If you have not heard of the phenomenon called Facebook, you are one of the few people that are missing out on the one of the biggest social networking sights in the world. Today, Facebook has more than 200 million users from almost every country in the world.

What is a social network?
It is a sort of social structure online that brings people together for different purposes but all with the purpose of connecting these people using one focus point.

What is Facebook?
It is a social network that connects people from around the world, allowing them to become ‘friends’, post profiles, pictures, and videos, share stories, share their likes and dislikes, write about themselves, share information (personal and professional), and much more!

Why be part of a social network when volunteering abroad?
Social networks are a great way to keep in touch with loved ones back home, meet new people abroad, and create lifelong connections with those you have shared experience with.  It is the newest form of keeping in touch; forget the telephone and even text messaging, send a message or post a wall note on your friends profile!  Volunteers in Buenos Aires can make contact with our Expanish page as well as make connections with their fellow volunteers, local friends, NGO’s, Social Rights groups, and much more.

For us at Expanish, Facebook is a great way to make better contact with our volunteers, share our history, photos, information, and daily/future events, and make a connection between individual volunteers.  Volunteers can keep watch of events happening at Expanish, past excursions to some of the most beautiful places in Argentina, and any updates Expanish is making to its programs or extra curricular activities!

If you are volunteering in Buenos Aires with Expanish, or planning to in the future, become friends with us on Facebook!

Buenos Aires, like many big cities throughout the world, is always in need for people with big hearts and a passion to help to come and volunteer themselves to worthy causes around and outside of the city. For many foreigners, this has become the latest form of travel; instead of spending day after day exploring the city, relaxing, shopping, etc, they have decided to devote some of their time to more important activities, turning a holiday into a cultural immersion experience, giving back to the community in which you visit.

Every year the amount of volunteer placements increases, giving volunteers more options and placements to volunteer in, helping in an area they truly believe in.  This 2009, we ask all volunteers around the world to consider Buenos Aires as their next volunteer destination.

Why volunteer in Buenos Aires in 2009?

1.    Buenos Aires continues to be an affordable destination for foreign currencies therefore making the city the perfect place to visit, live, and volunteer.
2.    There are numerous NGO’s and other organizations that have placements for volunteers from abroad.
3.    Many people speak English in Buenos Aires, making English placements for those who do not speak Spanish common and in demand.
4.    Many volunteers can use their skills or experience and put it to use in various volunteer projects around the city, in either English or Spanish.
5.    Volunteering is a part-time position giving volunteers the benefit of still having time to explore the city and take excursions outside of the city.
6.    Volunteering looks great on a resume and many volunteer projects will offer their volunteers a letter or recommendation, great for career searches in the future.
7.    2009 is like any year in many ways, there are thousands of causes that need our help and there is no better time than the present to get started!

Start your volunteer program in Buenos Aires today!

Are you thinking about taking a vacation or some time off?

It is a difficult time for everyone in this global economic crisis, but sometimes the best way to overcome a setback is to go out and experience the natural wonders of our great big world! Whether your pocket is fat or your only pulling out lint, there are always ways to get where you want in the world. So start being resourceful, throw some pennies in a jar, and soon enough you will find yourself enjoying the laid-back attitude of South America.

While this is a wonderful idea, you may also be feeling some reservations about enjoying yourself while many others are feeling the harsh effects of our current economic situation. So, we have the perfect solution for you! Vacation and volunteer all at once. It is becoming more and more common to not only travel for pleasure, but while helping others at the same time.

Expanish Volunteer programs offer a wide variety of volunteering avenues that are sure to fit your personal strengths, ranging from working with natural resources in ailing communities to teaching underprivileged children in local schools. All of our volunteer placements have priceless benefits for the communities and environments in need.

Throughout South America, there are equal opportunities for beautiful vacations and life-changing volunteer tasks. This irresistible combination can be arranged and coordinated through Expanish, where we truly understand the benefits of seeing the world as well as seeing the world through the eyes of others. Enjoy a truly gratifying adventure in South America where you will not only touch the lives of others, but also have the chance to see some of our world’s most enchanting natural wonders.

To get started on your adventure, check out the variety of volunteering opportunities and see which fits you best! You have the flexibility to choose the time period and places you would like to volunteer. Whether you would like to volunteer for only one month and spend the rest of your time traveling, every minute of your time is appreciated and invaluable. There are multiple ways to coordinate your time in South America and Expanish is always available to assist you with advice and resources at your request.

If you are considering volunteering abroad in Buenos Aires, it is important to have a good idea of how much time you are able and/or would like to devote to volunteering abroad. Volunteer programs themselves vary in the minimum amount of days/weeks/or months they expect volunteers to attend, and therefore it is up to the volunteers to decide the length of their program.

Volunteer Program Length; Things to Consider

If you are a first time volunteer or if you have not traveled for an extensive amount of time away from home, you should try to imagine yourself living abroad in a new culture, language, and lifestyle. Although volunteer placements are well organized and perfectly comfortable for foreigners, it is a change of lifestyle and you may be far from home so it is a good idea to consider all the factors and then make an educated personal decision on the appropriate amount of time.

Depending if you are in school or working, you will probably have a set time to volunteer. Volunteering abroad is a popular activity for students during their school break; often, volunteer placements are carried out during student’s summer months (1-3months). If you are working, how much time can you take off?

Volunteering also involves volunteers having some saved up funds to carry them through their volunteering months. It is easy to construct a budget around a volunteer placement as the volunteer program staff will be able to give you a total cost, including the placement, accommodation, excursions, classes, etc. They will also able to give you an approximate figure on daily spending.

Consider these factors above when choosing the duration of your volunteer program abroad and if you need any help, consult student assistance for guidance!

This June 5th in Buenos Aires, World Environmental Day will be celebrated with a free screening of ‘Home’; this movie will be the first in history to be released simultaneously on all media, meaning TV, Theatre, DVD, and Internet, across our 5 continents.

‘Home’ or ‘The Earth From Above’, was created by Yann Arthus-Bertrand, and is a film shot from the sky in high definition, showing the earth’s landscapes from a bird’s eyes view, shot using large-scale aerial photography. The film was created in order to present to people the earth’s beauty, yet from a different perspective than we are normally used to in order to try to spark some new interest in environmental responsibility. Buenos Aires has been one of the lucky major cities to be chosen for a free outdoor screening of this masterpiece, held at Plaza Naciones Unidas, Figueroa Alcorta & Austria at 9:00pm.

If you are in an environmental volunteer placement in Buenos Aires or if you are interested in the environment, this is a must-see for you in Buenos Aires. Invite your volunteer companions, friends, and family, as the best way to make a change is to begin my educating the people around you.

Let us know what you think about World Environment Day? Are there more ways you can think of to spread awareness in Buenos Aires?

As exciting and rewarding as a volunteer placement can be, it can also be very challenging both physically and mentally. Living in a new country, working with new people, speaking a new language, and offering your skills to those are in need, can all be major changes in your life and sometimes to start off and finish a volunteer placement just right, we need to go into it with the right attitude and mind frame.

Here are a few tips on how to be a great volunteer and have the most successful experience possible!

Educate yourself
Learn about where it is you are going; what is the country’s/city’s history? ; What are the people like? ; What is the culture like? ; Where will you be working and in for what kind of cause? This will allow you to know what to expect before you arrival.

Open your mind
You are most likely heading to a culture that is very different than your own and you should open up your mind and throw away any expectations/opinions you may have. Remember, don’t knock it till you try it!

Don’t try to save the world
Volunteer experiences can be very rewarding but also can sometimes seem like a hopeless cause when looking at the big picture as sometimes the big picture seems so big that there is not way you could possibly make a difference. Forget that. Look at your accomplishments and let all those little accomplishments add up to better the whole picture.

Being a volunteer is a very selfless and rewarding experience; prepare yourself for a new experience and be proud of yourself before, during, and after for your volunteer efforts.

For more volunteer preparation tips, check out our Volunteer Resource page!

1. Do not be afraid to put your volunteer experience under your work experience title. Use this at your own discretion and just make sure that there is an indication that that experience was a volunteer position.
2. Do not use the word ‘volunteer’ as a job title. Use your job title from the volunteer work to put as the job title. (ex: project manager, veterinarian assistant, etc.)
3. Describe your volunteer work in accomplishments and skills; if you and your volunteer team made any achievements, write it down; any new skills that you learned, write them down. This is what an employer wants to see.
4. Make sure to write down what you learned from your volunteer work and what you are now capable of. Explain your new found skills, how you learned them, and how you are able to use them.
5. Be proud of your volunteer work. Do not leave your volunteer work at the bottom of all your experiences, and do not undermine the work you did. Volunteer work may be unpaid does that not mean that it is any less valuable than paid work, in fact, most employers look at volunteer experience as a great attribute, one that shows them you are willing to work for something you believe in, without the obvious monetary rewards.

For more information about volunteering in Buenos Aires, click here!