Amauta of Cusco, Peru has a very well developed volunteer program.

The Amauta Volunteer Program provides the unique opportunity to live and work in Peru. You will experience first-hand its rich cultural diversity while cultivating a superior level of Spanish proficiency. Through the Volunteer Program, Amauta and the volunteers are able to make a contribution to Peruvian society and to bridge the gap between foreign visitors and native Cusqueños.

Participants may choose both the field and preferred location of their volunteer placement. Possible fields of interest include social work, education, tourism, cultural work and catering. While most of Amauta’s projects take place in Cusco, there are also projects out of Cusco. A complete list of the 30 projects can be sent upon request.

When booking the Volunteer Work Package (fees upon request), you will send your first, second and third choice of project together with your resume and a motivation letter (in Spanish). When arranging a placement, the Amauta Volunteer Coordinator takes into account your personal goals, your level of Spanish proficiency, prior work experience and length of probable commitment as well as the needs of the host organization. When the volunteer organization agrees on the placement we'll send you confirmation of your voluntary work (placement document). The final decision regarding the acceptance of a student in a project will be made by the organization.

Included in the package are:

• Four week Spanish course including accommodation of your choice
• Four week accommodations in Amauta Student House
• Organization of volunteer work
• Information package upon arrival
• Participation in Amauta’s student activities (lectures, salsa class)
• Volunteer meeting (minimum of one), including initial information on Peruvian society and volunteer work placement
• One personal meeting with Amauta’s Volunteer Coordinator

Upon arrival in Cusco, you will receive an information package with preliminary information regarding the volunteer work experience. Amauta organizes an introductory meeting with general information on Peruvian history and culture, working in Peru as a foreigner, cultural differences and social hierarchy of Peruvian society. During your course of study, you will have the opportunity to discuss the appropriate placement in terms of goals, desired experiences etc. personally with the Volunteer Co-ordinator. During the placements, the weekly volunteer meetings enable volunteers to talk generally about their experiences and raise any concerns.
A four-week Spanish course (minimum), either private or group, is included in the Volunteer Package, which should enable you to start communicating in Spanish. If you wish, you may also do part of your study in Urubamba or in Manu.

You will need to have a minimum of eight weeks to dedicate to the Volunteer Program. The first four weeks of the program will be spent studying Spanish; the volunteer placement will continue four weeks more. During the Spanish Course you can choose where to stay: with a host family or in our Student House. During your volunteer work you will be staying at the Amauta Student House with other students and volunteers.

While participation in the Volunteer Program is completely free (all you pay is your course and your accommodation), all volunteers are requested to pay a Volunteer Fee. This money is doubled by Amauta and will be used to support the projects. According to the most urgent needs of the projects, they buy food, support the infrastructure or buy educational materials.

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