English teaching project in Colombia
Code: a79cf6ff-17c8-11f1-a019-fa163ef8d720 Copied
About the project
English teaching project in Colombia
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
YMCA is a global movement founded in 1844 and established in Colombia in 1964. It
strives for youth empowerment through social justice, reflected through its intercultural-
centered programs such as YMCA COLead3rs, a 17 year old program that aims for
Colombian youngsters to learn about new cultures and broaden their horizons through
interactive activities in English, led by Foreign Volunteers (Cultural Agents).
Volunteers would be attracted to this program if they believe in the importance of
intercultural exchange as a tool to broaden horizons for young people, as well as the
power of English as a second language to create opportunities for youths.
💼 What the programme involves
Volunteers will be tasked by their main placement to do experiential activities for
youngsters to practice their English whilst also learning about the Volunteer’s culture as
part of a cultural exchange. This also means volunteers will be tasked with planning
said activities.
Additionally, occasionally volunteers will be tasked by YMCA Colombia to do activities
such as online conversation clubs, visits to other institutions and to take part in
institutional Immersion programs and other on-demand programs.
During the Program:
1. Arrival in Colombia and Pick-up by the YMCA COLead3rs team.
2. In-person On Arrival Training - OAT
3. Landing Follow-up: Overview of the participant’s experience one week after
starting at institutions.
4. Weekly check-ups with participants.
5. Intercultural Agenda activities (Such as spanish classes when mentors are
available).
6. Mid-Term Evaluation.
7. Final Term Evaluation.
🏠 Accommodation on site
YMCA Colombia would want to, ideally, host between five and ten volunteers; however,
this range of numbers should not be a deterrent to send participants if a lesser or
greater amount of volunteers are interested.
YMCA Colombia offers the Volunteers the option to stay at a Colombian Host Family,
these families are close to the YMCA movement and have gone through an application
process themselves. They always offer the volunteer a single room, bathroom and their
own space in the fridge and kitchen, as well as access to the house’s appliances.
Volunteers will receive a monthly stipend of $2.650.000 COP (approximately $725
USD), this will be used to cover basic expenses such as food (usually around $400.000
COP or approximately $110 USD) and Host Family rent (usually around $750.000 COP
or approximately $205 USD).
🍲 Food
Volunteers receive a monthly stipend of $2.650.000 COP (approximately $725 USD),
which will be used to cover basic expenses such as food (usually around $400.000
COP or approximately $110 USD). Volunteers will have access to a kitchen should
they choose to stay with a Host Family.
Living with a family is a unique opportunity to practice your Spanish, share daily life, and build lasting relationships.
📍 About the location
Your volunteer placement will be in Bogotá, the vibrant, high-altitude capital of Colombia. Nestled in the Andes mountains at 2,640 meters, Bogotá is a bustling metropolis that blends colonial history with modern energy. It is the country's political, economic, and cultural heart, offering a dynamic environment for your volunteer experience. Colombia is a country of staggering biodiversity and geographical contrasts, from tropical coastlines to lush coffee plantations and Amazonian rainforests. While significant progress has been made in recent years, social and economic disparities remain a challenge, and improving English proficiency is seen as a key driver for social mobility among the youth.
🎒 Leisure activities
During your free time, Bogotá offers a wealth of activities. You can explore the historic cobblestone streets of La Candelaria, hike or take a cable car up Monserrate for breathtaking panoramic views of the city, and visit world-class museums like the Gold Museum and the Botero Museum. The city is also famous for its vibrant street art, bustling markets, and lively culinary scene.
Don't miss the chance to savor Colombian specialties like *arepas* (corn cakes), *ajiaco* (a hearty chicken and potato soup typical of Bogotá), and the famous *bandeja paisa*. On weekends, you can plan trips to nearby attractions such as the stunning Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá or the charming colonial town of Villa de Leyva. This is also a perfect opportunity to enjoy Colombia's world-renowned coffee and experience its infectious music and dance culture.
⚠️ Requirements
Volunteers must be:
○ English native speakers or C1 level.
○ They must not come from a country where Spanish is the mother tongue
○ In general good health
○ Covid vaccinated
○ Willing and able to provide additional documentation such as a Police
Background Check
○ Although not necessary, previous experience with children and/or youths is
preferable
🤝 Meeting point
Volunteers will be picked up from the airport once they arrive in Bogotá and brought to
their Host Family or accommodation. Additionally, they will be taken to their placement
on their first day by the YMCA COLead3rs team. Volunteers will be responsible for their
transportation to and back from their placement, they should use their stipend of
$2.650.000 COP to cover their bus fare.
ℹ️ Additional information
Volunteers will volunteer up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. Out of these, 30 will
be at their main placement (Either an university or a school) and will be split into 24
hours of effective activities and 6 hours planning.
The remaining 10 hours are not always used in full. These are used by YMCA
Colombia for other activities such as online conversation clubs, visits to other
institutions and to take part in institutional Immersion programs and other on-demand
programs.
Volunteers will contribute up to a maximum of 40 hours per week. This time is structured as follows:
30 hours per week at your main placement (a school or university), which includes 24 hours of direct activities with students and 6 hours for planning and preparation.
Up to 10 hours per week dedicated to activities with our partner organization, such as conversation clubs, community visits, or other special programs. These hours are flexible and not always used in full.
- The first cohort starting late January and ending late
June.
- The second cohort starts in late June and ends in late November.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📷 Project photos
📅 Available sessions
YMCA-1AUTO-EXT
02/12/2027 at 00:00 → 26/08/2029 at 00:00
YMCA-1
08/03/2026 at 00:00 → 01/12/2027 at 00:00
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
21–39 years old
Solidarity donation
100.00 USD ≈ 90 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Bogotá, Bogota, Colombia
Colombia
🌍 Location info
Local currency
Colombia Peso (COP / $)
Exchange rate
1 COP = 0.000274 EUR
Rate as of 31/05/2026
Timezone
Colombia Standard Time
Local time: 21:21 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🏠 Accommodation
🗣️ Languages spoken