2025 until November 2025
Who can apply?
English speakers with passion for the language, nationals from countries where Spanish is not the first language, who enjoy working with children and youth, are looking to gain teaching experience or to volunteer abroad and make an impact.
Requirements
Overview
Bring diversity to schools, creating a more accepting and inclusive generation of kids
5 and 10 month programs available
Age of participants 21 - 39
Learn about colombia's history and culture through the eyes of its community and youth
On-site support from YMCA StaffIncluding pre-departure and visa guidance
Orientation, trainings, and certificates
Free Spanish lessons available
What to expect
Be placed as a Cultural Agent, teaching English and leading YMCA activities.
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Be placed as a Cultural Agents at a local Colombian school or university in different cities and most of them in Bogotá. - Cultural Agents are not the main teachers, you’ll be working alongside local teachers
- 30 hours/week leading activities in English in Colombian Schools
- 10 hours/week leading activities in YMCA programs
- Age groups vary: 5 – 17 and university students (young adults)
Deadline to apply: March 21st. 2025
Duration of the Program: From June 2025 until November 2025
Activities in other areas of the YMCA
Become part of the YMCA movement by getting engaged in other activities of the community outreach programs and the YMCA Colombia office in Bogota.
10 hours/week leading activities in YMCA programs.
Opportunity to travel and volunteer in different parts of the country on weekends and holidays
Work side by side with a community of Colombians and international volunteer
Trainings, certificates, follow up and support from the YMCA team
- Pre-departure, documentation and visa guidance
- Airport pick-up, Orientation, and support to find housing options
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YMCA training on Experiential and Integrated education among other topics (includes certificate)
- Gain experience with seasonal participation in the YMCA Colombia Programs such as: YCAMP YTAC, English Immersion Programs, Camp Sessions and others
- On-site support from YMCA Staff during the entire program
- Monthly stipend to cover: accommodation, meals, local transportation and basic personal expenses.
How much does it cost?
Program Fee
V-Visa
1st month living expenses in Colombia and Colombian ID
International health insurance
The following costs can vary according to the duration of the program:
Note
For YMCA Members: No participation Fee required
About program fee
The YMCA Colombia is a non-profit organization and relies on program fees to provide participants with placement assistance, orientation, guidance through visa and pre-departure, and arrival process Note: Air Tickets or visa fees are not included.
Application deadline: March 21st. 2025
Duration of the program: From June 2025 until November 2025
The destinations
- Bogotá: Bogotá is the capital and largest city of Colombia. It is a place of convergence for people from all around the country and is therefore diverse and multicultural. Within this city, the past and present come together. The city is also very green thanks to its parks and hills that extend along its eastern boundary, dwarfed by their two highest points, Monserrate and Guadalupe. The landscape that the people of Bogotá enjoy daily—the green sea that makes up the Andes mountain range, rising up in the east—would be nearly impossible to find in any other large city.
- Pereira: Pereira, capital of Risaralda department, is situated in the Eje Cafetero region, being therefore the most populated city of the zone. It is surrounded by three snow-capped mountains, including Nevado del Ruiz, which is located in the middle mountain range. Due to its warm temperature, Pereira also offers a variety of plant and landscape coverage, empowering the municipality with one of the richest biodiversities in the nation with forest reserves, natural hot springs and lagoons.
- Valledupar: Valledupar is a city located on the Colombian Atlantic coast, known for being the capital of the department of Cesar and the birthplace of Vallenato, a Colombian musical genre. The city is characterized by having a tropical savannah climate, an outstanding wildlife and being classified as one of the most wooded cities in the country. The city is located between the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta and the Serranía del Perijá, enjoying multiple water sources that originate inside the mountains.
- Popayán: Popayán, known as the “white city”, is one of the oldest and best preserved cities in America. It has one of the largest colonial historic centers in the country and America, which is reflected in its architecture and care of the facades. The city, which is in the southwest of the nation, serves as the department of Cauca’s capital. It is traversed by the Cauca River and has an average temperature of 14–19 °C.
You are one step away from traveling to Colombia!
What the alumni are saying?
Joshua Goodstein
UK
I just wanted to thank you so much for the opportunity and experience of working with the YMCA in Bogotá.
I had such a fantastic time and learned and grew so much. Thank you for listening and responding to feedback, and allowing me to extend my program. I also benefitted from all the interesting projects I was given such as workin with university students, doing a podcast, and working on an English immersion camp.
The YMCA Colombia is looking for Cultural Agents from all over the world!
Duration of the program:
From June 2025 until November 2025
Application deadline: March 21st. 2025
