About the Organization

This school provides education to perhaps the most forgotten and marginalized group in Argentina: the natives of the north tip of the country, close to Bolivia. The school is situated in the north of Salta province, only 17 km away from Bolivia. It caters to around 70 pupils, boys and girls from 14 to 20 years old. Most of them are ava guarani natives, while some are from Bolivian origin. The school is about 20 minutes away from the nearest town, which is a small town of around 80 peasant families that practice subsistence agriculture and cattle farming.

The school is part of the movement of Escuelas de Alternancia, a unique educational system based on alternating training periods in the socio-professional environment and in the school. This method was developed to give adolescents and youth in rural areas the chance to complete their basic general education, taking into account that they usually live far from schools and that work in the family plot is part of their reality.

Students live in the school for two weeks and another two at home, throughout the year. When a group is at home, the other group of kids is in the school. At school, activities of a more academic nature are carried out (classroom studies, study tours, research, lectures and technical projects that can be applied in the social environment) as well as manual crafts and group assignments. When the students are at school, they eat and sleep there. This allows the school to work issues such as hygiene, health, solidarity, leadership and democracy.

At home, the student carries out his school assignments together with his parents and siblings, gains practical experience and applies his new knowledge. The family property serves as a laboratory. He also receives visits from a teacher who counsels and guides the family.

The organization recognizes the students� potential and works on fostering their roots to the land and community, trying to prevent massive youth migration. The organization believes these students are capable of influencing the generation of local development processes because they become leaders of their own communities and build the fabric of society. The school is also a referent for cultural activities and �not formal� training for the peasant community. A peasant market is held at the school.

Job Description

This is a real immersion experience, since the intern will be living in the placement. All interns will help in daily activities at the school such as food serving and homework support. Interns will also accompany the teacher during the visits to the students' farms, and help conducting a survey and assessment of students family background and needs.

Also, depending on the intern's skills, experience and interests, a detailed work-plan will be developed prior to the intern's arrival. But typically, interns can work in areas such as: farm production, micro-business development and management, educational workshops, recreational activities, building improvement, development of alternative energy sources, English classes, institutional development, etc.

# of Positions per term

2-3

Start Dates

any term (not available during month of January);  it is best to intern for 3-6 months between March and October

Duration of Internship

3-6 Months (not available during month of January)

Academic Background

This position is ideal for students of Rural Development, Social Work, Sociology, Psychology, Anthropology, Development Studies, Indigenous People Studies, Latin American Studies, Education, horticulture/permaculture. Interns with additional interests and abilities in areas such as arts, sports, English teaching, computers are particularly welcome.

Skills/Experience

Definite interest in living in a rural setting and working with young people.

Language Ability

Good Spanish language communication skills (completion of 3rd year university level Spanish). Intensive Spanish refresher/upgrade course can be arranged in Argentina prior to internship (prices start at $125 per week for 20 hours/weeks). *This is highly recommended.

Other Requirements

Total costs vary depending on how long you plan to be abroad, where you will be living, your personal spending habits, and current exchange rates. The following estimates will give you a ballpark figure for this internship. Get help with the math from our handy Cost Calculator.

IE₃ Program Fee

The program fee for the first term of any internship is $2,750 - $2,950. You do not pay tuition in addition to the program fee. Visit your University's IE₃ page for details, costs for additional terms, and campus administrative fees.

Estimated One-Time Expenses

Expense Type	Price
Host Site Fees	$1200 for 12 weeks (includes room, board, transportation to Aguaray)*
International Travel	$1100-$1600
Visa Fees
Recommended Immunizations

*See Additional Cost Information below.

Estimated Monthly Expenses

Expense Type	Price/month
Housing	included*
Food	included*
Local Transportation	$0
Recreation	$50
Personal Expenses	$50

Compensation

None.

Additional Expense Information

*$1200 for 12 weeks includes: reception at airport (in Buenos Aires), transportation from Buenos Aires to Aguaray, accommodation with meals, 24/7 in -country support, travel advice in Argentina. The accommodation is at the school, sharing room with students.

It is recommended to budget an additional $100 per month for personal expenses.

Bring light clothing for the hot weather and rain proof clothing for the wet season.

The school is located 1 km away from Capiazuti, a very small paraje (group of houses). The nearest town is Aguaray (6 kms). Aguaray is a peasant community and amenities are few: a bar, a restaurant and locutorios with telephone, fax and internet services. Although it cannot boast much for entertainment, it has all the basic services such as hospital, schools, police station.

Life is simple and peaceful. Aguaray is one of the few places in Argentina where the aboriginal communities have survived and their traditions, culture and lifestyle is still alive. Aguaray was the first town in Argentina where children could attend a bilingual school, with the first native professors teaching in their own aboriginal language. It is frequent to find sociologists and anthropologists, both Argentine and foreigners, conducting research about the culture and development of the native community.

Besides the chance to integrate to a small, aboriginal peasant community and learn and help in the education of their teenagers, this placement also offers the: *Opportunity to learn about the work done by development workers in the area. * Opportunity to travel to beautiful Salta city, with accommodation at sister organization. From there it is easy to travel to the Quebrada de Humahuaca declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO.

Contact info for Previous Volunteers available upon request.

Aguaray Government Website

Aguaray Climate

Salta Province Information