Volunteering Mexico

Looking for a program where i can study spanish and volunteer in Mexico

15 years ago, July 15th 2008 No: 1 Msg: #41920 Delete Edit

B Posts: 9

Looking for a program where i can study spanish and volunteer in Mexico either in the Yucatan or Chiapas. Done a bit of internet research and found a heap of American owned expensive programs where the money isnt going to the right places. Just wondering if anyone has done something simmilar and what and where any info welcome 😊? Reply to this

15 years ago, July 21st 2008 No: 2 Msg: #42496 Delete Edit

Kleopattra
Kleopattra's Life

N Posts: 21

Hiii, how are you?
I'm new to this blog, but I saw your post and I decided to give you some information.
I am from Campeche, a state located in the Yucatan peninsula. Campeche has a place called CEM which stands for Centro de Español y Maya, which means, Center for Spanish and Mayan. The CEM is designed for students whose first language is not Spanish, and it is part of the local university, UAC (Universidad Autonoma de Campeche - Autonomous University of Campeche).

It offers Spanish and Mayan classes to people whose first language is not Spanish or Mayan. However, not all the year do we get students from other countries. If I'm not mistaken we get them about once a year and they come from Canada, specifically from Nova Scotia.

If you would like more information you could contact:
Centro de Español y Maya
Lic. José Román Aranda Alpuche
Coordinador
E-mail: jraranda@uacam.mx

By the way, he's my dad. 😊

The advantage of a city like Campeche, is that you do get exposed to the culture and specially to the language. Campeche is still a growing city, and therefore we are not as industrialized as it is Merida or Cancun (the two biggest cities in the Yucatan Peninsula).
If you would like to do some volunteer work, I'm sure that Mr. Aranda (my dad) would have no trouble helping you find some sort of volunteer work.
Also, finding cheap housing in Campeche is relatively easy. We could help you with that as well. The CEM as well as the coordinator are used to help students to relocate or to find a place to stay in Campeche.
I know for sure, that taking classes at the CEM is not expensive. In fact, is very affordable.

What kind of volunteer job would you like to do?

If you find that Campeche is not the right place for you, then you can always try to get something cheap in Merida, which is located in the state of Yucatan. I'm sure that they might have something for you in Merida. Just beware of those very expensive programs as well as expensive housing.

Should you have any more doubts or questions, you could always e-mail Mr. Aranda or me for that matter.

Reply to this

15 years ago, July 27th 2008 No: 3 Msg: #43253 Delete Edit

El Eterno Caminante
Greg

B Posts: 190

WOW THANKS Helia!!! i came accross this and it answered one of my questions thanks very much!!! Reply to this

15 years ago, July 27th 2008 No: 4 Msg: #43257 Delete Edit

Kleopattra
Kleopattra's Life

N Posts: 21

You're welcome! 😊 Reply to this

15 years ago, July 27th 2008 No: 5 Msg: #43259 Delete Edit

El Eterno Caminante
Greg

B Posts: 190

so...do you still live in mexico or in canada? Reply to this

15 years ago, July 27th 2008 No: 6 Msg: #43260 Delete Edit

Kleopattra
Kleopattra's Life

N Posts: 21

I live in Mexico, but right now I'm in Canada. Though my trip will be over this coming week. I used to go to school in the States, stayed there for like 4 years. Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 7 Msg: #43280 Delete Edit

Travelling Mazz
Mazz

B Posts: 9

Thanks for your reply! Sorry it took so long for me to get back to you! I found a group called original volunteers, they have a program in Merida... Have you heard of them? Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 8 Msg: #43282 Delete Edit

El Eterno Caminante
Greg

B Posts: 190

hey mazz..i was just checking out that website..didn't happen to see if we are able to pick the destination we want to volunteer or we are just given one to go to..maybe you saw something that would answer that..let me know thanks

Greg Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 9 Msg: #43283 Delete Edit

Travelling Mazz
Mazz

B Posts: 9

Hey Greg,
Do you mean on the original volunteers? You an choose where you want to go (out of the places they offer) So if you are looking at Mexico its a choice between Merida and Puerta Vallarta i think
Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 10 Msg: #43284 Delete Edit

El Eterno Caminante
Greg

B Posts: 190

yea cool, i just didnt see where it says you can choose, didnt know if it was like the military and they just send you where they want you or not..cool, yea they have some awesome opportunities throughout central america..i might just go ahead and do volunteer work all the way down...thanks for the info that helped!!!! Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 11 Msg: #43285 Delete Edit

Travelling Mazz
Mazz

B Posts: 9

when are you goin? Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 12 Msg: #43287 Delete Edit

El Eterno Caminante
Greg

B Posts: 190

march/april next year..i want to save as much money as i can...and you? Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 13 Msg: #43290 Delete Edit

Travelling Mazz
Mazz

B Posts: 9

end of september this year Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 14 Msg: #43291 Delete Edit

El Eterno Caminante
Greg

B Posts: 190

cool...well be sure to keep me updated on how it goes and which if not both projects you go to in mexico! Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 15 Msg: #43292 Delete Edit

Kleopattra
Kleopattra's Life

N Posts: 21

Hi Mazz, no problem.
Well, a group of Dalhousie University students from Halifax, Nova Scotia are going to be in Campeche around September this year. In case you are interested, they are also taking classes at the CEM.
I've never heard of that group of volunteers you mentioned. So when are you guys planning to travel to the Yucatan peninsula? Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 16 Msg: #43293 Delete Edit

Kleopattra
Kleopattra's Life

N Posts: 21

Well, I'ld be more than glad to tour you guys through Campeche if you want.
Just let me know what can I do to help you guys. Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 17 Msg: #43294 Delete Edit

El Eterno Caminante
Greg

B Posts: 190

im planning to be down there starting in early 2009 Helia...if there is some volunteer work available in campeche i'll do that while im there also... Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 18 Msg: #43295 Delete Edit

Kleopattra
Kleopattra's Life

N Posts: 21

Sure, that sounds great.
I'll look into that as soon as I get back to Campeche next week.
What kind of volunteer work would you like to do or what are you thinking of doing? Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 19 Msg: #43296 Delete Edit

El Eterno Caminante
Greg

B Posts: 190

really anything, but if there are orphanages and such there for less fortunate kids that would be awesome! would be really nice to atleast put a big smile on their faces with just giving them some attention or teaching them something ya know..to me that would make the trip worth it in my mind! as far as studying spanish, i've talked through emails with a school in Merida which charges $145USD per week for a 3hr class per day..not sure if there is anything in Campeche like that or cheaper.

Reply to this

15 years ago, July 28th 2008 No: 20 Msg: #43365 Delete Edit

El Eterno Caminante
Greg

B Posts: 190

Hi Helia and Mazz,

I think I have found your Dad's school website so, Mazz this may help..I'm looking into it now also..Thanks so much for your help Helia!!!

http://www.campeche.ca/request_spanish_centre.htm Reply to this

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