BOOKLET

www.aiesec.be/latinamerica

Reduce inequality in Latin America is a cross-cultural volunteering experience. It is the perfect opportunity for young people who want to create a social impact by educating human rights and striving for equality. Not only will you develop an impact on the local societies, you will also get to know the Peruvian or Costa Rican culture and people with similar values from all over the world. There are three different projects to reduce inequality, about which you will find more information on the next pages.

We have internships available in a wide variety of sectors and roles around the world. Discover thousands of opportunities ranging from large to small corporations. Now is your time to build your confidence, gain experience and build your leadership capabilities.

EMpower in Peru p.8Igualiticos Children in Costa Rica p.9Igualiticos Loving Ages in Costa Rica p.10

You definitely don’t have to be a social expert to volunteer in Latin America!The only requirements for Reduce Inequality in Latin America are:

● Fluency in English● Fluency in Spanish or Portuguese is not required, but basic knowledge can be

practical to communicate with the locals.● Willingness to work with children and to teach/present● Enthusiasm● Flexibility to adapt to a totally different culture

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What is the project about?

Peru has been one of the poorest and most unequal countries in Latin America. Society’s discrimination results in many women not finding a job or not getting paid the same amount as men. Many women in rural areas are also illiterate.

Poverty and unequal chances have a big impact on the equality of a country. The progress for women’s rights in Peru is very slow, due to little to no interest of political parties in gender equality. Costa Rica suffers from big income differences, increasing discrimination and unequal chances for the whole population. Raising awareness about gender equality and about non-discrimination is the start to strive for equal opportunities for all Latin American inhabitants.

Labor income inequality is a key driver of the high level of income inequality in Costa Rica. Besides that, Costa Rica struggles with increasing the female labor force participation and has therefore also problems in gender equality.

Why Latin America needs you

The United Nations Goal 10 aims to reduce inequalities within and among countries, by narrowing differences of opportunity, income and power by 2030. By volunteering in Peru or Costa Rica, you will contribute to create awareness and build a long term foundation for less inequalities in the local communities.

Peru has a big variety of festivals at the roots of its culture. Many of them are related to national or catholic holidays and are celebrated with a lot of colour, typical dances and religious devotion.

Peru is the third largest country in South America. It is a very diverse country, with habitats varying from the Andes mountains to the rainforest and arid plains. Peruvian culture is primarily rooted in American-Indian traditions, with influences from Asian, African and European ethnic groups. Peru’s official languages are Spanish, spoken by more than 80% of the population, Quechua and other indigenous languages.

Daily food in Peru consists of corn, potatoes and chilis, in addition to quinoa and legumes like beans. The most popular drink in Peru is beer.

Peruvian culture

In 2019, more than 1200 youth from all over the world volunteered in Peru with AIESEC.Will you be one of them to continue this in 2020?

Self-discipline is an important value to Peruvians: controlling one’s emotions and feelings is of high importance to them, especially to men. Respect is also highly-valued in Peru, especially for elder people.

Lima, Peru’s capital city, is one of the few capital cities in the world that is located at the coast. The city does thus also contain beaches and a desert, making it a very diverse capital city.

Costa Rica contains almost 6% of the world’s biodiversity. This is because of their geographical position: their mountains account for a lot of species, and their beaches border the Caribbean and Pacific coast.

Costa Rica is a country in Central America that is known for its long-standing and stable democracy. It has been heavily influenced by Spanish culture since their colonization. The country has attained a high human development compared to countries with similar low income levels. It is also a popular touristic country, being the most-visited nation in the Central American region.

Bananas and coffee are the most famous export products of Costa Rica. The daily meals often consist of beans and rice, so rice pudding is a popular dessert there.

Costa Rican culture

In 2019, more than 400 youth from all over the world volunteered in Costa Rica with AIESEC. Will you be one of them to continue this in 2020?

Family bonds and values are very strong in Costa Rica. Extended families often live very close together and children might seem very spoiled because the families want to show as much love and affection as they can.

Costa Rica is the most social media friendly country in Latin America, with the highest percentage of Facebook and Whatsapp users, namely 77% of the population.

Reduce Inequalities in Latin America is a volunteering project of AIESEC. It is a 6 – 8 weeks cross-cultural volunteering experience for young people who seek to develop themselves and the world. Open your eyes towards the possibility to build, create, take action and travel. Grab your backpack, it’s time to go!

BENEFITSDevelop Yourself and the World

A cross-cultural volunteering experience for young people who seek to develop themselves and the world.

Be a local in an unknown environment and experience new cultures by working in a diverse

and cross-cultural team. Step out of your box and broaden your horizon, becoming a citizen of

the World!

Cross Cultural Environment

Understand more about yourself - your passions, skills and strengths - as you challenge yourself to

step into a completely new environment. Our people offer the support to guide your learning,

realisations, and self-discovery.

Challenge Yourself

Volunteering Experience

Volunteer abroad in NGOs or on projects that contribute to the Sustainable Development

Goals. Tackle pressing global issues to have a positive impact in local societies.

Don’t just travel. Develop the world.

Develop Yourself

Grow and develop by going through practical experiences and learning by doing. An intense cross-cultural environment allows you to be

more self-aware and solution oriented, improve communication skills and make friends.

Become the best version of yourself!

We have internships available in a wide variety of sectors and roles around the world. Discover thousands of opportunities ranging from large to small corporations. Now is your time to build your confidence, gain experience and build your leadership capabilities.

ENABLER

NGO

DURATION

6 to 8 weeks

STIPEND

Not Paid

PRIMARY PURPOSE

Social Impact

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Volunteer to reduce inequalities

You probably have a lot of choice to spend your summer or winter abroad, volunteering or just staying at home. Going abroad with AIESEC to Peru or Costa Rica might however be the best choice to enjoy an experience of a lifetime!

Here are 3 reasons why:

Why reduce inequalities with AIESEC?

AIESEC is the biggest youth-led organization in the world since 1948. Today, we have provided more than 230.000 global experiences, all facilitated by youth for youth. This makes our organization unique: you will go abroad all while being helped by people from your own generation.

2. You don’t have to worry about the details

You will get guidance from an AIESEC member in Belgium, who will guide you through the whole process. If there are any problems or questions during or before your experience, they can always help you. Furthermore, you will also get an AIESEC buddy in the country you are going to. This person can help you with local questions and can guide you through the country and to your project. Lastly, you will get to know locals, other AIESEC local members and AIESEC volunteers from all over the world!

1. You won’t be alone in this experience

3. You’ll get to do something really cool

From the moment you sign up, AIESECers will help you to find the project that matches you. They will help you to prepare your interview and administrative organization. Before you take off, they will make sure everything is prepared for you to leave the country: they can advise you about visa, insurance, local rules...

Gaining international experience, having a social impact in Latin America and influencing the future of many local people, getting to meet youth from all over the world and learning more about yourself and cultural differences: all aspects you will live by volunteering with AIESEC. So, what are you waiting for?

EMpower in Peru

Empower women and promote gender equality

Are you ready to develop critical thinking in children and teenagers about a zero tolerance towards gender violence and inequality? The main goal of this project is to empower women and girls to become self aware and confident as active individuals to contribute to society. You will have to plan empowerment projects and workshops to execute the goal of gender equality and contribute to more equality in Peru.

Start date: 19th of June or 4th of JulyEMpower starts on the 19th of June in Lima and on the 4th of July in Piuria. The projects do not have flexible start dates.

VaccinationsVaccinations are not required, but we recommend you to be vaccinated against DTP, yellow fever and Hepatitis A.

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Accommodation includedYou will stay at a host family, which will really give you the chance to emerge yourself in the local and Peruvian culture!

One or two meals includedThis project includes one or two meals per day (one in Lima, two in Piuria). For the other meals, nutrition in Brazil is relatively cheap: you should account for 4-5 euros per meal.

Extra trainee fee: 70 dollarYou will be asked to pay a trainee fee of 70 dollars, which is about 65 euro, when you arrive in Peru. This will be for accommodation and internal events, organized by AIESEC, together with volunteers from all over the world.

The project is organized in Piuria and in Lima, with slight differences. Both projects are together on this page.

Igualiticos Children in Costa Rica

Raise and educate children about equality

Youth is the next generation, and that’s why they need the right information and empowerment about tolerance and equality. As a volunteer you will prepare activities for children up to 12 years old to promote inclusion by organizing simulations, workshops, classes, games… Organizing activities related to self-esteem and inequality to make the children more self-aware will be one of them.

Start date: 30th of JulyIgualiticos starts on the 30th of July and does not have flexible start dates.

VaccinationsVaccinations are not required, but we recommend you to be vaccinated against DTP and Hepatitis A.

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Accommodation includedYou will stay at a host family, which will really give you the chance to emerge yourself in the local and Costa Rican culture!

One meal includedThis project includes one meal per day. For the other meals, nutrition in Costa Rica is relatively cheap: you should account for 4-5 euros per meal.

Extra trainee fee: 60 eurosThe local Costa Rican AIESEC committee will ask you to pay 60 euros at arrival. This will be to attend leadership development sessions, an integration seminar and activities together with other volunteers from all over the world.

Igualiticos Loving Ages in Costa Rica

Support inclusion for the elderly

As a volunteer in Costa Rica, you will organize activities to create an environment of inclusion for the elder people. Providing support, accompaniment and recreational spaces will be your main tasks to improve inclusion and reduce inequalities in their local community.

Start date: 26th of JulyIgualiticos starts on the 26th of July and does not have flexible start dates.

VaccinationsVaccinations are not required, but we recommend you to be vaccinated against DTP and Hepatitis A.

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Accommodation includedYou will stay at a host family, which will really give you the chance to emerge yourself in the local and Peruvian culture!

Two meals includedThis project includes two meals per day. For the other meals, nutrition in Brazil is relatively cheap: you should account for 4-5 euros per meal.

Extra trainee fee: 60 eurosThe local Costa Rican AIESEC committee will ask you to pay 60 euros at arrival. This will be to attend leadership development sessions, an integration seminar and activities together with other volunteers from all over the world.

HOW TO GET STARTED

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENT

Be between 18 and 30 years of age

Good level of English

Open-minded to new cultures and experiences

SIGN UPOnce you show interest in our exchange product, you can sign up and build your profile. Visit

aiesec.org to sign up!

SEARCH & APPLYLogin to aiesec.org and filter

search results to find the perfect opportunities for you and apply

proactively!INTERVIEWBe contacted by the opportunity

manager and go through the selection procedure, which will

include an interview. The process time is around 5 days.

CONFIRMOnce you get officially accepted

to an opportunity, go through administrative preparation

(contract, payment, visa etc.).PREPARE & GO

Pack your bags, open your mind and get ready to start your

AIESEC experience. 

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FEES & COSTSAfter you have been accepted for your ideal opportunity, AIESEC helps you settle the

administrative process. A contract is signed between you and AIESEC and you are required to pay a product fee. After payment, the final approval takes place.

AIESEC does not cover flights, visas, and/or any required vaccination. An extra trainee fee may be asked by the local AIESEC office, which is mentioned on the

project pages of this booklet.

PRODUCT FEES = €329 INCL. VAT

AIESEC is a not-for-profit organisation. This fee is taken to cover our administrative processes to keep us financially sustainable so we can continue to provide high-quality leadership

experiences.

WHAT ARE YOU PAYING FOR?APPLICATION SUPPORTSupport from a Local Committee of AIESEC in Belgium to get you approved to an ideal opportunity and virtual support while you are abroad.

EXCHANGE PREPARATION SEMINARBefore you start your experience, we will prepare you with some last information..

EXCHANGE SUPPORTSupport from a Local Committee of AIESEC in Belgium and the Host Country to assist you during your exchange experience.

VISA APPLICATION A visa is normally not needed to volunteer in Latin America. However, AIESEC can provide guidance and support, if necessary, for the visa application process.

INCOMING PREPARATION SEMINARWhen you arrive in Latin America, locals will introduce you to the country and culture. You will get the chance to meet with other volunteers from all over the world in integration and Global Village events.

COSTS TO CONSIDER TRAVEL &

VISAFOODTOURISM INSURANCE &

MEDICAL

RE-INTEGRATION SEMINARClose off your Global Volunteer experience and complete your leadership development journey.

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AIESEC gave me the chance to live an experience that I couldn’t

find elsewhere. Combining a volunteering project and travelling

is the best combination according to me if you want to develop

your leadership, create an impact around you and have fun at

the same time. Being in a totally different environment and

culture makes us go out of our comfort zone and that is also

what AIESEC promises you. During my stay in Peru, I discovered

the local community and their habits, I learned so many things,

travelled to many different wonderful places in the country and

most importantly I helped children with difficulties and I taught

them values that are important to us in Belgium, to empower

them to become responsible adults. I think that this kind of

volunteering internship is really important because it facilitates

exchanges between different countries and it offers people a

more open-minded view. I would thus recommend everyone to

embarge on a volunteering experience because my only regret

was that it didn’t last longer.

Louise

Read more stories at: www.aiesec.be/blog 13

Read why Louise & Dorien enjoyed

Volunteering in Costa Rica taught me a lot about myself! I lived in

a room with three girls I had never met before, which made me go

out my comfort zone. I also learned to speak a bit of Spanish. I had

never volunteered to help people out like I did here, and it really

opened my eyes in many ways.

Dorien

AIESEC is a global platform for young people to explore and develop their leadership potential. We are a non-political, independent, not-for-profit organisation run by youth and recent graduates of institutions of higher education.

We are a global network of young leaders under the age of 30 who strive to improve themselves and the communities around them. We are passionate about world issues, leadership development, cultural understanding and experiential learning.

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For more informationCONTACT US!

AIESEC in Belgiumwww.aiesec.be

Email: info@aiesec.be

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