WorldTeach - Volunteer Teaching in Colombia - (past program)

We worked at Fundacion Pies Descalzos, the school started by Shakira in her home town. The school was just in its 2nd year of existence when we started there, so everything was still new and exciting, but also disorganized and being created on the fly. This included our English as a Second Language program, for which we were provided no curricular materials and little adminstrative support from the school. WorldTeach was great in their support and so was the host organization, Volunteers Colombia. We had some significant problems with our living situation, which compounded the challenges we faced in classrooms of 40 or more students living in poverty each day. However, this was the experience we signed up for and it was extremely rewarding because it was challenging. And living and working in Colombia was a dream fulfilled for me. I loved the country, the people and the opportunity to get to know both.

The application process for WorldTeach is well-organized and moves swiftly from the first contact to program placement. Having the option to choose a destination country and specify the city (and climate!) you prefer makes this program appealing. The training is intense but fun and focused on success for both the volunteer teachers and their future students. Personally, my homestay (family) placement was tragic, but I managed to find a safe option in the same city and WT supported the change. The camaraderie of the volunteers in my Colombia 2014 year was sporadic; it seemed best to be capable of being alone as much as with others. The time allotted is perfect (one year) as it allows for travel, cultural immersion, and building valuable career skills as a result of the experience.

The training and support we received from our in-country coordinators was superb. They really do their best to make you feel comfortable and I made many great friends within my cohort of volunteers. The teaching experience was all over the place, but given the nature of the assignment, that was partly to be expected. The best part was just being able to travel and to immerse myself in a new culture and language.

Overall, it was a good program.

I participated in the WorldTeach Colombia program two years ago, and it was a marvelous experience. If you are looking for professional and personal growth, and are looking for an opportunity in which you get to be independent, but which also offers more support to those who want/need it, this is the organization for you! The 11-month program starts with a 2-week orientation in country, so by the time you finish orientation you feel confident in understanding expectations and have a better understanding of the culture, school system, and you get a crash course in teaching (because most participants do not have prior teaching experience). The program is well organized, with a coordinator in every city with placements and an overall in-country director, whom you meet with regularly. I loved living with a host family - it was the perfect way to be further immersed in Colombian culture. However, I'd recommend having at least a solid level of conversational Spanish before coming to a program like this, because it's necessary in daily life and English is not spoken by the general population. The transition to life in Colombia was rockier for those who arrived with zero Spanish. Unfortunately the Colombia program isn't offered anymore, but this was due to no fault of the program! I have friends who participated in other WorldTeach programs and had similarly great experiences. Also, getting a TEFL certificate through a program like this is totally worth the extra work. It helped me significantly in getting a similar teaching job after the program ended. WorldTeach is a great way to shift careers, or test the waters living in a new country or teaching internationally, if that is what you're interested in. If you just want a change of pace for a year, it's perfect for that, too. But don't think that it won't change you (for the better), because it absolutely will!

WorldTeach Colombia was an amazing experience. From the minute I applied and to this day as a part of the Alumni Community they have been nothing short of incredible. Once I completed my interview and was accepted they provided a ton of literature/guides about what to expect, what to pack and in general program logistics. WorldTeach provides in country support for the entire duration of your placement. We had 2 field staff due to the size of our group (32 volunteers). Our staff were previous volunteers and could relate exactly. They met us at the airport in Bogota' and provided all the transportation to our training site on a little farm outside of the city. They walked us through our Visa process, establishing our Bank Accounts, getting cell phones, our meeting with the Colombian President and with the US Embassy. They also provided 3 weeks of training for Colombia specific schools. Training included everything from developing lesson plans, dealing with co-teachers, classroom behavior issues, and keeping students engaged, to living with a host family, Colombian cultural differences, how to catch a bus and even daily Spanish lessons. For the first 3 weeks, everything was provided by the program. Once we completed trainings they provided transportation to our sites via plane and private busses. The Field Directors were with us while we met our families and when we visited our school sites. I cannot rave enough about our in country support. In our schools we had the freedom and independence to develop lessons and teach our classes. Our field directors were always there if we needed advice, recommendations, to vent or help resolving issues with schools or hosts.

Colombia is a beautiful country with the most hospitable, welcoming and festive people. My students and hosts were great and the culture was so much fun. I loved living with a host family because I really got to see and experience authentic Colombian culture. We lived in safe neighborhoods, but not fancy rich areas. We were able to integrate into the daily lives of our families and schools. We also had many opportunities to travel and see other parts of the country and visit other volunteers in other placements.

I cannot recommend WorldTeach enough. I taught for a few months on my own in Argentina the following year and had to complete all my bank account, Visa paperwork on my own and it was a nightmare. I now understand how hard all the staff at WorldTeach work to provide us with an incredible experience.

My Colombia WT year was a challenge, yet enriching and informative as well. Don't do this program if you want to have fun and relax. Do it to learn to surpass your limits, give everything you have and excel when things don't go as planned. As I came to Colombia with very little Spanish and teaching experience, I spent a grand majority of my time learning the mechanics of Spanish to better understand the mistakes my students would make in English as well as planning detailed and creative lesson plans. Of course, it is hard! Especially because the schools that you will be working with here aren’t organized or well-resourced, but you learn as the year goes by. Plus, WorldTeach staff are incredibly supportive and know the ins and outs of teaching English abroad.
Make sure to have some savings before embarking on your adventure as you really won’t be earning much. The stipend is to keep you afloat.
Also, WT is a great program to do if you are interested in living and teaching abroad, but a bit scared to make the jump alone. You will have a group of teachers in the same boat as you to support you while you immerse yourself in the local culture at the same time (because that is also why you are doing this program, right?). I was able to stay in Colombia after I finished and find teaching jobs because of my experience with WorldTeach.
Good luck!

Having no experience teaching, I chose this program for the challenge, both personally and professionally. I definitely found those challenges. This program is not for someone wanting an easy experience abroad to beef up their resume or delay the working world. Work was a challenge and life in Colombia is not easy. That is why both were so incredibly rewarding for me. The students were a little rebellious and un-focused, but they were the most loving children I could imagine. I taught 2nd, 3rd, and 4th grades full-time (around 300 students/ week). I shed a lot of tears that year, both in frustration and awe. I lived in Bogota. The country as a whole can be frustrating, and crime (mainly petty theft/ pick-pocketing) is a real issue. However, the people are insanely accepting and kind. People will shamelessly stare at you for being different, but strangers will stop and hold your hand to help you get off the bus.

My time in Colombia has been life-changing. WorldTeach helped me set everything up and it's been amazing. I'm learning Spanish and making a difference in youth's lives. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. The fee pays for your airfare, in country support, your housing, a living stipend, and they find you a place to live with a Colombian family and the place you work at.