	FAQ
	Organizational and Program FAQ Volunteer FAQ San Cristobal FAQ Travel FAQ

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Volunteer FAQ

Is it possible to volunteer with the NEGF?

How many hours does a typical volunteer work?

What kind of volunteer makes a good fit with New Era?

Does NEGF offer any paid positions?

How much does it cost to volunteer with the NEGF?

I am interested in volunteering with NEGF, but I can't stay for three months. Is this OK?

Does NEGF require volunteers to speak Spanish?

Do volunteers have the opportunity to travel to other Galapagos Islands?

What is the contact information for the New Era Galapagos Foundation?

Is there a standard English curriculum in place? Are there standard textbooks that I will be using?

What kind of educational supports and technology are available at New Era Galapagos?

Are there things that I can bring to help out New Era Galapagos?

What should I bring to San Cristobal?

Is it possible to volunteer with the NEGF?

As a non-profit organization staffed entirely by volunteers, the NEGF is always recruiting individuals for volunteer placements on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos. Volunteers should be prepared to commit a minimum of three months in one (or more) of the following program areas: English as a Foreign Language, Environmental Education, Art, and/or Admin/Management/ Development. Most volunteers teach English. Some combine that with involvement in one or more of the other areas. Interested candidates should send their resumes to volunteer@neweragalapagos.org no later than two months prior to the start date of the session they are interested in. Volunteer placement may be possible on short notice, interested candidates should send their resumes as soon as possible.

How many hours does a typical volunteer work?

Though volunteer schedules vary depending on the area to which they are assigned, most volunteers work approximately 20-25 hours per week. For example, English teachers typically provide 5 hours of classroom instruction three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday), not including lesson plans and general classroom preparation. Those volunteers involved with environmental education or art activities usually are involved in these activities Saturday mornings, as well as several hours each day Monday-Thursday.

What kind of volunteer makes a good fit with New Era?

If you are looking for an interesting island experience, in a friendly and low-key community, with incredible wildlife all around you, San Cristobal may be the location for you. If you are looking to party, in a location with serious nightlife, the New Era Galapagos Foundation, and San Cristobal Island, will not be a good fit.

An intermediate level of Spanish is desirable...while it is not necessary, you will get more out of the experience and be able to interact more effectively with local people if your Spanish skills are at this level.

You will need to bring a positive attitude, a sense of humor and a very flexible state of mind. The Galapaguenian way of life is laid back, people are frequently late, and apparent commitments can be somewhat fluid.

Does NEGF offer any paid positions?

Due to extremely limited financial resources, the NEGF does not offer any paid staff positions at this time.

How much does it cost to volunteer with the NEGF?

All NEGF volunteers must pay for all transportation costs to and from the Galapagos Islands, as well as general living expenses while in the Islands. NEGF provides all volunteers with a waiver for the $100 entrance fee charged upon arrival to all visitors of the Galapagos. Volunteers have many opportunities to attend excursions with the National Park and local schools, making volunteering an inexpensive way to also explore the islands.

I am interested in volunteering with NEGF, but I can't stay for three months. Is this OK?

Normally, volunteers are expected to commit to at least a one month stay. Stays of three months are preferred, as this allows volunteers to offer the most help to NEGF. During some periods of the year, a stay of less than one month may be considered.

Does NEGF require volunteers to speak Spanish?

Volunteers interested in teaching EFL or ESL do not need to be Spanish speakers, though some basic Spanish knowledge is recommended. Volunteers interested in all other program areas must possess conversational Spanish at the intermediate level or higher.

Some volunteers choose to learn Spanish or brush up on Spanish on the mainland or from home before arriving. This is a great way to prepare for volunteering with NEGF. Quito is particularly full of reputable Spanish Lanquage Schools and are great at accommodating volunteers and travelers.

Do volunteers have the opportunity to travel to other Galapagos Islands?

During their service, all volunteers are expected to fulfill their duties assigned them. However, all volunteers are encouraged to explore the island of San Cristobal to its fullest. Due to the distance between islands and the time associated with boat travel between each island (4 1/2 2 hours to the closest inhabited island, Santa Cruz), volunteers are recommended to visit other islands either before or after their service begins. Having said that, virtually every volunteer has travelled both by car and/or panga, local motor boats, to visit the many unique and spectacular areas of San Cristobal Island, including Leon Dormido (Kicker Rock), Playa Ochoa, La Galapaguera, and other designated tourist sites.

What is the contact information for the New Era Galapagos Foundation?

Our building is located on the corner of: Avenue 12 de Febrero and Avenue Alsacio Northia. The office phone number is: 593-05-2520531.

Is there a standard English curriculum in place? Are there standard textbooks that I will be using?

There is a curriculum with defined learning objectives for each level. There is also a ‘statement of levels’ which defines precisely what level of ability is expected at each level. Every semester, a class will follow an appropriate coursebook and there is a syllabus in place of the coursebooks we have for the different age groups and levels. It takes two semesters to complete a level and students may study half a course book in one semester and the second half in the following semester. All of this information is included in detail in the Teachers’ Handbook which, if you are volunteering as an English teacher, you should have received along with this document.

What kind of educational supports and technology are available at New Era Galapagos?

There are many educational resources available at New Era Galapagos – grammar textbooks, workbooks, and supplementary materials for different levels and appropriate for different ages. All books are labeled and categorized to help volunteers gain easy access to the available resources. There is one classroom that contains a white board. Additional equipment includes a television, VCR and audio tape/CD player. There are two computers in the office available for use by volunteers for preparing materials (Internet is available in the office).

Are there things that I can bring to help out New Era Galapagos?

Basic educational supplies are always needed. If you are willing to bring along boxes of crayons, erasable markers (for whiteboards), pencils, colored pencils, they will be much appreciated and well used. We use these supplies on a regular basis and can always use more. Other supplies that would be helpful to bring include colored paper (construction paper), paints, erasers, small pencil sharpeners. Additional instructional materials would be helpful, especially good quality coursebooks with the accompanying Teachers’ Books, and any listening materials.

What should I bring to San Cristobal?

There are also a number of things that you can bring that will enhance your personal experience here on the island. Past volunteers have set up a small lending library of paperback novels and other books for pleasure reading...rather than take them home when they leave, they have chosen to leave them behind for the benefit of other volunteers. Also, if you want to bring a soccer ball (futbol), volleyball, basketball, or frisbee, there will be many opportunities to use them for recreational purposes. And any of these, or snorkeling equipment, that you want to leave behind when you go home, will be well appreciated by other volunteers.

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