Website: http://www.centrodevoluntarios.cl/the-english-opens-doors-program/
For More Information Contact the NSO: scholarships@umd.edu
Who Can Apply: Seniors, Recent Grads, Graduate Students; between ages of 21 and 35; native or near-native English; all majors
IMPORTANT: Applicants should be in good health, have experience living or travelling in another country, and have an interest in Chilean culture and living in a developing country.
Description: The English Opens Doors Program (Programa Inglés Abre Puertas) is an initiative supported by the Chilean Ministry of Education. The Program was created in 2003 with the mission to improve the level of English for students between 5th grade and 12th grade throughout the Chilean public school system by providing teacher training, instructional materials, language competitions, English immersion camps, and semester abroad scholarships for university students. The English Opens Doors Program seeks to foster a new generation of Chilean students equipped with the tools and abilities they will need to succeed in an increasingly globalized world.
A volunteer position with the English Opens Doors Program requires a high level of dedication and a minimum commitment of 35 hours per week. Becoming a volunteer through this program means committing to a partnership focused on improving and expanding English language opportunities for Chilean public school students from 10 to 18 years old.
Volunteers are placed throughout Chile. During the application process, applicants can specify geographic and demographic preferences, as well as indicate important items like allergies or non-smoking preferences. The program take these preferences into account and prioritize matching volunteers with compatible host families. However, applicants should be prepared to accept placements anywhere in Chile, as the English Opens Doors Program works with schools who need the resources, and placements in a preferred area may be limited.
Award Amount: All volunteers are provided with in-country health insurance, food and accommodations through a host family, round-trip transportation from Santiago to placement. Volunteers also receive a stipend of 100,000 CLP for each month of completed service.
Duration: For one semester or two semesters.
Deadline: Deadlines depend on the start dates and duration. Dates: March 16 - July 19 (one semester) - deadline is November 18, 2019; March 30 - November 29 (two semesters) - deadline is December 2, 2019; July 20 - November 22 (one semester) - deadline is March 9, 2020; August 3 - December 6 - deadline is March 23, 2020
