Simon Bolivar United World College of Agriculture, Venezuela
Information
What?
An international vocational university that enrolls approximately 180 secondary school graduates between the ages of 18 and 22, to study a three-year course in agriculture and rural development. Almost all students come from rural areas of developing countries and have a desire to remain based in rural communities. International students comprise 25% of the student body and are primarily from Latin America and the Caribbean, though some come from as far as Africa and Asia.
Where?
Simon Bolivar UWC is located in the rural, western plains of Venezuela, 2.5 km from Ciudad Bolivia, Municipality of Pedraza, Barinas State. It is 70 km from Barinas, the capital of Barinas State, and 595 km from Caracas, the national capital.
Number of volunteers required?
Up to four.
Other requirements?
Please refer to the SBUWC Volunteer Programme web pages here.
Benefits?
Please refer to the SBUWC Volunteer Programme web pages here.
Minimum length of stay?
9 months prefered, shorter stay possible, but refer to web pages here.
Volunteer tasks?
Please refer to the SBUWC Volunteer Programme web pages here. Contact address: cmusb.admisiones@gmail.com
Details?
The college’s hands-on, experiential education method combines production experience with theoretical classes and community based rural development projects. With the endorsement of the Venezuelan Ministry of Education, SB UWC awards degrees in Farm Administration to students who are trained to efficiently manage a competitive and sustainable agricultural unit. Spanish is the language of instruction, and an intensive Spanish course is taught at the beginning of the school year for non-native speakers. The college is a residential campus and farm, with over 300 people living and working together on 750 hectares (1850 acres). The academic year is from mid-September to the end of July.
Start date?
September (Spanish speakers); early August (non-Spanish speakers).
Current volunteers?
None.
Former volunteers?
Virginie Cousineau (Pearson College 05-07) (virginie.cousineau@gmail.com)
Scott McKenzie (Atlantic College 05-07) (ubermonkey.scott@gmail.com)
Joanna Healy (johealey121@yahoo.co.uk)