Colombia
Colombia es pasion! Many of those who have never been to Colombia associate it with drugs, violence, guerrilla fighters, and paramilitaries. Fortunately, it only takes a few glances upon the warm, smiling faces of Colombia’s 44,000,000 citizens to understand the pride felt for how different life is in Colombia today. Following nearly forty years of insecurity, Colombia has emerged in the last decade into a leading Latin America country, equipped with a rapidly developing economy, modern cosmopolitan cities, gorgeous Caribbean beaches, the luscious Amazon rainforest, quaint and charming colonial villages, buzzing night-life, and much more. The only risk is wanting to stay!
Location in Colombia:
Medellin, Colombia. Known as the "City of Eternal Spring," Medellin is located in the northern Andes of South America..
Accommodation:
Homestay with local family, two meals per weekday
Duration & Price:
Minimum of two weeks starting at 1050 USD. See Colombia fees.
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Journalism |
Our partner, Colombia Reports (CR), is South America’s largest online English-language newspaper. Headquartered in Medellin, the CR team is dynamic and growing, continually striving to bring clear, transparent news to readers.CR produces original news material. They also fact-check news written in Spanish, translating it for an English-speaking audience. In doing so, CR delivers unbiased news that is free from association with political or business interest groups.
In this fast paced environment, interns work alongside resident journalists to deliver transparent Colombian news to global readers. Interns will be engaged as full-on members of the newsroom. During the first two weeks, our interns receive intensive training on how to write articles and the best techniques for the writing that CR does. All interns receive excellent supervision from our website editor.
Positions Available for this Project
Copy Editor & Integrity OfficerIn this position, the intern will have the final responsibility of checking articles for accuracy, and ensuring perfect grammar, spelling, and punctuation of articles published.
Position Type:
Intern
Duration:
3 months +
When:
Year round
Language:
Excellent English, basic Spanish
Who:
Everyone. This is a particularly good position for someone focused on imporving their Spanish language skills.
Description of Activities:
- Optimize publications by checking for accuracy and verifying facts
- Rigorously check for grammar, punctuation & spelling
- Write captivating headlines
- Please note: Experience in writing or publishing is a plus
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
-
Submit resume to admin@thehumanityexchange.org
- Successfully complete interview
Newspaper Content Contributor
This is an excellent position for a journalism student or early career professional. The intern will review articles written in Spanish, check for accuracy, and translate into English. The intern will gain an increasing level of responsibility, and write and research articles about the news that matters most to our readers.
Position Type:
Intern
Duration:
3 months +
When:
Year round
Language:
Intermediate Spanish, Excellent English
Who:
Everyone. Experience in writing or publishing is an asset
Description of Activities
- Produce news through translation and research
- Conduct on-the-ground interviews
- Write engaging stories for our readers
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
-
Submit resume to admin@thehumanityexchange.org
- Successfully complete interview
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Economy & Environment |
We have two partners working in the domain of Economy and Environment, The Alliance for Responsible Mining (ARM) and AMICHOCO. All positions listed in this section are either with ARM or AMICHOCO.
ARM is an independent global initiative. Established in 2004, it is pioneering enhanced equity and wellbeing for communities engaged in artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) through improved social, environmental, and labour standards, good governance, and the implementation of ecosystem restoration practices. ARM is driving the transformation of ASM and is committed to values of justice and environmental sustainability.
Based in Medellin, our partner AMIHCOCO is devoted to the sustainable use of natural resources and the life quality enhancement of the people of the Bio-geographic Choco region. The Choco Bioregion is a world reservoir of biodiversity which runs from Panama to Ecuador, and from the Pacific Ocean to the Andean mountain range. Our partner, AMICHOCO, has a two-fold mission which is: to communicate the natural wealth of this bio-diverse hotspot, and to create awareness about increased poverty levels and marginalization of its inhabitants. For over ten years, our partner has been working in 3 main areas which include:
•Fair and Green markets
•Communication and environmental education
•Capacity Building
Positions Available for this Project
Fair Trade Gold & Metals InternAMICHOCO produces gold and platinum, both raw and refined, which is extracted under the strictest socially and environmentally responsible rules. Profits generated are invested into development initiatives in local mining communities. Metals are sold under the Oro Verde brand.
Position Type:
Intern
Duration:
2 months +
When:
Year round
Language:
English or Spanish
Who:
Students or professionals with a background in marketing
Description of Activities:
- Conduct market research
- Develop marketing campaign in consultation with local staff
- Identify new clients for the Oro Verde metals
- Assist Commercial Executive in the commercialization of AMICHOCO’s service portfolio
- Assist Commercial Executive in developing Oro Verdes marketing strategy
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
-
Submit resume to admin@thehumanityexchange.org
- Successfully complete interview
Organization & Index Intern
This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about fair trade metals and responsible and sustainable mining communities. The intern will be working n the Institutional Communications area, assisting with information and knowledge management.
Position Type:
Intern
Duration:
3 months +
When:
Year round
Language:
Intermediate English, at least basic Spanish or a willingness to learn
Who:
Everyone. Social Sciences, administration, or communications background is considered an asset
Description of Activities:
- Compile and organize digital archives: documents, magazines, photos etc.
- Index digital archives and organize by topic
To Apply:
- Complete online application
- Submit resume to admin@thehumanityexchange.org
- Successfully complete interview
Evaluation Officer
It is incredibly important that all programs are monitored and evaluated. Therefore, the evaluation officer will be responsible for ensuring that the main programs are evaluated for economic, environmental, and social impact.
Position Type:
Intern
Duration:
2 months +
When:
Year round
Language:
English or Spanish
Who:
Everyone.
Description of Activities
- Conduct needs assessment with local staff
- Develop a sound and comprehensive evaluation tool (data collection method)
- Implement evaluation tool as pilot project
- Revise evaluation tool to ensure it gathers all information sought
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
-
Submit resume to admin@thehumanityexchange.org
- Successfully complete interview
Spanish-English Translator
AMICHOCO works in both English and Spanish. Much of the work done on-the-ground and with locals of the Choco bioregion is in Spanish, yet many funders require reports in English. Therefore, a translator is needed to translate documents, primarily annual reports, from English to Spanish. This position requires an excellent level of English, and a basic to intermediate Spanish. This position is ideal if your goal is to improve your Spanish skills. The very nature of this position will allow you to progress rapidly.
Position Type:
Intern or Volunteer
Duration:
1 month +
When:
Year round
Language:
Excellent English, at least basic Spanish
Who:
Everyone.
Description of Activities
- Translate documents from Spanish to English
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
-
Submit resume to admin@thehumanityexchange.org
- Successfully complete interview
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HIV/AIDS Orphanage Work |
Our partner, Positivos por la Vida, also known simply as Positivos, is a leading organization providing care to children and their families living with HIV & AIDS in Colombia. It was started in 1992 when individuals living with HIV/AIDS realized there was a gap in services in Medellin. Sadly, many founding members have passed away. But Positivos remains strong, restoring fundamental human rights to children affected by HIV & AIDS through their social and humanistic strategy.
Positivos runs a program called Dulce Corazon. Started in 2006, it provides permanent housing to 20 children from ages 0-18. The children are living with HIV/AIDS, have lost one or both parents, and may have been exposed to family violence, drug abuse, poverty, prostitution, and displacement. It is through this program that the basic human rights of children are restored, and children learn to maximize their life potential by taking a positive response to their diagnosis of HIV or AIDS.
Positions Available for this Project
International Cooperation InternThis is an excellent opportunity to get involved with a leading provider of care in Colombia for children and families living with HIV/AIDS. Individuals are always needed to help build capacity so that our partner's reach can be extended. This role can be filled by either a volunteer or intern; exact tasks will be determined upon the background of the individual. In this position the volunteer or intern will be engaged in both childcare and administration, with a focus on the latter.
Position Type:
Intern
Duration:
2 months +
When:
Year round
Language:
Intermediate Spanish, or basic with a willingness to learn more
Who:
Everyone
Description of Activities:
Childcare:
- Dress and feed children
- Tutor children in various academic subjects
- Assist staff in the nursery school
- Mentor children
- Run extracurricular programs for children
Administration
- Update Website
- Write and submit grant proposals
- Network and solidify and/or strengthen partnerships with international funders
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
- Successfully complete interview
Education & Child Development Assistant for Children Living with HIV/AIDS
It is heartbreaking to know children are living with HIV, but as a volunteer you can help to provide a brighter future. Centro Infantil Dulce Corazón is a childcare facility for children aged 2-4 in an extremely poor neighbourhood in Medellín. Families struggle to meet basic needs, and there is an emergent need for volunteers to assist with childcare. Children are infected with HIV, have lost parents to AIDS, or have parents who are too unwell to care for them. In this position individuals have the opportunity to learn about child and family poverty, and the socio-economic determinants of health, through working with the children.
Position Type:
Volunteer
Duration:
1 month +
When:
Year round
Language:
Intermediate Spanish, or basic with a willingness to learn more
Who:
Everyone
Description of Activities:
- Dress and feed children
- Assist staff in the nursery school
- Run extracurricular programs for children
To Apply:
-
Complete online application
The Need
In Colombia, we work in Medellin, a city of 2.5 million. Medellin, the City of Eternal Spring as it is affectionately known, rests in a narrow valley. With the railroad, the boom of the coffee industry, and profits made by mining investors, Medellin grew into a major metropolis over the twentieth century. Medellin has had a colourful history. Despite a past disrupted by violence, today it is one of the safest cities in all of South America. In Colombia our partners focus on public health, childcare, youth empowerment, environment, micro-enterprise development, community development and education. In Medellin, you can also learn Spanish or complete a placement with a Tailored focus.
Despite Colombia's newfound levels of peace and prosperity, Colombia still bears many scars from the past. Nearly 10% of Colombia’s population has been displaced due to the many years of armed conflict, making it the country with the second highest level of internal displacement in the world. In addition to displacement, one in every three Colombians has in some way been negatively affected by the armed conflict. Colombia also suffers from great wealth disparity, leaving much of the country in poverty. In fact, one fifth of the population lives on less than two dollars per day, and nearly half of the Colombian work force derives income from the small scale informal economy, working as street vendors and garbage recyclers.
History
In 1500, the first Europeans set foot on what is present day Colombia. Settlements grew, and in the later half of the sixteenth century, the inhabitants began to diversify; Indigenous communities and Spanish settlers were joined by African slaves in Cartagena. Today, telltale landmarks in Cartagena give testimony to this diverse cultural landscape. Colombia declared independence in 1819. Instability, lost territory, and civil wars riddled Colombia for much of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Present day Colombia is considerably safer than it was during its shaky past. Its cities are exceptionally vibrant, and Colombians are happy to be welcoming more foreigners than ever before.
Things to See and Do
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Bogota - A vibrant and bustling capital city, the urban center of Colombia, home to over 8 million
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Medellin- “The City of Eternal Spring” that has a consistent spring-like climate year-round. It is Colombia’s second largest city and capital of the state of Antioquia, home to over 2 million Paisas. Situated in a picturesque valley hugged on all sides by beautiful green mountains, it has a booming nightlife and cultural scenes.
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Colonial Villages – The villages are home to warm friendly people, and are where you can experience traditional Colombian lifestyles
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Cartagena- Described as South America's most beautiful colonial city
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Taganga and Santa Marta-Snorkel, tour islands, visit beaches, fish, and hike in the national park
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La Ciudad Perdida- A breathtaking five day jungle trek to the mystic ruins of a lost civilization
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The Coffee Zone - Trek through this amazing region and see where Colombia produces its world-renowned coffee
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The Amazon – Go on a rainforest excursion, do some river rafting, and visit indigenous communities
Program Fees for Colombia
|
2 Weeks |
1 Month |
2 Months |
3 Months |
4 Months |
5 Months |
6 Months |
Volunteer |
1050 |
1200 |
1600 |
2000 |
2400 |
2800 |
3200 |
Intern |
1150 |
1300 |
1700 |
2100 |
2500 |
2900 |
3300 |
Volunteer/Intern while learning Spanish |
1250 |
1600 |
2350 |
3100 |
3850 |
4600 |
5400 |
Volunteer & complete intensive Spanish during first 2 weeks of placement |
1680 |
1830 |
2230 |
2630 |
3030 |
3430 |
3830 |
Intern & complete intensive Spanish during first 2 weeks of placement |
1780 |
1930 |
2330 |
2730 |
3130 |
3530 |
3930 |
Just learn Spanish |
1250 |
1600 |
2350 |
3100 |
3850 |
4600 |
5400 |
Note:
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Unlike other countries where we work, standard Spanish during placement in Colombia consists of two hours, five times per week (rather than three times per week) and is taught in a group setting.
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Intensive Spanish is three hours, five times per week, for two weeks.
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Virtual Option: Learn Spanish through 30 hours of lessons with live tutor, before placement, from anywhere in the world for 420USD.
