Projects Abroad in Mexico

  Mexico

• Guadalajara: 
Guadalajara
• Pacific Coast: 
Tecoman

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer, Throughout the year, Winter 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: All year round

Description: Mexico is a beautiful country, and a great place to spend time on a volunteer program or internship. Mexico is a real meeting-place of cultures: a modern, industrialized and well-educated country thats full of history. American, Spanish and Indian influences all come together to make it a fascinating place that mixes developed and developing worlds. Mexico is a stimulating mixture of wealth and poverty, and offers amazing opportunities for volunteers to learn and travel within its expansive borders.

Mexicans are proud of their roots and ancient traditions but also live with the US superpower next door. The importance of English is therefore apparent to everyone.

Our projects in Mexico are available for anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, including those on a college summer break, gap year, career break or volunteer vacation.

The large city of Guadalajara is the home of Projects Abroad Mexico. Our volunteer office base is right next to the magnificent Expiatorio Cathedral in the center of the city. Teaching, Care, Conservation & Environment, Medicine, Journalism, Animal care, Arts & Crafts and Spanish language placements are all available to volunteers.

We also have some projects in Ciudad Guzman which allow volunteers to experience life in a smaller Mexican town, under the shadow of the great Colima Volcano. If you are on the Conservation & Environment Project, youll stay on the coast at our turtle camp, about three hours drive from Guadalajara.

Living in Mexico is an experience difficult to match. Youll live with a host family and be immersed in the local lifestyle and community, from the universal passion for soccer to the Day of the Dead celebrations, when the whole country grinds to a halt to honor its ancestors.

Volunteer Projects and Internships Abroad in Mexico

Animal Care - Our placement operates in a special hospital for both wild and domesticated animals. The center works in conjunction with Proteccion Civil - the local emergency service - who deliver injured, mistreated, and abandoned animals to the center, either for permanent residence and care or as part of a rehabilitation process before they are released back into the wild. The animals have been rescued because they were injured or kept cruelly in captivity. They are brought to the hospital and rehabilitated to regain their strength and ability to hunt independently.

Care - Projects Abroad has a variety of care placements in Guadalajara and in Ciudad Guzman. The help and skills that come in useful on care placements are as varied as the problems the poorest children of Mexico face. For example, one home where we work is for children whose parents are in prison. This creates a huge sense of instability and need for extra attention that cannot possibly be given by the nuns who run the center. Volunteers can help to break the monotony of everyday life by taking children out on trips, playing sports with them (soccer is a Mexican pastime), arranging artistic activities, or introducing them to music - bringing your guitar or clarinet to the orphanage could instantly make you a favorite! These are the experiences that will make lasting impressions.

Conservation - Our Conservation Project in Mexico is based on the Pacific Coast at Campemento Tecoman in the state of Colima. The camp is a unique location and offers the chance to work alongside a group of Projects Abroad volunteers, staff, and local experts. We have three conservation projects that run all year: turtle conservation, crocodile conservation, and wildlife studies in a coastal lagoon.

Teaching - The schools in Guadalajara struggle to employ teachers who can speak fluent English. The most suitable candidates are often tempted away by higher salaries in the private sector. Therefore, volunteers are very welcome in local high schools and at the university. The main focus is to have your students confidently communicate.

Journalism - In Mexico, you can work with print journalists or for a radio station. Regardless of which placement you choose, you will be given an invaluable opportunity to become involved in and learn about this global profession. You may end up presenting an hour-long radio show three days a week or searching out stories around town. Either way, you will have lots of opportunities to meet local people and better understand the Mexican culture.

Medicine - Volunteers work in a city hospital in Guadalajara. You will spend time working in departments such as gynecology, hematology, obstetrics, pediatrics, pathology, anesthesia and surgery, with the opportunity to specialize if you wish. Your supervisor can ensure that you work in a variety of areas during your placement and learn as much as possible about medical practice in Mexico.

Arts and Crafts - In coordination with the Cultural Center of Tlaquepaque and the collaboration of many artisans, our culture and community volunteers can work alongside local artisans to learn ancient craft-making techniques.

Language Instruction - With 60 hours of instruction per month, you'll learn quickly and can practice what you've learned with your host family each day! Lessons are with a private tutor and tailored to your ability. Whether you are a complete beginner or have been learning Spanish for years, being surrounded by the language every day will help your skills progress by leaps and bounds. After your lessons you will have plenty of time to complete your homework and explore the area with other volunteers.

Also, high school students between the ages of 16 and 19 have the unique opportunity to get involved in the turtle conservation projects during a two-week summer special.

Highlights: Mexico is a real mix of cultures. American, Spanish and Indian influences all come together to make a fascinating country. There is also a great contrast in country between the developed and developing world - a stimulating cocktail of wealth, poverty, and Microsoft. Mexico is definitely a colorful place.

Guadalajara, where we are based, is part of the West Central Highlands and has one of the most pleasant climates the country offers. The winters are moderately warm and the summers hot, although not unbearably. With this wonderful climate, you will be able to explore all the beauty Mexico has to offer anytime of the year!

Tequila, sombreros, mariachi music and rodeo riders all came from Guadalajara. Our office is right next to the magnificent Expiatory Cathedral in the center of the city. We also have some projects in Ciudad Guzman which allow volunteers to see life in a small town in Mexico under the shadow of the great Colima volcano.

Qualifications: Volunteers must be 16 years old and submit 1 letter of recommendation. For our journalism and medical placements, conversational Spanish is required.

Cost in US$: From US$1,595

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Anyone with an open mind and a desire to travel

Age Range: 16-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Mexico Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Exit DebriefingAbroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Projects Abroad's Mission Statement: As part of the global economy, Projects Abroad helps create local employment wherever we send volunteers. Employing local staff overseas and using their talents and knowledge is important to us. This local knowledge and support enables the organization to channel the skills of the volunteers from more affluent countries to regions around the world where they are needed. Volunteers also learn from their placements and the people they meet, and they gain experience in a chosen field. In the 21st century, we believe this mutual respect is what cultural exchange is all about.

Year Founded: 1992