Boomers Abroad

Highlights

Jessica Ibarra - University of Pittsburgh
Buenos Aires, Argentina - Summer ISA + ELAP 2010

My volunteer experience still impacts me today. I currently am working part-time with children for an after-school program for the YMCA. ELAP was the first time I had worked for a long period of time with children and it taught me that how to be creative, imaginative, how to manage children and to have patience. I also think about those children I worked with on a daily basis. In fact, some of the pictures I took with the children are on my walls in my bedroom. I hope they are doing well, and I hope that they still think of me. It was definitely a positive, rewarding and memorable experience. I would go through the same experience or a similar one if I was given the opportunity and had time.

Charles Duncan Street - University of San Francisco
Buenos Aires, Argentina - February Intensive Month + ELAP 2010

The entire ELAP experience in Buenos Aires was life changing for me. To this day, I often reflect on my time spent at the organization. Just living in a foreign country is a challenge. And yet, while daily living there was not always easy for me, I was working with orphans who were staring down life's most unfair reality with love and humility. This daily contrast of being personally tested, while working with the most challenged, fostered a new wave of reflection and appreciation in my life. Over the four months that I worked there we leaned on each other for support, inspiration and motivation. I miss those kids dearly and keep them in my prayers every day. I would recommend this program to anyone who wants a sincere and life changing volunteer experience in Argentina.

Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements
* 4 semesters or 6 quarter units of Spanish for 6 or 8-week ELAP programs and ALL ELAP programs in Chile
* 3 semesters or 5 quarter units of Spanish for 10, 12, or 16-week ELAP programs and ELAP Add-on programs following an ISA intensive month program.

*Some placements in Cusco, Peru can accept participants with less Spanish language experience. Please contact ISA-ELAP about these opportunities. As part of the application process, we also will schedule a 10-15 minute telephone language interview conducted in Spanish by an ELAP Coordinator to verify your language level.

To apply for an ELAP program you will need to submit the following documents (at least 2 months before your program start date):
* Standard ISA Application
* Official Transcript
* ELAP Profile Form (PDF)
* ELAP Volunteer Expectations
* Resume in Spanish
* ELAP program deposit of USD 200 (deducted from program price)
* Complete the Spanish language interview

* Please note that if you have already applied to a regular ISA program and would like to add an ELAP program you do not need to complete the general ISA application again or submit an additional transcript. We do need a deposit for the ELAP program.

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Credit Available

yes

Volunteer Types

• childcare/children
• orphans
• seniors

Typical Volunteer

Age Range

This Program is open to

American, Canadian, Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel to Argentina

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

ISA (International Studies Abroad)'s Mission Statement

To provide high quality education abroad opportunities to American and Canadian college students at an affordable price. We recognize that we play an important role in the worldwide effort of international educators to increase individuals' awareness of cultures and societies outside of their own national boundaries.

Year Founded

1987