GoAbroad

Psychology & Social Work Placements in Oaxaca, Mexico

$3,700Program Costs
VerifiedProvider
4.0 / 5Overall Rating
1Review
1999Year established

Program Overview

Study relationships, conflict resolution, and a different perspective of human behavior and ways of life by volunteering in Oaxaca, Mexico, through Adelante Abroad.

Psychology and Social Work Volunteers will be based at a mediation center that offers confidential, free conflict-resolution services. Our volunteers will help with general office work and sometimes observe the mediation process. They may also assist by helping conflicting parties with personal issues. It is suggested that interns research the U.S. mediation process before arrival.

Candidates will volunteer approximately 4 hours per day, 5 days a week, at the center. Advanced Spanish speakers are encouraged to apply, as the work will require volunteers to interact with native Spanish speakers in Mexico. Additionally, all Adelante volunteers will have a supervisor, native to Mexico, at their work placements.

Take advantage of this incredible opportunity to build your resume in Mexico. Make a difference, learn about Mexico's rich culture, and improve your Spanish. Boost your career by building essential skills while volunteering in Oaxaca with Adelante. Submit a $325 application deposit to secure your spot!

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Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.

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Program Highlights

Apply with flexible start dates, as Mexico programs begin the first Monday of every month with lengths ranging from 1 to 6 months.
Sharpen your Spanish with two weeks of language classes included in the program before your internship begins.
Know that you are in good hands with our English-speaking Director Abroad, who is available 24/7.
Stay in a shared apartment with other Adelante candidates or live with a local to get the full experience of living abroad; you will have your own private bedroom, of course.
Take advantage of your adventure abroad with some excursions, available the first two weeks abroad.

What's Included

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Some Program Activity Costs
Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
In-Country Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientation
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Language Lessons
Cultural Training / Program / Orientation
Wifi Costs
Letter of Recommendation
Academic Credit
Internship Placement
Emergency Support

Exclusions

Domestic Airfare
International Airfare
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
In-Country Transportation To & From Project
Public Transportation Pass
Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Oaxaca, Mexico

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round

Eligible Nationalities

  • Albanian
  • American
  • Andorran
  • Angolan
  • Antarctica
  • Antiguan & Barbudan
  • Argentinian
  • Armenian
  • Aruban
  • Asian
  • Australian
  • Austrian
  • Azerbaijani
  • Bahamian
  • Bahraini
  • Bangladeshi
  • Barbadian
  • Basotho
  • Belarusian
  • Belgian
  • Belizean
  • Beninese
  • Bermudian
  • Bhutanese
  • Bissau-Guinean
  • Bolivian
  • Bonaire
  • Bosnian
  • Botswana
  • Brazilian
  • British
  • British Virgin Islander
  • Bruneian
  • Bulgarian
  • Burkinabe
  • Cambodian
  • Canadian
  • Cape Verdean
  • Caymanian
  • Central African
  • Chadian
  • Channel Islander
  • Chilean
  • Chinese
  • Colombian
  • Comoran
  • Congolese
  • Cook Islander
  • Costa Rican
  • Creole
  • Croatian
  • Cuban
  • Curacao
  • Cypriot
  • Czech
  • Danish
  • Djibouti
  • Dominican
  • Dutch
  • Ecuadorian
  • Egyptian
  • Emirati
  • English
  • Equatorial Guinean
  • Eritrean
  • Estonian
  • European
  • Fijian
  • Filipino
  • Finnish
  • French
  • Gabonese
  • German
  • Gibraltarian
  • Greek
  • Greenlandic
  • Grenadian
  • Guadeloupian
  • Guatemalan
  • Guinean
  • Guyanese
  • Hawaiian
  • Honduran
  • Hungarian
  • I-Kiribati
  • Icelandic
  • Indian
  • Indonesian
  • Irish
  • Israeli
  • Italian
  • Ivorian
  • Jamaican
  • Japanese
  • Jordanian
  • Kazakhstani
  • Kittitian, Nevisian
  • Kiwi
  • Korean
  • Kuwaiti
  • Kyrgyzstani
  • Lao or Laotian
  • Latvian
  • Lebanese
  • Liechtenstein
  • Lithuanian
  • Luxembourg
  • Macedonian
  • Malagasy
  • Malaysian
  • Maldivian
  • Malian
  • Maltese
  • Manx
  • Marshallese
  • Martiniquais
  • Mauritanian
  • Mauritian
  • Mexican
  • Micronesian
  • Moldovan
  • Monegasque
  • Mongolian
  • Montenegrin
  • Montserratian
  • multi
  • Myanmar
  • Nauruan
  • Nepalese
  • New Caledonian
  • Ni-Vanuatu
  • Nicaraguan
  • Niuean
  • Norwegian
  • Omani
  • Palauan
  • Palestinian
  • Panamanian
  • Papua New Guinean
  • Paraguayan
  • Peruvian
  • Polish
  • Polynesian
  • Portuguese
  • Puerto Rican
  • Qatari
  • Reunionese
  • Romanian
  • Russian
  • Saban
  • Sahrawian, Sahraouian
  • Saint Helenian
  • Saint Lucian
  • Saint Vincentian or Vincentian
  • Salvadoran
  • Sammarinese
  • Samoan
  • Sao Tomean
  • Saudi Arabian
  • Scottish
  • Senegalese
  • Serbian
  • Serbian; Montenegrin
  • Seychelles
  • Sierra Leonean
  • Singaporean
  • Slovak
  • Slovenian
  • Solomon Islander
  • South African
  • South Sudanese
  • Spanish
  • Sri Lankan
  • St. Barts
  • Statian
  • Sudanese
  • Surinamese
  • Swazi
  • Swedish
  • Swiss
  • Syrian
  • Tahiti
  • Taiwanese
  • Tajikistani
  • Tanzanian
  • Thai
  • The Vatican
  • Tibet
  • Timorese
  • Togolese
  • Tongan
  • Trinidadian, Tobagonian
  • Tunisian
  • Turkish
  • Turkmen
  • Turks and Caicos
  • Tuvaluan
  • Ukrainian
  • Uruguayan
  • Venezuelan
  • Vietnamese
  • Virgin Islander
  • Welsh
  • Yemeni
  • Georgian
  • Libyan
  • This Program is also open to Solo, Group

Education Levels & Language

  • Language
  • Spanish
  • Education
  • University Freshman (1st Year)
  • University Sophomore (2nd Year)
  • University Junior (3rd Year)
  • University Senior (4th Year)
  • University 5th Year or More
  • High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (for example: GED)
  • Some college credit, no degree
  • Trade/technical/vocational training
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Master’s degree
  • Professional degree
  • Doctorate degree

Accommodation Options

  • Apartment/Flat
  • Group living
  • Home-stays

Application Procedures

  • Phone/Video Interview
  • Resume
  • Letters of Reference
  • Online Application

Age Requirement

18-30

Duration

  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 3-6 Months
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • Summer
  • Winter
  • Short Term
  • Spring
  • 1-3 Months
  • Fall

Starts At

  • 2 Months: $3,700

Payment Terms

  • Upfront Deposit

Refund Policy

Refund with conditions

View Refund Policy

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Adelante Abroad

4.0
1 review

Rating breakdown

5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Program Administration
5.0
Living Situation
5.0
Community Engagement
5.0
Health & Safety
5.0
Volunteer Placement
4.0
Day to Day Life
4.0

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1 of 1 review

Jacob GerberUnited States · March 2022

Good experience in Psychology

I entered this program to learn about what being a psychologist is like. Understandably, this is a difficult task, due to the confidential nature of the work. Despite this, through Adelante, I was able to spend time with two psychologists in Oaxaca learning from them, shadowing their sessions, and even conducting my own therapy sessions. I would recommend adelante as they work diligently to ensure you have a positive and impactful experience. I did not feel I had a major impact doing the work, but this was less due to Adelante and more due to the nature of the work. If you are like me and are thinking of pursuing a career related to counseling, I would recommend this program. I know I would not have been able to have this experience in the US. If you have any further questions about my experience, feel free to reach out at [email protected]. A more in depth review of my experience with Adelante can be found here: https://www.goabroad.com/providers/adelante-abroad/programs/internships-oaxaca-mexico-169229.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about Adelante Abroad.

What will I be doing during a psychology or social work placement?

As a volunteer in our psychology and social work program, you may assist in local community centers, shelters, or non-profits. Tasks may include supporting case workers, shadowing psychologists, helping lead workshops, or participating in outreach efforts focused on mental health and social development. These placements allow students to observe real-world applications of social services while working directly with underserved populations.

Is Spanish required for this program?

While fluency isn’t required, at least a B1 low-intermediate level of Spanish is required for our social work and psychology volunteer placements in Mexico. Daily interactions will often involve Spanish-speaking clients and staff, and being able to communicate helps you engage more meaningfully with the community.

Is the volunteer program in Mexico paid?

This is an unpaid volunteer placement focused on learning and community impact. Participants gain hands-on exposure working with local communities and professionals in the field, which is ideal for those preparing for graduate school or a future career in mental health or social services.

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

2025 Finalist - People’s Choice
GoAbroad Innovation Awards 2024 Finalist - People’s Choice

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