Easy Languages

Program

Our local partner

Our internship and volunteer work programmes offer you the unique chance of living and working in Peru. Our students directly experience a rich cultural diversity, all while cultivating a superior level of Spanish language ability. Moreover, volunteers on the programme will be able to contribute to Peruvian society and help bridge the gap between overseas visitors and the locals: the Cusquenos.

• Work experience abroad: an advantage for your CV

Having experience working abroad always boosts your CV. Not only that, the majority of interns and volunteers end their programme fluent in Spanish. The combination of this with work in an entirely different cultural context would be greatly appreciated by future employers.

• Living and working in Peru: a challenge?

Our local partner organisation offers very professional support and will be the key to success during your time working in Peru. You will have access to constant support which will guarantee a successful involvement in our programmes.

Beyond the fact that we have the experience of finding volunteer work and internships, we can also help you in terms of your Spanish lessons, your accommodation, cultural activities and excursions, all of which would allow you to relax and make the most of your time in Peru.

• Before leaving

Before setting off, you will receive all the necessary information concerning your internship or job, so you will then be able to ask any question that comes to mind and share any and all of your worries. Our partner in Peru organises monthly information workshops on Peruvian history, working abroad in Peru, cultural differences, and the social hierarchy present in Peruvian society.

Destination

The internships and volunteer programmes generally take place in the town of Cuzco.

It has something for everyone: art, magic, mystery, history, and beauty. For years, Cuzco was considered the "centre of the world" at the heart of the Inca empire. This ancient capital of the great Inca civilization still possesses some remarkable relics from its settlers: the stone foundations of the Inca temples are still visible, and tourists from all over the world are attracted to Cuzco thanks to its proximity to the famous ruins of Machu Picchu and the Inca Trail.

Because of the high altitude, the climate is generally quite fresh during the day and cold at night, which is a perfect excuse to pay a visit to one of the many nearby markets and buy a traditional peruvian jumper! The rich history of the Incas makes Cuzco the perfect place to learn Spanish. What's more, it's made an even more attractive destination by virtue of its proximity to the Sacred Valley, lake Titicaca, the Amazon, and Arequipa.

Volunteer

Our volunteer programmes break down as follows:

• Spanish lessons (4 weeks)

All of our programmes start with four weeks of Spanish lessons in order to keep your Spanish skills up to date, which would then help you in the second part of your trip, when you undertake your volunteer placement. You will have 20 hours of lessons per week, from Monday to Friday. Group classes are limited to a maximum of 6 students.

During these first four weeks, you will have the choice of staying either with a host family or in a student residence.

• Volunteer programme (4 to 15 weeks)

Volunteers work on average 4 to 6 hours a day, Monday to Friday. Volunteer activities take place between 8am and 8pm, depending on the project. Each project tends to take on up to 4 volunteers.

Take part in one of the possible activities out of a range of sectors, including: social work, education, ecology, tourism, culture, restauration. You could be placed in: clinics, hospitals, extra-curricular projects, projects for homeless children, retirement homes, playschools and primary schools.

While the majority of these projects take place within Cuzco itself, some may be outside it. A complete list of work locations can be sent to you upon request.

When you arrive, you will take part in a seminar on Peruvian society and the particular volunteer project in which you are involved. The project's coordinator will then take you the site, or you will have to find it yourself and make your presence known.

You will be invited to take part in Spanish lessons designed exclusively for volunteers, once a week. This would allow you to maintain your Spanish skills in a friendly and informal setting.

You will also be invited to participate in all our student activities and receive any help necessary from staff at the school. All services provided to local students will also be available to volunteers, like the telephone service, a 24 hour emergency number, and access to the cybercafé. Volunteers will be welcome at our free cultural activities, such as cookery, music, and tango lessons, as well as cultural seminars.

During your volunteer programme you will be housed in the school's residence.

• Volunteer Plus programme (for stays of 16 weeks or more)
  

If you have particular skills or qualifications, and would like to have a more specific volunteer role in order to use them, then we recommend enrolled for the extended volunteer placement, which requires an extra time commitment. Field of interest can include medicine, dentistry, hairdressing, gardening, mechanics, electrical work, education, among others.

Pre-requisites
In order to participate in this programme, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old. If you are younger than 18 you must provide permission from a parent or guardian.
• Have a minimum level of Spanish. Volunteers must be able to communicate with the local population.
• Send a CV and cover letter in Spanish
• Indicate your first, second and third choices of project
• Be flexible and able to take initiative.
• Be capable of committing to your selected programme's minimum duration.

Internship

This programme requires a 20 week commitment and breaks down as follows:

• Spanish lessons (4 weeks)

All of our programmes start with four weeks of Spanish lessons in order to keep your Spanish skills up to date, which would then help you in the second part of your trip, when you undertake your internship. You will have 20 hours of lessons per week, from Monday to Friday. Group classes are limited to a maximum of 6 students.

During these first four weeks, you will have the choice of staying either with a host family or in a student residence.

• Internships (minimum 16 weeks)

Currently we offer internships for students and new graduates in different fields such as tourism, gastronomy, medical fields, social and legal work, education, automation, cultural work, arts, handicrafts and sports. Activities vary from working in a hospital to organising events, teaching children, or working in local organisations. Talk to us about your experience and we can look into what we have on offer to match your profile.

During your work placement, you will be housed in a self-catered residence. In addition, you will be invited to take part in our Spanish lessons designed exclusively for interns once a week. This would allow you to maintain your Spanish skills in a friendly and informal setting.

You will also be invited to participate in all our student activities and receive any help necessary from staff at the school. All services provided to local students will also be available to volunteers, like the telephone service, a 24 hour emergency number, and access to the cybercafé. Volunteers will be welcome at our free cultural activities, such as cookery, music, and tango lessons, as well as cultural seminars.

Pre-requisites
In order to participate in this programme, you must:

• Be at least 16 years old. If you are younger than 18 you must provide permission from a parent or guardian.
• Have a minimum level of Spanish.
• Send a CV and cover letter in Spanish.
• Be capable of committing to your selected programme's minimum duration.

Accommodation

For the first stage of the programme, studying Spanish, you have a choice of staying in a student residence (half board) or with a host family (half board), to complete your immersion. While volunteering, accommodation will be in a student residence. Breakfast and lunch are included in both these options. For interns and qualified volunteers, accommodation is in a good quality self-catered apartment.

Host Family

The host family option has been developed particularly for those who wish to make a cultural journey with the aim of not only learning the language, but also learning about Peru through immersion into an Peruvian family. Host families are carefully chosen and monitored through regular inspections and student feedback. Most of them live about 20-30 minutes walking distance from the school. The student will always have his/her own private room and share other facilities with the family. Guest families provide two meals a day. Special diets, such as those for vegetarians and diabetics may be catered for.

Student residence

We offer residential accommodation for those who enjoy more contact with other students from different parts of the world and who love to live within the city centre of Cusco, at one block from the Main Square. One residence is located within the school building at Calle Suecia. There are a total of 14 rooms with shared toilets, a common kitchen/living room and a big, sunny terrace with a view over Cusco. The second residence is right in front of the school building. Here you find a total of 8 rooms, most of them with private toilets, two common areas with a lovely view over the city of Cusco (a hall and a living room), a balcony and a small patio.

Apartment

This option guarantees complete independence with an individual room and a shared bathroom, kitchen, and common room.

All apartments are situated in the centre of town near the school and are monitored. Apartments are self-catered and communal areas are cleaned once a week.

Prices & Dates

Dates 2012

Programmes run throughout the year, starting every Monday.

National Holidays in 2012 in Peru are the following: 01/01, 21/02, 22/02, 5/04, 1/05, 3/06, 24/06, 29/06, 29/07, 30/08, 8/10, 1/11, 8/12, 24/12, 25/15 and 31/12.

There are no lessons on these dates; there is no reimbursement nor replacement class, however generally the school organises an activity on such holidays.

The prices include:

• Four weeks of Spanish lessons
• Accommodation as selected
• Volunteer / Internship orientation, placement and administration
• Enrolment and administration fees
• Airport transfer
• Placement test
• All books and course materials
• Internet access
  

Prices do not include:

• Insurance
• Flights
  

Practical Info

Transport

• Cuzco Airport : Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport
• A free transfer is offered from airport to accommodation

• Lima Airport: Aeropuerto Internacional Jorge Chavez
• If you cannot travel to Cuzco's airport, we offer a transfer and a night in a hotel at Lima (advisable after 15 hours of flying). See price table.

If you prefer, we can book your flights for you. Please make this clear when you enrol.

Visa Information

In the majority of cases, no visa is necessary for stays of less than 90 days.

If you intend to stay for longer than 90 days, please consult your local Peruvian Embassy.