Colombia
Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline and a strong desire to teach English, and:
SPECIAL NOTICE ABOUT CITIZENSHIP:
Candidates who are dual citizens of Colombia and the U.S. or who were born in Colombia and became U.S. citizens after July 4, 1991 are not eligible to serve in Peace Corps Colombia. Under Colombian law, anyone born in Colombia who became a U.S. citizen after 1991 or anyone holding dual U.S. and Colombia citizenship is considered a citizen of Colombia, and not of the United States. If an individual faced a legal, safety, or emergency situation in Colombia, the Peace Corps' ability to intervene would be limited. If you fit one of these categories, we encourage you to look at Peace Corps Volunteer assignments in other countries.
Competitive candidates will have one or more of the following criteria:
• Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) in English, Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL), Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL), English as a Second Language (ESL), Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), foreign language, or Applied Linguistics.
• Master of Education (M.Ed.) with graduate or undergraduate concentration in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL, TESL, or foreign language.
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education with concentration in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL, TESL, or foreign language.
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline with secondary education state certification in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL, TESL, or foreign language.
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL and TESL, or foreign language with 6 months classroom teaching experience at the secondary level in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL, TESL, or foreign language.
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any discipline with 1 academic year classroom teaching experience at the secondary level in English, TEFL, TESOL, ESL and TESL, or foreign language.
• Experience in public speaking and presentation
• Experience co-planning and co-teaching
• Experience teaching or training adults
COMMUNITY LOCATION & CLIMATE:
Volunteer sites are located in small to medium-sized rural and semi-urban communities in the Caribbean and Andean regions, typically no more than six hours from a major city.
Caribbean: Hot and humid year-round, with frequent power outages and water shortages. Seasons alternate between dry spells and heavy rain with high humidity.
Andean: Cooler, with temperatures between 45°F and 75°F. Rainfall occurs year-round and nights can be cold.
Volunteers may encounter limited infrastructure, unpaved roads, and basic amenities.
HOUSING REQUIREMENTS:
Volunteers live with host families during Pre-Service Training and the first six months of service. Afterward, they may move to independent housing if it meets Peace Corps’ safety, budget, and logistical criteria.
Living with a host family is a key component of cultural integration, language acquisition, and trust-building. Flexibility and mutual respect are essential. Couples live separately during training but may live together independently during service.
TRANSPORTATION:
Volunteers are expected to live primarily in their assigned communities. Travel is limited to school or organizational breaks and Peace Corps events. Daily travel includes public buses, bicycles (with prior approval), and walking, especially in remote or hilly areas.
Driving or riding motorcycles and travel after dark are both prohibited.
DIETARY CONSIDERATIONS:
Local diets are carb-heavy (yucca, rice, corn, potatoes) with meat or eggs. Fruits and vegetables are widely available. Vegetarian or vegan diets are uncommon in rural areas. Volunteers with dietary restrictions must be flexible and able to communicate needs clearly.
INTERNET & TELEPHONE ACCESS:
Internet is available in most towns; some host homes have personal connections. Internet cafés and the Peace Corps office (with Wi-Fi and computers) offer additional access.
Volunteers must have a working cell phone at all times. A basic phone is provided during training. Personal devices should be insured, and backups (USB or external drives) are strongly recommended.
PROFESSIONALISM & APPEARANCE:
Professionalism includes adjusting to community norms around appearance and behavior. Clean, pressed, conservative clothing is expected, especially in the workplace. Business casual to smart casual is the standard. Flip-flops, shorts, sleeveless tops, and visible tattoos or facial piercings are not appropriate early in service.
Volunteers are encouraged to adapt hairstyles, grooming, and clothing to align with local expectations. Personal expression may be reintroduced gradually as trust is built, in consultation with staff or mentors.
CULTURAL INTEGRATION & SOCIAL NORMS:
Colombian social life is vibrant and community based. In the Caribbean region, music and celebrations are frequent; in the Andes, events are more subdued but equally valued. Soccer, cycling, and other sports are popular. Volunteers are encouraged to engage actively in local customs and build strong relationships to foster integration and project success.
(PCV) Spanish 1
Education
Yes
Colombia
24
Yes
PCV
No
As the preeminent international service organization of the United States, the Peace Corps sends Americans with a passion for service abroad to work with communities and create lasting change. Volunteers develop sustainable solutions to address challenges in Education, Health, Economic Development, Agriculture, Environment and Youth Development. Through their Peace Corps experiences, Volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a lifelong commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today's global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, more than 240,000 Americans of all ages have served in 142 countries worldwide.
