Description

Experiential Learning Abroad Programs (ELAP) facilitates hands-on learning through community involvement in the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica, Chile, Peru, Argentina, England and Spain. Volunteering opportunities and internships enable participants to address the needs of a community abroad, while applying the lessons from the experience to their own personal growth. Experiential learning has been shown to improve life skills and professional development, while adding enjoyment to the abroad experience and compassion to a participant's perspective on the world. Personal initiative and self-motivation are key characteristics of a successful volunteer or intern, as well as flexibility, an open mind and the desire to participate and learn. The program is designed to result in a greater sense of social responsibility and inspiration for continued involvement in a participant's home community upon his or her return.

Participation in volunteer or internship opportunities abroad is an excellent way to immerse oneself in another country's way of life. Experiential learning adds another dimension to the experience abroad through daily exposure and interactions, resulting in a greater understanding of the language, culture and community of the host country.

Participants will benefit from a strong support structure offering encouragement and assistance during the program. ELAP on-site coordinators work in collaboration with the host organizations in their site to facilitate the participant's experience, including the coordination of on-site orientations, reflection exercises and weekly or bi-weekly meetings. At ELAP, we emphasize the value of commitment and we believe that each participant will reap countless benefits throughout the program.

Highlights

Placements available:
* Public clinic
* Public school
* After-school program
* Children's rehabilitation center
* Nursery school
* Center for malnourished infants
* Community health center

ELAP Overview

ELAP may be incorporated into a study abroad program with ISA or pursued independent of the study abroad component. All ELAP programs include room and board (equal to ISA program), medical insurance, pre-departure information, support of the ISA resident staff, support of the ELAP on-site coordinator, volunteer or internship placement, on-site orientation, airport reception and transfers, cultural activities, Spanish instruction and tutorial assistance with the Spanish language (for ELAP stand-alone programs of 6 to 16 weeks in length), and a certificate of volunteer hours completed. Additionally, a donation is made to the organization when you complete your volunteer program. Depending on each U.S. institutions policy, students may earn internship credit for their ELAP experience. We provide support throughout this process.

Excursions: ELAP programs may have excursions included if they are also participating in an ISA year, semester or summer study abroad program. ELAP as a stand-alone program will not include an excursion, but excursions may be added at an additional cost.

Possible excursions during the Chile program are: Santiago, Horcon/Zapallar, National Stadium, Isla Negra, and Valle Nevado. A city tour of Valparaiso/Vina del Mar is included with all programs, as are cultural activities within Valparaiso and Vina.

How to participate in ELAP:
Students may participate in ELAP as an Add-on program before or after an ISA Summer program. Please see the Add-on program prices listed below.

Students may participate in ELAP as a stand-alone program from 2 to 16 weeks in duration. Students who participate in ELAP for a minimum of 6 weeks will receive Spanish language tutoring during the first week of the program.

Qualifications

Ideal participants are 20 years of age or older, have at least 2 years of college education and a minimum 2.5 GPA. Contact an ELAP Coordinator if you do not meet these requirements to discuss your options.

Advanced Spanish proficiency is required for all placements. You are required to have completed 4 semesters of college-level Spanish or some equivalent.

A phone interview in Spanish is required of all participants as part of the application process to confirm your Spanish language level.

Intern Types

• Education
• Social Work
• Health Sciences
• Medicine

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

see prices below

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Medical insurance
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

ELAP program start dates in 2011: Jan 1, Jan 30, Feb 23, May 18, June 22, and Late July (TBD)

For participation in ELAP as a stand-alone program:
2-week: 1400 USD
3-week: 1800 USD
4-week: 2200 USD
6-week: 2800 USD
8-week: 3050 USD
10-week: 3300 USD
12-week: 3550 USD
16-week: 4000 USD

For participation in ELAP added before or after an ISA academic program (in the same site):
2-week Add-on: 900 USD
3-week Add-on: 1100 USD
4-week Add-on: 1300 USD
6-week Add-on: 1500 USD
8-week Add-on: 1800 USD
*Note: You will also pay the ISA academic program price in addition to your ELAP program.

To participate in an ELAP program during an ISA Chile semester program: 400 USD
*Note: You will also pay the ISA academic semester program price in addition to your ELAP program.

The ELAP program price includes room and board (equal to ISA program), medical insurance, pre-departure information, support of the ISA resident staff, ELAP On-site Coordinator, volunteer or internship placement, on-site orientation, airport reception and transfers, cultural activities, Spanish instruction and tutorial assistance with the Spanish language, and a certificate of hours completed. Additionally, a donation is made to the organization when you complete your volunteer work. Depending on each U.S. institutions policy, students may earn internship credit for their ELAP program. We provide support throughout this process.

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Has the following characteristics: Personal initiative/Self-motivation, Patience with others, Patience with yourself, Reliability, Flexibility/Open-mindedness, Comfortable with minimum supervision, and Desire to participate and learn.

Age Range

University Students primarily. Ideal participants are at least 20 years old.

This Program is open to

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

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application
• Phone/Video Interview

Typically The Application Process Time is

1 week

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Alumni Network

ELAP - Experiential Learning Abroad Programs's Mission Statement

To provide enriching volunteer and internship opportunities to participants. To enhance each participant's understanding of community and social responsibility within our global society.

Year Founded

2002