By Sara French

Hey, my name is Sara and I am an English Teaching Fellow in Cali, Colombia. Maybe you have already applied to the program (great decision) or you’re just curious about living abroad; either way I hope I can paint a small picture about my daily life here in Colombia. It is difficult to write about a “typical” day here simply because every day is different filled with its own surprises and challenges.

One thing remains consistent throughout each day here: breakfast. I work in the afternoon which is quite accommodating to the whole eight hours of sleep every night recommendation. Further, the morning shifts usually begin around 6:30am and as the furthest thing from a morning person it is better for me alongside everyone at the school that I am not working during the morning. Back to breakfast…one of the many great things about Colombia is their firm belief in a hearty breakfast that usually consists of scrambled eggs, rice, arepa(s) with the help of cafe con leche/ un tinto (depending on your coffee preferences) to wash it all down. Around 10:45am I am off to catch the bus, affectionately known as the Mio here in Cali. Like most public transportation systems there are both good and bad days. I account for forty-five minutes in transit although sometimes I arrive much earlier and sometimes later. After nine months in Cali I am still trying to conquer the timing of the Mio. I am honestly not sure even Colombians can achieve this miraculous feat.

I arrive to Colegio Simon Rodriguez usually just in time for class at 11:30. I’ve easily adapted to the Colombian custom of arriving just in time or fashionably late. Today is Wednesday so I teach one section of eighth graders for two hours, then the other section of eighth graders for an hour, during the break I hold a conversation club (my favorite part of the day), and I finish the day around six o’clock with two hours of tenth graders. Arriving at 11:30am and leaving around 6/6:15pm comes down to about seven hours at school. Wednesday is the busiest day for me however I find that because I am constantly on-the-go the time flies by. My schedule during the rest of the week is a bit more relaxed, for example, I will teach one-two hours then have a break before another class.

Colombia is an amazing country full of beautiful landscapes, delicious food, and loving people, however the classroom is full of interruptions. There have been times I arrived at school to find out there are no classes due to a variety of reasons: no water, no electricity, a school meeting, or a school-wide activity. For example, this Friday instead of classes there will be presentations celebrating the month of love and friendship (that’s September people). To be honest I rarely work a five day week. While initially I was loving the accumulating number of days off this makes it difficult to build on lessons, schedule assessments, and plan for future classes. Ultimately it depends on your school in regards to your schedule, teaching space, and working hours.

After my final class I am accompanied to the Mio station by a group of students and fellow teachers to take the E37 bus back to my place. Today I got a seat! A true miracle. Usually around this time in the evening the whole world seems to be on the Mio making it a rather close ride. I’ll just say I really get to know my neighbors on the bus.

If I am not tempted to buy an early evening coffee at Dunkin Donuts, strategically placed on my walk home, I arrive in my house around 7/7:15pm. Once home this usually means you will find me changing out of pants and laying on top of my bed under my fan on full blast. While my school is blessed with more resources than others air conditioning in the English classroom is not one of those luxuries. After I cool down from the cramped bus ride home, I am heading to Museo La Tertulia to watch a movie with a few friends. This museum boasts a variety of art exhibits, cultural events, and nightly international film screenings. After the movie we will probably walk over to one of the many bars in the area for a beer or two before heading home for the night. Most of my friends have to set their alarms quite a bit earlier than mine as they work in the morning.

So there you have it readers. Welcome to my Wednesday! Happy “hump day” from Colombia! Cali is a great placement city because there are so many activities going on during both the weekdays and weekends. Many fellows fill their free time during the weeks with salsa lessons, Spanish classes, and soccer leagues. While I technically have a set schedule I truly never know what my day is going to bring, welcome to Colombia my friends. One thing I can assure you is that every day you will arrive to your school with hundreds of teenagers smiling and yelling, “Hello teacher!!!.” I’ve taken more selfies with my students this calendar year than I ever have in my entire life.

Chao parceros!

Abrazo de Cali,

Sarita

You still have time to be part of our free program, do not miss your chance and join us!

For further information you can contact us in our Facebook page or visit our websites of Latinamerica and Argentina.

Infinite possibilities and the chance of a life-time experience are awaiting you! Want to join us?

By Sara French

The past five months of my life have been an ongoing adventure. I rode a horse to an UNESCO World Heritage Site, hiked through the world’s largest palm trees, eaten way past the point of being full, bathed in natural hot springs, taken a bus without fully knowing my destination, bodysurfed in the Pacific Ocean for the first time, averaged around three cups of delicious coffee a day, watched the sunset from the top of a mountain, and got lost way too many times to count.

In short, Colombia has far exceeded my expectations. In January 2016 I arrived to Colombia with a rather limited perception of the country. My prior knowledge of Colombia was solely based on its turbulent past and booming coffee industry. In fact, I had never even heard of my placement city, Cali. I am pretty sure some of my relatives think I am in California. If you are interested in a detailed account of how much Cali rocks, refer to my previous post here. I applied to be an English Teaching Fellow through CW Latin America because I wanted to improve my Spanish and maybe learn some salsa. I had no idea I was about to embark on the best and most challenging year of my life.

I stay very busy during the week with a full schedule of classes, a weekly English Club, and trying to practice my Spanish outside the school; however, I have found my weekends to be just as busy! A tremendous perk to life in Cali is the city’s proximity to many beautiful travel destinations, many of which are overlooked by tourists making the visits truly authentic experiences. With over forty Teaching Fellows in Cali you can always find a group or two traveling every weekend. With a huge bus terminal and international airport in Cali traveling throughout this lovely country has been a breeze.

San Agustin

A few weeks ago a friend on the program asked me if I was interested in traveling to San Agustin. Frustrated with classes and tired of city life (remember, I am from Ohio), I immediately said yes but honestly had no idea where or what San Agustin was…I just needed a break. Readers, you heard it here first, GO to San Agustin. This pueblo (small town) is located about three hours outside of Popayan. My group left on a bus from Cali Friday afternoon and arrived in Popayan around 9pm to find that we missed the last bus to San Agustin.

Luckily, a few other fellows live in Popayan so we grabbed drinks with them and crashed at their places until the following morning. In almost every major city you will find Heart for Change Teaching Fellows so whether you need travel advice or a bed to sleep on they are your go-to resources. On Saturday we grabbed an even smaller bus which navigated through the curvy, dirt roads to San Agustin. At this point I have grown accustomed to constant carsickness and have a solid routine to avoid the worst (inquire for details). Nestled between rivers, mountains, and valleys, San Agustin is lined with brick streets and traditional Colombian architecture. From the second we arrived in the town I felt refreshed. The kindness of the people, the breathtaking views, and the cooler climate affirmed that I had made the right choice in traveling to this paradise. We found a lovely hostel (check out La Casa de Nelly!), stood in awe of the 5,000 year old statues that serve as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and fought for the front seat of the car so we could see the marvelous views just outside the window. Further, I faced my fear of horseback riding and “successfully” made it through three hours on the back of a horse. Successfully meaning both the horse and I returned alive. Pictures are worth 1,000 words so here you go:

Juanchoco y Ladrilleros

Like I said, my previous knowledge concerning Colombia was both narrow and incorrect. For example, I thought Cali was on a beach. Well, it is not even though the climate feels like it should be. While I was raised in Ohio, I have always loved the beach: the sand, the smell, the waves, everything. After 4.5 months in Cali I began to feel landlocked, I craved the beach. While the Caribbean Coast is a 50-75 USD flight away (still very cheap), el Pacifico is only a short distance via bus. On Friday morning, two friends and myself hopped on the three hour bus ride to Buenaventura, a large port city on the Pacific Coast, and then nervously boarded a lancha (a glorified motorboat) to the beaches of Juanchoco / Ladrilleros. While the one hour boat ride was a bit wavier than expected, we immediately forgot all of our problems and motion sickness when we saw the beaches of the Pacific.

If you want the best seafood of your life, the Pacific Coast is for you. Fresh shrimp, oysters, lobster, crab, fish, you name it and the residents of the Pacific know how to cook it. I expected the beaches to be full of vacationers but aside from the few other guests, some locals, and a man selling fresh coconut water we basically had the entire beach to ourselves. This weekend getaway to the playa was exactly what I needed and I cannot wait to return. The Pacific Coast is Colombia’s best kept secret, so don’t tell too many people. You just have to come see for yourself.

It is hard to believe the first semester of school is almost over! Classes end the first week of July for a month-long break. I am in the midst of planning a trip to the Caribbean Coast to wander through the colorful streets of Cartagena, hike through the mountainous region of Minca, and bask in the sun on the beautiful beaches of San Andres. When classes start back up in August there will be a new batch of Teaching Fellows working with Colombian students until the end of the school year in November. The first half of this year has flown by between classes, traveling, and trying to remember to email my parents (hi mom&dad!).

Please feel free to contact me or CW Latin America if you have any questions or want to start the easy application process today. You could be sipping coconut water on the Pacific Coast…~Sarita

You still have time to be part of our free program, do not miss your chance and join us!

For further information you can contact us in our Facebook page or visit our websites of Latinamerica and Argentina.

Infinite possibilities and the chance of a life-time experience are awaiting you! Want to join us?

It is hard to believe that I am already entering my third month as an English Teaching Fellow here in the beautiful city of Cali! For those readers new to my story, the Connecting Worlds Latin America team helped me pursue my passion for all things Latin America and in early January 2016 I arrived in Colombia to work as an English Language Teacher in a public high school. I will remain in Colombia for one year and I sincerely hope to make as big of an impact on my students as they have already left on me!

There has not been a single school day that I have not left laughing alongside my students. Everyday after school I arrive at my bus stop with a band of smiling students who escort me from the classroom to the station, usually about a ten minute walk. During this time we discuss that day’s events, places I need to visit in Colombia, and most importantly, Justin Bieber’s performance at the Grammys. Through the past weeks I have learned that Colombian students are hilarious, passionate, and extremely kind-hearted.

Since my last post I have continued to experience new things each day while slowly assimilating into the Caleño way of life. While I may be a bit biased, I could not be happier with my placement city, Cali. Whether you already applied to this wonderful (free!) program or just happened to click on this link, I highly encourage you to consider Cali as you next travel destination! Here is why:

The food. I write about this very important decision factor first because in my mind, well, it is the most important. Cali is known as one of the country’s gastronomic centers both for the variety and quality of the food here. I have learned that this title is well-deserved. In short, my stomach has assimilated to the Caleño lifestyle quite nicely. From mouth-watering empanadas to fresh Pacific fish you will not be disappointed here. In Colombia lunch is the big meal of the day. Throughout Cali you will find delicious “almuerzos tipicos” that usually consist of meat, rice, vegetables, and soup. All which will cost you about $2-3 USD. Vegetarian? Have no fear, you can still come to Cali and not starve. I was pleasantly surprised by the large variety of food within the city. San Antonio, the historic barrio in the city’s center, is full of vegetarian-friendly restaurants and corner cafes. While I rarely pass up a typical Colombian lunch, I have found excellent Asian, Italian, and Mexican food in Cali. Finally, you simply cannot visit Cali and not try cholado, a colorful drink filled with fresh fruit mixed together with sweet milk.  I could write for days about all the wonderful food I have encountered here in Cali but you seriously need to come check it out yourself.

The city life. On paper, Cali is a huge city that boasts over 2.5 million inhabitants, however during the past three months here I have learned that while this city is large it also has a small community vibe that is priceless. Further, there is always something to do: a concert to hear, an art exhibit to see, or a festival to attend. On the weekends the artesanal park is full of vendors from the region and every Thursday night is indigenous dance night where all are welcome to join in traditional dances.The parks are always bustling with all sorts of activities from salsa nights to delicious food vendors. The bars are plenty, the music is loud, and Caleños love to have a good time making Cali nightlife a major attraction for travelers. There is something for everyone here in this vibrant city.

The location. Positioned in the Valle de Cauca, Cali has the ideal location for travel! Whether you want a weekend getaway to a small pueblo or want to experience an undiscovered beach on the Pacific coast Cali provides the perfect home base for all your travel desires. I try to travel as much as both my schedule and bank account allow for which usually ends up being around twice a month. Recently I have traveled to the coffee region (3 hours by bus), Popayan (2.5 hours by bus), and Rio Pance (30 mins by bus). Cali is equipped with both an international airport and large bus terminal which makes transportation very easy. For around $8 USD I arrived in the beautiful coffee region of Colombia where I spent my Easter holiday sipping on rich, decadent Colombian coffee! While I absolutely adore Cali sometimes it is nice to leave the city life for a short weekend getaway in the countryside. Many Caleños do so by traveling to fincas which are small farms located outside the city. For the adventurous readers Cali is surrounded by an array of outdoor activities like kitesurfing, hiking, and sailing. Further, Ecuador is a common destination for backpackers in Cali due to its close proximity. Overall, you cannot beat Cali’s great location.

Salsa. Welcome to the salsa capital of the world! This title is not to be taken lightly as the dance runs through the veins of Caleños both old and young. You cannot go anywhere in the city without hearing the vibrant beat of salsa music. Almost every night you can find a salsa bar full of Caleños demonstrating their stellar salsa moves. Upon arriving to Cali I was nervous to enter a salsa bar because I knew my American dance moves were not going to cut it; however, I learned that inside there is a relaxed environment with a variety of salsa levels. Obviously, I still have much to work on but now I can drag my feet into the basic steps of salsa! The salsa culture is everywhere in the city and has become one of my favorite weekend activities.This dance is fun, dynamic, and mirrors the captivating high energy of this city!

The people. I decided to end with this because while I originally deemed food the most important bullet point on my list it is the people in this city that set it apart from any other place I’ve been. Caleños are truly the nicest human beings I have ever met in my entire life. In general, Colombians are perceived as friendly folk but Caleños are a whole other level. I can count numerous times that I have been lost, mainly trying to weave the bus routes together, and approached by a Caleño who was more than happy to decipher my broken Spanish in hopes of helping me. In fact, I found my current room after initiating small talk with an old man at a local cafe. My original intent was to practice my Spanish and I left with a monthly lease to a fabulous room! Huzzah! To keep this brief, even in this busy city there is a neighborly spirit that is always present throughout Cali.

To be honest condensing this amazing city into five points was extremely difficult as there are so many wonderful things here in Cali. As I am becoming less of a tourist and more a long-term traveler I am continuing to push myself by trying new things and practicing my mediocre Spanish. Basically, I am learning it is okay to make mistakes. I have definitely written over my allotted word count at this point and need to get some rest before a long day of teaching tomorrow. Chao from Cali! Abrazos- Sarita 

You still have time to be part of our free program, do not miss your chance and join us!

For further information you can contact us in our Facebook page or visit our websites of Latinamerica and Argentina.

Infinite possibilities and the chance of a life-time experience are awaiting you! Want to join us?

If you want to teaching English in Colombia, you’ll be required to commit to an online interview via Skype. Sound daunting? Here’s a few tips to help you show off the very best of your talents and strengths…

1. Get familiar with Skype

If you’ve never used Skype before (or if you’ve only ever used it for personal reasons), you should do a demo run with the help of a family member or friend. You need to know how video chatting works, how to use the “messenger” part of Skype, how to increase and decrease volume, how to turn your camera on and off, and more. Imagine how embarrassed you’ll feel if the person interviewing you has to wait for five minutes while you work out how to turn your microphone on! :-/

2. Accept your interviewer as a contact ahead of time

In order to speak with your interviewer, he or she must be a “contact” of yours. This means you have to send him or her a contact request or accept the request that he or she has sent to you. Again, don’t wait until the last minute to do this. Accept him or her as soon as possible so that you’re all ready to go when the big day arrives.

3. Be patient

It’s not a good idea to call your interviewer ahead of schedule. Even if you can see them online and it’s five minutes or so after your scheduled interview time, be patient. Your interviewer is probably preparing to talk to you, or finishing up on notes about something else in their day, etc. If you call, you might be interrupting them unnecessarily.

Obviously, if 30 minutes goes by you might want to send a quick message in the chat box to find out if everything’s ok, but if you’ve only been waiting for five minutes, try to relax and wait for the call to come to you.

4. Be prepared

It will be really embarrassing if your interviewer asks you about the TEFL placement program you’re signing up to and you don’t know anything about it. Read up on the programs we offer, the process you have to go through, the requirements and the experiences that the program aims to offer. If your interviewer can see that you’re informed about the program, he or she will know that you’re serious about teaching.

Be ready to explain why you’ve chosen the particular program in question and why you want to teach in the destination you’ve selected. Be specific and be ready to answer in detail about what you want to get out of the experience.

5. Investigate a little about Colombia

Do you know what people eat in Colombia? Do you know what the weather’s like? Do you know what they speak? Do you know something about the town you’d like to be placed in? Be knowledgeable about Colombia. We need teachers who know how to teach English, but we also need teachers who are interested in Colombia.

6. Be professional

Just because you’re on a Skype interview, it doesn’t mean you can communicate with your interviewer as though he or she were your friend. Skype interviews for teaching English in Colombia are JOB INTERVIEWS. We’re not fooling around with our selection process and we need to see that you’re taking it seriously too. Teaching English is Colombia is not a long vacation with a bit of teaching here and there on the side. If you want to travel, don’t sign up to this program. This program is for people who want to teach and who want to make a difference in the lives of the students that they meet.

7. Be smart

Again, it might be Skype interview, but you must look the part. Make an effort. Don’t turn up in your pyjamas, don’t have anything inappropriate or distracting going on in the background and make sure you’re in a place where you interviewer can hear you clearly (Starbucks is not a good idea).

8. Read over the application form you sent in

You’ve probably mentioned all the reasons why you want to teach in Colombia and all the experience you have on your application form, but your interviewer will want to hear about them from you “in-person”, so be prepared to discuss everything that you listed on that form. Read over what you sent as a way of preparing for the interview.

9. Enjoy it!

Everyone gets nervous in interviews, particularly when it’s for something that we really, really want, but try to enjoy and learn from the experience at the same time. Nobody’s out to get you or to trip you up on anything. We just want to make sure that you’re the right person for this kind of international experience. So, smile!

For further information you can contact us in our Facebook page or visit our websites of Latinamerica and Argentina.

Infinite possibilities and the chance of a life-time experience are awaiting you! Want to join us?

Choosing the right Teaching English Program to sign up to is important. It’s naive to think that all programs are the same or require the same kind of experience. What’s more, you’ll need to think very carefully about the place you want to teach in. If you’re going to spend a number of months in the destination of your choice, it has to be a place that interests you on a number of levels.

So… what kind of Teaching English Programs do we offer?

All of our programs are based in Latin America. We work with schools and other kinds of educational institutions in Argentina, Colombia and Peru. We also offer two kinds of programs: the first is an internship program and the second is a full time job teaching English.

I’ve never taught English as a foreign language before…

If you’ve never taught English as a foreign language before, we highly recommend that you opt for our internship programs based in both Argentina and Colombia.

Internship programs in Argentina

One of the important things to highlight about these programs is that we work with a wide range educational institutions all over Argentina. We’ve placed teachers in Buenos Aires, Mar del Plata, Córdoba and Rosario, just to give you an idea of a few places on our list.

The program fee that we charge to sign up to the internships in Argentina includes accommodation, food and Spanish classes. There aren’t any other programs of this kind in Argentina. What’s more, it’s a wonderful country to visit and discover. Many people who sign up to these programs end up follow in love with the country and wanting to stay for longer.

For more information, click here: http://www.cwlatinamerica.org/tefl-internships-c-8-49.html

Internship programs in Colombia

The really big incentive for signing up to teach on the internships programs in Colombia is that there’s no fee involved. We ask for a USD$400 deposit, but this is returned to you in full at the end of the placement. This helps us to ensure that our teachers stay to the very end of their teaching placement, and it’s a plus for the teachers who sign up because, naturally, the cost of the experience is seriously reduced.

For more information, click here: http://www.cwlatinamerica.org/tefl-internships-c-8-63.html

I already have experience teaching English as a foreign language…

If you already have teaching experience and you’re looking to further your career by teaching English in a foreign context, we highlight recommend that you sign up to the full time Work Program that we offer in private schools that are located in Colombia and Peru.

Teaching English Work Programs in Colombia

If you’d like to teach English on one of our work programs in Colombia, you can choose between Cucuta, Bogota, Cali, Medellin and Cartagena. The school that accepts you as an English teacher will pay for your flight (the flight that takes you to the destination), which is naturally a real incentive when you’re trying to keep the costs of your experience to a minimum.

However, the selection process is a lot more rigorous than that of the internship programs. You will have to successfully pass through two interviews and two weeks of online orientation before the school in question decides whether or not to accept you on the program.

Teaching English Work Programs in Peru

Placements are only available in Lima and the same strict rules apply for these work programs. The school will pay for your flight to Peru, but the selection process is highlight intensive. In addition, the participating schools in Lima ask that all teachers who apply already have an official teaching qualification. It’s a prerequisite for teaching in this country and there can be no exceptions to the rule.

More information on the Work Programs in Colombia and Peru can be found here: http://www.cwlatinamerica.org/tefl-jobs-c-16-64.html

More help

If you need more help deciding on the best route to follow, please do contact us personally for more information. We’ll be delighted to help you!

For further information you can contact us in our Facebook page or visit our websites of Latinamerica and Argentina.

Infinite possibilities and the chance of a life-time experience are awaiting you! Want to join us?

One of the questions that we’re regularly asked is whether or not it’s necessary to study towards a TEFL qualification if you want to teach English in Colombia. The short answer, is “yes”! It’s really important to have a TEFL qualification, particularly if you don’t have any formal teaching experience of any kind, and you’ll find it a lot easier to land your dream placement with a certified qualification in your pocket.

However, not all TEFL qualifications are the same. So… which is the best one for you?

Quality matters

Naturally, it’s not essential that you study on one of the TEFL courses we offer, but we wouldn’t offer our courses if we didn’t believe in them. We’re experts in the TEFL industry and we know the difference between a serious program that actually trains people to teach English as a foreign language, and those other kinds of programs that claim to be an intensive one-week trip to TEFL certification.

It’s important that your TEFL offers high quality training.

We don’t accept everyone and anyone

We’d also like to make it clear that studying towards one of our TEFL certifications doesn’t automatically guarantee you on a teaching English in Colombia program. Places are limited and every year we receive applications from highly qualified candidates. Indeed, another reason why you should be picky about the course you choose is because you’ll be competing against other TEFL qualified applicants.

The basics

You should choose a course that lasts at least 120 hours and that requires you to teach students in a classroom setting as part of the practice. That way, when you apply to teach in Colombia, you can add official teaching experience hours to your application form. You’ll be able to refer to your teaching experience in the interview process and there’ll be more reasons for us to offer you a placement.

In person or online?

We recommend that you study in-person. There are loads of TEFL certifications out there that can be done online, but there’s nothing that can beat face-to-face contact and face-to-face teaching experience. There are courses designed to help people who can cope with an entirely face-to-face program (be it for work of persons commitments). These courses ask you to complete a certain number of hours onsite and teaching in person, but they also allow you to complete the major part of the course online, at home, in your own time.

If you do have to study online, due to other commitments, we seriously recommend that you opt for the partially online courses and not those that are 100% online.

What now?

Please bear in mind that, at present, we’re recruiting for a June start, which means that your application must be with us by 15th April. If you want to meet the deadline for a placement that begins in June, you really should start studying on the program of your choice as soon as possible.

If you need any more help or you’d like to receive a little bit of one-on-one advice, don’t hesitate in contacting us directly. We’d love to help you in any way that we can!

For further information you can contact us in our Facebook page or visit our websites of Latinamerica and Argentina.

Infinite possibilities and the chance of a life-time experience are awaiting you! Want to join us?

If you’re reading this article, it’s probably because you’ve decided you want to teach English in Colombia. At the very least, you’re 90% sure about signing up and you’re just doing a little bit of extra research into the process before signing on the dotted line.

Paperwork

One of the things you’ll be required to do to teach English in Colombia is to submit what’s known as your placement preference form, which will give you the opportunity to state preferences related to the following:

1. Type of City – urban, rural, small, large, etc.
2. Weather conditions – hot, mild, cool mountain regions, etc.
3. Age of students – primary school, adults, no-preference, etc.
4. The element that’s most important to you – this might be the location, or the age of the students, or the climate, or something else.
5. Your favorite activities – cycling, dance, painting, reading, swimming, dining in restaurants, etc.
6. Your preferred method of transportation – metro, bus, on foot, cycle, car, etc.
7. There’ll also be a section at the end where you can add any additional comments that you feel to be important.

Tips to bear in mind before submitting your preferences…

We highly recommend that you research into the topic before submitting your preferences. You may have teaching experience in your own country (or other foreign countries) but that doesn’t mean that you have a good understanding of what teaching English in Colombia is like.

For example…

Should you teach Adults (SENA) or High School Students (Ministry of Education)? There are a number of blogs and descriptions out there that compare the two experiences. They’re not the same and the differences between them might, or might not, be important to you and affect the kind of experience you end up having.

Where should you teach? There are so many Colombian destinations on the list now that it’s well worth the time and effort scanning through them all. Placement opportunities are developing all the time. Keep up to date with the locations available to avoid missing out on a placement in your dream location.

How flexible should you be? Bear in mind that we’re looking for flexible individuals. We do try to place everyone in their dream placement, but sometimes it just isn’t possible to tick all the boxes. What’s more, placements fill up fast, so if you’re applying later on in the application process period, you might find that you have to go with your second or third placement choice.

However, we do of course want you to be happy and so we will do our very best to offer you a placement that we think you’ll enjoy, even if it’s not your first choice. Be open minded and responsive to unexpected changes and you may even find that a placement you hadn’t considered is actually the one that best suits your needs. We’ve placed teachers in cities they’ve never even heard of and they end up never wanting to go home!

Most importantly…

Please remember that the most important people in this entire process are the students. Colombia English students need your lessons. Your classes can make a real difference to their lives, education, job prospects, interests and more.

Be clear about your objectives. If you’re really only interested in signing up so that you can spend your time partying till all hours and sunbathing on the beach, please consider just taking a very long holiday instead. You should only apply if teaching English is your primary goal.

Get in touch…

If you’ve got any questions, just contact us and we’ll do all that we can to help you

You still have time to be part of our free program, do not miss your chance and join us!

For further information you can contact us in our Facebook page or visit our websites of Latinamerica and Argentina.

Infinite possibilities and the chance of a life-time experience are awaiting you! Want to join us?

Mouth-watering steaks and crisp red wines are probably the first things that spring to mind when one is asked to imagine Argentina. And while there is no denying that the country has, to use a French expression, the crème de la crème of both delicacies, there are plenty of other culinary delights that are less well-known, but just as delicious.

Empanadas

Recipes for empanadas date back to the 16^th Century and these tasty stuffed pastries are thought to have originated from the Indian samosas. The name empanada comes from the Spanish verb empañar, which means “to bread.” So empanada, roughly translates: “to wrap in bread.” Nowadays, rather than bread, various delicious fillings such as ham and cheese, mozzarella and basil, and meat are enclosed in a pastry shell and served piping hot from street stalls, bakeries and restaurants across Argentina.

Mate

In the streets, at the office, at home, even on the Subte…there is no denying that mate is a key component in Argentines’ way of life. This high caffeine, herb drink keeps them going all day and into the night; how else would they stay awake until the boliches (nightclubs) open at 2am?! Mate is a type of tea, made from the plant yerba, which is grown in the subtropical forests of Latin America. Indigenous people believed that the drink had mystical properties. Nowadays, mate still has a ritual quality; large flasks are used to top up the gourd (cup) and each person takes it in turns to sip up the delicious tea through a metal straw. Be warned: the bitter taste might take some getting used to!

Red Wine

Wine making has existed for centuries in Argentina, however, in the late 19^th and 20^th Centuries Spanish and Italian immigrants brought new vines and knowledge to South America. The Andes Mountains provide the perfect climate for vineyards, and today Argentina’s wine industry is booming. Malbec, with its velvety texture, fruity aroma and intense colour took its place as the country’s signature wine and has struck up the perfect partnership with a succulent steak (more on that later). Even better, a decent bottle can be picked up for as little as $60 (about 4 USD).

Facturas

Ahh facturas. How delicious you are but how bad for the waistline. The walk to work will become a daily struggle as you desperately try to keep you eyes straight ahead and not get distracted by the panaderia’s (bakeries) window displays that are lined with delicious baked pastries. Collectively known as facturas, they come in all shapes and sizes, as well as fillings and are finished off with a dusting of sugar. This leads nicely on to…

Dulce de Leche

This sweet, thick, caramel sauce is traditionally made by simmering a pot of milk and sugar over a stove for several hours. Thankfully, it can now be bought in almost every food shop, and supermarkets have aisles literally dedicated to the sugary spread. Argentines eat dulce de leche with almost everything: from pancakes and toast to cakes and desserts. According to tradition, dulce de leche originated from a 19^th century cooking accident in the Buenos Aires Presidential House. The maid of Juan Manuel Rosas, who was President at the time, had left sugar and milk simmering on the stove. When she returned a while later, the mixture had transformed into a thick, brown consistency. From that point on, dulce de leche was born.

Asado

Asado encompasses the Argentine tradition of a barbeque – but it is a barbeque with a difference. There’s no gas involved, only fire heats the coal to the perfect temperature and cooking typically takes a couple of hours. A typical asado consists of various different cuts of meat, including choripan (spicy sausage in a bread roll), sweetbreads, morcilla (black pudding) and a larger cut of beef. Served on a large platter, usually with salad and chimichurri (a herb and olive oil sauce) an asado carries on well into the night or until you can eat no more!

For further information you can contact us in our Facebook page or visit our websites of Latinamerica and Argentina.

Infinite possibilities and the chance of a life-time experience are awaiting you! Want to join us?

Hola de Colombia! My name is Sara French and I am an English Teaching Fellow in Colombia, South America. I graduated from Davidson College in North Carolina this past May with the daunting thought of “what am I going to do with my life?” I think this crosses every college graduates’ mind at some point. I studied abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina during Spring 2014 and always knew I wanted to return to South America.

After a summer of extensive internet searches I found Connecting Worlds Latin America, an Argentine-based organization that places applicants in paid volunteer positions throughout Latin America. Cristina, the founder and director of CW, has been an integral part of awesome experience here thus far. Cristina and her team are experienced, professional, and personable. A big thank you to Connecting Worlds for allowing me to live my dream here in South America!

After months of planning, days of packing, and some unexpected flight delays, I arrived in Bogota two weeks ago for orientation. There are 400 fellows starting with me this January and are placed in various cities throughout Colombia. I am placed in Cali, a city located near the Pacific coast, with around 40 others. Known as the world capital of salsa, this city already has me hooked. Despite the large population of around 2 million people, Cali has a small town feel in each of its distinct barrios.

Let me backtrack a bit. Orientation was full of helpful events such as seminars on Colombian culture, safety, and an extensive TEFL workshop. Located in the vibrant capital of Bogota the past two weeks were eventful, tiring, and fun. Orientation brought together all the fellows from across the globe. I had roommates from Kenya, Venezuela, and Brazil.

One of the best parts of my two weeks in the capital was getting to know this eclectic group of fellows. Our busy training schedule did not deter us from exploring all Bogota has to offer. Lined with intricate street art, there is always something to do in Bogota. If you enjoy shopping Bogota is the city for you as it not only boasts many small artesanal markets but also state-of-the-art shopping centers, such as Unicentro.

La Zona Rosa is an energetic part of the city with a variety of nightlife options. Here a few of the fellows experienced “Gringo Tuesday” a Tuesday night language exchange that turns into large fiesta at night. The historic city center, La Candelaria, transports tourists back in time with its colonial architecture. Overall Bogota is a city I wish I had more time to explore and I will definitely be taking a long-weekend trip back to experience life as a bogotano.

Now, Cali. I arrived to my placement city less than 72 hours ago and I already feel like I am home. Calenos (people of Cali) are warm, friendly, and always willing to help out with directions or when you may be struggling with Spanish (say while you are ordering a coffee at Juan Valdez…).

I am writing from the beautiful balcony of my hostel which overlooks a cute barrio filled with cafes and local restaurants. A side note on Juan Valdez, this cafe chain has locations throughout Colombia and I have recently become addicted to their coffee. Each morning I walk 3.5 blocks down the street to order a “cafe con leche.” I love the cafe culture of Colombia as it is hard to walk outside without spotting a corner cafe offering coffee, teas, and pastries. I will probably need to find a gym soon…

This week I visited the school where I will be teaching for the year. It is located in the residential barrio El Sena in the north of Cali. I am placed with another fellow which is nice so we will be able to bounce ideas and other teaching strategies off one another. My co-fellow and I were greeted by not just our co-teachers but the entire faculty. I have never felt so overwhelmed with excitement and gratitude as many teachers offered assistance finding permanent housing, restaurant recommendations and kind words of appreciation.I already have quite a few dinner invitations.

While I consider myself extremely independent and self-sufficient it was so nice to receive such a warm welcome in a new school, new country and new continent. Ever since my arrival  in Cali I have felt at times more at home than I did in the States. The friendly Caleno spirit is contagious and I am so excited to be a part of it.

After touring the school we were invited to a teacher luncheon at this delicious Colombian restaurant where we were treated to “comida tipica.” Bandeja Paisa is a typical lunch dish here in Colombia and it does not disappoint. This dish contains a hefty combination of rice, plantains, beans, chorizo, arepa, chicharron, and is topped with a fried egg. You can find this plate at almost any restaurant here. Colombians love their lunch, in fact it is usually the largest meal of the day. Each restaurant has their own special of the day which both affordable and tasty. I once again find myself writing about Colombian food in this article. In short, you will not be disappointed with the cuisine in this country.

I could write another five pages on my first three weeks in this beautiful country. While not everything has been easy, I have met the challenges with the happy-go-lucky spirit of Colombia which has made the few hardships less stressful. By hardships I mean the occasional Spanish language misunderstandings and a lost bag. For now I am focusing on finding more permanent housing with the help of my regional coordinator.

In each city there are 1-3 regional coordinators that assist fellows with finding accommodation, language barriers, and serve as support bases. I am so excited to finally be in Cali and am ready to begin a challenging, fun, and rewarding year here in Colombia. I will be posting about my time here in Colombia throughout the coming months along with pictures (if I can remember to take them). Until next time, Sara

You still have time to be part of our free program, do not miss your chance and join us!

For further information you can contact us in our Facebook page or visit our websites of Latinamerica and Argentina.

Infinite possibilities and the chance of a life-time experience are awaiting you! Want to join us?

As in many other places, some curious and unique facts are unknown for most of us…Take a minute to read this article and find out what is hiding in this majestic country!

–Cultural contrast: Although colonial architecture is common in major cities, modern buildings are part of the landscapes everywhere.

–Great natural diversity: It is one of the 17 most diverse countries in the world, specially within the Amazon’s rain forest where they have restricted areas to protect endangered species. Also…Colombia has the largest amount of unique wildlife in any part of the world.

–Coffee culture: As a representative element of they culture, coffee is present everywhere! It’s completely normal even for children to drink coffee with or without milk after their meals. Juan Valdez is the most famous brand… Once you try it, you will totally forget Starbucks!

–Friendly people: Geniunily kind and friendly, funny and always willing to help visitors to feel at home. Colombian people do not use the word “no” as an answer!

–Colombian musicians and writers: From Gabriel Garcia Marque to Shakira a lot of famous and talented people born in Colombia and inspired the whole world.

–Healthy life: Colombians love sports, specially the adventure ones. Also, soccer and basketball Colombian players are internationally well known. The main cities are covered by cycle lanes people use instead of using their cars.

–Traditional music: There are some traditional rhythms such as: Cumbia, Vallenato, Joropo, Calypso and Currulao. You will definitely enjoy watching, learning and practicing some of these dances.

Are you dreaming of being there. Don´t you?

Traveling around the streets of this colonial and beautiful country you will redefine Colombia!

You still have time to be part of our free program, do not miss your chance and join us!

For further information you can contact us in our Facebook page or visit our websites of Latinamerica and Argentina.

Infinite possibilities and the chance of a life-time experience are awaiting you! Want to join us?