Volunteer in Colombia

Colombia is the only South American Republic with coast lines on both the Atlantic and the Pacific, and it is home to the Andes Mountains, tropical rainforests, and even volcanoes. After a good day’s work, volunteers in Colombia can spend time with their local friends and family, dance merengue, play fútbol (soccer), dodge a few bulls, hike in the mountains or practice their Spanish. Most Colombians live in the mountainous regions of the country, with only 2% residing in lowland rainforests and savannas. Colombia is considered a “mega-diverse” country, with descendants from native peoples, Africans, colonists, and immigrants from Europe and the Middle East all at home in this gorgeous land.

United Planet is the US and Canadian member of the International Cultural Youth Exchange, or ICYE. As a volunteer in Colombia, you will be hosted by ICYE Colombia, ICYE’s Colombian partner organization. Based in the capital city of Bogotá, their team of 18 local community members work to create lifelong meaning through volunteer projects here.

United Planet also offers mid-term (4 weeks to 16 weeks) volunteer abroad programs and virtual volunteering and virtual internships (1 month to 6 months) in Colombia.  Learn more about all of our volunteer abroad programs and virtual volunteering and virtual internship countries and projects in Latin and South America.

• Take the time to get to know yourself outside of the circumstances that define you.
• You owe it to yourself.
• It’s only a year. Twelve months.
• Three hundred and sixty-five days in a new place, living and learning about a culture vastly different from your own.
• Yes, a lot can happen in a year and that’s precisely the point…

Read more on United Planet’s blog

Volunteers can work with children, or at-risk children, by helping with their daily activities, assisting with homework and language learning, and organizing sports or music programs for children.

Volunteers work with organizations that help children and teenagers stay in school.  Tasks may include creating or running workshops for language, computer, sports or music instruction.

Volunteers work on promoting environmental sustainability and preservation in Colombia. Activities include planting trees, helping with ecological activities and projects, and educating the local communities about the environment.

Volunteers work with children from a variety of disadvantaged backgrounds, including street children, the disabled, children from troubled families, and orphans. Possible volunteer tasks include assisting with fundraising, supervising children’s play time, developing activities and workshops, or supporting families from some of the poorest areas through counseling.

Visit the capital city of Bogotá, where you can go to the top of the tallest building in Colombia. While in Bogotá, you can also see a bullfight at the Plaza de Toros Santamaría, or attend a soccer game at Nemesio Camacho Stadium.

Visit one of the oldest buildings in Colombia, the San Felipe de Barajas Castle. Take time to sit and relax at the Plaza Bolívar, where you can see the Palace of the Inquisition and the statue of Simón Bolívar.

In addition to the zoo, you can also see how Colombian coffee beans are grown, harvested, and produced at the Café Especial Don Manolo.

Take a mountain bike ride through the beautiful scenery of San Gil, visit Chicamocha National Park, or go see the Rio Suárez.

• Extensive pre-departure preparation, including a training weekend in New Hampshire with United Planet staff or online
• Food and lodging in your host country
• Airport transfers
• Emergency medical insurance
• In-country orientation upon arrival and ongoing support and supervision throughout your Quest
• Language training
• Mid-year camp (for 1 year volunteers) and final camp
• Monthly stipend for incidental expenses

• 18 – 28 years old (upper limit flexible)
• Citizen or resident of the United States or Canada

• Volunteers are responsible for booking and covering the cost of their own flights (including pre-departure training).
• Volunteers will obtain the necessary visas with support from our Long-Term staff to volunteer in their host country.