Duration of the program: January 27th 2024 to June 30th 2024
Empower Young People with the world’s oldest and largest youth-focused movements in the world. Founded 1844, the YMCA operates in 120 countries around the world and has been in Colombia for 56 years.
The YMCA Colombia invites you to become an ambassador of your country, volunteer and empower Colombian children and teens, express your creativity towards the development of new teaching methods, Gain TEFL Experience, and get involved with Colombian culture!
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
Schools and universities in Colombia´s capital city-Bogotá, D.C., Mosquera, Valledupar, Pereira, Huila and Popayán.
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 Agent at a local Colombian School or University in Bogotá D.C. (limited placements available in nearby towns) - 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)
Application deadline: October 30th 2023
Duration: January to June 2024
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 and financial support to purchase return flight
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
The costs mentioned above do not include international and/or national flights. Participants must pay for both way flights. You will be expected to leave the country before your visa expires. The 10th or 5th stipend, at the end of the program, should be used as a financial support to cov cover any flight expenses. If the costs of the flights are higher than the financial support received, the participant will be responsible for such additional costs.
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: October 30th 2023
Duration: January – June 2024
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.
- Mosquera: Located in the department of Cundinamarca, Mosquera is part of the vast metropolitan area of Bogotá. This municipality has a climate between 12 and 14ºC and is about 22 km from Bogotá. Mosquera preserves the majority of the wetlands of the western part of the department and is characterized for being an agricultural and industrial area.
- 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?
Angela
Estados Unidos
With the YMCA Colead3rs Program You can gain excellent work experience in various areas (teaching, community service, administrative, etc), but you also gain a large network of professional and caring individuals that will feel like close friends.
Burak
Turkey
It is very impressive that they always keep the values at the forefront. It’s also a very reassuring feeling to know that they will always support you. They listen to you all the time and try to help. It is very impressive that they are guiding and instructive. The human centered programs are providing fun and giving you a unique experience. It is a very well-organized and well-planned organization in all its details. It won’t be long before you’ll feel like one of family members because they’ll be doing their best to make you feel that way. .
Anastasiia
Ukraine
Nowadays most volunteers are afraid to go to Colombia and they are losing opportunities! You will be surprised how beautiful this country is. It is full of waterfalls, mountains, national parks, friendly people and dances. At first I was hesitating about traveling here, but after being here for 6 months, I decided to stay for one more year. And most of my friends did the same, no wonder why.
The YMCA Colombia is looking for Cultural Agents from all over the world!
Duration of the program: January 27th. to June 30th. 2024
Application deadline: October 30th 2023
