Candidate Placement

• Volunteer: Volunteer placements are generally for those who want to work with an organization
  for a minimum of one to three months. These placements are ideal for those who want to combine part-time voluntary work with an intensive language program or other activities. InsightArgentina
  takes these short-term volunteer placements very seriously. It is important that the volunteer understands the nature of his or her commitment and is prepared to engage in meaningful and impactful work with the host organization.
• Short-Term Projects: This is a project-based program that generally lasts for 1-3 days or
  even a week and is done in groups of at least 5 people. These projects are often defined based
  on the immediate needs of a particular organization and the objectives of the group. (Fees
  assessed on case-by-case basis)
• Group Projects: This is a project-based program that is geared toward university groups, international programs, or even a group of friends who desire to work for a minimum of one month
  to six weeks.  Groups may engage in hands-on physical projects that may include building gardens
  in local schools, teaching English at a local community center, or spending time with an indigenous
  community in north-western Argentina.

Pre-Program Assistance

Pre-program Assistance will consist of the following:

• An extensive application process that will ensure a perfect fit between candidate and the host organization.  Not all applicants are ensured placement. Mandatory Spanish test.
  
• Extensive orientation materials about Argentina and a Health and Safety Manual.
  
• Extensive information about the participant’s placement, including information about the host organization, and also a detailed description of the duties that the candidate will be performing.
  
• Extensive prior contact with one of the staff.

Orientation

An interactive, dynamic group orientation takes place during the first week of every month. The orientation
will include general information about the current sociopolitical situation and social sector in Argentina. It
will also provide a glance into the volunteer experience, past volunteer projects, host organizations, and
Argentine contemporary history and culture.

An individual orientation also takes place every Monday or Tuesday. This orientation includes placement information with rules and boundaries for the volunteer placement (including work schedule, attendance,
and dress code), and tips and suggestions on how to get the most out of the experience. Options for
staying involved with the host-organization upon return to his or her home country will also be given.

4-Hour In-Country Assistance

24-hour in-country assistance will consist of the following:

• A staff member that will work with the program participant and host organization during the
  period of their placement.  This staff member will be in constant contact with both the participant
  and host organization to ensure a smooth experience for both parties. 
  
• Group activities that will be organized by staff members: group orientations and reflection
  meetings.
  
• Assistance in being an active member of the community in the host city, which may include
  information on upcoming seminars, talks, classes, cultural activities, etc. We send a weekly newsletter to program participants which highlights these activities when they arise.
  
• A local phone number where a staff member can be reached during business hours by the
  program participant and a cell phone number where a message can be left in non-business
  hours, which will be returned within 24 hours.
  
• A U.S. number where friends and families can leave a message in case a program participant
  needs to be reached urgently.
  
• A mailbox, fax and email receipt service.

Post-Program Assistance

Post-program Assistance can provide the following upon request:

• A detailed review of the participant’s experience at his or her placement, including the candidate’s
  duties and responsibilities, that can be used as a letter of recommendation or in some cases for course credit.
  
• Assistance in obtaining college credit for the participant’s time abroad, including communication
  with the home university, and providing written confirmation of what the work entailed.

Placement Contribution

The benefit of international volunteerism is that the NGO benefits from the efforts of the volunteer, and at
the same time the volunteer has the opportunity to do important, engaging work, and comes away with a unique insight into the host country, the host NGO, and the social sector.

The establishment of this relationship requires considerable time and effort, and this organization works
hard to analyze the needs of member NGOs, as well as the profiles of prospective volunteers, to create
the right match. Thus, we request a $450 contribution for Volunteer programs (donations for Short Term
Projects are determined on a case by case basis).

A percentage (US$100) of the volunteer contribution goes to the organization itself and to the projects volunteers will be assisting with there. The remainder of the contribution goes to fund administrative costs, volunteer recruitment, pre-, post-, and in-country support, building and maintaining partnerships with our member NGOs, following and assisting in the development and execution of volunteer projects, training and orientation.

This is a flat program contribution, regardless of the length of the program, and includes specialized
placement, pre- and post-departure assistance, arrival orientation, 24-hour in-country assistance, routine
site visits and evaluation, a mailbox and a fax number.