WorldTeach - Volunteer Teaching in Colombia - (past program)

The TEFL orientation was extremely well done. It was held in Bogota, where I suffered from sever altitude sickness. I would highly recommend that volunteers arrive a couple of days early to rest and get ready for an intensive study program. The recruiter that I had in Boston was very helpful to me. This person had originally accepted me for the year in Tanzania, and let me change to Colombia when I learned about bucket showers!
Somehow, I missed the part about doing the full training and orientation. I wanted the orientation, but was already certified in TESL. I was not happy at first that I had to do it 'again', but am very glad that I did! It had a completely different orientation than my first TESL program.
The study program throughout the year was amazing for me. It was a truly supportive continuing education program.
I had been assured that not speaking Spanish would be no problem for me when I signed up. So, I went speaking no Spanish, and this created many difficulties and misunderstandings for me. Added to a new work culture, this was a very painful time for me. I learned Spanish in a hurry, as it was for survival! I think that no Spanish would be fine if you are posted in a touristy spot, as some locals would have some basic English.
I reminded myself repeatedly that I was living in Latin America, which I have done a lot in my life. The disorganization at school at first drove me crazy! I had to reach deep into myself to organize things away from the happy chaos of the school. I ended the year feeling on top of everything, but have taken a lot away from this very loving culture. I loved my students, once I could talk with them, and know more about their lives. It was very hard to say good-bye.
I will also share that I turned 60 over this year. I was the only older person in a group of 20 year-olds. It could have been very hard, but I never once felt excluded or discriminated against by my fellow volunteers. I am truly impressed by this.
I will end by reminding people about the rule: peel it, cook it, or don't eat it. I got very sick from the food at my home stay. I am well now.

I chose WorldTeach because I wanted the opportunity to volunteer in a Spanish-speaking country. There are a lot of options out there for teaching English anywhere in the world, but I chose WorldTeach because of their commitment to creating sustainable education programs for low-income students who have the most to gain from learning English. WorldTeach also has an excellent in-country support system as well as top notch professionals overseeing the program from Boston.

I chose WorldTeach's program in Colombia because Colombia is at a critical and fascinating point in their history right now: they are rebuilding themselves after years of guerrilla warfare and drug trafficking violence. Despite their recent past, Colombians are very friendly and optimistic, and so eager to change their country's image. Colombia has a little of everything, from cool bustling cities to pristine tropical beaches to the Amazon rainforest and beautiful Andes mountains.

Teaching with WorldTeach Colombia was a great experience. I was one of 43 volunteers who did it during the 2013 calendar year (they now have July departures as well as January). 20 of us are remaining in Colombia the following year which shows how much people enjoyed the experience.

Each placement brings a totally unique and different challenge--some teachers worked with pre-K students in a disorganized public school, others taught in a hard-working university setting. You're kind of agreeing to roll the dice because there's no guarantee you'll be placed in the exact teaching situation or city you want to. But generally WT places volunteers in good spots (most placements were in Baranquilla, Bogota, Medellin, Pereira/Manizales and Isla de Baru).

The best reasons for choosing WT over a different opportunity or program in Colombia, in no order, are: 1. You're connected to a very reputable org. which provides good professional development throughout the program and strong recommendations after it. 2. The three-week intensive orientation gives lots of useful teaching ideas and you actually get to practice teaching a week in a bogota school. 3. You'll be connected to a great group of volunteers in addition to the colombian people you'll meet. 4. WT staff was extremely professional and timely with answering volunteers' questions, helping volunteers fundraise for the program, and organizing the three service conferences. 5. The placements in some public/rural schools may be very difficult in terms of student discipline, etc. but are extremely great opportunities for kids who would never have the chance to learn from a native speaker without this program, and were generally very rewarding to work with as volunteers.

WorldTeach Colombia was exactly what I was looking for when I volunteered in 2010. It began in January, giving me time to make some money after graduating college; It provided teacher and language training; and placed me in a country where not a lot of foreigners care to go. Very few people spoke English, so it was a great country to learn Spanish in.

I was placed in Barranquilla, Colombia, perhaps my favorite city of all time. While it is not beautiful by any means, it has an energy that you can't find anywhere else. Plus it has the biggest Carnaval in the world, outside of Rio.

Teaching was amazing. I co-taught at a local elementary school in a very poor neighborhood, teaching with local teachers. I can easily say that I felt I made a huge difference. The local teachers had a lot of heart, but could barely speak English and had no idea how to structure a class (like assigning homework that relates to what you do in class). So I had the opportunity to influence 200 students, but also improve the skills of the local teachers.

I loved my WorldTeach experience so much that I stayed in Barranquilla 2 more years and kept in touch with all my students and my school. If you want to help people, experience a new culture, practice your Spanish, and find adventure, this is definitely the program for you.

Although my experience in Colombia was not perfect, it was still a life changing experience. The staff of WorldTeach and Volunteers Colombia were amazing, helpful and supportive every step of the way. I had no idea what to expect from the program or the country. We started out with a 3 week orientation with the whole group and that was an experience I will never forget. We learned a lot about the program, the other volunteers and ourselves. I felt very prepared for the adventure I was about to embark on.

WorldTeach does an amazing job of choosing diverse but similiar volunteers with the same goals. Helping the citizens of Colombia to learn English and succeed in their lives.

The memories and friendships with both the volunteers, the program field directors, the students and the other teachers at my school will last a lifetime.

I had no idea what to expect coming to Colombia...and looking back, it's no wonder. I was a full-time English teacher to about 125 high school students for an entire academic year. I never once felt like I was volunteering - teaching was certainly the hardest job I've ever had. That being said, it was also incredibly rewarding from a personal and professional standpoint. I developed very strong bonds with students, fellow teachers, community members and friends that I will carry with me forever.
WorldTeach was extremely supportive and professional, keeping things as structured and smooth as possible in the Colombian context. Staff in the home and Colombia offices were exceptional. Entering a totally new profession in a foreign environment is just plain difficult, but was worth every moment.