Intern & Volunteer Abroad in Latin America

Chile doesn’t get the attention it deserves in our humble opinion. It’s an incredibly diverse country that is in some circles, wrongly perceived as a third-world country. And that’s far from reality. To change your perspective regarding Chile, we think you should go live there for a month or six, participating in our long standing (since 2005) Intern Abroad program in beautiful Vina del Mar and Valparaiso.

It’s not just us: National Geographic has repeatedly included Chile in its lists of top travel destinations. It’s one of the most recommended places to visit worldwide for so many reasons. Chile has it all: the OG port city of Valparaiso, the Atacama desert, geysers, volcanos, Easter Island (hello!), lakes, Patagonia glaciers & fjords, and the vibrant culture hot spot that is Santiago, its capital. Much like California, you can be at the beach doing a morning jog, working out in the many public fitness spaces or laying out, and by the afternoon you can be trekking or skiing.

Along the way, stop for some world famous wine tasting in the Valley between the beach and the mountains. We operate in Vina del Mar and Valparaiso, along the Pacific Ocean edge of this long country.

Welcome to the land of “Pana”, a universal greeting across all of Ecuador, to both locals and travelers, that means “friend”. This compact country embraces crazy bio diversity – most within bus driving distance of each other or a short 1-2 hour long flight – like the Amazon jungle, the Pacific Ocean, the Galapagos Islands, hot springs and crater volcanoes everywhere.

Our Intern Abroad Program here operates out of Quito, as that is where most industry is, but we want you to (and you can easily) explore, explore, explore. Things are close and cheap. And by the way, the currency here is the US dollar, too easy! You will be living literally in the middle of the world here, so do plan to visit those unique geographic markers during your internship program. Ecuador is not famous for its food, like other places in Latin America are, however we love the hearty soups, the various amazing fruit drinks (stay away from cuy, which is guinea pig, it’s not worth the hype, ioho).

Pay attention to the elevation as Quito, nestled in the majestic Andean foothills, holds the record for the second highest elevation of an official capital city in the world. A quirk to note: most international flights arrive into Quito in the middle of the night, like 1 or 2 am!

Progressive, tiny, safe, beach bordered Uruguay, oh how we love you so! This is one of Adelante Abroad’s newer Intern Abroad Program countries, with candidates first being placed here in 2010. We operate in bustling yet slow paced, historic Montevideo and trendy, walkable Punta del Este.

For so long, it was one off the beaten path destination. Not any more, but in such a good way. Politically stable, LGBTQ friendly and cannabis legality leading, living here lends itself to longer term stays & programs. In fact, a record number of people from other countries are lately choosing to come live permanently in Uruguay, which is giving it a more international vibe than in the recent past.

A diverse population leads to interesting additions, such as a burgeoning art scene and a blossoming wine country region. The long time obsession with red meat and soccer still preside over everything, as does the ubiquitous Mate drink in everyone’s hand. You can both get to Argentina by boat and go off grid to tiny villages within an hour or two of the capital.

Viva Mexico! And not just mariachis and Dia de Los Muertos, this populous country presents as so much more to first time visitors and returning travelers alike. And yes, Mexico City (or CDMX as it has now been changed to) rocks and is a MUST visit when in your Volunteer in Mexico program with Adelante Abroad. However, we chose to operate out of glorious, fantastical, modern-yet-not, foodie & a fan favorite: the city of Oaxaca.

Mexico itself is famous for funny things like consuming the most coca cola of any other country in the world, and being home to the oldest University in North America. The culture and languages and history (3 BIG wars) just are everywhere and seem to, by some strange osmosis, kind of absorb into every day life. Locals are busy but kind. High heels are impossible here, cobblestones and uneven sidewalks and winding secret alleyways and corners everywhere.

“Markets” huge and varied, offering everything from salt to shoes to bread to live music seem part of the fabric too. These are favorite spots as they bring together travelers and locals, grannies and teenagers, rich and poor.