I had a WONDERFUL experience with Projects Abroad Argentina! I previously volunteered with Projects Abroad in Morocco and had a fantastic experience as well, so I had high expectations for my trip to Argentina. All expectations were far exceeded!

I worked at two different orphanages. My "main" orphanage was working with children with disabilities. I specifically asked Projects Abroad to not place me with children with disabilities, but I am so glad they did! It was the hardest work I have ever done, but it turned out to be a great experience. I now want to teach special education! The other orphanage had children, infants to ten years old. I worked there twice a week, mainly during my second month. The children were a lot of fun, but it is hard working with children from such disadvantaged families. My Spanish level was extremely low, so although communication was difficult at times, with children it is easy to use gestures and play.

Host families can make or break a trip and my family was amazing. I truly felt like a part of the family and was included in every thing. I still talk to my family regularly and my trip was just over 2 years ago!

The other volunteers were great to hang out with when I needed a break from attempting to speak Spanish. There are lots of great places to travel in Argentina, and my one regret is that I did not travel more. However, I now see that as an excuse to return to Cordoba and visit my host family while exploring some other cities along the way!

I would absolutely recommend Projects Abroad to my friends. I have had the privilege of speaking with volunteers before they sign up and/or leave for a trip and I hope that I have helped them see what a life-changing trip they will have. Projects Abroad supported me throughout my two month stay, and I could call any staff member at any hour of the day and would be met with a friendly voice on the other line. I felt that the staff genuinely cared about me while I was there.

The most impressive thing about the Projects Abroad program is the support offered by the staff. Right away from when I was met at the airport, I felt very much at ease, and was provided with the means to contact several members of staff at any time. The take all new volunteers on an orientation tour of the city and ensure that you are settling in well with the family you're living with. All the volunteer placements are great, and monitored by the organization to ensure that the volunteers always have meaningful work to do. All the other volunteers I met, both at my place of work, and from other projects (Projects Abroad organizes many social events to meet volunteers that you don't work with on a daily basis)were very welcoming to new recruits, and a lot of fun to be around. It is very easy to get travel approval on weekends (really just inform Projects Abroad of your plans) and it is even possible to take a couple days off from the volunteer work for a bit of extended travel (although don't do this too often). I didn't really have any issues at all during my two months in Argentina, but I have no doubt that if I had, I would have had all the support I needed.

The hardest part about volunteering in Chile with VE Global was leaving. I spent 6 months volunteering in a home for at-risk teenage girls in Santiago. It is hard to put into words how wonderful the experience was. The VE Global Staff are incredible. There is a fun, exciting, informative orientation before you start volunteering so you feel comfortable in the country with other volunteers right away. You are also supported throughout your stay with all the programs you create at the institution.
Every day in the home was different. There were some days when we just helped them with their homework, played cards, and listened to them talk about their days. Other days we created workshops, according to their wants and needs. I helped them improve their math skills, we taught them how to cook, take care of a garden, took them to the park, taught them english, held sports tournaments to create a sense of team work and supporting others, etc. We created a ton of arts & crafts, danced, had the girls teach other new things. I can go on and on. The most important, and valuable aspect, was building a friendship with these girls. They had unfortunate events in their lives that left them untrusting of adults. Teaching them how to have a healthy relationship was crucial. There were days the girls weren't as receptive to you being there but all teenage girls go through that :). I cried more on my last day at that home than I ever have. But I felt confident that I had left them with the knowledge and a little more confidence to continue their studies for the year and benefit from future volunteers.

The social scene with volunteers is also wonderful. VE Global does a great job at keeping people happy, entertained, and busy.

GO VOLUNTEER!!!!!!

I volunteered in Argentina with Projects Abroad in August 2009 and had an great experience. The children were very fun and I enjoyed getting to know them. I really had a great time living with the host family and there were many fun times sitting around the dinner table. We went out to Cordoba at night to bars and nightclubs. I feel like I really took advantage of many of the things that Argentina had to offer and Projects Abroad help make this happen. I only wish I had traveled around the country more.

Wow, what a great experience this program provided for me! I only went to Argentina for two weeks-and would end up begging my family unsuccessfully to allow me to stay longer. I will never forget the people I encountered or the experiences I had there.

My program consisted of three hours of spanish lessons in the morning. My teacher was young, enthusiastic, and involved in our discussions. Classes were very informal and comfortable. My host family, as well, constantly checked if we needed anything or were enjoying the food (all of which was good). I also enjoyed the opportunity to practice my Spanish after dinner by talking my host mother and father.

The best part of the program was by far volunteer work in the afternoons. I worked at a place that provided food for children in a poor neighborhood. In addition to preparing bread, we also spent hours playing and talking with the kids. Though they were rambunctious and could be challenging, I loved spending time with them. All of the volunteers were rewarded with affection from the kids.

The projects abroad staff will become both your friends and mentors-even if you're only there for a short time. It was a great trip to experience an entirely different lifestyle, as well as meet people from all over the world.