Pro-Bono Volunteer Work

If you would like to learn the language through a unique human experience, volunteer work will give you an opportunity that lies beyond the ordinary traveler’s reach: getting to know other realities within the country.
Working in a Cordoba NGO can be both challenging and extremely gratifying. You will have the chance to help local people while acquiring new skills, combining Spanish language learning with a total immersion cultural experience.

WHO ARE THOSE ELIGIBLE TO JOIN THE PROGRAM?
The program is open to anyone wishing to gain new experiences while getting to know people hailing from different cultural backgrounds.
Over the years, students, graduates, professionals and pensioners have all been able to obtain first-hand confirmation of the uniquely enriching experience of pro-bono volunteer work.

 

WHY SHOULD I TAKE PART IN SET’S VOLUNTEER PROGRAM?
Because it is a prime chance to expand one’s professional horizons while broadening one’s personal outlook, getting to know another culture, enhancing professional skills, improving one’s command of the language, building an international network of friends, sharing and learning.
Our volunteer program is a tool to answer local social needs, issues and interests, and offers the opportunity for personal spiritual enrichment to its participants.
Volunteer work involves solidarity and commitment to improve community life in certain areas. It is a hands-on task, involving organized synergetic efforts.

WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL FIELDS FOR VOLUNTEER WORK?
- Social work with children (schooling support, early stimulation, etc.)
- General social work and work with the elderly (accompanying older persons, containment of the ill and handicapped, child care, working with the homeless).
- Education (language teaching, accompanying children with learning problems, etc.).
- The environment (wildlife protection, environmental projects).
- Developing small-scale production projects.
- Developing cultural projects (holding cultural workshops)

Together with the volunteer work offered by SET, you will also obtain some other intangible benefits. The volunteer can help to clear up misunderstandings and offer help with personal affairs, while having a good time himself or herself. He or she can also take part in the daily routine of the community and learn its basic rules, philosophy and lifestyle. The degree of cultural immersion obtained with this type of activity is impossible to achieve as a tourist.

Although volunteer work is free of charge, it is conditioned to your simultaneously taking a Spanish course lasting at least one month.
We always recommend you start your Spanish course a few weeks before starting on your volunteer work, since this gives you the chance to meet with other students and have exploratory talks with the person in charge of the NGO you have chosen, thus preparing yourself for your experience.
Only in the case that you are short of time and your Spanish is already good, may you start your Spanish course and your volunteer work on the same day, taking lessons in the mornings and working as a volunteer in the afternoons.

We will be happy to offer you any further information on this topic, so please feel free to consult us.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCEDURE?