Within the broad range of educational opportunities at home and abroad work internships, provide one of the best ways to learn about the job you hope to have. An volunteer will acquaint you, in a practical way, with the career options in your field of study and offer first-hand opportunities to test your knowledge and examine your career plans.

The traditional view of education for both students and professional is under the microscope as Universities and companies world-wide look for the most effective ways to train people to work in today's global markets. The rational Higher Education program alone cannot fully prepare you fro what you will face on-the-job. International business skills and second language competency are now a necessity.

Whatever your area of study might be, through the NIK|LAS organization you may have the opportunity to gain real-life experience abroad. You will experience for yourself the very different Portuguese business protocols, learn to do business in a completely different culture, and gain fluency in both formal Portuguese as well as local and profession-specific jargon. These factors which may well mean the difference between business success and failure.

Globalization has made information more accessible for all and has also stimulated the world consciousness about the need to assist nations. The Volunteer experience was designed to fulfill people's desire to "make a difference" in other people's life. The idea is to spread solidarity in an international scope.

Right now in Brazil, we have various different projects in several cities: Curitiba, Florianópolis, Sao Paulo, Salvador da Bahia and Rio de Janeiro.

The Volunteer Program consists of 2 phases:
1st: minimum 4 weeks of Standard Portuguese language (in Maceio, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador).
2nd: the volunteer placement, lasting 2 to 12 weeks (in Alagoas, Maceio, Salvador, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, São Paulo, and Florianopolis).

The length of the Portuguese-language portion will help you to quickly acquire the needed fluency. Written skills test  are given to identify your starting level. You will work to achieve a functional intermediate level before the start of the volunteer placement. The minimum length for the Portuguese course is 4 weeks.

Language Skill exam fee: $150 USD (For non-beginners, who skip the language course phase)

Location: Maceio, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador

Volunteer placements are offered in various NGO's. The work period will be from 2 weeks  and up to 12 weeks. Placement is made and progress is supervised through the local program office. The volunteer portion of the program may not combine different companies or different cities.

Location: Alagoas, Maceio, Salvador, Florianopolis, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, São Paulo

 - AVAILABLE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENTS -

Globalization has made information more accessible for all and has also stimulated the world consciousness about the need to assist nations. The Volunteer experience was designed to fulfill people's desire to "make a difference" in other people's life. The idea is to spread solidarity in an international scope.

Right now in Brazil, we have various different projects in several cities: Curitiba, Florianópolis, Sao Paulo, Salvador da Bahia and Rio de Janeiro.

This non-profit Wildlife conservation organization encourages actions in behalf of nature preservation, in the best interests of quality of life for future generations, through the conservation of biodiversity, the rational use of natural resources and the preservation of endangered species.

Located just 30 km from Curitiba's downtown, the jaguar breeding ground, is home to over 1000 species under permanent care and treatment, many of which are endangered.

Location: Curitiba - Paraná

This organization was created to house children removed from the custody of their parents by the Brazilian Guardianship due to complaints of abuse and violence, as well as, children who are waiting to be returned to their biological family or adoption.

The house currently shelters children from the ages of 0 to 12 years-old. They try to fulfill all the children's needs, providing not only shelter, food and education but also assistance from doctors, psychologists and all those volunteers who are willing to donate love.

Location: Curitiba - Paraná

Here, you will have the opportunity to learn about conservation issues in Brazil while making a volunteer contribution. It is a good opportunity to experience the Brazilian Culture by being close to the community, at the same time you will enjoy the Rio's amazing lifestyle!

One of the most visited National Parks in Brazil with an ongoing society commitment to preserve a large green area in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The Park is a Tropical forest in the urban area, made up of several species of Atlantic Forest. It contributes, among other things, to maintain the temperature, supply water, and the exuberant and verdant mountainous silhouette that makes Rio de Janeiro wonderful.

The Park presents a diverse flora and fauna, natural beauties, such as waterfalls and caves, besides sheltering architectural buildings of great historical and artistic value, such as the Cristo Redentor.

Location: Rio de Janeiro

This is a good opportunity to experience the Brazilian Culture by being close to the community, at the same time you will enjoy the Rio's amazing lifestyle!

This non-profit organization operates on the behalf of children and adolescents at social risk between the ages of 6 to 18 years-old. The association function with the help of cooperative arrangements with national and international, corporate donors and civil society. Its performance is focused on community oriented work and offers educational activities such as art, music, sports and recreation for youths of the nearby communities and neighborhoods. Youths in a situation of social vulnerability spend half of their day at the center, and the other half at school. Their participation in the program, means that they can avoid the streets, and elements of drugs and violence.

Location: Rio de Janeiro

This is a good opportunity to experience the Brazilian Culture by being close to the community, at the same time you will enjoy the Rio's amazing lifestyle!

This organization is a “Family School” which works to redeem comprehensive health, self-esteem and citizenship to high-risk families by promoting social inclusion.

Their goal is to go beyond treatment of patients, by supporting their parents to understand the disease and to participate and collaborate in their treatment. They provide psychosocial and educational support for children,
teenagers and their families to assure their health recovery after intensive treatment in the hospital. The objective is to avoid rehospitalization.

They believe that educating for health, for life and to create employment and income, they could in fact contribute for the social inclusion of those families.

Location: Rio de Janeiro

Located in the center of Florianópolis, this non-profit entity provides school support for kids ages 8 - 16 years who are facing difficulties in their studies as well as keeping them away from the streets. Kids are separated by age, as well as, morning and afternoons groups. Each group develops several activities during the week, such as: recreation, drawing, painting, writing, singing songs, playing games, reading, listening to stories, preparing play presentations, etc

Location: Florianópolis, SC

Rio de Janeiro:  6 Jan, 3 Feb, 3 Mar, 7 Apr, 5 May, 2 & 29 Jun, 3 Aug, 1 Sept,  6 Oct, 3 Nov

Curitiba:               6 Jan, 3 Feb, 3 Mar, 7 Apr, 5 May, 2 & 29 Jun, 3 Aug, 1 Sept,  6 Oct, 3 Nov, 1 Dec

• 2 weeks or up to 20 weeks of Volunteer

• Requesting and receiving information on all volunteer candidates, reviewing application, and drawing up a list of possible volunteer placements;

• Conferring with the candidates via e-mail or telephone to confirm area of interest and counsel on volunteer experience options;

• Approaching the sponsoring organization and achieving placements;

• Maintaining contact with both the candidates and the sponsoring organizations to ensure that the volunteer run smoothly;

• Intervening to resolve any difficulties or misunderstandings between the volunteer and the sponsors, to assure mutual satisfaction.

• Résumé in Portuguese or English. (Example Provided)

• Short essay (1-2 pages): the student has to focus on the kind of experience he/she wants to have, what kind of volunteer the student prefers, and why.

• Applicant has to send the documents by e-mail to: volunteer@nik-las.com

• Deposit of $250 USD

• Send documents at least 2-3 months before arrival date

Please, make sure your medical insurance covers you during your stay in Brazil; otherwise we can make arrangements for you to receive in this case.