Spain - Education and Development in Valencia

Location

Valencia, located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, is Spain's third largest city behind Madrid and Barcelona. It is a city with deep historic roots and no shortage of sites to see and places to visit. Valencia is known internationally for the Falles (Las Fallas), a local festival held in March, the birthplace of paella, traditional Valencian ceramics, intricate traditional dress, and the architecture of the ultra-modern City of Arts and Sciences designed by Santiago Calatrava and Félix Candela. Participants on this program will live in an apartment in downtown Valencia and will have plenty of opportunities to explore the city and its beautiful surrounding areas.

About the Project

There are two social projects that participants may choose to volunteer with in the city of Valencia, Spain. One program is focused on working closely with children while the other is a community development project where volunteers assist with many different activities in a community center.

Working with children

This social project is designed to assist children from disadvantaged backgrounds by tutoring them and assiting in after-school programs at a community center. These children have many difficulties in school and may not receive as much individual attention as they need from their teachers, parents, or relatives.

Community development

Volunteers get involved in a social integration project at a community center in a suburb of Valencia aimed at the promotion of equal opportunities and local development in disadvantaged communities, generating opportunities in social, cultural and employment fields, and encouraging social integration of immigrants and multiculturalism. 

Volunteer Work and Contribution

Both projects take place at community centers around Valencia. 

Working with children: you will assist primary and high school students with their studies, tutor them on relavant material, teach English, organize cultural activities, and serve as international mentors and role models for the children.

Community Development: you will assist with the education of adults and young adults in fields such as computer and internet use, social awareness, and the English language.

Living Arrangements

Accommodations: accommodations for volunteers are in single rooms within a shared apartment. The apartments host between 3 and 6 volunteers at any given time. 

There is also an option for participants to live with a host-family with half-board (breakfast and dinner). The extra cost is USD130 for the first 2 weeks and USD50 for each extra week. It is possible to upgrade following registration.

Food: not included, however there is an equiped kitchen for the volunteers' use. 

Internet: free Internet access.

Laundry: free access to laundry machine.

Learning Spanish in Valencia

Participants that don't know Spanish or wish to brush up on their language skills have the opportunity to sign-up for the following options in Valencia:

Spanish course before the volunteer project: USD420 per week; Includes 20 lessons and accommodations.

Spanish course during the volunteer project: USD220 per week; includes 20 lessons. Available only during June, July and August.

Private Spanish lessons during the volunteer project: USD50 per hour

*enrollment fee to Spanish School is USD75

It is possible to request these options following registration. Prices are based on the Euro and are subject to change.

Minimum Requirements

• Minimum age is 18
• Good level of English
• Basic level of Spanish is reccomended 
• Minimum 2 week commitment to the project