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PROJECT INTRODUCTION
One of the most enchanting cities in South America! Buenos Aires, known as the "Paris of South America," is filled with cultural and historical sights and delicious food, with tree-lined streets in every neighborhood. Although it is half a world away from Korea, this place is surprisingly similar yet different! The locals, who love people and appreciate the value of life, are full of music and excitement with tango and busking, and Buenos Aires, with its colorful buildings and fashion-forward style, offers a deep dive into South American culture along with volunteer work!
While it may be unfamiliar in our country, it is common for students in the US and Europe to go to South America for volunteer work during their vacations!
In particular, Argentina, where the volunteer activities take place, is one of the largest and safest countries in South America, and we have meticulously selected various volunteer organizations to ensure safety.
Additionally, by providing homestays, you can stay with local families for increased safety and also improve your Spanish skills. Former KBS announcer and current travel writer, Mina Son, also realized the happiness she could share and learned life lessons while traveling in Argentina :) Experience true happiness through volunteer work and travel in Argentina!
From its origins as entertainment for the lower classes in the port brothels and bars to becoming a global cultural phenomenon, tango is a unique aspect of Argentina. Argentina is a place always full of passion with its colorful houses, tango performances, dining establishments that draw people in, street artists, and bands.
Moreover, Argentina is known for its strong beliefs in football, famously saying, "You can change religion, nationality, gender, even your wife, but not football!" Football is a major outlet for the passion of the poor and a strong unifying force for the country, where just watching a match in an Argentine football stadium allows you to fully experience the explosive energy of Argentina.
Furthermore, it is impossible to talk about Argentina without mentioning beef. With more than 28 times the area of South Korea, one-third of Argentina is pastureland, home to 60 million cattle (two per person). Thus, it is the city where you can enjoy high-quality beef at the lowest prices, making it a delight for budget travelers. Enjoy a glass of Argentine wine, which grows in the cleanest environment with snowmelt from the Andes Mountains at elevations above 900 meters, and savor Argentina with all your senses!
In Argentina, not only tango but also various street performances are held on every street, and colorful graffiti on buildings captivate tourists. Additionally, the Obelisk, a massive pillar and national historic monument of Argentina, emits dazzling lights at night, and the nightlife is well-developed with restaurants open late and parties continuing until sunrise.
Also, with a keen sense of fashion, there are vibrant shops and markets selling colorful items, and experiencing Argentina's lively and bold street fashion, which showcases each individual's unique style, is another fun aspect to enjoy.
■ Growing with the Project
| Week 1 of the Project | Week 6 of the Project | Week 12 of the Project |
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| STUDY IT! | EXPERIENCE IT! | BREAKTHROUGH! |
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1-1. The relaxation and leisure unique to Argentina 2-1. First encounter with foreign friends 3-1. Overview of work at the children's center |
1-2. The preciousness of a relaxed life like a local 2-2. Deepening friendships and strong bonds with foreign friends 3-2. The love of people who are grateful for my presence |
1-3. A mindset of gratitude even for the small things 2-3. Explosive positivity through the importance of people around 3-3. Expanded perspectives and values through meeting diverse people 4-3. Increased self-love and self-esteem |
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
You will be participating in volunteer work at a Children's Protection Center in Buenos Aires, Argentina, looking after children aged 4 to 16. You will spend 4-6 hours each day caring for and teaching the children, and in the early afternoon, after the project ends for the day, you can explore Buenos Aires at your leisure.
Most volunteers in South America come from the US or Europe. Take this opportunity to volunteer with friends from various nationalities and explore the hidden corners of Argentina!
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Q. Why are there so many impoverished children in Argentina?
In the 1960s, Argentina was one of the world's leading economic powers. However, from the 1960s to the 2000s, the country experienced a sudden collapse due to dictatorship, corruption, and a foreign exchange crisis—problems known as the century’s greatest enigmas. Argentina has not recovered since. During this economic downturn, many residents of Buenos Aires began collecting trash to sell in order to survive. This work offers very low income and poses significant health risks for families and individuals. While parents in poor areas hope their children receive an education and find stable careers, their low income and long working hours make it difficult to afford both the time and money needed for education, trapping families in a cycle of poverty.
The organization where you will volunteer works to keep these children safe and provides them with various educational opportunities to help them enter society successfully. By caring for the children, introducing them to Korean culture, and helping them with their studies, you can give these children hope and courage to face the world. Your efforts will make a difference! |
■ Activity Examples
- Play activities with the children.
- Help the children with their homework and studies.
- Assist in preparing snacks, and meals.
- Plan and lead recreational activities, outdoor activities, and hygiene education.
- Help teachers with their work and assist in preparing educational materials.
- Provide new ideas for activities or educational initiatives.
- Introduce and teach Korean culture to the children.
- Participate in fundraising activities with local staff.
* Typically, the activities above are carried out, but specifics may vary depending on local circumstances, the participant's abilities, and their interests.
▲ These are photos of actual participants during the project.
■ Activity Information
- Volunteer work is held every Monday to Friday.
- You will volunteer for 4-6 hours a day depending on the organization’s schedule. (Typically from morning to early afternoon).
- On the first day, there will be a local orientation.
- After the activities, you can use your free time or weekends for travel or personal time.
- You will help care for about 20-50 children and teenagers together with local staff, teachers, and volunteers.
- Volunteers will check into the accommodation on Sunday before the project begins, and check out on Saturday after the project ends.
- Please be mindful when booking transportation (flights, buses, etc.).
- As safety standards in South America differ from Korea, please make sure to follow the institution's safety guidelines.
Also, if needed, be sure to ask local staff for help!!
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The project placement will be assigned based on the participant's experience and skills. To determine the placement, a CV and an English application form in either English or Spanish will be required. Details regarding the required documents will be provided during the application process. |
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Spanish Language Requirement ★★☆☆☆ You will communicate primarily in Spanish with local staff, teachers, and volunteers. Since most of the activities are with children, basic communication skills will allow you to participate in the project.
Physical Strength Requirement ★☆☆☆☆ Since most activities are indoors, the project doesn’t require much physical effort. However, it’s good to have enough energy to spend time with lively kids. |
* Detailed reviews from participants can be found at Gap Year Stories (click).
* More participant reviews can be found at the bottom of the project under "Participant Reviews".
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Gap year planners highly recommend this!! It’s a project plan developed and overseen by the planners themselves.
This program is designed for those of you who want a unique experience in South America but are feeling overwhelmed or worried about it. Above all, we planned this with safety as the top priority, but Argentina has so many charms that it’s hard to capture them all in words and photos. You really need to visit Argentina yourself to fully experience its many attractions! Additionally, the daily schedule is quite relaxed, and Buenos Aires offers different attractions at various times of the day and night. So, after your volunteer work, we recommend taking some time to enjoy leisurely travel or learn tango in the tango capital of Buenos Aires to develop a unique hobby!
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SUPPORT
 Local Orientation |
 Online Orientation |
 Online Consultation |
 Certificate of Completion |
 KGY Certification |
 Pre-Departure Care |
 KGY Consultation |
 KGY Mission |
 24hr Emergency Care |
 Flight Ticket Booking Assistance |
 Real-Time Consultation Service |
 KGY Note Book |
 Project Registration and Participation Fee |
 Gap Year Mission Scholarship |
 OT Materials |
 Local Homestay Accommodation (Shared Room) |
 Airport - Accommodation Pickup Service |
 Local Breakfast (Mon-Sat) |
 Local Staff Care |
 Project Implementation and Training |
 Various Activities Calendar |
Exclusions
- Round-trip airfare
- Local living expenses (lunch, dinner, transportation, etc.)
- Individual travel insurance
ACCOMMODATION INTRODUCTION
■ Homestay
This project includes a homestay.
The homestay involves staying with a local family in Buenos Aires. We carefully select these families through a local organization that has been providing homestays for a long time, ensuring only safe and suitable homes are connected. Staying with a local family allows for a much safer experience in South America.
Homestays provide an opportunity to learn about Argentine culture from your host and communicate with the host family in Spanish, offering a deeper cultural and language immersion. This accommodation type is preferred by many volunteers and travelers.
Breakfast is provided from Monday to Saturday. Since the kitchen is not available for use, other meals will be enjoyed at nearby restaurants.
| Shared Room / Shared Bathroom / Breakfast Provided (Mon~Sat) |
LOCATION INTRODUCTION
| Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
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Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina and the largest romantic city in South America. The people of Buenos Aires, where the passion of South America and the elegance of Europe coexist, take great pride in their culture. Wide boulevards lined with old cafes and restaurants, historic Spanish-style buildings and theaters reflect the grandeur of Argentina's past. The expansive squares and lush parks offer a space to rediscover the relaxation that may have been forgotten in Korea.
Target Participants
- Adults aged 18 and above who are in good physical health
- Those who love children and want to have fun playing with them
- Those who dream of becoming a future child care teacher
- Those who want to volunteer and interact with friends from various countries
- Those who want to have a unique experience in Buenos Aires
SCHEDULE AND PRICES
■ The minimum participation period for this project is at least 2 weeks.
■ Participation Fee
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2 weeks |
1,673,000 |
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3 weeks |
2,003,000 |
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4 weeks |
2,333,000 |
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6 weeks |
2,993,000 |
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8 weeks |
3,653,000 |
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10 weeks |
4,313,000 |
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12 weeks |
4,973,000 |
* This project takes about 3 weeks from application to confirmation of volunteer activities due to local conditions. Therefore, it is recommended to apply with at least 2 months of buffer time.
When calculating the value of the gap year benefits based on local prices, the TOTAL is approximately 3,496,422 won!
However, by participating in the Gap Year Project, you can expect to save up to 1,163,422 won !
■ Gap Year Mission Scholarship (▶ Learn More)
■ Installment Payment Information
If you are unable to pay the full amount, please make an initial payment of 500,000 KRW for registration. Within 2 weeks, deposit the remaining balance, and based on the date of the initial payment, the process for confirming participation in the project will be initiated, and you will be notified of your participation status and available slots. To participate on your desired date and duration, securing a spot early is crucial! (Refunds are not possible once participation is confirmed)
* However, if the start date is approaching, the schedule for the remaining balance payment may vary depending on the situation.
■ Early Bird Discount and Emergency Application Information
We recommend applying for all Gap Year projects at least 3 months before the project start date to account for the standard application process and preparation time. Applications should be submitted no later than 2 months before the start date. If you need to join the project urgently, you can opt for the emergency application service by paying an additional fee, and we will assist you with the fastest possible processing.
* While we strive to expedite the process as much as possible, there is basic time required for communication with local institutions and confirmation of participation. Therefore, if you use the emergency application service, please actively cooperate with the Korea Gap Year operation team.
** Those who apply at least 180 days before the start date will receive an Early Bird discount.
*** The emergency application service can be selected from the options above. For inquiries related to the emergency application service, please contact koreagapyear@gmail.com.
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- Services Provided: Automatic application for Gap Year missions and notes / Full OT materials provided upon confirmation / Additional placement of emergency personnel / Support for necessary documents if needed, etc.
* If you have difficulty calculating dates, you can use the Naver date calculator >> Go to Naver Date Calculator
**Note: In the case of ultra-urgent applications, there may be no available slots due to local circumstances, and the procedure will proceed according to the Gap Year refund policy. Additionally, any issues arising from the participant's lack of cooperation will be the participant's responsibility.
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