Special: 2009 Short-Term Service & Cultural Projects click here for details

Cultural Embrace provides an outstanding opportunity to volunteer in Latin America! Enrich your life and the lives of others by choosing to join one of our volunteer projects.  We offer projects in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru.  Projects include working at orphanages, wildlife conservation, construction work, and many more.

Cultural Embrace partners with local humanitarian organizations to share knowledge about the people and cultures of Latin America. Our goals are to assist at-need and at-risk communities and to improve their standards of living. By contributing your time, energy, and passion to others, you will gain a memorable and meaningful experience while traveling abroad.

Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences! 

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Orphanage Assistance/Street Children

Work in local orphanage homes or shelters for abandoned children. All of these children have come from poor families and suffer from malnutrition and neglect. Assist the limited staff to care for these children. Organize recreational activities, educational activities, sports, arts & crafts, and be the nurturing heart and helping hand that can encourage the children and local staff.

Teach/Tutor

Inspire students by assisting the local teachers at public schools and community centers with their English classes and other subjects. Or, act as a role model for struggling teenagers and adults through informal education classes. Most of these students have dropped out of school, but want to examine alternate opportunities to continue their education.

Social Welfare Development

Work in facilities that help an area's poor communities. Provide support to at-risk and at-need women and children. Help them learn the values, manners, and life skills to become self-sufficient and obtain a higher level of education. Past projects range from tutoring, cleaning, carpentry, program development, sewing, cooking, childcare, business skills training, and administrative duties. 

Health/Medical Clinics

Work at community health and medical clinics. Be a friend to patients, assist medical staff, and organize health and nutrition classes. Knowledge of nutrition, health, and the medical field is preferred for these projects.

Wildlife Conservation

Participate in wildlife conservation projects to help preserve the natural habitats of the local area. Sample projects include sea turtle and bird conservation in Costa Rica and marine conservation in Ecuador.

Environment/Ecology Conservation

Learn and practice nature conservation techniques. Work on a private nature reserve and crop experimentation site. Duties include restoring and improving the grounds, plantations, and facilities. Interact with local communities and expand your knowledge of the reasons, benefits, and ways to be more environmentally friendly.

Building/Construction Maintenance

Lend an extra hand at a multitude of labor-intensive jobs. A variety of projects need assistance with building, painting, gardening, and wiring. Experience and knowledge helpful, but not required.

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Volunteering in Latin America Offers:

• An unforgettable experience helping and improving Latin American communities 
• An opportunity to broaden your perspective and worldview
• An opportunity to participate in and learn local cultural activities (e.g.: language, crafts, dancing)
• Memorable travel experiences with the chance to see exotic sites you have always dreamed about 
• The ability to make lifelong friends from around the globe
• A valuable work experience that strengthens your resume, exhibiting your diligence, independence, and intercultural experiences 
• A great way to develop and support your self-confidence and interpersonal skills   

Cultural Embrace Offers:

• Guaranteed Volunteer Placement Prior to Departure
  Cultural Embrace pre-arranges your volunteer project before you leave home to ensure an easy and hassle-free transition to your new life abroad.   
• Housing
  Basic, clean & comfortable housing is included in your program. Most housing will be with carefully screened and selected local host families; or at volunteer housing at project sites.
• Meals
  At least two meals a day, six days per week are included with your program. Meal plans will depend per project and destination. Meals are safe and healthy with emphasis of local cuisine. Dietary and allergy restrictions will be met. 
• Language Lessons
  Spanish (in Central America) and Portuguese (in Brazil) language lessons are included for the minimum duration except in South America (Argentina, Chile, Ecuador and Peru). Additional Spanish or Portuguese lessons are available for a nominal fee.
• Visa Assistance
  Cultural Embrace will assist you with information to obtain a visa (if necessary), but we have no control nor the ability to guarantee government issuance and/or visa availability.
• Travel Insurance:  International Traveler's Medical Coverage 
  Our program includes a comprehensive international health insurance policy, with a 30-days grace period upon return back to your home country. 
• Arrival Pick-Up and Transfer
  We will arrange an airport pick-up and transfer for you upon arrival.  
• Arrival Orientation
  Receive training and orientation upon arrival from our local
• Cultural Embrace Kit
  Useful tips, advice, and information to prepare you for the amazing adventure of living and working abroad.
• Full-time Representation
  Cultural Embrace provides representation in the United States and your host country prior to, during, and after your placement. 

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• You must be at least 18 years of age.  Or, if younger than 18, you must have parental or guardian consent.  
• Dedication to the full term of commitment . Most projects' duration is 1 week to 12 months.
• Some projects require Spanish language skills. Spanish lessons are included with most destinations, and additional classes can be organized. 
• Enjoy providing a service and working with others in a challenging environment.
• Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
• High level of responsibility
  
  
  

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Prices are customized per project and destination:

O-Orphanage/Streetchildren Assistance
T-Teaching/Tutoring
S-Social Welfare
M-Medical/Health  

W-Wildlife Conservation

E-Environment/Ecology

C-Construction/Maintenance

COUNTRY	PROJECTS	COSTS (US$)	WHAT'S INCLUDED
ARGENTINA Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Ushuaia, Bariloche (Min 2 mo, Max 6 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M, E	Buenos Aires: 2 months - $2515 Each add’l week - $260 Spanish Lessons - $195 per week Cordoba: 2 months - $2115 Each add’l week - $215 Spanish Lessons - $145 per week	-Private room with host family. -Meals: 1-2/day, 6 days/week
BRAZIL Rio de Janeiro -Starts every Monday	O, T, S	8 weeks - $2450	-60 hours Portuguese -Private or shared room with host family. -Meals: 2/day, 6 days/week
CHILE Santiago (Min 2 mo, Max 6 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M, E, C	8 weeks- $2515    Each add'l week - $260    Spanish lessons - $195 per week	-Private room with host family. -Meals: 1-2/day, 6 days /week
COSTA RICA San Jose, Manuel Antonio (Min 1 wk, Max 12 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M, W, E, C	1 Week - $1150 San Jose & Manuel Antonio    Each add'l week - $495 (with 20 hrs. Spanish)    Each add'l week - $230 (without Spanish)	-1 wk, 20 hrs Spanish -Private room with host family. -Meals: 2-3/day, 6 days /week
ECUADOR Quito, Amazon, Andes, Galapagos*, Coastal (Min 2 wk, Max. 12 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M, W, E, C	2 weeks - $1150 2 weeks - $1245* (Galapagos location)   Each add'l week - $185   Each add'l week - $235 (Galapagos)	-Housing at reserve site or with host family. -Meals: 3/day, 6 days /week
GUATEMALA Antigua (Min 1 wk, Max. 12 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M, E, C	1 week: - $935    Each add'l week - $270(with 20 hrs. Spanish)    Each add'l week - $195(without Spanish)	-1 wk, 20 hrs Spanish -Private room with host family. -Meals: 2-3/day, 6 days /week
HONDURAS La Ceiba (Min 1 wk, Max 12 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M	1 week - $1020      Each add'l week - $335(with 20 hrs. Spanish)      Each add'l week - $235(without Spanish)	-1 wk, 20 hrs Spanish -Private room with host family. -Meals 3/day, 6 days /week
MEXICO Cuernevaca (Min 1 wk, Max 12 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M, C	1 week - $1090    Each add'l week- $370 (with up to 30 hrs Spanish)	-1 wk, 30 hrs Spanish/ week -Shared room with host family. -Meals 2-3/day, 6 days /week
MEXICO Guanajuato (Min 4 wk, Max 12 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M, C	4 weeks - $2440    Each add'l week - $495 (with 20+ hrs. Spanish)	-4 weeks 20 hours Spanish -Private room with host family. -Meals: 2-3/day, 6 days /week
MEXICO Oaxaca (Min 1 wk, Max 12 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M, C	1 week - $1085    Each add'l week - $380 (with 15 hrs Spanish)    Each add'l week - $275 (without Spanish)	-1 wk, 15 hrs Spanish -Private room with host family. -Meals: 2/day, 6 days /week
MEXICO Puerto Vallarta (Min 1 wk, Max 12 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S	1 week - $1055    Each add'l week - $370 (with 15 hrs Spanish)	-1 wk, 15 hrs Spanish -Shared room with host family. -Meals: 2/day, 6 days /week
MEXICO Queretaro (Min 1 wk., Max 12 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M, C	1 week - $1120    Each add'l week - $395 (with 15 hrs Spanish)	-1 wk, 15 hrs Spanish -Private room with host family. -Meals: 2-3/day, 6 days /week
NICARAGUA Granada  (Min 2 wk., Max 12 mo) -Starts every Monday	O, T, S, M, C	1 week – $1050    Each add’l week - $355 (with 20 hrs Spanish)	-1 wk, 20 hrs Spanish -Private room in host family. -Meals: 3/day, 6 days /week
PERU Lima, Trujillo, Cuzco, Chiclayo, Puerto Maldonado* (Min 2 wk*/Max 12 mo) -Starts every 2nd & 4th Thursday of each month	O, T, S, M, E, C	2 weeks - $1420 (Lima, Chiclayo, Trujillo) 2 weeks -  $1455 Cusco    Each add'l week- $270 4 weeks - $1430 (Puerto Maldonado) Spanish lessons $160/wk (in Cuzco and Lima only)	-Housing with host family. -Meals 2/day, 6 days /week -Guided excursions in Lima, discounted tours in Peru (ie: Machu Picchu)

* All Volunteer in Latin America Projects include: room & board (as specified), comprehensive traveler's insurance, airport/bus pick-up & transfer (as specified), full-time pre-departure & local support

** Prices listed in US Dollars, and AUD$, CAN$, £,€ accepted

*** Please note: prices are subject to change according to world currency exchange rates

Special: 2009 Short-Term Social & Cultural Programs click here for details
One-week projects to Costa Rica, Honduras,Guatemala & Mexico in January- June

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1. Obtain the Volunteer Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:

(a) Download the forms:  Volunteer Form (pdf).   Volunteer in Latin America Program Details and FAQ (pdf). 

(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be e-mailed to you within 2-3 days.

(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089/ (US toll-free) 1-888-214-8570)  to have the forms mailed to you in 7-10 days.

2. Read the instructions carefully and complete all forms.

3. Submit your completed application packet to:

CULTURAL EMBRACE
7201 Bill Hughes Road
Austin, TX 78745 USA

Completed packet should include:

• Volunteer Program Application
• Signed Volunteer Agreement
• Copy of your passport (information page only)
• Copies of transcripts, diplomas, or certificates related to field of interest (if applicable)
• Resume/CV
• Cover Letter explaining what you want to do and why you want to provide a service in Latin America 
• Two References: preferably professional and/or character references
• Doctor’s Certificate verifying that you are in excellent mental and physical health
• Copy of Police Clearance (obtainable from your community's local police station) 
• Two 1½" x 2" official passport-size photos, signed on the back
• One smiling full-length photo of yourself
• US$200 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee) 

Upon receipt of your application, a Cultural Embrace coordinator will contact you for a 20-30 minutes phone interview. Once we accept you in to our program, you will receive an invoice for the remainder of your program fee. In order for us to contact our local partners to start your placement process, we require at least 50% of your program fee.

We recommend submitting your application and program fee at least 12-16 weeks prior to your desired start date in order for us to organize and arrange your internship.

 

*Cultural Embrace requires an expedited application fee for those applying 12 weeks or less before the desired date of departure. Applications received 8-12 weeks prior to desired departure date will be charged $150. Applications received less than 8 weeks before the desired departure date will be charged $250.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089 or 1-888-214-8570 (US toll-free).