If you didn’t know, ILP has Exchange Programs, Humanitarian Programs, and Hybrid Programs (a mix of both!). While they do have some similarities (all programs let you give back and make a difference!) there are some differences that can help you figure out what country and what program is going to be the best choice for you.
Will I actually make a difference and help the kids as an ILP volunteer? This is a question ILP (or International Language Programs) gets a lot — if you’re looking to be a volunteer, you want to make sure what you’re doing is impactful, right?? So … should I do the Humanitarian/Hybrid, or Exchange Programs?
Have questions about what an ILP volunteer does?
Come talk to someone to get your questions answered
First let's talk about our two programs so you understand why some aren't sure if they're making a difference in the exchange program. Just so you know, we have Summer Exchange programs as well as Hybrid + Humanitarian ones along with our regular semesters in Fall and Spring.
ILP Humanitarian + Hybrid Programs
Our Humanitarian countries are currently in the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Romania, Uganda, and Vanuatu. India is our first Hybrid Program.
- India, Caribbean countries and Central American countries have a $3,970 fee.
Vanuatu is $4,740 for the Program Fee.
Uganda and Romania are $5,470 per semester.
How Will I Be Helping?
ILP Exchange Programs
How Will I Be Helping?
In any case, either program provides an amazing cultural exchange program for students (or just college-aged volunteers), especially if you're living with a host family. That often gives you the change to learn more about the culture, the language, and spend one-on-one time with your local family. It's not exactly structured as a college exchange program, but elements really mirror that cultural experience.
Are You Still Making A Difference Even If The Students Aren't Poor?
Because you're impacting your student's futures, you often don't see the difference that you're making. You may see their English improve over the course of the few short months you're there, but just know that what you're doing goes beyond that semester. Often times in the Humanitarian Program, the difference that you're making is easier to see because you witness the limited means they're living in. Just know that yes, you're a huge impact in both programs, but if you're more interested in a working with children in a poor area, choose our Humanitarian Programs or Hybrid Programs.
In both programs (and in all of ILP's locations) volunteers give one-on-one time with the kids which is a huge part of their development and our teaching methodology. Because you'll actually get to know the unique personalities of each kid in your class, you'll get close to them and be a sort of role model. Like we mentioned, the kids in the Humanitarian Programs and some of the children in the Hybrid Programs don't always have parental figures who are in a position to be able to give the kids so much of their time - many parents in the DR are working long hours or the father isn't around. You're a role model no matter where you go, but it's a step further in the Humanitarian Programs.
Along with that one-on-one time, remember that English is an incredibly important skill to have for future jobs in any country where these kids live. Every child deserves the best education and all the tools they need to help them live a productive life no matter what their family background is. Speaking English is even more important in touristic areas (like the Caribbean).
Want to learn more? Check out why learning English is so important.
Why Is There A Price Difference?
Every ILP semester has a Program Fee which includes your roundtrip international airfare from the US, airport pickup + drop-off, visa, housing, at-home meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner), WiFi, pre-departure + in-country training, and support throughout the entire experience, as well as cultural experiences.
For our Exchange Programs, there are some subsidized costs by the host school (through student tuition), meaning there is a lower program fee for our volunteers (remember, kids in this program come from middle to upper class families).
For our Humanitarian Program (and the portion of kids for our Hybrid Program), the children don’t come from homes or schools that can help pay some of the costs of your semester abroad, so your program fee is not subsidized.
Despite the price difference, both programs get vacation time, weekends off, only volunteer part-time and have the chance to experience life in a new country with their ILP group.
Here’s a visual breakdown of the differences between the programs.
We want to be here to answer your questions!
ILP is a non-profit org that sends volunteers to live for a semester in countries in Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, Africa, Central America, and the South Pacific. Let's get your questions answered, just click that button.
