Travel and work in South America

Are you interested in traveling and working in a South American country for part of this summer with almost all expenses paid?

Dr. Susan Barfield, an MEA-MFT member and associate professor at Montana State University-Billings, discovered a unique opportunity for teachers (and any native English speakers) during her four-month Fulbright last year.

Sponsored by the Chilean Ministry of Education English Opens Doors Program, volunteers spend 10 weeks during the summer assisting English Language teachers in k-12 Chilean schools. (There are also options for six, eight, and 10 months.)

The Chilean government program covers the cost of room and board with a Chilean family, a small living allowance, and a two-week orientation in Santiago that includes Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) training, orientation to Chilean culture and education, "survival" Spanish classes, and cultural activities.

Volunteers only pay for their roundtrip flight from the U.S. to Santiago. They need not speak Spanish as they will be teaching English.

Although the nonprofit program is open to any adult who speaks English as their first language, teachers are encouraged to apply because of their experience and expertise. Last year volunteers came from Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries as well as the United States.

"Chile is a safe and leading economy in the region," Dr. Barfield reports. "By assisting teachers of English, you are making a social contribution to our global society and gaining international work experience."

One 10-week session this summer starts May 24 and another session begins June 14. To learn more or apply, visit www.centrodevoluntarios.cl/2008_volunteer_program.html

Need recertification or graduate credits? Optional undergraduate or graduate credit is available this summer 08 online through Montana State University-Billings.

For more information regarding the online course designed for this volunteer opportunity, contact Dr. Susan Barfield at sbarfield@msubillings.edu. Surprise yourself by teaching English and learning Spanish in Chile this summer!