I gained a lot of perspective and insight into community projects and a new culture. To anyone hesitant, you'll get out what you put in so if you're not 100% maybe it's not for you, but if you're willing to go for it I don't think you'll regret it.
Construction & Renovation Volunteer Program in Cordoba - Argentina
Purpose
Support disadvantaged communities
Start dates
Programs start every Monday
Duration
Choose from 1-24 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Accommodation
Homestay
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.
This program is ideal for:
Physically active volunteers who don’t mind rolling up their sleeves and getting stuck in. No previous experience is needed because you’ll be teamed up with experienced local staff and volunteers from the surrounding communities.
Project details
Keen to volunteer on the Construction and Renovation project in Argentina - Córdoba? International Volunteer HQ’s Construction project enables volunteers to gain experience and skills in building, renovation and maintenance at important community spaces in low-income parts of Córdoba. These spaces require hands-on help with the upkeep and improvement of their facilities so they can continue the vital work they do supporting local communities.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
In the rural outskirts of Córdoba, small communities rely heavily on communal spaces as vital gathering spots for social interaction. These spaces typically offer assistance with childcare, recreational activities, and other essential daily needs. Unfortunately, these facilities often lack the necessary funds or assistance for crucial repairs, regular upkeep, and enhancements that could enhance their safety, functionality, and appeal.
As a Construction and Renovation volunteer in Argentina - Córdoba, you’ll lend a hand to local teams in maintaining and refurbishing these community spaces. By doing so, the organizations managing these spaces can better serve the local population, making a more significant positive impact on the community.
Construction and Renovation volunteer work varies, but tasks may include:
- Applying paint
- Refurbishing structures
- Enhancing outdoor areas
- Tending to gardens
- Constructing new rooms or facilities
Why do Construction and Renovation volunteering in Cordoba with IVHQ?
While volunteering on the Construction project, you’ll be helping out local neighbourhoods while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Making community spaces more safe, useful and appealing
- Supporting local projects that serve low-income communities
- Practicing your Spanish
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining construction skills and experience
- Immersing yourself fully in Argentinian culture
- Exploring the stunning region of Córdoba
Volunteer requirements
Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian, provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their start date, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead, and are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program.
Volunteers aged over 18 on their start date are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
All volunteers must speak English and 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.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
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.
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IVHQ volunteer Spanish lesson
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
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
Experience the coziness of staying in a family homestay in the peaceful neighborhood of Barrio El Refugio, just a short 15 to 20-minute drive from Córdoba airport and a convenient 30-minute commute to the city center. With your hostess doubling as your coordinator, our local team is always at your fingertips, ensuring a seamless and welcoming stay.
This two-story homestay is equipped with fantastic amenities for volunteers, including a barbecue area and a refreshing swimming pool, perfect for soaking up the summer sun. Bedrooms are equipped with both single beds and bunk beds, typically shared with one to three volunteers of the same gender. Bathroom facilities featuring hot showers and western toilets are shared between no more than three volunteers, and bedding and towels are provided.
For those seeking a bit more privacy, you can also opt for a private room (without a private bathroom) for an extra fee of $100 per week for a single room or $150 per week for a double room. Payment should be made to our local team in Córdoba and arranged before your arrival.
Volunteers have access to WiFi at the homestay. Additionally, you can buy a local SIM card with data for your unlocked mobile phone to ensure you’re always in touch, no matter where you are.
Meals
Every weekday, enjoy a delicious breakfast and dinner served at the volunteer accommodation, offering a variety of tasty options to start and end your day.
On the weekend, savor a hearty breakfast to kickstart your mornings. For dinner, you’ll be provided with all the supplies needed to prepare a cozy, home-cooked meal in our well-equipped kitchen.
Please let us know ahead of time if you have any special dietary requirements, and we’ll make the necessary arrangements. We encourage you to embrace the opportunity to try new and exciting foods, and we’ll ensure you feel well taken care of throughout your stay.
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteer dining room
Volunteer kitchen
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer vegetarian meal
Typical volunteer vegetarian meal
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately $299), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately $299) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $490 Equivalent to $70/day |
| 2 weeks | $750 Equivalent to $54/day |
| 3 weeks | $990 Equivalent to $47/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,225 Equivalent to $44/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,305 Equivalent to $37/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,520 Equivalent to $36/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,940 Equivalent to $35/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,350 Equivalent to $34/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,720 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,460 Equivalent to $31/day |
| 20 weeks | $4,200 Equivalent to $30/day |
| 24 weeks | $4,900 Equivalent to $29/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately $299) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Cordoba generally find US$120 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including in-country tours and optional Spanish lessons.
- Breakfast and dinner are served every weekday
- Airport pick-up
- Additional supervision and materials involved in your project
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country emergency support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Comprehensive in-country day to day support and guidance
- 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.
- Lunch and then dinner on the weekend
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Cordoba
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Cordoba program.
Airport Drop-off
Enjoy a stress free ride from the volunteer accommodation back to Cordoba airport arranged by our local team.
$21
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour
Experience a 2-day round trip tour to Buenos Aires.
$214
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.
$84
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 group lessons (5 hours per week): $96 per week
For private Spanish classes, these must be arranged and paid for directly with the local team upon your arrival in Córdoba.
Check what's required to visit Argentina
Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important you monitor this right up until you depart for your trip.
Safety and support
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.
Essential country information
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).
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
WB
Will Bishop
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CF
Colleen Farragher
I would tell people that this is a safe program to do if you are a solo traveler and would also be fun to do with friends/family/coworkers. Cordoba is affordable and the volunteer placements are done thoughtfully.
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AH
Adrian Hogan
I would recommend that any volunteer approaches their program with not what you can change in the community but how you will change when you leave.
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AP
Alice Pedretti
I gained a greater knowledge of who I am as a person as well as of the culture I was immersed in. I was able to improve my Spanish a lot as I was immersed in the language all the time. This program is great for growing as a person and meeting people you wouldn’t normally meet in your daily life. It forces you to grow in a positive way. The programs I have done always find a way to take up a special place in my heart as I always feel like I made a positive impact as well as the program impacted me greatly.
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To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Apply to check if you're eligible!
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