Peru Volunteer Placements - Available Now

  Peru

• Cusco: 
Cusco

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Year-Round

Description: The program runs year-round and you can start on any Monday. You'll spend the first 4 weeks of your stay taking 20 hours of Spanish language instruction per week at one of Cuzco's leading language schools. After the educational program, you'll move onto the 4-week prearranged project of your choice in or near Cuzco.

The Language School

The language school is located in a colonial building just one block from the main square (the Plaza de Armas) and is equipped with 25 multimedia classrooms, a spacious meeting room and a sunny terrace. From the school's doorstep, you can enjoy the view of the Andes, and the famous Inca ruins and magical city of Machu Picchu are a short trip away. Small class sizes of no more than 6 students and an interactive teaching method that focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and conversational skills allows students to develop confidence in both the written and spoken language.

Your Volunteer Project

After successfully completing the 4-week language course, you will continue with the volunteer project of your choice for 4 weeks and will participate in a one-day workshop to train you for the work you will be doing. Most projects are located in Cuzco but there are also some further south in Arequipa. Opportunities include helping students with language lessons, participating in an after-school program, helping the homeless, working in a hospital, working on a conservation project, or providing support work in a travel or tourism business.

Highlights: Discover Peru's rich cultural diversity first-hand by living and working in Cuzco, the ancient capital of the Incan Empire and the oldest city in the Western Hemisphere. The city itself is indian in character, features open markets, adobe houses, and narrow, winding cobblestone streets. Nearby attractions include the archeological wonders of Machu Picchu.

Cost in US$: 1,550

* Processing your application and support for the duration of your program stay, including a 24-hour emergency telephone number.
* Intensive 4-week Spanish course (4 hours of Spanish instruction per day, Monday - Friday) including all study materials.
* Placement in a volunteer project matching your interests and qualifications.
* Accommodation and all meals with a Peruvian Host Family for the first 4 weeks.
* Accommodation and breakfast at a student residence for the second 4 weeks.
* 2 months of InterExchange Insurance covering basic accident and sickness medical, accidental death and dismemberment and emergency medical evacuation. Additional coverage is available for $45 per month.
* Airport pick-up and transfer for arrivals between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.
* Orientation, guided city walk, info pack and welcome dinner upon arrival in Cuzco.
* Student discount card.
* Certificate of completion.
* One hour of cultural classes every day, including lectures, movies, salsa dancing and cooking.
* Free Internet access.
* $75 contribution to your project (not included: the cost of airfare to/from Cuzco, local transportation other than the airport transfer, meals other than breakfast while at the student residence, and personal expenses).

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18 and over

This Program is open to American and Canadian Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Peru Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Scholarships are Available. Financial assistance is now available through the InterExchange Foundation Grant Program. Established in 2006, the Foundation aims to encourage young Americans to pursue work and life experiential programs abroad. If you have applied for, and been accepted to, an InterExchange Working Abroad program (Language Schools excluded), you may be eligible to receive a Working Abroad Grant. Details will be sent to participants upon acceptance to their programs.

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

InterExchange's Mission Statement: InterExchange is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural awareness through a wide range of work & travel, language, teaching English, volunteer, professional training, internship and au pair programs within the United States & around the world. Our goal is to create affordable and exciting cultural exchange programs, each with an unparalleled level of support. We take great pride in the professionalism and service of our staff and work hard to ensure our programs provide a rewarding experience for all participants.