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  Chile

• Vina del Mar: 
Vina del Mar

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: throughout the year

Description: Impoverished families throughout Chile are in great need of improved housing. Many families live in homes constructed with inadequate materials and by people not qualified to build homes. This means the families are exposed to dangerous conditions on a daily basis (unstable structures, lack of clean water, no electricity, no heat, etc.). In a land often shaken by earthquakes like Chile, it is very important for all families to live in soundly constructed homes. Volunteers with this program will help with ongoing home construction projects.

Highlights: All ELI programs are set up on a completely individual basis and tailored to the specific requests and skills of each participant.

The Chile programs are based in Viña del Mar, Chile's garden city. Viña is a dynamic city with some of Chile's nicest beaches, beautiful parks, and a famous music scene.

Viña is a perfect place to be based when exploring all that Chile has to offer including the wine country, skiing during the northern summer, the Andes, The UNESCO Heritage site of Valparaiso, Patagonia, and the rest of Chile.

Participants can choose between the unforgettable cultural immersion experience of living with a Chilean host family or the exciting independence of renting an apartment in one of Chile's most exciting cities.

Qualifications / Skills Needed: Participants should have at least an intermediate level of Spanish proficiency and be ready to work in a 100% Spanish speaking environment.

A background in construction is helpful

Language: Spanish

Cost in US$: Starting at US $995 for four weeks

Cost Includes: Housing, In-country orientation/Training, In-country staff support, Registration fees and Written materials pre-departure

Pre-departure Support: ELI's staff is very knowledgeable and happy to help volunteers to prepare for their travels. Airport Pickup: Volunteers are met at the airport in Santiago and provided with transportation to their host family or apartment In-country Orientation: Each volunteer program starts with a two to three day orientation which covers important topics on the logistics of living and working in Chile. Spanish classes are also provided. In-country Staff Support: ELI's Chile coordinator has years of experience working with visitors to Chile. She is very resourceful and on call 24/7 in case of emergency. Accommodations: Participants can choose between staying with a local host family or in an apartment. Participants staying with a host family are provided with a room and breakfast and dinner each day. By living with a family, participants will learn about the day to day rhythms of Chilean life first hand as well as sample traditional meals not usually available in restaurants. Participants who choose to stay in an apartment have the flexibility of preparing meals at home and the opportunity to sample the many restaurants in Viña. This housing option is perfect for participants needing more independence.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer Projects: building maintenance, building schools, homelessness and housing

Typical Volunteer: There is no typical ELI volunteer. We work with people from all over the world and a variety of backgrounds. ELI has placed volunteers ranging in age from 18-81. Successful volunteers are flexible, upbeat, energetic, and inquisitive.

Age Range: 18 and older

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements: Apartment/Flat and Home-stays

Participants Travel to Chile Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

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

ELI-Experiential Learning International's Mission Statement: ELI's full name, Experiential Learning International, reflects our philosophy. We believe that the most compelling life lessons come through experience, and that international experiences are among the most profound influences on our sense of self and our view of the world. ELI facilitates flexible international learning programs for independent travelers by partnering with local organizations to give participants the opportunity to experience and contribute to sustainable ongoing local projects throughout the world.

Year Founded: 2001