Volunteer in the Galapagos Islands!

The Galapagos Academic Institute for the Arts & Sciences (GAIAS) seeks volunteer ESL teachers throughout the year to work at its community college on the island of San Cristobal.

Minimum qualifications

All applicants should be native speakers of English. They should have a Bachelor’s degree in Education or another related field OR have a TESOL/TEFL certificate plus two years of English-teaching experience.

Minimum Time Commitment: Six months.

Job Description

ESL courses at GAIAS are based on the Skyline Series (www.skyline-english.com). Courses are taught in five-week modules and meet for two hours per day, Monday through Friday. Volunteers are responsible for teaching two classes each day, in addition to class planning and preparation (approximately 20-25 hours per week). Volunteers are provided with all the necessary ESL teaching materials.

Salary

As a volunteer teacher you will receive no salary. You will receive free room and board in exchange for your services. Because of strict immigration laws and limited job opportunities in the Galapagos, you will not be able to seek additional work in order to earn an income.

To apply

Contact Marta Romo-Leroux, Program Development Coordinator, Universidad San Francisco de Quito: gaias@usfq.edu.ec


Expenses

Volunteers are responsible for their own travel expenses, including travel to and from the Galapagos (approximately $400 round trip). They are also responsible for their own medical insurance, personal expenses, and room and board while in Quito (approximately 1 1/2 weeks). As a volunteer teacher, you will not have to pay the full $100 National Park Fee. With the 12-VIII Cultural Exchange Visa, the fee will be reduced to $25.

Location

The GAIAS facilities are located in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, the capital of the Galapagos Archipelago, on the island of San Cristobal. The facilities are approximately a 7-minute walk from downtown, overlooking the bay at Playa Mann.

Climate

The Galapagos islands are located near the equator, approximately 1000 km (600 miles) off the west coast of Ecuador. The climate of the Galapagos is influenced by a rich system of both cool and warm oceanic currents, with a major influence being the Humboldt current, which brings cool water to the islands.
The Galapagos year can be divided into two “seasons:” the “hot” or “wet” season which lasts from December to early May with an average temperature of 25 C/ 77 F; while the “cool” or “dry” season from May to December has an average temperature of 18 C/ 64 F. In San Cristobal, where GAIAS is located, the water temperature normally averages 22-23 C (71.6-73.4 F), although it can range from 19-26 C (66.2-78.8 F). Other islands (such as Española) can have lower water temperatures depending on the time of year. Despite the lower temperatures, it is possible to swim year-round in the Galapagos without a wetsuit.

Electricity

Ecuador's electrical current is 110 volts 60 cycles, the same as North America, so adapters for North American equipment are not needed. However, plug converters may be necessary in older buildings (if you are planning to travel).

Internet Access

Although GAIAS has a computer lab, internet connections are not ready at this time. Instead, students and faculty can use local internet cafes in San Cristobal. Internet access costs an average of $2.50 per hour.

Currency

US$ Dollars is the currency used in Ecuador and the Galapagos.

Visas

Once you have accepted the position as a volunteer ESL teacher, you will receive a letter from the Office of International Programs with special instructions on how to obtain your 12-VIII cultural exchange visa.

Handling Your Money

There are two banks in San Cristobal: Banco del Pacifico and Fomento. For ATM access visitors should use cards that have either a CIRRUS or Mastercard symbol. Cards with the Visa symbol are not usually accepted by ATMs in San Cristobal. Instead, visitors with a Visa card will have to go the bank and ask for a cash advance, which has a fee of 4% of the total value of the transaction.
Traveler’s Checks can be changed by banks in San Cristobal, with a fee of $5 for the total transaction. Traveler’s checks from American Express work best.

Credit Cards

Mastercard and Visa have only recently been implemented in San Cristobal, but in very few places. It is always better to have cash, and visitors to the Galapagos should not rely on being able to use their credit cards. In general, Mastercard is the most widely accepted card both in the Galapagos and on the mainland.

Altitude

All volunteers will first arrive in Ecuador’s capital city, Quito. Quito has an altitude of 2850 m (9350 ft) above sea level, and for this reason, some people may feel slightly winded, dizzy and/or nauseous until they’ve adjusted. When you arrive in Quito, be sure to drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and caffeine, and don’t push yourself. You may also notice a change in appetite and sleeping pattern. These symptoms can all be attributed to the altitude, and you just need to give it some time before you get used to it.

Baggage Restrictions

The airline Aerogal which services San Cristobal has a weight limit of 30 kilos (66.1 lbs.) for foreigners and 20 kilos (44.1 lbs.) for nationals (excluding carry-on). No exceptions apply.

Please note: Your luggage and/or carry-on will be subject to inspection by SESA (the Ecuadorian System for Agricultural Sanitation) in an effort to prevent the introduction of foreign plants and animals to the Galapagos Islands. These inspections take place before your flight to the Galapagos and upon your arrival in the Islands.

Transportation

On the island of San Cristobal, you will be able to travel to many places around town on foot. If you prefer not to walk, you can take a taxi (average US$1.00 for most trips) or rent a bike (bring a good quality bike lock).

Overseas Insurance

Before leaving your home country you are required to obtain overseas medical insurance. Check your regular policy first, as you may already be covered for travel-related accidents. Homeowner's insurance will often cover theft during travel.
For information on overseas coverage, medical evacuation, and travelers' hotlines, contact American Express (800) 528-4800; Access America (800) 284-8300; Globalcare Travel Insurance (800) 821-2488; and Travel Assistance International (800) 821-2828. STA Travel, an agency specializing in youth and student travel, also offers overseas insurance. More information can be found by going to their website: www.statravel.com. Other excellent websites are GoAbroad.com, StudyAbroadInsurance.com, InsuranceAbroad.com, and InternationalStudentInsurance.com.

Before You Leave

Leave copies of your important documents, such as your passport, as well as traveler’s check and credit card numbers, with someone who can fax them to you if they are stolen and/or give a copy to a trusted traveling companion. E-mailing numbers to an on-line e-mail account on Hotmail or Yahoo is also a good idea since you can access the Internet from almost anywhere. (Please note that you will also be required to leave copies of your passport with the Office of International Programs at USFQ and with a GAIAS staff member in San Cristobal).
Some visitors also find it helpful to add a parent/guardian to their personal bank account while they are abroad. This helps in case of emergency or if the person needs to manage funds from overseas.

Immunizations

See your doctor at least 4–6 weeks before your trip to allow time for immunizations to take effect. The CDC recommends the following vaccines for Ecuador (as appropriate for age):

• Hepatitis A or immune globulin (IG).
  
• Hepatitis B, if you might be exposed to blood (for example, health-care workers), have sexual contact with the local population, stay >6 months in the region, or be exposed through medical treatment.
  
• Rabies, if you might be exposed to wild or domestic animals through your work or recreation.
  
• Typhoid
  
• Yellow fever vaccination, if you will be traveling outside urban areas.
  
• As needed, booster doses for tetanus-diphtheria and measles.

• Day pack or fanny pack
  
• Money belt or neck pouch
  
• Money, credit cards (Mastercard is best), Travelers checks (American Express)
  
• Photocopies of all documentation/tickets/passport ***
  
• Health and Travel Insurance policies (health insurance required)***
  
• Emergency contact information ***
  
• Ziploc bags to keep what you need dry (books, maps, documents, film)
  
• A full prescription of a doctor prescribed antibiotic or any other medication you are currently taking.
  
• Feminine hygiene (tampons are especially difficult to find)
  
• Swiss army knife or equivalent
  
• Flashlight/headlamp and batteries
  
• Beach towel and bath towel
  
• Specialty toiletry items
  
• Spare contact lenses and solution
  
• Sunblock or Sunscreen (high factor, waterproof)
  
• Umbrella
  
• Light rain jacket or rain poncho
  
• Shorts and lightweight slacks
  
• Swimsuit(s)
  
• Light fleece jacket, sweater or sweatshirt (evenings)
  
• Short- and long-sleeved shirts
  
• Sun hat/ visor
  
• Sandals
  
• Sneakers or hiking boots (for dry landings and rocky shores)
  
• Teva-style sandals (for wet landings and around town)
  
• Sunglasses (with strap is best)
  
• Camera and film
  
• Disposable underwater camera (make sure the maximum depth is greater than 15 feet)
  
• Extra batteries (or rechargeable batteries and a battery charger)
  
• Video camera and tapes (bring more than you expect to use)
  
• Chapstick
  
• Motion/sea sickness pills (also available at pharmacies in San Cristobal)
  
• Travel alarm clock
  
• Binoculars
  
• Wet Suit, Lycra or "Shorty" (only suggested for those who intend to do a lot of snorkeling)
  
• Swim mask/fins (snorkeling equipment is available for a minimal charge, but you may prefer the fit of your own mask)
  
• Good quality bike lock (if you’re thinking about renting a bike in San Cristobal)
  
• Spanish phrase book
  
• A personal first aid kit with the following items may be useful: pain reliever/aspirin, cold medicines, diarrhea medicine, laxative, insect protection, sunburn relief, antibacterial cream, prescription medication, Benadryl, Band-Aids, motion sickness medicine, an extra pair of prescription glasses or contact lenses, moist towelettes, and a sewing kit.

• Hiking
  
• Horseback riding
  
• Swimming
  
• Snorkeling
  
• Birdwatching
  
• Caving