Volunteer FAQ'S

Our Volunteer FAQ's should answer any general volunteer questions you may have about your volunteer program in Buenos Aires. If you do not see your volunteer program question here, please contact us!

How can I pick a suitable volunteer program?

We recommend that you write a list of all the things you are passionate about (environment, children, medicine, etc.) and then head to our volunteer opportunity pages to investigate what types of placements we offer, the tasks and responsibilities, requirements, etc. Then apply to a volunteer opportunity and we will contact you with all the available placements possible and details and you can narrow it down from there.

How many hours per day and how many days per week will I be volunteering?

Our volunteer programs schedule, on average, volunteers to work for 3-4 per day, approximately 15-25 hours per week. Often this work is distributed over 5 days, but schedules are flexible.

Can I choose my volunteering placement or am I assigned to one?

Expanish has set up a volunteer placement program that allows volunteers to apply for the field or area they are interested in, and then Expanish find(s) the appropriate placements that are available and open for the dates and duration the volunteer is looking for.

What level of Spanish is required for the volunteering program?

Every volunteer placement has a different Spanish requirement, ranging from a beginner to advanced level. Once volunteers choose a field or area, Expanish will send the volunteer program information and the requirements. When volunteering in Argentina or any other Spanish speaking country, a working knowledge of the language is extremely beneficial in regards to the volunteer work, cultural immersion, meeting locals, and navigating throughout the country. Expanish Volunteer encourages volunteers to take advantage of our Volunteer & Spanish program that combines a volunteer program and Spanish classes into one exciting program.

Do I have to be of a certain age to volunteer?

Most volunteer placements require that their volunteers are 18 years old or more. If you are under 18 and wish to volunteer, please contact us with your situation and we will let you know of any special volunteer opportunities for you.

What are the other volunteers going to be like?

Our volunteers come from a myriad of different countries and cultures, and are anywhere from 18 to 80 years old!

Why should I pay for a volunteering program?

This is a common question for first time volunteers, so we have dedicated a page to it. Go to our Volunteer Benefits page to read details about volunteering and why it pays to volunteer with a solid and structured organization.

Will I need a visa to volunteer?

Depending on your country, you may or may not a visa to volunteer in Argentina. Go to our Support Services page to find out more about tourist visas as well as entry fees into Argentina.

When can I start my volunteer work?

Most volunteer projects start every Monday year round, except on holidays. Once volunteers apply for their placement(s) we will be sure to confirm their start and end dates. On occasion, students may be asked to fill out some extra paperwork by their host organization, which will make their first day on Tuesday or Wednesday, however students still need to arrive by Monday in order to take care of these documents.

Please be aware that volunteer placements from December to March may be limited due to the Argentina summer (vacation breaks), particularly referring to education related placements. Similarly, high season is May-August due to summer vacations in the northern hemisphere, so volunteers need to apply early to confirm their spot. Holiday weeks such as Christmas, New Years, and Semana Santa will have very few placements available.

If you wish to volunteer during any of the above times, please apply as early as possible and keep other placements in mind.

National Holidays in Argentina 2010

Are the volunteering placements safe?

At Expanish Volunteer we carefully cover every element of the volunteer program placement including health and safety for our volunteers and take every step necessary to ensure that we are providing the safest and securest placements we can. Volunteers will always be in contact with a volunteer guide and will never be kept in situations that they are uncomfortable with or feel unsure about. Please look to our Volunteer Benefits page to get further details about the benefits and security that come with booking placements through a volunteer organization.

Do I need insurance while I am in a volunteer program?

Expanish recommends that all volunteers have health and travel insurance during their volunteer time abroad, and of course, recommends having this insurance for their entire travel time abroad. If you are interested in purchasing travel & health insurance through Expanish's partner CareMed International, please click here.

May I move into my accommodation before my course starts?

Yes, you may move into the accommodation Expanish Volunteer has provided you with at any date that is suitable for you, just make sure to let us know in advance.

How and when should I register? How can I confirm my spot in the program?

Just click on the link that says Book Now in any of our volunteer pages! At least one month in advance is recommend, but we always advise volunteers to register as soon as possible for their volunteer program in order to ensure a suitable placement.

In order to confirm volunteer registration and accommodation, a minimum deposit of $500US (or the full amount of the program if less than $500US) is required. It is critical that students understand that until this moment we can not guarantee a place in our accommodation. For programs over $2,500US, a deposit of 20% of the total program is required. If a registration is submitted less than 4 weeks before a programs start date, volunteers must pay the full program fee in order to confirm.

The entire program balance is always due 4 weeks before the program start date.

When should I pay for my volunteer program?

Once you register, you will receive a complete invoice for your program. You can choose to pay the full amount of your program at anytime however, a full payment must be made and confirmed by Expanish at least 4 weeks before student arrival.

What are my payment options?

Payments for volunteer programs can be made by credit or debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express), via PayPal or with a bank transfer before the program start date. Current students who want to add to their programs can also pay in cash (U.S. dollars or Argentine pesos) in person at the school.

What is the Expanish Cancellation Policy?

If volunteers cancel more than two weeks prior to the course start date, only the deposit will be held. Cancelation between 15 and 10 days before, 50% of the program cost will be kept. Cancelations that are less than 10 days will not be refunded. Cancelations after the start date will receive no refunds on the program, accommodation, or other item booked. Cancellations after the start date will also require that volunteers pay a $100US administration fee plus a $30US fee for any domestic wire transfer (U.S) or $60US for an international wire, and 4% for payments made by credit card.

Cancellation of any program must be made in writing or in-person by the individual who signed the booking form or completed the online order.

The date of cancellation is the same date Expanish receives the notice in writing.