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Sports Education Volunteer Program in Cordoba - Argentina

Sports Education Volunteer Program in Cordoba - Argentina

Keen to kick off a new adventure as a Sports volunteer in Argentina - Córdoba? International Volunteer HQ’s Sports project places volunteers in after-school programs where they gain experience working with young people and sharing their passion for sport. The children and teens benefit from the physical exercise and recreation that helps to keep them healthy, active and engaged with the community in a socially positive way.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Affordable fees from AU$561 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Play sports and games with kids and teens after school

  • Explore the stunning Córdoba region

  • Enjoy the pool at the large volunteer homestay

Key information

Improve wellbeing through physical activity
Based in outdoor after-school programs
Homestay accommodation
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Fully hosted experience from AU$561 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 12 weeks
Spanish language lessons available
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Energetic volunteers who love sports, playing games and enjoy working with older children and teenagers. You don’t need experience working with young people or speaking Spanish, but both will help you make the most of your time on the project and contribute even more meaningfully.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

In disadvantaged areas of Córdoba, young people who don’t have access to healthy after-school activities often end up on the streets. With IVHQ, you’ll be placed at a Sports volunteer project that aims to provide older children and teens with fun alternative activities. With structure and the chance to create strong support networks, social ties and physical wellbeing through sports, young people will be better placed to build lives with more possibilities and fewer problems.

As a Sports volunteer, you’ll be helping the teams on after-school programs to set up and run sports and games from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM Monday to Friday. The locals especially love football and basketball but you’ll be encouraged to share the sports you like too - keeping in mind the placements tend to have limited equipment and resources. You’re welcome to bring some sports gear from home or buy it in Argentina.

Sports volunteer work can vary, but usually you’ll be:

  • Coaching older children and teens
  • Helping run sports games and drills
  • Setting up games and activities
  • Sharing your love of sport

Please note this project takes place outdoors and daily activities will depend on the weather. During school holidays from December to February, volunteers assist on government-run Summer School programs for children, which can include swimming trips and other leisure activities.

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Contributes to United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal #3: Good Health and Well-Being

Good mental and physical health is key to sustainable development and building healthy and happy communities. Now more than ever, we must increase access to free healthcare and health education across the globe to achieve an acceptable standard of living and wellbeing for all.

Why do Sports volunteering in Cordoba with IVHQ?

While volunteering on the Sports project in Córdoba, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:

  • Improving the wellbeing of young people through physical activity
  • Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
  • Practicing your Spanish
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining teaching and coaching experience
  • Immersing yourself fully in the Argentinian culture
  • Enjoying the vibrant, lively city of Córdoba

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16-18 are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent and may be asked to provide additional documentation to the local team
  • All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
  • All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
Are you eligible to volunteer?

Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.

Apply For Free

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What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

EM
Etienne McCauley
11 Dec 2023

I feel like I have grown as a person, not only from the volunteer placements where I worked but also from the people I met, and the things I learnt from them.

...
NW
Neamh Wyse
02 Nov 2023

The communication and security I had from the on ground team was amazing, and the close connections I made with the other volunteers was brilliant. The volunteering itself was really eye opening and I felt like it had a massive impact on me as a person.

...
DW
Dylan Whitaker
04 Jul 2023

You just have to try it out and go in with a positive attitude, and everything will end up amazing. It gave me more confidence to learn a new language and meet new people from other countries.

...
JG
Joss Grove
05 Apr 2023

Cordoba definitely won't disappoint! The local team were amazing and were extremely accommodating and kind. It was also great to see the smiles that we would put on people's faces and I feel like I am more open to meeting and talking to new people now.

...
TS
Talia Swayze
07 Mar 2023

If someone was hesitant about volunteering abroad I would just tell them that it's now or never. One of the other volunteers who were on the program with me told me this, and it's something I plan to incorporate into the rest of my life from now on. Life is scary no matter what, but why not have the memories of doing something instead of just the fear? What really made an impact on me though was when I got to hear the stories from the elderly at the facility. I had never thought it would mean so much to them just having us there participating in activities with them, but the effect it had was very big in their eyes. The local team were also amazing and were so welcoming and friendly even with the language barrier.

...
JR
Jacob Rusen-Steele
29 Jan 2021

I just want to say there is an amazing group of people working as well as volunteering in Argentina, and I am so happy I was able to meet and get to know them all during my stay!

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

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Volunteer Abroad in Argentina, Córdoba with IVHQ

Location

In the middle of Argentina, IVHQ’s Córdoba projects are set against the breathtaking backdrop of rolling hills and valleys which surround the city. Córdoba is home to Argentina’s second largest university and hundreds of thousands of students who give it a lively, modern flavour. You’ll find great markets, picturesque parks, pumping nightlife and masses of museums, cathedrals and cultural icons just waiting to be discovered.

Arrival and orientation

After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Ambrosio Taravella International Airport (COR) in Córdoba. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter of consent from their parents to support their documentation.

When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Córdoba. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.

If you are travelling in Argentina prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Córdoba on the day before your program orientation. Orientation is hosted by our Córdoba team and begins on the morning of your chosen start date. It covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Córdoba – an introduction to Argentina, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.

Volunteer schedule example

First Day

On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.

Weekdays

Volunteers will have a morning or afternoon shift, which will last around 2 to 5 hours. A typical morning schedule is as follows:

7:30 AM Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation.
8:00 AM Volunteers travel to their placements to join local placement staff. Start time and daily workload depends on the project that the individual volunteer is participating on.
1:00 PM Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to the volunteer accommodation, go sightseeing, or do some shopping. If volunteers are taking Spanish language lessons, they will usually do this in the afternoon (or in the morning if they are volunteering in the afternoon).
8:00 PM Dinner at the volunteer accommodation.

Weekends

Maybe the rhythm of Córdoba’s famous cuarteto music will call to your feet, maybe you’ll forage for a flea market bargain, take a trip to the Che Guevara Museum, adventure in the mountains, try Argentina’s beloved Fernet and Coke or spend your time discovering the Jesuit Block. Maybe you’ll do it all and more, or just relax in a peaceful park and sip a coffee. In any case there’s no shortage of things to see and do during your free time in Córdoba. But if it’s time for a change of scene, Córdoba’s central location means it’s easy to hop on a plane or jump in a car or bus and visit Argentina’s buzzy capital, Buenos Aires, or pay a visit to the Mendoza wine region or the city of Rosario. If the outdoors are your thing, there’s plenty of trekking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, paragliding, and abseiling fun to be had in the Córdoba region and nearby.

Accommodation and WiFi

Volunteers are accommodated in a family homestay in Barrio El Refugio, a peaceful neighborhood, 15 - 20 minutes drive from Córdoba airport, and 30 minutes drive to the city center. Your hostess is also your coordinator so our local team will be very easy to approach and always available in case you need anything.

This two-story homestay has great facilities for volunteers, including a barbecue area and a swimming pool which is available in the summer. Bedrooms have single beds and bunk beds and you can expect to share a bedroom with one to three other volunteers of the same gender. Bathrooms with hot showers and western toilets are shared between no more than three other volunteers, and bedding and towels are provided.

A private room (without a private bathroom) can also be requested at an additional cost of US$70 (approximately AU$112) per week for a single room or US$105 (approximately AU$168) per week for a double room. This needs to be paid to our local team in Córdoba and needs to be arranged prior to arrival.

WiFi is available for volunteers to use at the homestay. You can also purchase a local SIM card with data for an unlocked mobile phone to keep connected.

Meals

Breakfast and dinner are served every weekday at the volunteer accommodation. On the weekend you will only be provided with breakfast, however, you will be provided with supplies so that you can prepare your own dinner.

If you have any special dietary requirements, please let us know ahead of time so that we can make arrangements for you. Remember that you should be flexible and open to trying new foods and we will do our best to see that you are well taken care of.

Pricing

  • USD
Duration
Program Fee
Due 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
  • USD
1 week AU$560 Equivalent to AU$80/day
2 weeks AU$905 Equivalent to AU$65/day
3 weeks AU$1201 Equivalent to AU$57/day
4 weeks AU$1498 Equivalent to AU$54/day
5 weeks AU$1794 Equivalent to AU$51/day
6 weeks AU$2083 Equivalent to AU$50/day
8 weeks AU$2643 Equivalent to AU$47/day
10 weeks AU$3188 Equivalent to AU$46/day
12 weeks AU$3669 Equivalent to AU$44/day
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast and dinner
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
  • Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
  • Discounts on language lessons
  • Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
  • Certificate of International Volunteer Service

Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.

  • All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$329 (approximately AU$528) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services. IVHQ fees are priced in USD but you may elect to pay in AUD.
  • A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
  • Additional things to budget for include: Visa, flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check, lunch, public transport to and from your placement each day and return to the airport when your program finishes.
  • Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Cordoba generally find US$50 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including in-country tours and optional Spanish lessons.

Free-time experiences & tours in Argentina

Take your volunteer experience to the next level with IVHQ's affordable activity and tour add-ons in Argentina! Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Argentina program.

BBQ Night
BBQ Night

Experience an authentic home-made Argentinian BBQ with plenty of meat and vegetables.

AU$48
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour

Experience a 2-day round trip tour to Buenos Aires.

AU$250
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)

Enjoy a captivating 10 hour guided tour to any of the six different valleys and towns that you have to choose from.

AU$86
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour

Experience a 2-day round trip tour to Buenos Aires.

AU$250
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)

Enjoy a captivating 10 hour guided tour to any of the six different valleys and towns that you have to choose from.

AU$86
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Half Day)
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Half Day)

Enjoy a 4 hour guided tour to any of the six different valleys and towns that you have to choose from.

AU$57
BBQ Night
BBQ Night

Experience an authentic home-made Argentinian BBQ with plenty of meat and vegetables.

AU$48
Iguazu Falls Trip
Iguazu Falls Trip

Embark on a captivating three-day journey to witness the largest waterfall system in the world.

AU$1444
Private Virtual Spanish Language Lessons
Private Virtual Spanish Language Lessons

Improve your Spanish skills before volunteering abroad on the Buenos Aires program with our interactive one-to-one online language lessons.

From AU$208

Spanish language lessons

Fluency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for the IVHQ Argentina - Córdoba program, however on certain projects volunteer work will be restricted with limited language ability. IVHQ, therefore, strongly recommends that volunteers take advantage of the very affordable language lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers. Past volunteers feel that taking these lessons help immensely with day-to-day volunteer work and communicating with local people. Taught by professional Spanish teachers and tailored to each person’s specific needs, the classes run for one hour a day, Monday through Friday. The lessons are arranged with your IVHQ Program Manager prior to departure.

  • 1 hour, private lessons (5 hours per week): AU$125 per week

Check what's required to visit Argentina

Safety and support with IVHQ

Safety and support

IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.

  • All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
  • All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
  • All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
  • All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Learn more about IVHQ's safety

Essential country information

Capital Buenos Aires
Population 45.1 million
Languages Spanish
Currency Argentine Peso
Time zone UTC-03:00

Weather and climate

Like its topography, Argentina’s climate varies greatly. The climate ranges from subtropical in the north, to humid in the central regions, to sub-Antarctic in the south. Winter, from June to August, is the driest period of the year. The coldest months are June and July and the warmest month is January. Average annual temperatures in Buenos Aires range from 51°F to 83°F (11°C to 28°C).

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How to get started

Pick a destination + project and apply for free
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Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
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