New Hope Volunteers

Since 1998, More than 18000 happy volunteers


FAQs Argentina

When should I apply for the volunteer/internship programs in Argentina?

New Hope Volunteers has been running volunteer/internship programs in Argentina for more than three years. We are able to offer placements on the second and forth Monday of each month year round. Because of the increasing volume of applications, participants are requested to apply at least two- three months in advance, but if you want to expedite your application within less than three months of time, please contact our office for more information.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Argentina-based volunteer programs?

It is NOT necessary to speak Spanish before you arrive in Argentina, although it is always helpful. Our country coordinator is there to help you with anything and everything you need. For specialized placements, such as medical and health related projects, volunteers should know basic Spanish or you can learn Spanish while volunteering. We strongly recommend Spanish classes for volunteers staying longer than 4 or 5 weeks.

Who manages the volunteer projects in Argentina?

New Hope Volunteers' In-Country Coordinator in Argentina is responsible for researching appropriate volunteer projects as per the qualifications and skills of the applicants.

What are the daily schedules of the projects?

Project schedules vary for each project in Argentina. Most projects are from Monday to Friday for 5-6 hours a day. Most volunteers have the weekends off to sight-see or explore Argentina on their own.

Where are the projects located?

Most of the projects are located in and around the city of Corboda, which is about 380 miles north of Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina. Cordoba is the second city in Argentina and is full of parks, restaurants and lots of other attractions.

When are the Argentina-based projects available?

Spanish language classes begin every Monday. Volunteer projects begin on the second and forth Monday of each month. Volunteers arriving early will need to pay for additional nights of accommodation. New Hope Volunteers suggests volunteers to adjust their flight schedule according to their project/program itinerary.

Which airport should I book my flight into?

New Hope Volunteers- Argentina's base of operations is in the city of Cordoba, and this is where most of our volunteer projects take place. Regardless of your project location, many volunteer first fly to Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, and then to Cordoba. You are responsible for your own arrangements to Cordoba.

New Hope Volunteers’ country coordinator can arrange inland air flight tickets and bus tickets for incoming volunteers; however we must receive payment for these services 30 days prior to your departure. To make reservations we need the following:

  • Incoming flight number 
  • Passport number 
  • Full name (as it appears on your passport)

Will someone pick me from the airport? If so, how do I know about the person?

You will be picked up at your final destination, but you must send your travel itinerary to our Argentina in-country Coordinator and to us at New Hope Volunteers before your arrival in Argentina (we'll pass it on to the Coordinator). You will be picked up by a staff member or our in-country coordinator who will be holding a sign with your name written on it, awaiting your arrival outside of the airport. In case no one is there, you can call our in-country coordinator, who can help with the picking-up or arrange the accommodations immediately. You will be supplied with all contact information in-case of the rare instance that you are not picked up. Make sure you look carefully for your pick-up, as it will be extremely busy outside of the airport.

If I arrive with my friend, or girlfriend/boyfriend, can we stay together?

Contact our office about this issue, since it may depend upon individual circumstances, but we will try our best to put you together.

Will there be other foreign volunteers/interns at my placement?

This depends on the exact placement and your preference in this issue. If you want to travel with others, we allow people to come with a friend or even as a group. You may be placed in different homes, but these homes will be located within one to two miles of each other. In addition, we can place any volunteer near another volunteer already working in the field. Please be reminded that two different genders of volunteers are not allowed to stay in the same house unless they are a married couple.

What are the local cuisines? Who manages food?

New Hope Volunteers manages accommodation from the very first day to the last day of the program in collaboration with the local hostel. For meals, you can eat in local restaurants. There will be plenty where you will stay. Meals are relatively cheap in Argentina.

What are meals like in Argentina?

Meals in Argentina have influences from Italian, Spanish and Arabic influences. Meat is ever present item. Beef is the most popular meat, while fish and livestock meats are also popular. Argentinean people love barbecue, pork sausages and bread. They are also known for home cooked French fries, hamburgers and pasta.

Can you supply special diets?

New Hope Volunteers can provide both vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Occasionally, in the event that you require a special diet, you are responsible for your own meals. Participants are strongly urged to inform New Hope Volunteers of any special dietary need prior to arrival in-country.

Is the running tap water safe for drink?

Tap water in Argentina might not be safe to drink. We recommend that you purchase bottled water for your consumption, but make sure that the cap's seal is not broken! You can request that your host family boil water for you each day to consume.

Are there hot and cold water facilities available?

Specifics pertaining to availability of hot water will be included in participants' placement details.

Will bottled water be provided?

No, if participants require bottled water, they are responsible for obtaining it themselves.

How safe is Argentina?

Argentina is a safe country, and you can relax while you are there. That said it's still important to use common sense.

  • Be careful if traveling on buses, as petty theft is common. 
  • Ask for a receipt when you store your backpack or luggage. 
  • Do NOT carry your passport or any credit cards and cash that you will not need. 
  • Use only registered taxis. 
  • Do not walk into unknown areas by yourself at night. 
  • Avoid any contact with drugs, as laws are very strict in Argentina.

More about Travel Safety to Argentina

International travel does present risks, especially with the threat of international terrorism. The U.S. State Department has issued travel warnings and advisories in many countries for U.S. travelers. These travel advisories and warnings change frequently as situations in each country change. We suggest that all volunteers consult their own governments before participating in a New Hope Volunteers program. These links provide travel information:

What are the principle health risks?

We use the Center for Disease Control traveler's health recommendations (www.cdc.gov). Your travel doctor will be knowledgeable about current epidemics and should be consulted. 

Recommended Vaccinations and Preventive Medications

The following vaccines may be recommended for your travel to Argentina. Discuss your travel plans and personal health with a health-care provider to determine which vaccines you will need.

  • Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG). Transmission of hepatitis A virus can occur through direct person-to-person contact; through exposure to contaminated water, ice, or shellfish harvested in contaminated water; or from fruits, vegetables, or other foods that are eaten uncooked and that were contaminated during harvesting or subsequent handling. 
  • Hepatitis B , especially if you might be exposed to blood or body fluids (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, or be exposed through medical treatment. Hepatitis B vaccine is now recommended for all infants and for children ages 11–12 years who did not receive the series as infants. 
  • Typhoid vaccine. Typhoid fever can be contracted through contaminated drinking water or food, or by eating food or drinking beverages that have been handled by a person who is infected. Large outbreaks are most often related to fecal contamination of water supplies or foods sold by street vendors. 
  • Yellow fever, a viral disease that occurs primarily in sub-Saharan Africa and tropical South America , is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The virus is also present in Panama and Trinidad and Tobago . Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for travelers to endemic areas and may be required to cross certain international borders (For country specific requirements, see Yellow Fever Vaccine Requirements and Information on Malaria Risk and Prophylaxis, by Country .). Vaccination should be given 10 days before travel and at 10 year intervals if there is on-going risk. 
  • As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles.

Required Vaccinations

Yellow fever is present in this region and vaccination is recommended if you travel to the endemic zones in any of these countries. A certificate of yellow fever vaccination may be required for entry into certain countries if you have visited an endemic area.

How can my family members contact me?

Once you settle down at the host family, you will want to use your calling card to contact your family if you have not already done so when you arrived in Argentina at the airport. Of course, they call also email you and you can reply using the computers at the New Hope Volunteers office, or at an internet café.

Can I bring my telephone from my home country?

US cell phones may be functional, but you'll want to contact your cell phone provider to make sure that your phone will work while you are in Argentina.

What is weather like in Argentina?

Obviously since the climate differs according to region, there are many different weather conditions in the country at any given time. In Cordoba, the June – October months can be very chilly and dry, compared to the rest of the time, which can be quite warm and humid.

Required Clothing

Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended as well as warmer clothing for the evenings (light jacket and/or light sweaters). You should bring winter clothes according to when you'll be in Argentina. A solid pair of walking shoes is highly recommended for trekking. 

Materials to Bring

Clothing
  • 4 pairs of underwear
  • 4 pairs of socks
  • Day pack
  • Towel
  • 4 T-shirts
  • 3 pairs of pants
  • 2 warm shirts
  • 2 pairs of shorts
  • Swim clothes
  • Fleece jacket
  • Rain gear
  • Sneakers
  • Hiking boots
  • Sandals
  • Sunglasses
  • Hat
Equipment
  • Water bottle
  • Binoculars
  • Ziploc bags
  • Journal
  • Day pack
  • Back pack
Toiletries
  • Bathroom kit
  • Camera Insect repellent
  • Sun block
  • First-Aid kit
  • Towel
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