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Special Needs Care Volunteer Program in Argentina - Cordoba

Special Needs Care Volunteer Program in Argentina - Cordoba

Want to be a Special Needs volunteer in Argentina - Córdoba? International Volunteer HQ’s Special Needs Care project empowers volunteers to assist and interact with young disabled people who benefit from extra support, connection and care. Volunteers will gain experience of working with people with disabilities, as well as helping them gain independence, learn new skills and become more a part of their community.

Highlights:
  • Programs start every Monday
  • Affordable fees from CA$504 for 1 week
  • Includes accommodation, breakfast and dinner, airport pick up, orientation and 24/7 support
  • Care for and connect with young people with disabilities

  • Discover Córdoba’s historic Jesuit Block

  • Relax by the pool at the large volunteer homestay

'Who is going' users image
Who is going?
Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

Key information

Provide care & connection for disabled people
Based in Córdoba
Local homestay accommodation
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Fully hosted experience from CA$504 for 1 week
Durations from 1 - 24 weeks
Spanish lessons available
Up to 5 hours volunteering a day

This program is ideal for:

Volunteers with a warm, caring nature, patience, compassion, and a basic understanding of Spanish. You’ll be assisting local staff so no experience of working with disabilities is needed.
Who is this program suited to?

What to expect and how you'll make an impact

In Córdoba, effective and enthusiastic special needs care can make a real difference to the lives of young people with disabilities. This kind of care can help them develop and learn new skills, gain independence and become more involved with their families and communities.

As a Special Needs volunteer you’ll be assisting local placement staff in the care of disabled young people - an undertaking that can be both emotionally challenging and extremely rewarding.

Special Needs volunteers may find themselves helping with a range of tasks including:

  • Facilitating workshops or classes
  • Assisting with meals
  • Taking part in recreational outings and walks
  • Helping with personal care
  • Playing games
  • Teaching painting, music, dancing or cooking
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 Special Needs Care volunteering in Cordoba with IVHQ?

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

  • Supporting young people with disabilities
  • Practicing your Spanish
  • Developing your communication skills
  • Gaining experience caring for disabled youth
  • Immersing yourself fully in Argentinian culture
  • Exploring the beauty of the Córdoba region

Volunteer requirements

  • Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
  • Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document 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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'Who is going' users image
Who is going?
Group video calls

Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.

What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience

JD
Josh Doolan
09 Apr 2024

Just do it! I was hesitant and didn’t really know how it would go but so glad I did this. The volunteering work was incredibly rewarding and the ability to travel during downtime is even better. But for me the best part was how immersed in the culture you are living with an Argentinian family and working with locals and fellow volunteers. It’s an experience that can’t be matched!

...
LE
Lucia Eshleman
27 Feb 2024

I would say that if you're going to volunteer anywhere, this is absolutely the place to do it! Not only is the work you'll do so empowering and joyful, the family makes a world of difference. I have done two other IVHQ programs and this one was my favourite!! I loved living with a family, it makes the whole trip so much more special. I loved how real it felt and how we got to see so many different parts of Cordoba. I really can't put into words how much I loved Cordoba and this program. I am so glad I chose this and I will hold onto these memories forever!! 11/10!!!

...
LK
Lindsay Kilner
11 Dec 2023

I really enjoyed my stay in Cordoba with Nadi and Pedro. They treated me as if I were a member of their family and it really felt like a home away from home. I felt incredibly safe and well taken care of from the moment I arrived to my departure. It provided an amazing opportunity to learn about the local culture while still feeling at home! I am incredibly grateful for my time in Cordoba and of course to Pedro and Nadi. I really hope to have the opportunity to return to them one day.

...
LR
Lourdes Ramirez
11 Dec 2023

I feel like I gained so much from this experience in all aspects of my life. Argentina was always a dream of mine to travel to and giving back to a community there was even more than I expected. I fell in love with the people and their culture. There was always something fun to do even if we just stayed at the house, we were able to relax by the pool and enjoy time together. I highly recommend anyone looking to gain a similar experience as mine to join the program, you won’t regret it.

...
JR
Jake Redgwell
11 Apr 2023

Do it! It is an experience like no other. You constantly leave your comfort zone as it is a whole new place with new food, languages and surroundings. It was such an eye opening experience and I would 100% do it again!

...

To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.

Academic course credit through International Volunteer HQ and Intern Abroad HQ.

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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 traveling 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 socializing.

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 CA$100) per week for a single room or US$105 (approximately CA$151) 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 CA$504 Equivalent to CA$72/day
2 weeks CA$814 Equivalent to CA$58/day
3 weeks CA$1081 Equivalent to CA$52/day
4 weeks CA$1348 Equivalent to CA$48/day
5 weeks CA$1615 Equivalent to CA$46/day
6 weeks CA$1875 Equivalent to CA$45/day
8 weeks CA$2379 Equivalent to CA$42/day
10 weeks CA$2870 Equivalent to CA$41/day
12 weeks CA$3303 Equivalent to CA$39/day
16 weeks CA$4168 Equivalent to CA$37/day
20 weeks CA$5033 Equivalent to CA$36/day
24 weeks CA$5841 Equivalent to CA$35/day
  • Accommodation
  • Breakfast and dinner
  • 24/7 in-country support
  • In-country program orientation
  • Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
  • Airport pick-up
  • Personalized 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 CA$474) 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 CAD.
  • 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.

CA$43
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour

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

CA$225
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.

CA$77
BBQ Night
BBQ Night

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

CA$43
Iguazu Falls Trip
Iguazu Falls Trip

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

CA$1298
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 CA$187
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour

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

CA$225
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.

CA$77
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.

CA$51

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): CA$112 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
Meet your personal volunteer travel expert
Pay the Registration Fee to secure your place and upgrade your MyIVHQ account
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