VaughanTown Volunteer Cultural Exchange in English

I spent a week at VaughanTown in Gredos and I have to say it was the most rewarding experience ever.

First of all the people, my fellow volunteers and the Spaniards were very welcoming and willing to participate in every activity. I learnt so much about Spanish culture, cuisine, music and just the way the Spaniards live their lives, plus I got to listen to their stories and points of view on different topics.

I also got to spend time with other volunteers who, like me, traveled from all over the world just to have this experience. Most of them have been to a handful of programs and have become almost spokespeople for VaughanTown. We ate amazing Spanish food, drank wonderful Spanish wine and enjoyed the beautiful Spanish countryside in Avila.

The Program Director and the Master of Ceremonies were just the warmest most comforting people ever and made sure that everything ran smoothly and that we had as much fun as possible during the program.

I give VaughanTown a 10/10

This was the second time I volunteered for the programme and I was highly disappointed. I feel the programme is now a purely commercialized venture at the expenxe of volunteers and spaniards and is not good value for money for both parties. It appears that the ethos is one size fits all. I belive no consideration has been given to the different social and professional levels of participants. I was also surprised that the teachers are not as qualified as they should be. I.have recommend ed the programme to friend s and colleagues and feel guilty now as I myself would not consider repeating the experience.k

This is one of the best ways we have seen for Spaniards to learn English. The daily one on one conversations enable you to get to know the Spanish and their culture very well. The work can be tiring since you are "on" all day and into the evening, but at the same time you will enjoy it. Attending the course can also be interesting as the locations are often in unusual sites. We also found that the other "anglos" were a fascinating group and that they were mature free spirits, some of whom had participated in these courses several times before.
There are often skits and group activities more designed as team building rather than learning experiences, so be prepared to have to act silly and laugh at yourself and others. It is wonderful to see the Spaniards gain confidence and improve their facility with the language.

I've taught with Vaughn Systems several times. I don't have to speak a word of Spanish as it is not allowed once we have arrived at our destination. Just a week of food, fellowship, activities such as skits, walking, visiting old walled cities or the countryside conversing with professional people who already speak English, but wish to "polish" their skills with native English speakers from around the globe.
I've meet volunteers who love to travel like myself who also give pointers on places to go. It's great fun & great staff, very interesting venues and a cultural experience wherein I can spend a week in a country getting to know its people up close and personal at only the cost of my airline ticket.