Integrated Learning Experiences logo

Integrated Learning Experiences- INLEX

About

Integrated Learning Experiences offers volunteer programs , group volunteering and internships in Guatemala, Costa Rica, Peru and Argentina. Our programs are customized to the participants to create great cultural experiences.

Reviews

Default avatar
Pete
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Guatemala Sustainable Farming

My program went very well in Guatemala. I learned a whole lot about the technical aspects of cultivation in greenhouses, and helped (I think) by adding a pair of work hands, and all in all got a very deep and well-rounded experience. The cultural and language immersion of living in the Western Highlands of Guatemala was thorough and invigorating. I'm glad I chose to do this for the length of time I did (12 weeks), because I found myself integrating more an more into the work-site and people and life as time went by. Thanks very much for facilitating this and making it possible!

Pros
  • Deep cultural experience
  • Language immersion
  • Tecnical training
Default avatar
Jennifer
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Delightful Experience

The support from INLEX was personal and reliable. It was so nice to stay with a local family the first night and have an informative ride to my program placement. I had many new and interesting experiences at Hawaii. The local staff were wonderful and the food was delicious. I met some friendly and helpful volunteers who made my stay even better.
Some unexpected changes occurred when I left the program to head back toward the airport and my Coordinator, Alex, changed arrangements and supported me the whole way through. As a solo traveler with minimal ability to speak Spanish, I felt secure with his assistance. I would recommend their services.

Pros
  • Lovely being by the beach
  • Great food
  • Seeing turtles hatch
Cons
  • One small hut for voluteers
  • Need to be a self starter
  • Program facility somewhat run down
Default avatar
Sarah
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Childcare in Cusco, Peru

I had a wonderful time in Cusco, Peru, helping in a Kindergarten in the mornings and an After School Project in the afternoons. I played with the kids, helped with the Organisation of the daily work and helped the teacher with everything. I learned so much about the culture, met so wonderful people and was very well received by everyone. So I was able to give a lot to the kids, even without speaking a lot Spanish. Thanks for this amazing time. I really enjoyed being part of the daily life. Living with my host family was also a great experience.

Pros
  • Social Impact to the kids and families
  • Learn about peruvian culture and way of living
  • You get so much back from the kids
Cons
  • Not a real contra: your impact is more emotional, so you don’t really know how the impact works, but I think you see it in the smiles of the child’s :)
Default avatar
fabio
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great expierience to Guatemala

I spent one month in Guatemala. As Physical thererapist i worked in a physio clinic in Tecpàn, chimaltenango district.
I can say that my expierience was incredibly great. The Family i live with was so human, kind and available.
The people in the clinic put me in comfort zone as we knew each other from many years.
The organization, inlexca, always supported me and always was present when i needed.
I have a guatemaltecan heart piece right now.
Thanks to all people i knew there, all in my mind, forever.
Por siempre agradecido.
Fabio.

Default avatar
Helen
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Árbol de Esperanza

I’m really glad I chose this program because I had a lot of freedom when it came to deciding in what way I want to support the program. Mariam, the Development and Communications Coordinator, supported me with anything I needed.
But since I “made up” my functions and duties in the project it made me feel like I wasn’t needed at all - which of course is good, because the project is important and should never depend on the help of the volunteer, but I was surprised by that.
If you are enthusiastic and have your own ideas this is a great opportunity to learn a lot about the culture though: since I worked in a program that helped women I learnt a lot about the problems and controversies in the country.
Apart from that, even making a very small impact makes me feel good, because it’s a non-profit organization which makes the lives of a lot of women so much better by helping them become more independent and self confident.

Programs

Displaying 1 - 7 of 7

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Why did you choose this program?

I chose this program because I wanted to go somewhere that I could practice my Spanish, but also get hands-on experience. I also wanted to go somewhere that I had never been before. This program would give me the opportunity to get exposed to real-life experiences in the medical field. It would also help fulfill my graduation requirement at my school.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

The program arranged my placement at the clinic I was working at. They also arranged my host family, two meals each day, and transportation from the airport. My program coordinator would check in on me and take me out to visit the city. The only things I had to organize on my own were flights, transportation to the airport, and any tourist activites I wanted to do.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

I wish I had spent some more time being preparing emotionally. The culture shock was very real for me, and was something that I had not put a lot of thought into. My biggest piece of advice though would be to not be afraid to travel alone! At first I was very scared, and I wish I had spent more time in the beginning thinking about the fun I was having.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

My day would start off by opening the triage room, greeting patients, and preparing the examination room. The doctor would then come in and we'd start calling in patients. On an average day we'd see anywhere from 20-30 patients. The days consisted of shadowing doctors and helping them with their examinations. In between patients, I would have the opportunity to ask the doctor questions about the particular case or the healthcare in Peru. I assisted with translation for the doctors, and had the opportunity to help in surgeries as well.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

I think the most challenging part by far was how difficult it is on your mental health to be seeing sick patients every day. Sometimes you have to deliver bad news and it's emotionally taxing. Luckily, the doctors were always there to give me advice or talk to me about how they get through the days. It was great to speak with people who understood and had gone through the same emotional rollercoaster.

What was the best piece of advice that was given to you?

The doctors gave me some great pieces of advice as I continue my educational career: the key to being a successful doctor is the ability to empathize with your patients; treat each one as if they're your mother, father, sibling, or child.

Our job is to bring peace of mind to patients, peace of mind to live happy, healthy lives.

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Alex Perez

Job Title
Volunteer Coordinator
Thumbnail

What is your favorite travel memory?

I once traveled to Costa Rica without much money, and thought because of this, it would be a limited experience. While there, I met many wonderful people, visited beautiful places, and ate well.

From this, I realized that it is important to travel with a positive attitude and open mind, and take every day as it comes.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

I am happy to be able to meet many people through what I do. It's incredible to think of all of the things that you can learn when you are exposed to so many different people, and I thoroughly enjoy putting participants in touch with others in my country.

I believe that when knowledge and culture are shared, we are helping people to understand and share more than just information.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

A participant named Britt was assigned to work in a women's empowerment project. During her time there, she met a family (mother and four children) who were living in very poor conditions without a home of their own.

Britt decided to begin fundraising amongst local companies, other families, and even her own family in New York. Through this, she was able to build a nice home for this struggling family.

If you could go on any program that your company offers, which one would you choose and why?

I would choose an environmental program because I like nature and believe it is an important cause to support.

These type of projects demand a lot of initiative, and require participants to be proactive and creative, and I think this experience would be a good measure of my personal strengths and weaknesses.

What makes your company unique? When were you especially proud of your team?

We are a respectful team and responsible with our clients, and offer personalized and unique experiences. Our atmosphere in the office as well as in our host locations align well with the reality of each country.

We're happy to hear when our participants learn important lessons from their time spent abroad with us.