Participation in volunteer or internship opportunities abroad is an excellent way to immerse oneself in another country's way of life. Experiential Learning Abroad Programs (ELAP) is a division of ISA that arranges and prepares students for volunteer and occasional internship placements. ELAP is an enriching experience for proficient Spanish speakers who are seeking to contribute to an organization's responsibilities and mission while simultaneously learning about themselves in an unfamiliar, and at times, challenging environment. Experiential learning adds another dimension to the study abroad experience through daily interactions, resulting in a greater understanding of the language, culture, and community of the host country.

Participants develop skills such as problem solving, appreciation for community and diversity, the ability to cooperate and collaborate in an international setting, and a more intimate understanding of global issues.

In addition to benefiting from the ELAP participant's time and dedication, non-profit organizations also receive a donation from ISA once the ELAP participant successfully completes their volunteer or internship placement.

Click here to see a list of current Volunteer and Internship programs

See how others have been enriched by their volunteer experience.
Click here to read comments from ELAP alumni.

The following materials are required in applying for these programs:

• Résumé (in Spanish-it doesn't have to be perfect)
• ELAP Profile Form (PDF)
• Standard ISA Application
• ELAP Volunteer Expectations

• 4 semesters or 6 quarter units of Spanish for 6 + 8 week ELAP programs and ALL ELAP programs in Chile
• 3 semesters or 5 quarter units of Spanish for 10 week + longer ELAP programs
• 2 years attendance at a college or university

All programs include room and board, medical insurance, pre-departure information, support of the ISA resident staff, volunteer or internship placement, on-site orientation, cultural activities, an excursion, Spanish instruction and tutorial assistance with the Spanish language. The details of the Spanish instruction and the excursion depend on the program site as each site is somewhat different. If there are other ISA excursions during the time you are on-site you may add these on individually.

All ELAP programs have an excursion included. Entrance fees to museums and monuments and ground transportation are included on all organized excursions. If there is not a regular ISA excursion planned during your program dates, the director will arrange an excursion for you. You will consult with your resident director upon arrival to determine what excursion you will do. To view a list of excursions that are offered at each site please search under the country that you are interested in. Excursion locations are subject to change.

Please note that the following excursions are not offered as possible excursion choices for the ELAP volunteer program, however you may add them on in-country for an extra fee: Machu Picchu/Cusco (Peru), Iquitos and the Amazon Jungle (Peru), Puerto Vallarta (México), Nicaragua and Panama excursions (Costa Rica), Iguazú (Argentina), Ski trip (Argentina), and Samaná (Dominican Republic).

The most common ways to participate in ELAP:

• ELAP
• ISA program followed by ELAP ¹
• Incorporate ELAP into an ISA program ²

Contact an ELAP advisor (elap@studiesabroad.com) to discuss which option best suits your learning goals and time availability.

¹ Receive a $100 discount off ELAP price for repeat participation in an ISA run program.
² Semester: ISA Program Price + $800

• Patience with yourself and others
• Desire to participate and learn
• Comfortable with minimum supervision
• Personal initiative
• Reliability

Volunteering abroad through ELAP is very exciting, but it can be challenging at times. ELAP is not for everyone.

Email: elap@studiesabroad.com
Phone: 1-800-580-8826