Due to the Covid 19 Pandemic and US Travel Ban, this program has been temporarily suspended. Please check back for updates.
Live a cultural exchange experience in the unique and magical country of Colombia for up to 10 months! No student status or Spanish language skills required! Calling all 21-40 years olds – gain a true cultural experience in this modern nation while teaching English in a Colombian school or university. Colombia has created a “buzz” of attention in the travel industry in the last five years and was named Travel Zoo’s top five “wow deal destinations for 2013” in addition to “the hottest travel destination of 2012” by National Geographic, Gadling, and The New York Times!
Why a Cultural Exchange in Colombia?
Eligible applicants are pre-placed in schools, universities and social institutions around the Colombian territory. During the program you will develop activities that contribute to the learning and strengthening of the English language skills of Colombian students. There are two arrival months to choose from – January or July and participants must arrive in Bogota, Colombia well before the start of the academic period. Internship placements are for up to 10 months with a minimum commitment of 5 months.
As an participant you will have an opportunity to
You will either be pre-placed with one of our screened host families or placed with similarly aged Colombians or participants in a shared apartment for the duration of your time on our program. The cost of your accommodation will be between US$180 and US$200 per month. All stays include a kitchen where you can cook your meals.
Apply Now for Cultural Exchange in ColombiaWhile in Bogota check out the Gold Museum or if you are interested in street art, sign up for the Graffiti Tour that runs every day at 10 am. During school holidays you will have an opportunity to travel and explore other parts of Colombia. Take this opportunity to visit Cartagena, located on the Caribbean Sea, it is Colombia’s second-oldest city. Take a mud bath in the Totumo Volcano near Cartagena or learn Salsa in Cali. Mystery seekers can trek through the jungles, hills, and rivers of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to reach the 1,200+ rock steps that lead you to the “Lost City” of Teyuna. This ancient capital city of the Tayrona civilization is believed to date back to AD 800. If you are looking for adventure check out the Chicamocha Canyon in Santander – it is approximately 2 kilometers deep, 227 kilometers long and 264 hectares in size – start with a rappel at the entrance and end with an exciting jump into the void inside the cave!
Check out our interesting facts about Colombia
Please email outbound@iena.org for an application and instructions on how to apply.
Documents to include with your application:
Application deadlines: For January arrivals, please apply no later than October 15th ; July arrivals should apply no later than April 15th.
The program fee is $700 for a 10 month program and includes a non-refundable application fee of $50. After submitting your application to IENA we will arrange a Skype interview between the applicant and our partner in Colombia. If you are accepted to the program after your Skype interview you will be required to pay a deposit of $340 to secure your place on the program. Once we have placed you and you have accepted the placement, the remaining balance of your program fee will be due ($310). The program fee covers school or university placement, pre-departure and visa support from IENA, airport transfer to your pre-placed housing, orientation, social events and ongoing assistance for the entire time you are in Colombia on our program.
IENA and the ACJ YMCA will assist you with the visa process and will provide the necessary paperwork for your visa application. You may be required to physically go in person to the Colombian Consulate to submit your passport and visa application for processing. Visa processing takes on average one month.
Other costs to consider:
The program application fee of $50 is non-refundable.
If you cancel from the program after you have been accepted to the program but before you are placed a US$300 cancellation fee will be imposed.
If you cancel from the program after you have accepted your placement, no refund is possible.
In all cases a cancellation must be received in writing and is only effective from the date we receive it. Remember also that separate cancellation fees and conditions will undoubtedly apply to any flight bookings you make.
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