INTERN PLACEMENT SERVICES
Montevideo, URUGUAY - FAQs
Is airfare included?
No - You are responsible for your own airfare. We recommend www.travelocity.com or www.studentuniverse.com.
Is housing included in the price of the program?
Yes - You will have your own room in a shared apartment with other Adelante candidates. There is also an option to live with a local Uruguayan family. This homestay will include two meals a day - please inquire for the price difference. There is also an option to live in your own room, with bath, at the language school where you take your 3-week course. This is subject to availability.
What are the apartments like & where are they located?
We have several apartments with 2 or more bedrooms and 1 or 2 bathrooms. All are close to the beach and within walking distance to shops, restaurants, gyms etc. Public transport is nearby if needed to get to the language school and/or your internship.
All housing is fully furnished, with most having a microwave, TV, radio, etc. Sheets, towels, pots, pans are also included. Some apartments have a bi-weekly cleaning service.
(Note: A $100 deposit is required upon your arrival. This will be returned to you when you turn in your keys on the day of your departure from the program, assuming you have left the apartment in the same condition that it was in when you moved in.)
When can I start?
We place year round, the first Monday of each month.
When does my actual internship work assignment begin? Program start dates are the first Monday of each month. For the first three weeks you are enrolled in intensive Spanish language classes for about 4 hours per day, 5 days per week. After this intensive course, and after an Orientation at the company where you will be working, you start your work assignment on the forth Monday of the month. Plan on arriving in Uruguay the weekend just prior to the first Monday of the month, and plan on leaving the weekend just after the last Friday of the month.
Are any of the internships paid internships?
On a case by case basis, many candidates can receive small weekly stipends, however there is no guarantee and therefore we advertise that these are unpaid internships - that way if you do receive a small amount it will be an added bonus to an already great program, and if you don't, it will be what you expected and budgeted for upon applying for the program.
Is placement guaranteed?
Usually - We work with many companies in Montevideo and to date we have been able to place 100% of our candidates in the field they requested. However, if you want to do an internship that requires specific experience or qualifications you must be able to fulfill those requirements. For example, if you want to do a Paramedic internship and have no CPR training, no medical education, no EMT training, then chances are good you will not be placed in that sector.
Do I have to have insurance?
YES - It is strongly recommended that you have insurance.
More and more participating companies and institutions abroad are asking for proof of medical
and accident insurance and our various Directors in-country also may ask you for proof of
insurance (usually a copy of your insurance card showing dates and coverage is valid).
You can use coverage you already have or coverage that someone else carries for you,
or you can purchase coverage just for our program. You can also buy insurance online once you arrive in Spain.
In the past, we have referred people to Arizona-based ASA, Inc. - they can customize a plan for
you based on details you provide.
(see our 'Links' page
for more information). Tell them that Adelante sent you for a small discount 888-272-8288.
Another carrier is Insurance Services of America also based in Arizona. They can be reached at 800-647-4589.
Do I need a work visa or a student visa?
Work visas are never required for any of our programs. These are academic, apprenticeship programs. In Uruguay, Americans do not require any type of visa in order to enter the country. You will receive a 90-day entry permit renewable for another 90 days while in the country.
Can I stay longer than 3 months?
Yes! - We encourage all candidates to stay as long as possible for the most in-depth cultural immersion and language acquisition.
Can I sign up for 3 months and then extend my program once abroad?
No - Both your internship company and your housing are all pre-booked in advance for a set period of time
How much should I budget for living expenses per month, above and beyond what is included in the program fee?
$300 - $400 per month gives you some breathing room to travel a bit, go to the movies or theatre and have some fun nights out. You can go shoestring & make it less, or go shopping-spree-happy & make it more. (Remember, the dollar is historically strong against the Uruguayan peso. For example, a good 4 course "menu-del-dia" costs around US$3.50).
Is there an Adelante contact in Montevideo?
Yes - Fernando Pessano is the Adelante Director in Uruguay. Fernando works closely with the language school where you take your 3-week intensive course, and is experienced in receiving international students in Uruguay. He runs his own business in the Communications industry and is extremely well connected to the business community. His education background is Multi-Media, with a Communications emphasis. He has traveled extensively throughout the USA. He is your contact while in Montevideo, and is available 24-7 during your entire program.
What is the deadline for Application packet submissions?
60 days prior to your desired start date is the ideal. However we may be able, on a case-by-case basis, to place candidates who submit their applications later than that.
When will I know if I am accepted into the program or not?
Once you have submitted a completed Application Packet, someone from the main office will contact you to set up a phone interview. This takes approximately 30-40 minutes. After the phone interview, your references are checked and usually then we can accept you into the program. We will notify you via email (your 'Confirmation Email') within 7-10 business days of the phone interview. This is not a competitive program whereby candidates compete against each other or compete for a limited number of spots. Rather, during the interview process a mutual decision is made to determine that you are the right candidate profile for what you want to do and for the internships offered in Uruguay (see the "Is placement guaranteed" question above).
Can I be placed if I speak no Spanish at all?
Ideally our candidates have some Spanish language capabilities, the more the better. For candidates who are truly beginner level, the only options available are some of the Teaching English work assignments. Inquire for more details.
Are only Americans admitted to this program?
No
- we accept all nationalities, our only requirement is that you are a fluent English speaker. Please check any visa requirements for your nationality.
Is there a refund policy?
If you cancel your participation in the program 45 days prior to your start date or earlier, you will receive a 100% refund of the program fee. If you cancel 30 - 45 days prior to your start date, you will receive a 50% refund. If you cancel 0 - 30 days prior to your start date, there will be 0% refund as well as if you cancel at any time following your arrival in Uruguay. Cancellations must be received in writing. The application fee is non-refundable.
When is payment for the program due?
Payment in full is due no later than 45 days prior to your desired start date in the program. Invoices are sent via email about 7-10 days before payment is due.
Does Adelante offer Financial Aid?
No - We do not offer Financial Aid. However, each candidate who has sought Financial Aid for this program has received it. The first place to inquire is your university (even if you have already graduated). There are also community organizations that offer aide and scholarships, such as Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, women's groups and churches, to name a few. Adelante will work with you in providing any necessary paperwork.
What should I pack?
Once you are accepted into the program we send out a comprehensive Pre-Departure Orientation Packet that will include information on what to pack and much more. It is required reading! Some initial tips on what to take are as follows: the apartments are fully equipped, so no need to worry about sheets, towels, pots, pans etc. For your internship, pack casual business clothes such as slacks/skirts, collared shirts and black leather shoes (comfortable as you will walk and use public transport every day.) No jeans or tennis shoes during any interaction with your Uruguayan company. For your own travel and leisure time, wear what you want and you can visit any number of websites to check on weather for any given month.
Can I use my cell phone in Uruguay?
We recommend that you buy one once in Uruguay. It will cost around US$60 and comes already charged with around 30 minutes of calls. You can then buy pre-paid cards to top up your minutes. These cell phones are 'pay as you go' so no contracts. The language school, where you take your 3 weeks of Spanish, also rents cell phones for a nominal weekly fee.
Can I take my laptop computer to Uruguay?
The language school where you take your Spanish classes has internet access that you can use for the duration of your program. There are Cyber Cafes all around and they are cheap if you opt not to bring your own. Consider the safety aspects before bringing a laptop with you.
My friend and I would like to do the program together. Can we live in the same housing?
Yes - Usually we can accommodate a request for candidates to live together. It will be dependent on availability, so the sooner your completed application packets are received, the better chance you have of being able to live together.
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