Volunteering at a Spanish school in San Carlos can be an incredibly enriching experience. Not only do you get to immerse yourself in the language and culture of a beautiful country, but you also get to give back to the community for example by teaching English to local students. In this blog, we'll explore what it's like to volunteer at a Spanish school in San Carlos and why it can be such a rewarding experience.
San Carlos is a small town located in the northern part of Colombia. It's known for its stunning natural beauty, with lush green forests, rolling hills, and winding rivers. Despite its small size, San Carlos has a thriving Spanish school that attracts students from all over the world. Many of these students come to San Carlos to learn Spanish in an immersive environment, where they can practice their language skills with native speakers.
Center square in San Carlos
As a volunteer at a Spanish school in San Carlos, you can have different jobs. There are 5 different areas: Education, Community, Cleaning and hospitality, House Improvement and Marketing. Education will be teaching English to the Spanish teachers/tutors and people from the town. Cleaning tasks are for example making sure the kitchen stays clean or cleaning the floor of the classrooms outside. Marketing is very important for the school because San Carlos is not located in a big touristic city and people won’t just walk past. Promoting the school with pictures and videos during the Adventures and lessons will help them attracting new students. My main work was in the House Improvement sector.
My task was to keep an eye on all the facilities, repair or improve them. When I arrived I noticed all the kitchen fronts where misaligned or not working, so I spent some hours in both Kitchens to fix that. Since I am a Carpenter it was a task made for me. Almost every day there were new things to be repaired so I was not bored. It was also interesting for me to work with only basic tools. I needed to get more creative in order to fix things which helped me to get better at my profession.
Bench that needed to be fixed
Volunteering at a Spanish school in San Carlos is a great way to immerse yourself in Colombian culture. You'll have the opportunity to meet locals, try traditional foods, and learn about the customs and traditions of the region. You may even have the chance to participate in local festivals and celebrations, which are an important part of life in San Carlos.
Cafe Atipico in San Carlos, the place to meet many Locals
One of the most rewarding aspects of volunteering at a Spanish school in San Carlos is seeing the progress that your students make. English can be a difficult language to learn, and many of your students may be starting from scratch. However, with your help, they'll be able to build their confidence and language skills over time. It's incredibly fulfilling to see your students improve and to know that you played a part in their success.
In addition to teaching English, many Spanish schools in San Carlos offer a range of activities and excursions for their volunteers. These may include hiking trips, cultural excursions, and language exchanges with local students. These activities are a great way to get to know the region and to connect with other volunteers who share your interests.
“Family Diner” with all the students
Zipline Hammocking at the Coffee Farm Tintico Frio
As a conclusion I can say I would volunteer again at Spanish Adventure 100%. I am very grateful for the things I’ve learned. Thanks to my stay here I met many new people to form long lasting friendships. If you're looking for a meaningful way to give back while also having a memorable adventure, volunteering at a Spanish school in San Carlos may be just what you're looking for.