Is it safe?

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Q: When does the program start and end?

A: Our 9-month Chile Ministry program departs in mid March, and our 5-month Chile Ministry program departs in mid July.  Both Chile Ministry programs end in late November/early December.  More information on exact dates of departure will be available 2 months prior to departure.

Q: When will I find out where I'll be teaching?

A:  Teaching placements are determined by our partner organizations and the WorldTeach Field Director. Once accepted to a program, you may express general preferences with regard to your teaching or living situation. Our partner organizations and the Field Director will take these preferences and your prior experience into account when matching you with a suitable school and host family.

Since WorldTeach also has to take into account the needs of the host schools and families, we cannot guarantee any particular placement. This process of matching volunteers with placement sites is done once the Field Director has received information on all the volunteers in the group. You may receive information about your placement site, teaching assignment and host family a few weeks prior to departure. Until then, please be flexible and keep an open mind.

Q: What is the teaching schedule like?

A: Volunteers will teach approximately 18 -26 classroom hours per week depending on the specific program, in addition to other academic responsibilities. Some volunteers choose to get involved in community projects or organizations in their free time.

Q: Do I need to speak Spanish?

A: Spanish language ability is not required for application or participation in the program, although volunteers in the Chile Ministry program must be willing to continue Spanish language learning after  departure. Volunteers with many different levels of Spanish speaking ability have participated successfully in the program in the past. However, some prior exposure to the language will help you adjust to life in Chile more quickly. We recommend you start learning Spanish (or brush up if your Spanish is "rusty") before you leave, either through classes or practicing with a Spanish speaker. Once you arrive in Chile you will receive 1 week of intensive orientation training with the WorldTeach field staff before the start of the Inglés Abre Puertas orientation, and that will include some Spanish language instruction. In Chile you will speak Spanish on a daily basis with your host family, colleagues, and in the community, although you will use English in the classroom.

Q: I’ve heard that Chilean Spanish is really different from Spanish spoken elsewhere. I’m worried that if I learn Spanish in Chile I won’t be able to communicate with other Spanish speakers in the future. If it’s important for me to learn Spanish, should I choose a different country?

A: You may have heard that Chilean Spanish is very unique, and some people may tell you that learning Spanish in Chile will make it difficult for you to be able to communicate with people who learned Spanish elsewhere. All languages vary when they are spoken in different regions and areas. English is very similar to Spanish in this respect. Many WorldTeach volunteers mention how their students sometimes confront them with similar questions: Should we be learning British or North American English? Which is more “correct?" Which is “easier” to understand? Which will be more “useful” in the future?

Chilean Spanish certainly does have unique vocabulary and linguistic features, as do Costa Rican and Ecuadorian Spanish. Chileans might even boast, as if it were a matter of national pride, that their Spanish is special, different and unique. If you have a background in Spanish, you may find it difficult to understand people at first. This is normal. However, there is no reason to worry that learning Chilean Spanish will not be useful for communicating with Spanish speakers who learned the language in other countries. Just as you can communicate in English with someone from England or Australia, Spanish speakers from Chile are able to communicate with people from Mexico, Spain, Colombia, and elsewhere.

Q: Where will I be living?

A: Wherever possible, volunteers live with host families. Typically volunteers have their own bedroom and share the bathroom and living space with their host family. They eat meals with the family, and enjoy being a part of family life. Host families receive a stipend to cover the costs of hosting a volunteer.

Host families are eager to host a volunteer because they enjoy the cultural exchange, and they treat the volunteer like one of the family. Living with a host family may be a challenging experience, especially if you are used to living independently. You will notice and need to be sensitive to cultural differences. Your host parents may want to know where you are at all times, and worry about you going out at night. Chileans tend to be family- and group-oriented, and your family may not have the same understanding of personal space and privacy as you do. Volunteers find living with a family requires a lot of patience and flexibility, but enables them to integrate into the community, learn a lot about the culture, and make lasting friendships.

Q: Do I need a visa?

A: Yes, you will need a visa to teach in Chile. For the Chile Ministry program, the Chilean Ministry of Education will assist in obtaining your visa. The WorldTeach Program Manager will inform you of any pre-departure steps that need to be taken in order to obtain your visa in-country. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you may be subject to different visa requirements and/or additional visa fees levied by the Chilean Ministry of the Interior.

Please note that visa requirements change frequently. WorldTeach will keep you up-to-date as you go through the process.

Q: Does WorldTeach arrange travel to Chile?

A: WorldTeach arranges travel for each group departing for Chile from a departure city in the USA. The group will meet at the departure city airport and then travel together to Santiago, Chile. The international round-trip flight from the departure city to Santiago is covered by the WorldTeach program fee. WorldTeach purchases round-trip tickets valid for one year at a discounted group rate. More details of the group flight arrangements will be available about 2 months prior to departure. You will then be asked to confirm your travel plans by a certain date so that WorldTeach can finalize the group air tickets.

Each volunteer is responsible for getting him/herself to the departure city. Many volunteers are able to find discounted or teacher/student fare domestic connections from the Internet or student travel agencies such as Student Universe or STA Travel.

Q: Can I make my own travel arrangements?

A: You may opt out of the WorldTeach group flight. You should arrange your own flights if you plan to travel in Chile before the program starts, or if you do not plan to leave from the United States. (If you want to travel after the program you can still use the WorldTeach return ticket which is valid for one year from date of departure; you will be responsible for any fees resulting from changing your return date).

If you choose to travel independently to Chile you must plan to arrive in Santiago on or before the date of the group flight's arrival, so that you do not miss any orientation activities. Be sure to buy a round-trip ticket that is valid for a full year and has a changeable return date, in case your travel plans should change. Volunteers traveling independently must inform the Program Manager of their travel plans in writing. If you purchase your own air ticket to Chile, WorldTeach will reimburse you for travel according to the limits and conditions of your program.

Q: Can I come home during the semester?

A: As a WorldTeach volunteer in Chile you are under contract with your host teaching site, and are responsible for teaching full time for the duration of the school term. Although there will be holidays throughout the semester, the semester program beings after the winter vacation (in July) and ends before summer vacation starts, so there are no extended breaks from classes. If a family emergency or event requires you to go home during a term you must clear your trip with your partner organization contacts and the WorldTeach Field Director. Any trips home or other personal travel will be at your own expense. If you do take an extended trip away from your teaching site during the semester, you will need to provide documentation to your Field Director before your trip to ensure that your teaching schedule will not be disrupted. You might want to suggest your family or friends visit you in Chile, ideally during your school breaks so that you can spend more time with them.

Q: Will there be a chance to travel to other places?

A: You will have opportunities to see different areas of Chile. You will meet with the whole group for Orientation and again at the end of the semester for an End of Service debrief meeting. These conferences may be in different locations as decided by the WorldTeach Field Director or partner organization. Your travel to attend these conferences meetings will be covered by WorldTeach or the partner organization.
Any travel you choose to do beyond official program activities will be at your own expense, and should be planned for times that will not disrupt your class schedule. You may want to visit other volunteers or explore another part of the country over Chilean holidays and during other free time in your schedule. You should bring your own spending money for personal travel.

Q: What immunizations will I need?

A: Travelers to Chile often do not find that health standards are significantly different from the US, but you must make decisions about immunizations for yourself. The most comprehensive source of information on immunizations and travel health is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Their website provides recommendations for travel to South America as well as detailed information on specific diseases. Also refer to the healthy travel guide that WorldTeach will send you when you confirm your participation in the program. You must consult your doctor or a travel health specialist about immunizations and other health needs. Please understand that WorldTeach staff is not qualified to give medical advice; only your doctor can give you specific medical advice.

Q: What if I get sick? How are the medical facilities in Chile?

A: Adjusting to a new environment, diet, and climate places demands on your body and health. Living in a new culture and taking on new professional responsibilities will be tiring. You will get sick at certain times; it is unavoidable. But you will also learn how to look after yourself, maintain your health, and seek treatment for sickness.

Chile has good medical facilities. During orientation you will be given advice on health and safety while living in Chile. Medication is widely available in Chile. Birth control pills are available, although they may not be the exact same brands as in the US. If a brand of a drug is not sold in Chile, most pharmacies can match the percentage of each ingredient in the drug to come up with something compatible. It is wise to consult your doctor about your prescriptions well in advance of departure. If you require a specific brand of a drug it may be best to take a year's supply with you.

As a WorldTeach volunteer you will have supplemental overseas health and emergency evacuation insurance. For medical expenses such as doctors' visits for illness or injury while in Chile, prescribed medicines for illness or injury while in Chile, you pay up front, keep the receipt, and then file a claim to get reimbursed by the insurance company. All volunteers are covered under the WorldTeach group supplemental overseas health and emergency evacuation insurance policy; it is not optional. The policy has been designed specially with WorldTeach volunteers in mind. If you have a pre-existing health condition that may require further treatment you should consider maintaining your own health insurance coverage as well. You will be sent the supplemental overseas health and emergency evacuation insurance policy description when you are accepted as a volunteer.

Q: Is it safe?

A: While there is always some level of risk involved in traveling, WorldTeach pays close attention to US State Department and Embassy advice and does not place volunteers in any area considered dangerous. Many people visit Chile every year as tourists, students, or on business.

Chile was run by a dictator, Pinochet, for many years but is now a stable democracy.  There is little risk of political instability, despite large differentials between the rich and the poor.

Risk of theft is present in Chile (as it is everywhere, including in your home town!) and you will need to take sensible precautions to look after your personal belongings. Do not take any belongings that you are not prepared to lose, and do not draw attention to expensive items.  As in most countries, road accidents actually pose the greatest risk. You will need to use common sense, be responsible for yourself and aware of your surroundings, and travel with other people wherever possible. Your host family and community will know you and look out for your safety. Your Field Director will discuss safety and health during orientation. All volunteers will be registered with the appropriate Embassy in Santiago in case of a national emergency. WorldTeach has a 24-hour communication system and an emergency evacuation plan for the country.

Please consult the US Department of State and its travel website for more information.

Q: Will I have access to email in Chile?

A: Internet access is readily available in most cities. Internet cafes are on almost every street corner in urban areas. Internet cafes will charge you about US$1 per hour, and there are extra costs for printing. Some Chile Ministry volunteers will have Internet access at their schools. Some host families will have computers with Internet that you may ask permission to use. "Snail mail" service to Chile is generally reliable. An airmail letter takes 7-10 days from the United States. When you receive your placement information you will be provided with the mailing address for your host family home.

Q: Will I be paid?

A: As a volunteer you will receive a living allowance for the months that you teach. This stipend is paid in Chilean pesos and is usually about the equivalent of approximately US$150-200 per month (varies slightly based on program). This is a modest stipend and is intended to cover your basic costs of living: travel on public transportation to and from school, photocopies for classes, bottled water, perhaps a meal out every now and then. The stipend is paid by English Opens Doors every three months, so you should not expect to be paid upon arrival. You do not receive a stipend for the month of orientation.

Your host family will receive a stipend to cover the costs of having an extra person in the house. They are expected to provide you with three meals a day.

Q: How much money should I take with me?

A: The amount of spending money you will need is very subjective. It will depend on how much you intend to travel, and the lifestyle you intend to lead. Your room and board (daily meals) are provided by your host family, and WorldTeach reimburses program-related travel to conferences. You will need your own spending money for personal costs such as communications with home and social activities, and for paying up-front for medical expenses. You may also need to use your own money to cover daily living costs if your stipend payments are delayed. Because English Opens Doors provides stipends on a tri-monthly basis, you will need to budget accordingly. Previous volunteers recommend taking or having access to about US$1,500-2,500 in spending money, or more if you intend to do a lot of traveling. Traveler's checks are the safest way to take money as they can be replaced if lost, but they are more difficult to cash. Easier than traveler’s checks, and the method preferred by most volunteers in the past has been taking out money using a credit or ATM card from a savings or checking account at a US bank. If you are going to choose this route, make sure that somebody in the U.S. has joint access to your bank account so that he or she can add money if necessary. You should also ask your bank if they will charge you international fees for withdrawing money from an ATM.

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