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nm.kristen
Joined: 08 Sep 2011
Posts: 2
Location: Montreal, QC
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 Posted: Mon Sep 12, 2011 11:32 pm Post subject: ENGLISH OPENS DOORS |
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** I have no idea if I am doing this right, but I'll post here anyway!
For those of you looking at different volunteer options, please AVOID "English Opens Doors".
I just returned from a contract with them teaching in Chile. Although I met past volunteers who had been "luckier" with placements, the recent batch of volunteers (of which I was part) were less than fortunate.
Although I absolutely LOVE the country and plan to return to find paid work, I would not recommend EOD.
My host family was not chosen until hours before I rang their doorbell. Furthermore, they thought I was a Spanish speaking Chilean going to learn English at the university. (Reality being: I'm from North America and could not speak Spanish).
Most of my interactions with the organization can be described as disorganized at BEST. While the idea behind EOD is fantastic, the execution is sometimes a bit of a nightmare.
If you'd like more info I can share, but I just wanted to warn others 
Thanks |
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spanglish
Joined: 21 May 2009
Posts: 742
Location: working on that
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| Posted: Tue Sep 13, 2011 6:44 pm Post subject: |
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| The details you shared sound neither surprising nor nightmarish for Latin America. Furthermore, if EOD is a government run program then I'm surprised the government is organized enough to have even thought of something like this and be able to somewhat competently run it. If you spoke no Spanish when you started the program, I sure you've improved quite a lot since. |
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nm.kristen
Joined: 08 Sep 2011
Posts: 2
Location: Montreal, QC
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| Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 7:32 pm Post subject: |
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oh definitely! I spoke quite a bit by the time i got home!
I agree that it was impressive that it was run by the government. But I would probably try other organizations before this one |
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DayaM
Joined: 09 Sep 2011
Posts: 9
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| Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2011 6:31 am Post subject: |
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| Apart from your host family situation, was everything else alright? Did you go directly through the government, or was it through a recruiting agency partnered with EOD? I'm considering this program next spring, so any insight is helpful... |
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alexportnoy
Joined: 07 May 2012
Posts: 5
Location: NY, NY
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| Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2012 10:25 pm Post subject: |
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I'm currently teaching with English Opens Doors and I can't say it sounds like things have changed
that being said, it's not all that bad of a program |
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myxomatoad
Joined: 29 May 2012
Posts: 1
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| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 4:18 am Post subject: |
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| alexpornoy, can you provide any more info on your experiences? I have been considering doing this through Bridge, but I was hoping to find more information before I go making any commitments. Do they provide you with a stipend? Is living with a host family a requirement? |
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alexportnoy
Joined: 07 May 2012
Posts: 5
Location: NY, NY
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| Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2012 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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| myxomatoad wrote: |
| alexpornoy, can you provide any more info on your experiences? I have been considering doing this through Bridge, but I was hoping to find more information before I go making any commitments. Do they provide you with a stipend? Is living with a host family a requirement? |
I'd be happy to help you out
1) First of all, if you are going to apply, don't apply through Bridge. From what I understand they charge a fee for your application. Apply for free on the National Volunteer Centre's website http://www.centrodevoluntarios.cl/
2) They do provide you with a stipend, but it is not much, and definitely not enough to live off of. My first stipend came out to about $230 USD and was a month late. I'm supposed to be receiving another one soon but I have found out through the Volunteer Gossip Chain that other volunteers are only receiving half of what they were supposed to get because the program is basically running out of money.
So to make a long story short. Yes there is a stipend, no it is not enough to live off of, and you might not ever receive it.
3) Living with a host family is not a requirement but I do recommend that you do so. If you choose not to live with a host family, they program gives you a slightly larger stipend but, keep in mind, it is subject to all of the said problems from my previous answer.
If you have any more questions I'd be happy to help you out. I know I'm making this sound like a pretty unlikeable scenario but it's actually really not all that bad. I'm just letting you know of the stuff that I wish I had known previous to coming down here  |
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Robert23
Joined: 01 May 2010
Posts: 4
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| Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2012 12:40 am Post subject: Re: ENGLISH OPENS DOORS |
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| nm.kristen wrote: |
| Most of my interactions with the organization can be described as disorganized at BEST. |
Sounds typical of every organization in Chile. |
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