Service Trips to Guatemala
Spend three weeks in beautiful Queretaro, Mexico, helping at-risk and at-need children and women to learn values, manner, and life skills to become self-sufficient and obtain a higher level of education. Lend your hands and heart to an underdeveloped community for a fun, spirited, ‘summer camp’ environment. Work with locals and other foreigners from around the world, to help improve the lives of this Otomi community.
QUERETARO, Mexico
The historical down town of the capital of Queretaro has been declared a "Cultural Heritage Site" by UNESCO. The city offers 470 years of tradition and history printed on its aqueduct, temples and ancient colonial houses that make up this city - one of the most beautiful colonial places in Mexico. It is now a commercial center of over half a million inhabitants, with several major international companies located in the city or outskirts. Nonetheless, the city has preserved its historic downtown and taken steps to beautify the area.
The State offers a wide variety of natural, historic, and recreational attractions. Its northern region is home to pine-clad mountains (the Sierra Gorda), giving way to rolling hills and fertile farmlands to the south. Querétaro holds several treasures, and a friendly community base. The historic city center is filled with lovely colonial mansions, flawless pedestrian walkways (andadores), and quaint plazas resembling the former colonial days.
AMEALCO, Mexico
Amealco is one of the oldest towns in Querétaro. It is about 76km from Queretaro. Amealco is at an altitude of 2,605 meters and its annual average temperature ranges from 60 to 70°F, which offers lovely weather all-year-round. Amealco means “place of springs,” which is perfectly represented through their large waterholes.
Discover the Similarities - Share the Differences!
Top Project & Activities Description
Be a team player, while you work alongside locals and other foreigners in a fun, summer camp style atmosphere for the at-need children of the Otomi community. Duties range from tutoring, cleaning, carpentry, program development, sewing, cooking, childcare, business skills training, teaching English, math, ecology, environment, music, dance, singing, etc.
Program dates: July 7 - 28, 2007
Project location: Queretaro and Amealco, Mexico
Typical class schedule:
9:00am – 1:30pm Classes for pre-school, primary-aged students, and mothers
3:00pm-6:45pm Classes for 7-9th graders
TopProgram Highlights and Details
Volunteering in Mexico Offers:
- An unforgettable experience helping and improving the local Mexican communites
- 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 Program Placement Prior to Departure
Cultural Embrace pre-arranges and guarantees your volunteer project, travel arrangements and cultural exchanges before you leave home to ensure an easy and hassle-free transition to your new life abroad. Positions are limited, so apply now! - Round-trip Flight from Houston to Queretaro
Program fee includes round-trip airfare from Houston to Queretaro direct. You will need to make your own domestic arrangements to Houston. - One-Week Spanish & Homestay in Queretaro (July 7-13)
20-hours of Spanish lessons are included based on your language proficiency level (beginners to advanced). Room & board are included with a carefully selected host family. Additional Spanish lessons, room & board available before or after the program dates. - Housing & Board
All accommodations and meals are included during the program. Housing will be available with local host families in Queretaro (July 7-13). Expect basic accommodations with vegetarian meals in Amealco (July 13-27). Volunteers must be able to withstand basic living conditions: dormitory-style sleeping arrangements, cold showers, no television, laundry by hand, help in meal preparations and shared cleaning. - Airport Pick-Up & Transfer
- 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. - Excursions & Activities
Enjoy a variety of activities and visit local sites in this beautiful country. - International Traveler's Insurance
A comprehensive medical insurance is included during your program dates. - 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 in Mexico prior to, during, and after your placement.
Top Program Requirements
- You must be at least 18 years of age. Or, if younger than 18, you must have parental or guardian consent
- Enjoy providing a service and working with others in a challenging environment
- Open to foreign cultures and living abroad
- High level of responsibility
- Dedication to the full term of commitment
- High beginners Spanish required (additional Spanish available in Queretaro)
Top 2007 Program Fees
| US$1830 | July 7-28, 2007 |
-US$25 refunded upon completion of evaluation at the end of the program
TopHow to Apply
1. Obtain the Volunteer Abroad Application Forms & Procedures documents in one of three ways:
(a) Download the forms: Volunteer Form (PDF).
(b) Fill out an online application request form and the forms will be mailed to you within 7-10 days.
(c) Call Cultural Embrace at 1-512-469-9089 or (US/Canada toll-free) 1-866-282-8511) 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$150 non-refundable deposit (credited towards your program fee)
Application Deadline: June 1, 2007, but space is limited--Apply now!
For any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@culturalembrace.com or you can call us at 1-512-469-9089/1-888-214-8570 (US toll-free) .
