The OIN Volunteer Program is the perfect opportunity for recent graduates looking to commit themselves to a year of volunteering. You will have incredible opportunities to travel across Nicaragua and Central America, learn or improve your Spanish, and live in community with other recent graduates!
This post will share more about the program design and how volunteers support the mission of Opportunity International Nicaragua.
Opportunity International Nicaragua was founded in 2005. The emphasis on education began with the founding of Escuela Secundaria Tecnica Emprendedora in 2012. The OIN Volunteer Program gives recent graduate the incredible chance to contribute their talents to the amazing team at Escuela Emprendedora.
Living.
Volunteers live together in the heart of Granada. One of the oldest colonial cities in the Americas, Granada is an exciting tourist destination and offers plenty to do for volunteers. Bars, restaurants, parks, museums, historic sites, and cultural events give volunteers the chance to learn about Nicaragua's history and culture while integrating themselves into the city of Granada.
Working.
During the school year, volunteers commute to Escuela Emprendedora in the rural community of Diriomo. A standard school day runs from 7:00am - 3:00pm and includes help with English conversation groups, supporting English teachers with grammar and vocabulary lessons, facilitating English video calls with U.S. volunteers, and supporting our committed students as they commit themselves to improving their English. With around 300 students, Emprendedora is a dynamic school built on strong values and supporting the growth and resilience of the surrounding communities. Volunteers have incredible opportunities to learn about life outside of Granada, and build community within the school community.
Travel.
Over the course of the year, volunteers are encouraged to explore the beauty of Nicaragua. The network of local busses allows for extremely affordable weekend trips, and past volunteers have spent time at nearly every top destination in the country. Additional travel across Costa Rica or Guatemala, or Colombia, are just some examples of how previous volunteer groups have ventured out during long weekends or breaks.
Benefits.
Volunteers receive extensive support from the moment they commit to the program. Pre-departure orientation includes preparatory Zoom calls with the Head of the English Program, Q&A with current volunteers, guidelines for booking flights and plenty of packing lists.
Upon arrival, volunteers are placed with host families in Granada and receive three weeks of language immersion to help improve their Spanish (if needed) and familiarize them with the culture and history of the country. Once their immersion is finished, volunteers move into the community house in the center of Granada. Over the course of the year they will receive a monthly stipend and regular support from program leadership.
If you have questions, or are considering if this program could be right for you, please reach out! You can email us at intern@opportunitynicaragua.org and we will be happy to help answer any questions about the program.
Cheers!
Tim
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