Volunteer work

If you like to practice Spanish while being involved in a work situation and you don't expect to be paid, you can sign up for volunteer work at our Center. Idealistic - Work Experience - Internship

You can either do volunteer work because you like to offer your services to an organization with the aim to help them (idealistic), or because of the sheer fact that you are interested in observing and learning how things are done differently in a culture other than your own (work experience). Furthermore a reason to sign up for volunteer work can be because your studies require you gain work experience (internship) as part of your studies.

The options for volunteer work listed below might seem mainly suitable for students with idealistic considerations, however if it is work experience or an internship that you are looking for, don't hesitate to write us at info@spanishbytheriver.com. We will do our best to find a position that fits the requirements of your job or studies.

1. Primary School - tutoring

2. English classes for adults - tutoring

3. Old people's home - handicrafts

4. Museum of Turrialba - handicrafts, guiding tours and maintenance

5. CATIE - Tropical Agriculture

6. Public Library

7 & 8. MINAE - Archeological Site & Volcano. There are five volunteer work options in Turrialba and two "Expedition type" of volunteer work options outside of Turrialba. We call a volunteer option "Expedition type" when it implies traveling to a place outside of Turrialba town and staying a certain amount of days at that place.

Primary School - tutoring

There are a few public primary schools in Turrialba that the Costa Rican government has been wanting to close due to a policy in favor of creating larger schools. However, the people in the "barrios" (neighborhoods) want the traditional (small) schools to stay open so that their children don't have to travel large distances to the school and can be in a school with a more individual approach. As these schools don't receive much government support they welcome volunteers with open arms. Volunteering at a primary school includes helping children that need some extra attention.

Tasks

After your Spanish lessons in the morning, someone from Spanish by the River will accompany you to the primary school in Turrialba. After being presented to the children, you will sit in with the class until the teacher asks you to take one or two children separately and help them with any problems they might have (e.g. understanding the lesson or a specific assignment). Beginner Spanish students will basically only help out with the English classes, whereas the intermediate and advanced Spanish students can also help with other classes such as history or geography, etc. On some occasions students have been allowed to simply take over the whole class. Classes usually finish at 16:30 p.m.

When

The whole year except: July 1 - July 15 / December 15 - February 15 when the school closes for holidays.

Requirements

No previous experience or foreign language skills are required. You need to go properly dressed: no shorts, mini skirts, open shirts nor slippers. You can also volunteer for just one afternoon.

English classes for adults - tutoring

Adults that are eager to learn English take evening classes in the center of Turrialba. The teacher is Costa Rican and is generally very pleased to have volunteers helping the students to practice pronunciation. The Costa Rican students also like to learn about other cultures while practicing English and will take advantage of foreign volunteers by asking all kinds of questions about their country and people.

Tasks

The classes take place only once a week on Tuesday night from 6 pm till about 9 pm. Generally you don't need to prepare anything, however extra material or ideas (when first discussed with the teacher in charge) are always welcome. The teacher will introduce you to the class and will let you know when and how you need to participate.

When

The whole year except: July 1 - July 15 / December 15 - February 15 when the school closes for holidays.

Requirements

No previous experience is required. English has to be either your first language or otherwise you need to be at least very comfortable speaking English. Also here, you need to go properly dressed to the school: no shorts, mini skirts, open shirts, nor slippers. You can also volunteer for just one session.

Old people's home - handicrafts

The old people's home mainly thanks its existence to government support, fundraising and donations. They are short of staff thus students are very welcome to help out while practicing their Spanish.

Tasks

This home for the elderly can be found at walking distance from Spanish by the River. Your presence is well appreciated on whichever day of the week. The elderly people will be grateful to just have someone to talk or listen to (even to the few words of Spanish that you might know). Other suggestions are to play (card) games, go for a walk with people that are in a wheelchair or do handicraft with them (you do need to organize it yourself). At 4pm dinner is served and you could help serving dinner while communicating with the staff.

When

Always

Requirements

No previous experience or foreign language skills are required. You need to go properly dressed: no shorts, mini skirts, open shirts, nor slippers. You are welcome to volunteer for just one afternoon.

Museum of Turrialba - handicrafts, guiding tours and maintenance

The museum is part of the Public University of Turrialba. Their budget is small and therefore volunteers are very welcome. The people working at the museum are extremely friendly and helpful.

Tasks

In this museum, you will find a permanent exhibition on the history of Guayabo, an archeological site, as well as temporary exhibitions of all sorts. You can help with simple maintenance tasks such as cleaning display cases in the showrooms, as well as show visitors around. At regular intervals, handicraft classes are organized for older people of Turrialba and you can help out or even organize these classes if you come up with ideas and have affinity with arts and crafts.

When

At the moment of this writing the periods in which the museum is going to be closed in 2006, were not defined yet. Please check with us if this option is available.

Requirements

No previous experience or foreign language skills are required for helping out with maintenance. For organizing handicrafts you need to speak some Spanish and for guiding visitors in the museum you need to have a good command of Spanish. Again you need to go properly dressed: no shorts, mini skirts, open shirts, nor slippers. You can also volunteer for just one afternoon.