Chinchiná, Colombia
Chinchiná, nestled in the beautiful and bio-diverse Colombian highlands, is a UNESCO Heritage Site and is surrounded by coffee plantations ("fincas"). Depending on your interests and goals, you can also spend several days in Medellín, the "City of Eternal Spring" in the Andes, or Cartagena, the sunny, historic, colonial city on the edge of the turquoise Caribbean. Colombia is a country of diverse history, cultures, peoples, and environments.
In addition to customized, one-on-one Spanish language learning, IPSL offers rich, excursion-based courses where you'll learn from scholars and scholar-practitioners about the history, people, and culture of the region. Courses can be taken for academic credit or personal interest, and include:
- Afro-Colombia History and Culture
- From Escobar to Santos: Socio-Historical Perspectives on Colombia
- Peace, Conflict, and Reconciliation
- COSA: Community Organizing and Social Activism in Colombia
Continue to improve your Spanish language skills by serving, teaching, and volunteering. IPSL participants have empowered communities by volunteering their services to schools, hospitals and clinics, child care centers, homeless shelters, animal shelters and clinics, farms, wildlife habitats, and more. Discuss your interests and skills with the IPSL director to find your perfect placement.
Students live in Chinchiná, at IPSL's partner NGO's communal home. You may have a private or shared room, with shared baths and a shared kitchen. Breakfast and dinner are provided and prepared for you.
With advance notice, IPSL may be able to arrange homestays or a private apartment in the center of Chinchiná.
Meet Glen, the IPSL Program Director in Chinchiná
Glen brings over 20 years of experience in the field of global education, with a career that spans the United States, China, Mexico, and Colombia. Throughout his journey, he served in a wide range of roles, including teacher, advisor, coordinator, developer, and recruiter for schools, universities, and service-learning initiatives.
His professional background also includes leadership as an academic coordinator, entrepreneur, and corporate manager, as well as prior service as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. Colombia is now his home, where he continues to lead and contribute to impactful educational programs and cross-cultural exchange efforts.
MedellÍn, Colombia
IPSL’s partner organization in Medellín is located near the heart of the city and will support your growth in Spanish language and cultural awareness. Spanish is the second most spoken language in the world and is often considered the most beneficial second language for native English speakers. Studies also show that learning a second language stimulates memory, increases attention span, increases ability to multi-task, increases decision-making ability, increases SAT and ACT scores on math, reading comprehension, and vocabulary, and improves your marketability to future employers.
While the school follows a general curriculum, they understand that not everyone learns the same way. You can choose between private Spanish language lessons, small-group lessons, or a combination of both. IPSL’s partner also includes excursions and activities to immerse you in the culture for a real Colombian experience.
You can volunteer with several different organizations in Medellín. Discuss your interests and goals with the IPSL director to find your perfect placement.
Every IPSL program is designed in collaboration with you, whether you’re earning a degree and want to spend some time abroad, or learning a language or serving others, we can customize that experience for your budget, time frame, expertise, and interests.