IPSL: Colombia - Post-Conflict Studies and Afro-Caribbean Culture

Financial Aid is available for eligible students. IPSL also accepts AmeriCorps Segal Education awards.

As a participant on an IPSL Colombia program, you can learn and serve in the beautiful and bio-diverse coffee growing region of Chinchiná. In Chinchiná, be prepared for a lush experience! This UNESCO Heritage city is nestled in a high Andean valley and is surrounded by by coffee plantations ("fincas") all of which you will have opportunities to explore.

Dive into Spanish language learning while serving in hospitals, group homes for girls and young women for houseless seniors and more. Take academic courses to learn more about the history and culture of this beautiful country. Some courses are excursion based and will take you to Cartagena and/or Medellin. Even if you don't take courses, IPSL can organize trips to either city should you wish to include them in your experience.

Courses can include:
*Beginning to Advanced Spanish Language
*Introduction to COSA (Community Organizing, Social Activism)
*COSA in Colombia
*From Escobar to Santos: Socio-Historical Perspectives on Modern Colombia (elective)
*Conflict, Peace and Reconciliation: Comparative Peace Processes in Colombia, South Africa, North Ireland and Rwanda (elective)
*Afro-Caribbean History and Culture (elective)

Volunteer opportunities may include:
*Migration / Displaced Persons (forced internal migration and conflicts)
*Peace Process in Post Conflict Areas
*Reconciliation Organization
*Animal Welfare
*Social Services
*Home Building
*Education
*The Elderly

Students live in Chinchina at the IPSL partner NGO communal home with other with a private or shared bedroom and shared bath and kitchen. Meals are provided and prepared for you. Homestays may also be arranged if requested and available.

IPSL engages students, educators, and grassroots organizations around the world in hands-on service to promote equitable relationships, social justice, sustainable change, and a commitment to our shared humanity. 

IPSL, the founder of Service-Learning, is a global education institute within the National University of Natural Medicine (nunm.edu). They invest over 83% of our revenues directly back into the communities where they serve.