Study and Volunteer in Mexico

  Mexico

• Yucatan Peninsula: 
Playa del Carmen

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: All year round

Description: This Volunteer and study Spanish program in Mexico will allow students to improve their Spanish in Mexico while Volunteering!

-First part of thestay : 4 weeks in our carefully selected language school in Playa Del Carmen! Enjoy beaches while learning Spanish
-Second part of the stay : Volunteering in a local Mexican organization around Japeltec (Laguna de Chapala's area).

The organization aims to help local Mexican community in being self-sustainable while respecting sustainable development principles. This program is a good way to learn Spanish and give help other people!

General description of the volunteer program:

We offer and demonstrate the following to our interns:
-Regionally applicable models to farmers.
-Inspirational and experimental school gardens that aid domestic studies, science and biology curricula, benefit lunch programs, and create family-based after-school activities that draw community participation.
-Skills that benefit the participants and communities in a lifelong way.
-An opportunity for families and communities to benefit from more nutritious produce and foods.
-Personal benefits of increased self esteem and the pride that results from contributing significantly to the community.
-A personal share of the produce.
-Increased awareness of toxic dangers created by inorganic farming
-Field to kitchen training: we show every step between planting a seed and eating an organically grown meal.
-Compensation and scholarship opportunities for families with limited financial means.
-A commitment to the needy: we provide food to local facilities which serve the low income seniors and children. Many of our projects would serve as landmark examples of addressing the food-based challenges faced around the world.

Learn more, experience more culture with our volunteer program!
-Hands-On experience in a wide range of sustainable, agricultural procedures
-In-Field Study of integrated pest and plant management systems
-Awareness of water and resource conservation issues
-Opportunity to participate in local, cultural activities
-Study of eco-safe agronomy
-Hands-on community service experience in a developing country
-Multi-cultural experience and Spanish language immersion
-Enjoy the beautiful, safe environment of Lake Chapala, Jalisco

Schedule of the volunteer program:

1- Every accepted intern goes through a basic orientation at the Eco Training Center, and gains experience in each organic agriculture training station. Interns are initiated in a wide range of hands on fieldwork, such as weeding, seeding, planting, washing, packaging and selling fresh produce. Interns work along side and learn from our Mexican students and trainers during this phase.

2- Once an intern successfully completes the initial basic training (minimum 4 weeks onsite training period) then interns work with the association's staff to choose an area of concentration based on the intern's interests and ours. For long term commitments we work closely with each intern to design a program that meets your unique goals, while making the best use of your time and talents.
Throughout the internship period every intern will continue to be engaged in many types of the season's activities going on at the Eco Training Center, as well as directly in communities.

Volunteer and Study in Mexico

3- In the final phase, interns are asked to design, implement, and complete a specific project relating to their area of interest and a need they have witnessed within the association or local community. Through fulfilling this project phase, interns leave with a sense of accomplishment while the association and the local community are benefited.

Areas of Specialization: After an intern's successful completion of the initial, onsite training period, interns work with the association's staff to choose an area of concentration. Current program areas and specific projects include:

1- Sustainable Model Development
-Safe small animal and humane poultry production project
-Simplified integrated hydroponics model - onsite and outreach
-Community Compost Program - onsite and outreach
-Edible plants nursery and greenhouse development

2- Training & Outreach
-Development of community based edible schoolyard models
-Local Organic marketing, consumer information & Farmers Market support
-Product development, merchandising at Gg's Country Co-op store
-Student Subsidy Fund development

3- Fundraising & Special Event Programming
-Local fund-raising campaigns
-Corporate campaigns and capital gifts
-Grant writing, proposal tracking and database integration
-Donor development
-Hosting annual events, including:
-The Harvest Fair
-Volunteer Appreciation Events
-Ground Hog Day
-Earth Day

4- Public Relations
-Public Relations and PowerPoint presentation development
-Public eco-tours at the Eco-Center and organic gardens
-Website & listing updates
-Database integration of student statistics and measuring ecological footprint

Highlights: Our Volunteer program in Mexico will allow you to get a significant experience of this country, giving you the opportunity to learn about both the Mexican culture and the Spanish language. Nacel International offers you the possibility to learn Spanish during four weeks at our language school in Playa De Carmen in Mexico, and then practice your knowledge of the Spanish language while volunteering in an association working closely with the local Mexican community. During your volunteer program, you will help Mexican communities with sustainable resource management by developing community markets.

Location:
Japaltec is an area between San Juan Cosala (thermal waters) and Jocopotec, a very old village with agricultural history. During the volunteer program, you will be generally located for the Lago de Chapala, west end. The east end has a large expat community, with retirees and artists. You will be one hour away from Guadalajara and its entertainments. Volunteer program takes primarily place in the eco center in Japaltec. However, depending on the time of year, events and activities can take place elsewhere along the lakeside. As an example, from June to July, it is the rainy season: you will plant and work at the eco center with vegetables, turkeys, rabbits, ducks... From September to December, you will do fundraising, weekly eco talk tours for schools, local training of students...

Please do not consider this program as a low-cost travel option: this program is designed for interns who have a sincere desire to learn about sustainable farming and community development. It may be work-demanding.

Nacel will take care of the pre-booking of the volunteer stay. Then, we will put you directly in contact with the association to avoid any extra fees. Please note that you will have to pay the costs of the volunteer program directly to the association, before you arrival in Mexico. If you choose to stay at least 3 months at the association, you will pay 350 USD per month (88 USD per additional week). If you choose to stay less then 3 months, the cost would be 600 USD per month (2008 costs, may differ in 2009). Theses prices are indicative and the association may decide to change them without informing us.

Qualifications: Minimum age: 18 years old

Key to success
Those who are successful in helping the farm and enjoying their time here share a desire to work hard and an open-mind for the cultural experiences they encounter. We have also found that longer term interns have more depth of experience and are able to more significantly impact the local community. For this reason, we prefer interns who can stay for a minimum of three months. We do accept interns for short stays as well, with agricultural experience and/or Spanish competency.

Cost in US$: 1 505 euros

Experience Required: yes

If students want to do a short stay (less than 3 months), experience in the agricultural field is highly appreciated

Age Range: 18 to 30 years old

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

Nacel International's Mission Statement: No one learns the same way. No one has the same level. No one has the same goal. Nacel International proposes a large variety of stays abroad, which will help you to develop your personality. Their goal was to provide opportunities for students to extend language learning and knowledge of another culture through a well-organized and affordable summer program. These programs bring people together enhancing cultural and linguistic awareness and to promote international friendship and harmony.

Year Founded: 1957