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Location
  • Mexico
    • Oaxaca
Length
4 to 24 weeks
Project Types
Arts Business Childcare Community Development Social Services Conservation Education Computer Literacy Health Psychology Medical Indigenous Rights Gay and Lesbian +3
Payment plans
Health & Safety
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Program Details

Language
Spanish
Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Summer Winter Year Round
Housing
Apartment
Travel Type
Solo

Pricing

Starting Price
2920
Price Details
This Adelante program includes a volunteer or internship placement in your sector of interest, airport pick up, housing, 2 weeks of intensive Spanish classes, orientation, and 24/7 access to your local Program Director.
What's Included
Accommodation Some Activities Airport Transfers Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Meals SIM cards Transportation Travel Insurance Visa
Feb 14, 2025
Feb 12, 2025
Wish List
42 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Dive into the rich culture, language, and community of Oaxaca, Mexico through a transformative volunteer experience. Known for its stunning biodiversity, Oaxaca is a hub for incredible art created by both local and expat artists. The region’s food scene is just as vibrant with a whole festival dedicated to food - Guelaguetza.

Adelante Abroad’s volunteer program uniquely blends the professional development of internships with the social impact of volunteer work. You’ll have the opportunity to contribute in diverse fields such as law, healthcare, art, psychology, and historical preservation. Explore our website for a full list of volunteer sectors.

Along with your volunteer placement, the program includes Spanish language classes and some cultural excursions. Housing is provided, either with a local family or in a shared guesthouse. If you’re ready to make a meaningful impact while experiencing Mexico's culture firsthand, this is the perfect opportunity for you!

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Video and Photos

Arts and Graphic Design Volunteer in Mexico
An open market in Adelante
Try a homemade meal
Explore the city of Oaxaca, Mexico
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day of the dead celebration in oaxaca mexico
mexico streets
volunteering in Oaxaca
volunteer group presentation
Volunteers painting in Mexico!
Volunteer abroad in Oaxaca

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Diversity & Inclusion 💙

At Adelante Abroad, we take pride in fostering a diverse and inclusive community for aspiring students seeking international internships and study abroad experiences. We are committed to providing equality and opportunity, as we firmly believe that every individual, regardless of their background, deserves the chance to embark on a transformative journey. Through our specialized biopic program, we actively encourage and support students from all walks of life to participate without discrimination. We understand the importance of nurturing emerging talents, and our program stands as a testament to our dedication to providing an enriching, empowering, and unbiased platform for students to thrive and make their mark on the global stage.
At Adelante Abroad, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive space for all students, including those who identify as LGBTQIA+. We wholeheartedly encourage and support LGBTQIA+ students to participate without fear of discrimination. We recognize the unique challenges that LGBTQIA+ individuals may face, and we are determined to provide a safe and empowering environment for them to embark on their international internship and study abroad journeys. With a focus on celebrating individuality and fostering growth, our program stands as a beacon of acceptance, ensuring that all students can thrive, learn, and contribute meaningfully to the global community.
Adelante Abroad is committed to offering comprehensive accessibility support for participants with physical disabilities and/or chroni conditions. While our foremost goal is to provide optimal conditions for all participants, there may be instances where certain program country locations pose challenges to full accessibility. Despite these limitations, we continually strive to ensure that all individuals can benefit from our programs to the best of our abilities.

Impact 🌎

At Adelante Abroad, we are driven by a vision of sustainability that goes beyond mere neutrality. Our commitment is to create programs and business practices that generate a net positive impact on the world. By striving to tip the scales towards positive outcomes, we seek to ensure that any potential negative effects are outweighed by the overall benefit we bring to the individuals, communities, and environments we engage with, aligning our efforts to leave a lasting, positive legacy.
At Adelante Abroad, our ethical impact programming is thoughtfully designed to harmonize student experiences with the well-being of our host communities and the environment. We meticulously assess the social and environmental implications of our programs, ensuring a balanced approach that maximizes positive outcomes for both our students and the communities they engage with. By fostering meaningful connections, minimizing environmental footprints, and prioritizing sustainable practices, we aim to create lasting benefits for host communities, safeguard our planet's resources, and preserve the integrity of the experiences we offer for generations to come.

Program Highlights

  • We are one of the most affordable programs on the market (with housing included). With some research you will find nearly all other programs are at least DOUBLE the price. Live in Oaxaca in a fully-furnished apartment with WiFi.
  • Volunteer in a field of your choice. Gain valuable international career experience by working in a company and field that interests you. We have participating companies in 30+ professional sectors with customizable placement options.
  • Get ahead with intensive Spanish language classes. Show up to your internship prepared with two weeks of intensive Spanish language classes based on your Spanish speaking level.
  • A welcome arrival. We'll pick you up at the airport, take you directly to your housing, and provide an orientation session with the program director so you can get acclimated to your new home, Oaxaca.
  • Curated Experience. Our programs are meant for independent travelers and are not group focused. Our on-site staff in Oaxaca and in the US are available throughout your program. You can truly immerse yourself in the culture the way you want.

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Program Reviews

4.80 Rating
based on 15 reviews
Leave a Review
  • 5 rating 80%
  • 4 rating 20%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4.65
  • Support 4.4
  • Fun 4.65
  • Value 4.4
  • Safety 4.7
  • Growth 5
  • Support 4.5
  • Fun 5
  • Housing 4.5
  • Safety 4.5
Good for Solo Travelers, Students, Building your resume
Showing 9 - 15 of 15 reviews
Default avatar
Ella
26
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Experience

Jan 23, 2018

This program was perfect for me, and it was a great way to get to know a new city. It made the transition to living in another place as easy as it really could be — finding me housing, an internship, and contacts within the city that could answer any questions or help show me around. The internship was a fantastic fit, which really showed how much Adelante listened to what I wanted from the experience, as well as they attention they payed to what skills I already had. I learned a lot, met many new people, and got to know the amazing city. I even decided to move back to Oaxaca for the rest of the year to work at the art studio where I was previously interning!

What would you improve about this program?
There is a 2 week Spanish school that I would have skipped if possible, but that part of the program is probably helpful to others.
152 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Rachel
40
Female
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Oaxaca Review

Dec 17, 2015

I've had an unforgettable experience. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in culture and learning Spanish. Definitely take advantage of the school, Don Quijote, it is a great spot to make friends, and generally a great resource for getting to know the city and the main attractions.

all depends on how intelligent the intern is and how good they are with people and culture shock. A program can be the best in itself but if the participant either doesn't make an effort or does not have social intelligence, then it could be a difficult adjustment.

Overall, a positive attitude and a sense of adventure don't hurt!

What would you improve about this program?
Allow intern to choose internship. But then again, it's just as fun seeing what you end up getting. Also wish school lasted longer than 2 weeks or at least had an option for a longer period.
83 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Durian
29
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A Summer of Learning

Dec 10, 2015

I had a very positive experience. After the two weeks of Spanish classes, my Spanish improved tremendously! I was able to do an entire interview with my supervisor in Mexico all in Spanish! The immersion was great to help me become linguistically functional in an hispanic environment, not to mention I learned a lot about Mexican culture and political issues. It was a very eye-opening and exciting summer, and the people were very helpful.

What would you improve about this program?
It was honestly great. I guess the flexibility of the dates could be improved, although it was not really a big issue.
79 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Durian
29
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

The Ultimate Job Shadow

Dec 6, 2015

I was originally looking for a program where I could improve my Spanish. I searched and searched, and came across Adelante Abroad. Not only could I improve my Spanish, but I could intern in whatever field I wanted and get real-life work experience! It was the perfect combination. Before I went to work with ecology in Oaxaca, Mexico with Adelante, I was unsure of what I wanted to study or do with my life. After experiencing plant life on a new level, I realized that is what I want to study. My experience with Adelante clarified many things about myself career-wise, and also personal-wise. I am very appreciative of my experience, and Oaxaca is incredibly beautiful!

What would you improve about this program?
I would say the program dates could be more flexible, but it was not really a big issue. I loved everything about the program.
67 people found this review helpful.
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Read my full story
Default avatar
Audley
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Quiero regresar a Oaxaca otra vez!

Aug 4, 2015

I had a great experience. My Spanish improved tremendously after only 2 weeks of classes. The city is small and the people are wonderful. The climate is nice too; it's not too hot and there are not a lot of bugs. The city is very close to a lot of interesting historical sites, and there is so much to do in the city center! I was there during the big festival in July, the Guelaguetza, and that is the time to go! The city is hopping all the time with cultural activities and markets. The Adelante staff were very helpful and friendly as well, but they weren't constantly getting involved, which I greatly appreciated. They don't hold your hand, but they were there if you needed them, so I was able to really experience the city in my own way. I know that the work experience differs based on which internship you pursue, but personally I enjoyed my work assignment; I learned a lot and felt very involved. I worked a good amount but was not overworked. Overall, it was incredible! I can't wait to go back again!

What would you improve about this program?
The program states that it starts on the first of each month, but actually the start & end dates were slightly different than what they said.
59 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
Raquel
32
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Go to Oaxaca

Jul 10, 2014

I loved the city of Oaxaca and everything it had to offer. While here I made some great friends and had eye opening experiences. The city of Oaxaca is very safe. I always felt safe walking around the streets. Also Oaxaca is a great place to learn Spanish and experience the Mexican culture.

What would you improve about this program?
Expectations of Oaxaca, specially the weather. Since Oaxaca is mountains of Mexico, the weather is not what most people imagine. At nights it gets cold and rains a lot. I was told the weather in Oaxaca would be very hot but that wasn't the case most of the time.
62 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Default avatar
melissacatherine221
32
Female
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Mexico!

Feb 9, 2012

I personally had a very positive experience. Adelante provided with me with what I needed (housing, volunteer job, language classes). For me, things went quite smoothly. I know from a couple of other girls, when their volunteer jobs they met some trouble so I think I was lucky in the fact that I had everything set up well before hand. This program worked well for me because I prefer being more indpendent. Other people I had spoken to I think expected a bit more of a hands on approach. I would recommend this program to anyone who prefers working and establishing their own life in Oaxaca as if their were moving to a new city, alone, anywhere else in the world.

56 people found this review helpful.
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Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

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

Durian

Program
Volunteer in Mexico - Adelante Abroad
Durian is from Colorado, USA and is majoring in botany. She loves spicy food and traveling to places off the beaten path. She is a photography enthusiast and loves making scrapbooks of her adventures abroad.
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Why did you pick this program?

I picked Adelante Abroad-Volunteer in Mexico originally because I wanted a program to improve my Spanish over the summer. When I found this program, I saw that I could get work experience as well! I picked to volunteer in ecology, since I had always been fascinated by the Earth and plants. I was placed with working on an organic vegetable farm that sold vegetables and herbs to markets and restaurants.

What do you tell your friends who are thinking about going abroad?

I would tell them to DO IT!!! Going abroad is, in my opinion, the best way to change your perspective and realize what is really important to you.

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

I would tell them to brush up on their Spanish before they get there, as many people respect that you can speak their language.

What's your favorite story to tell about your time abroad?

My favorite story to tell is when I was on my way to the ranch, and I got stranded in a corn field. I had gotten off the bus at the wrong stop, so I thought I would walk the rest of the way, and ended up getting lost amongst all the corn. I was wandering around trying to ask someone for directions, and I kept getting turned around, when suddenly I saw a little motor taxi weaving through the fields coming right at me. I waved him down and got in - it turns out he was taking another woman to her farm. I was able to get to a place where I could call my supervisor and ask for help.

What was the hardest thing about working in a foreign country?

I would say the hardest thing was translating all the work I did into Spanish. The first few weeks it took me twice as long just to get one thing done, but soon I could finish everything with no sweat! It was also hard at first to find my way around the city, but eventually I knew the streets very well.

Staff Interviews

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

Carlos Ortega

Program
Volunteer in Mexico - Adelante Abroad
Job Title
Director of Programs of Adelante Abroad in Oaxaca
Way before it was "de moda", Carlos Ortega has worked with environmental and sustainable issues and projects, and usually, too, with volunteers and in non-profit situations. He received a PhD in Industrial Design at the National Autonomous University of Mexico and also holds a Masters in Industrial Design Bionics (Biodesign) from the Istituto Europeo de Design Milan, Italy. He specialized in product design and appropriate technology development; using sustainable wood and natural resources with environmental friendly transformation process and energy supply. He has been the Director for Adelante Abroad in Mexico since 2007. He is also the founder of Hub Oaxaca, a coworking space which is part of a world network in more than 30 countries, since 2007. He speaks Spanish, English, Italian, some French and Portuguese and… also does haircuts!

What makes volunteering in Mexico a unique and rewarding experience?

Carlos Ortega- Director of Adelante Abroad in Mexico

Carlos: "After weighing the risks of traveling to Mexico, the parents of one American teenager decided to allow her to join a school trip to Oaxaca, where students volunteered at an orphanage, visited archaeological sites…." This is what The New York Times had to say about Malia Obama's school trip to Oaxaca, Mexico.

Mexico is the 5th country with more biodiversity, home of 10–12% of the world's biodiversity. Of its 32 states, Oaxaca is the state with more biodiversity. There you will find diverse landscapes of the Highlands of Southern Mexico. Terrain varies from high, rugged mountains, low coastal plains, high plateaus, and desert. In Oaxaca (Wah-hah-kah), you will find 3 centuries of colonial society, which are the spirit and soul that built the history of Mexico. The city of Oaxaca, originally called Antequera, was founded just a few years after the Spanish vanquished the Aztec. It’s famous for its green building stone and for its own particular style of colonial architecture. Oaxaca is the heart of a region whose highly creative populace produces the country’s finest range of crafts and some of its most exciting contemporary art. Part of this diversity is also the 16 ethnic groups you will find there, all with different languages.

How does Adelante ensure this program is beneficial for local communities?

a street in Oaxaca

Carlos: Volunteers collaborate mainly with NGOs, 501 C 3 organizations, Hub Oaxaca members initiatives or welfare institutions. As the Adelante on-site Director, I personally visit and screen these programs and organizations to ensure that there is a direct benefit to Oaxaca, both downtown and urban communities and the farther out indigenous communities, depending on the work assignment chosen.

Volunteers are signed in as members of HUB Oaxaca that is a locally founded initiative that is establishing a platform to support projects and socially responsible businesses in the region. Hub Oaxaca is part of The Hub, a global network of spaces and communities that inspire and support imaginative and enterprising initiatives for a better world. At Hub Oaxaca you will find dozens of entrepreneurs and leaders with a passion for driving the development of their communities.

What are some extra-curricular activities participants enjoy while volunteering in Mexico?

Carlos: As part of Adelante’s program volunteers may choose, two one-day tours, or a one two-day tour, and with their Spanish classes there are also optional salsa dancing and cooking classes.

Adelante Volunteers turn into HUB Oaxaca members and may participate in the activities that are monthly organized such as:

  • Monday night movies, Thursday lunches for social entrepreneurs, first Friday member happy hour-- participants are encouraged to be part of an exchange community!
  • Receives a discount for workshops for social innovators that may help you get your own idea for a sustainable life-project.
  • Oaxaca Has at least 20 museums in the city, as well as many cultural activities.

What is one piece of advice you would offer someone considering volunteering abroad in Mexico?

Carlos: Just come! Do your research and learn that it is safe here: 13 states are fully free from the State Department’s warning, including Baja California Sur, Yucatan, Mexico City, Oaxaca, Chiapas, Guanajuato and others.

Be open to: differences, humbleness, spirit, reconsider your life style, your day to day needs, go to the source, reconsider your basic needs, new flavors, different fruits and plants, walk around, be invited into their communities.

A beach in Oaxaca

Anything else you would like to share?

Carlos: The ethnic diversity found in Oaxaca is what makes it so special to foreigners. Grassroots campaigns are used to connecting with others that speak in different languages, which think in other ways and that look different. This gives them an openness of mind to communicate with foreigners. People in communities don’t run in a “time is money” basis, so they give themselves time to talk, to communicate and meet with people.

About Adelante Abroad

Internship, Volunteer, Semester & Summer Study Abroad Programs define Adelante Abroad's menu of offerings and expertise. Choose to intern overseas in Spain, Ecuador, Uruguay, Chile, Mexico, or Scotland. With year round start dates, Adelante is sure to provide a travel program that's right for you! Our affordable internship abroad programs include...

  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award
  • Go Overseas Award

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