Location:

Bogota, Colombia

Program Type:

Intensive Language

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Duration:

1-2 weeks, 3-4 weeks, 1-3 months, 4-6 months

Language:

Spanish

Program Overview

Program Description:

Ambassadors for Prosperity is an exchange program created by Partners of the Americas and Heart for Change for international volunteers. For almost 50 years, Partners of the Americas has worked with an expansive network to build a more interconnected and equitable hemisphere. Together with a new ally, Heart for Change, Partners of the Americas is offering an opportunity to participate in the exciting new Ambassadors for Prosperity program in Bogota and Leticia, Amazons, Colombia during the summer. Spend 4, 8 or 12 weeks working in several social projects. Colombia is the most happening country in Latin America and one of the most interesting leaders of social transformation in the world. A new paradigm is being drawn by Colombians and we want to invite you to be part of the change. Your skills, expertise and knowledge will be put to the test along with your capacity to adapt, understand and contribute to a new society, one project at a time. Set foot in this diverse land and get a first-hand look at the complex challenges facing Colombia today. This life changing experience will give you a 360º view of the past, present and future of a wide range of social dynamics taking place in what the New York Times calls “…a geographically arresting, culturally enthralling country without fear”.

Volunteers will learn and utilize skills in Colombia focus on environmental, economic and socio-cultural development and might include project design, strategic planning, targeted innovation, planning for sustainability, viability analysis, alliance mediation, fundraising and productive processes. Each of these are key capacities for today´s leaders of social change. Applicants will the social category in which they want to volunteer, and then choose 3 options from our 25 Host Organizations covering fields such as Education, Health, Microfinance, Human Rights, Environment, and many others. After the registration process, AFP will assign the volunteer to the best match. Sample 12-Week Program Itinerary: Bogotá, Colombia Day 1 – Tuesday Arrival to Bogotá, welcome by a staff member of AFP who will great them at the airport, and take them to the local accommodation. The volunteers will stay in an appropriate housing specifically thought for international volunteers. Once in the housing, the volunteers will have dinner and rest. Day 2 – Wednesday We will pick up the volunteers at their housing to be taken to the place where the training will be conducted for the next 3 days. Upon arrival to the training we will serve breakfast and discuss the following topics: Logistics, security, recommendations and tips, procedures, codes of conduct, among others. After lunch we will engage in interaction activities, various speakers and at the end of the day a local transport will be arranged to take the volunteers back to their housing. Day 3 – Thursday Pick up and breakfast at a local food market with traditional delicatessen. Here the volunteers will observe the different dynamics. Plazarte: Plaza + Arte tour while the second day of training takes place. At the end of the day a local transport will be arranged to take the volunteers back to their housing. Day 4 – Friday The volunteers will assist to their last day of training accompanied by a AFP staff member who will explain the different items that will take place during the following weeks. We will discuss different aspects such as: Social work, needs, schedule, expectations and the strategic plan. Delegates from Hosts Organization will assist to the sessions. During the late afternoon we will have a parranda vallenata (live music) as a welcome party for the volunteers to kick off their adventure in Colombia. Day 5 – Saturday On Saturday after the welcome party and the 3 days of training, the volunteers will enjoy a tour through the historic center of Bogotá including the most important highlights of the city in the Prehispanic and Colonial Bogotá Tour. Day 6 – Sunday Free day Week #2 Volunteers will work on their strategic plans along with the host organizations and with close mentorship by Heart for Change. The idea is for volunteers to experience the normal working schedule of the host organization. During the late afternoon, after working hours, the volunteers will have time to explore the city and interact with other volunteers. AFP will assign each volunteer a Social Local Sponsor (SLS) who will have the responsibility of introducing the city dynamics and Colombian people, as well as organize cultural activities and sports. Weekend tour: Bogota´s Recycle World Tour. Week #3 From this week on, the volunteers will arrive to the nonprofit by their own means and develop their work plan gathering photos, videos and testimonies of their experience. Weekend tour: Architectural Tour. Week #4 Volunteer work at host organization. Weekend tour: Corabastos, Market Pleasures. Week #5 Volunteer work at host organization. Weekend tour: Bogota´s Red Light District. Week #6 Volunteer work at host organization. Weekend Tour: Savannah immersion for the Laguna de Siecha Tour. Week #7 Volunteer work at host organization. Weekend Tour: Resisting the City, Agroparque los Soches. Week #8 Volunteer work at host organization. Weekend tour: Salsa, merengue and cumbia lesson. Week #9 Volunteer work at host organization. Weekend Tour: The social tourism community based project in the immediate rural area of Bogotá called: A Green Ode Inside the City, Quebrada la Vieja. Week #10 Volunteer work at host organization. Weekend Tour: A full gastronomic experience workshop style Colombian Flavor Workshop. Week #11 Volunteer work at host organization. Weekend tour: Hot Chocolate & Other Spiritual Drinks. Week #12 Volunteer work at host organization. On Thursday we will hold a closing meeting along with the people of the host organization. Here we will analyze the results of the volunteer´s work and an overall program evaluation. On Friday a general meeting will take place with all volunteers in order to gather testimonies as a memory of the work done. Moreover, we will train volunteers for further fundraising in their home countries and will be invited to participate in the program Volunteer Challenge Colombia®. Each volunteer will receive an end of service certificate. B

-We have carefully engineered this program to bring out the best in you, and we want to give you the experience of a lifetime and keep Colombia in all your thoughts for years to come. -Take a break from the fast-paced student or corporate world and enjoy the warmth of loving Colombians. -You will have time to sight-see and experience the culture of Colombia while making a meaningful impact through your volunteer service. -You can cultivate skills and gain practical international experience valued by current and future employers and universities in your CV. -Earn credits toward your major. Ask about our partnerships. -Improve your Spanish by speaking with Colombians and taking lessons. -Learn through hands-on service in a field of your choice. -Create life-long memories and relationships -Learn how to dance amazing salsa, merenge and cumbia!

Setting Description:

We know you can explore Wikipedia and find all the technical data on Bogotá. Perhaps is better to lay down some facts regarding the capital of Colombia and one of the most interesting metropolises in the region. Bogotá hosts the biggest theater festival in the world every two years as an undeniable proof of the interest and reach the city has in the cultural department. Bogotá matches NYC and Paris in the amount of stores and restaurants. Bogota is the capital city of the leader nation of the exclusive economic group CIVETS (Colombia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt, Turkey and South Africa), second only to the powerful BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) advocating for its development potential and economic strength compared to other cities in the continent. Bogota is a true melting-pot with great diversity. All sorts of people and communities arrive to the capital city in search of opportunities, making it the perfect setting for a social lab.

Cost:

For more details on what is included in program fees, please see the website. 4 Weeks- $2,990 8 Weeks-$4,300 12 Weeks-$6,000 Not included in the price: -International Airfares -Lunch -Items not specified in the webpage