Just do it! I was hesitant and didn’t really know how it would go but so glad I did this. The volunteering work was incredibly rewarding and the ability to travel during downtime is even better. But for me the best part was how immersed in the culture you are living with an Argentinian family and working with locals and fellow volunteers. It’s an experience that can’t be matched!
Sports Education Volunteer Program in Cordoba - Argentina
Purpose
Improve wellbeing through physical activity
Start dates
Programs start every Monday
Duration
Choose from 1-24 weeks
Volunteer hours
Up to 5 hours a day
Age
Volunteers aged 16+ and families
Accommodation
Homestay
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Energetic volunteers who love sports, playing games and enjoy working with older children and teenagers. You don’t need experience working with young people or speaking Spanish, but both will help you make the most of your time on the project and contribute even more meaningfully.
Project details
Keen to kick off a new adventure as a Sports volunteer in Argentina - Córdoba? International Volunteer HQ’s Sports project places volunteers in after-school programs where they gain experience working with young people and sharing their passion for sport. The children and teens benefit from the physical exercise and recreation that helps to keep them healthy, active and engaged with the community in a socially positive way.
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
In the heart of Córdoba’s underprivileged neighborhoods, the absence of constructive after-school activities often leads young people to roam aimlessly. But with IVHQ, you have the chance to make a difference and be part of a project dedicated to offering older children and teens exciting alternatives.
Picture this: instead of loitering around, they’re diving into soccer matches or shooting hoops, surrounded by friends and mentors who care. By channeling their energy into sports, we’re not just keeping them busy—we’re helping them forge friendships, boost their confidence, and stay fit.
As a Sports volunteer, you’ll be right there in the action, helping organize and lead activities every weekday from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM. While soccer and basketball are crowd favorites, your passion for any sport is encouraged —we just ask that you keep in mind that resources are tight so your creativity and flexibility will be key. Feel free to bring along some gear from home or pick some up locally—it’s all about making a difference, one game at a time.
The tasks involved as a Sports volunteer can be diverse, but typically, you’ll find yourself:
- Guiding and coaching older children and teenagers
- Assisting in the organization of sports games and drills
- Arranging and preparing various games and activities
- Sharing your passion for sports and fostering a love for physical activity
- Please note that this project takes place outdoors and daily activities will depend on the weather.
Why do Sports volunteering in Cordoba with IVHQ?
While volunteering on the Sports project in Córdoba, you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Improving the wellbeing of young people through physical activity
- Helping students develop life skills in a safe place
- Practicing your Spanish
- Developing your communication skills
- Gaining teaching and coaching experience
- Immersing yourself fully in the Argentinian culture
- Enjoying the vibrant, lively city of Córdoba
Volunteer requirements
- Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate in this program
- Volunteers aged 16 or 17 on their program start date are required to provide IVHQ with parental consent in order to participate on the program, and may be asked to provide additional document to the local team.
- All volunteers aged 13+ are required to provide a criminal background check to IVHQ prior to departure. Those aged 13-17, if unable to obtain a criminal background check, can provide two character reference letters instead
- All volunteers are required to have adequate volunteer travel insurance
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Argentina photo gallery
IVHQ Community Outreach project
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IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Community Outreach project
IVHQ Construction and Renovation project
IVHQ Sports project
IVHQ Special Needs project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Healthcare project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ Special Needs project
IVHQ Sports project
IVHQ Elderly Care project
IVHQ Childcare project
IVHQ Animal Care project
IVHQ volunteer Spanish lesson
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
Exploring Córdoba during an IVHQ weekend
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
JD
Josh Doolan
09 Apr 2024
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EM
Etienne McCauley
11 Dec 2023
I feel like I have grown as a person, not only from the volunteer placements where I worked but also from the people I met, and the things I learnt from them.
...
NW
Neamh Wyse
02 Nov 2023
The communication and security I had from the on ground team was amazing, and the close connections I made with the other volunteers was brilliant. The volunteering itself was really eye opening and I felt like it had a massive impact on me as a person.
...
DW
Dylan Whitaker
04 Jul 2023
You just have to try it out and go in with a positive attitude, and everything will end up amazing. It gave me more confidence to learn a new language and meet new people from other countries.
...
JG
Joss Grove
05 Apr 2023
Cordoba definitely won't disappoint! The local team were amazing and were extremely accommodating and kind. It was also great to see the smiles that we would put on people's faces and I feel like I am more open to meeting and talking to new people now.
...
TS
Talia Swayze
07 Mar 2023
If someone was hesitant about volunteering abroad I would just tell them that it's now or never. One of the other volunteers who were on the program with me told me this, and it's something I plan to incorporate into the rest of my life from now on. Life is scary no matter what, but why not have the memories of doing something instead of just the fear? What really made an impact on me though was when I got to hear the stories from the elderly at the facility. I had never thought it would mean so much to them just having us there participating in activities with them, but the effect it had was very big in their eyes. The local team were also amazing and were so welcoming and friendly even with the language barrier.
...
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
In the middle of Argentina, IVHQ’s Córdoba projects are set against the breathtaking backdrop of rolling hills and valleys which surround the city. Córdoba is home to Argentina’s second largest university and hundreds of thousands of students who give it a lively, modern flavour. You’ll find great markets, picturesque parks, pumping nightlife and masses of museums, cathedrals and cultural icons just waiting to be discovered.
Arrival and orientation
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the Ambrosio Taravella International Airport (COR) in Córdoba. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter of consent from their parents to support their documentation.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and taken to the volunteer accommodation in Córdoba. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are travelling in Argentina prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Córdoba on the day before your program orientation. Orientation is hosted by our Córdoba team and begins on the morning of your chosen start date. It covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Córdoba – an introduction to Argentina, culture and customs, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities, and an introduction to project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socialising.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays
Volunteers will have a morning or afternoon shift, which will last around 2 to 5 hours. A typical morning schedule is as follows:
| 7:30 AM | Breakfast at the volunteer accommodation. |
| 8:00 AM | Volunteers travel to their placements to join local placement staff. Start time and daily workload depends on the project that the individual volunteer is participating on. |
| 1:00 PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to the volunteer accommodation, go sightseeing, or do some shopping. If volunteers are taking Spanish language lessons, they will usually do this in the afternoon (or in the morning if they are volunteering in the afternoon). |
| 8:00 PM | Dinner at the volunteer accommodation. |
Weekends
Maybe the rhythm of Córdoba’s famous cuarteto music will call to your feet, maybe you’ll forage for a flea market bargain, take a trip to the Che Guevara Museum, adventure in the mountains, try Argentina’s beloved Fernet and Coke or spend your time discovering the Jesuit Block. Maybe you’ll do it all and more, or just relax in a peaceful park and sip a coffee. In any case there’s no shortage of things to see and do during your free time in Córdoba. But if it’s time for a change of scene, Córdoba’s central location means it’s easy to hop on a plane or jump in a car or bus and visit Argentina’s buzzy capital, Buenos Aires, or pay a visit to the Mendoza wine region or the city of Rosario. If the outdoors are your thing, there’s plenty of trekking, mountain climbing, horseback riding, paragliding, and abseiling fun to be had in the Córdoba region and nearby.
Accommodation and WiFi
Experience the coziness of staying in a family homestay in the peaceful neighborhood of Barrio El Refugio, just a short 15 to 20-minute drive from Córdoba airport and a convenient 30-minute commute to the city center. With your hostess doubling as your coordinator, our local team is always at your fingertips, ensuring a seamless and welcoming stay.
This two-story homestay is equipped with fantastic amenities for volunteers, including a barbecue area and a refreshing swimming pool, perfect for soaking up the summer sun. Bedrooms are equipped with both single beds and bunk beds, typically shared with one to three volunteers of the same gender. Bathroom facilities featuring hot showers and western toilets are shared between no more than three volunteers, and bedding and towels are provided.
For those seeking a bit more privacy, you can also opt for a private room (without a private bathroom) for an extra fee of £60 per week for a single room or £90 per week for a double room. Payment should be made to our local team in Córdoba and arranged before your arrival.
Volunteers have access to WiFi at the homestay. Additionally, you can buy a local SIM card with data for your unlocked mobile phone to ensure you’re always in touch, no matter where you are.
Meals
Every weekday, enjoy a delicious breakfast and dinner served at the volunteer accommodation, offering a variety of tasty options to start and end your day.
On the weekend, savor a hearty breakfast to kickstart your mornings. For dinner, you’ll be provided with all the supplies needed to prepare a cozy, home-cooked meal in our well-equipped kitchen.
Please let us know ahead of time if you have any special dietary requirements, and we’ll make the necessary arrangements. We encourage you to embrace the opportunity to try new and exciting foods, and we’ll ensure you feel well taken care of throughout your stay.
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteer accommodation
Volunteer dining room
Volunteer kitchen
Typical volunteer bedroom
Typical volunteer meal
Typical volunteer vegetarian meal
Typical volunteer vegetarian meal
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Typical volunteer breakfast
Pricing
Secure your place for just US$299 (approximately £251), pay your Program Fee later.
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately £251) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
|---|---|
| 1 week | $445 Equivalent to $64/day |
| 2 weeks | $645 Equivalent to $46/day |
| 3 weeks | $825 Equivalent to $39/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,005 Equivalent to $36/day |
| 5 weeks | $1,130 Equivalent to $32/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,310 Equivalent to $31/day |
| 8 weeks | $1,660 Equivalent to $30/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,000 Equivalent to $29/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,300 Equivalent to $27/day |
| 16 weeks | $2,900 Equivalent to $26/day |
| 20 weeks | $3,500 Equivalent to $25/day |
| 24 weeks | $4,060 Equivalent to $24/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately £251) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Cordoba generally find US$120 to be sufficient for weekly expenses, including in-country tours and optional Spanish lessons.
- Breakfast and dinner are served every weekday
- Airport pick-up
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalised preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Lunch and then dinner on the weekend
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Cordoba
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Cordoba program.
Airport Drop-off
Enjoy a stress free ride from the volunteer accommodation back to Cordoba airport arranged by our local team.
£17
Buenos Aires Overnight Tour
Experience a 2-day round trip tour to Buenos Aires.
£180
Cordoba Mountain Tour (Full Day)
Enjoy a captivating 10 hour guided tour to any of the six different valleys and towns that you have to choose from.
£70
Spanish language lessons
Fluency in Spanish is not a prerequisite for the IVHQ Argentina - Córdoba program, however on certain projects volunteer work will be restricted with limited language ability. IVHQ, therefore, strongly recommends that volunteers take advantage of the very affordable language lessons offered exclusively to IVHQ volunteers. Past volunteers feel that taking these lessons help immensely with day-to-day volunteer work and communicating with local people. Taught by professional Spanish teachers and tailored to each person’s specific needs, the classes run for one hour a day, Monday through Friday. The lessons are arranged with your IVHQ Program Manager prior to departure.
- 1 hour, private lessons (5 hours per week): £80 per week
Check what's required to visit Argentina
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
| Capital | Buenos Aires |
| Population | 45.1 million |
| Languages | Spanish |
| Currency | Argentine Peso |
| Time zone | UTC-03:00 |
Weather and climate
Like its topography, Argentina’s climate varies greatly. The climate ranges from subtropical in the north, to humid in the central regions, to sub-Antarctic in the south. Winter, from June to August, is the driest period of the year. The coldest months are June and July and the warmest month is January. Average annual temperatures in Buenos Aires range from 51°F to 83°F (11°C to 28°C).
Apply to check if you're eligible!
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