Design & deliver a hands-on, personalised Internship in Eco & Community Tourism to develop your resume and gain real-world experience, while making a real difference to rural communities in the majestic Ecuadorian Andes.

Help small businesses & low-income communities develop profitable tourism destinations, which preserve local culture and ecosystems.

Benefits

Design and deliver a unique internship based on your career aspirations and local needs, supported by an experienced international team.

Advance your career, develop your skills, and improve your résumé through a hands-on project with 1:1 mentoring from a professional in the field.

Make a meaningful difference to low-income populations who lack the education, support, and resources to make the changes themselves.

Immerse yourself in another culture and experience a different way of life through family homestays, cultural activities, and life in a small rural community.

Set off on adventures and make lifetime memories with other interns and volunteers – climb mountains, hike through the jungle, and explore indigenous communities.

The Challenge

Guaranda has incredible natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. However, it faces significant challenges as one of Ecuador's least developed areas.

With 40% of rural residents living in poverty, many are forced to resort to unsustainable practices such as deforestation for agriculture or migrating in search of better economic opportunities.

This has led to the degradation of the local culture and the loss of unique ecosystems. Limited access to education and resources hinders the development of innovative solutions that can provide a dignified living while preserving the region's culture and landscapes.

The Solution

Community and eco-tourism not only offer avenues for income generation but also hold immense potential for the regeneration of native landscapes and the celebration of indigenous cultures.

By empowering local communities and businesses to develop their ideas, enhance their spaces, and establish sustainable business models, we can to enrich the lives of both visitors and local residents, while preserving cultural heritage, protecting the environment, and fostering economic growth.

Find Out More

Interested in developing your career while making a meaningful impact in low-income communities?

What's Included

Free Discovery Call & Plan
Flexible Start Date & Duration
Educational Documentation Support
Pre-Arrival & Travel Support
Shared Accommodation with WiFi
Lunches Monday to Thursday
Weekly Professional Learning/Mentoring
In-Person Coordination
Materials Budget
Cultural Immersion
Free-Time Recommendations
Certificate of Completion
Written Reference

Optional Extras

Private Room within a Local Family Homestay
Spanish/Kichwa Classes (before or during visit)
Private Transfer from Airport
Additional Professional Mentoring Sessions

What's Not Included

Flights, visas, vaccines, or any other expenses to reach us
Travel, health, and work insurance
Other meals
Leisure time activities & Spending money

Feedback

"A Wonderful Cultural Exchange Experience from Beginning to End!"

"One of the best parts of this experience was having the best of both worlds culturally: on one hand, you’re able to live in a less-touristy part of Ecuador and immerse yourself in Ecuadorian culture, but on the other hand, you don’t feel completely like a fish out of water.

My internship involved interacting and collaborating with various stakeholders, from the teachers to the parents. By the end of internship, I felt that I had made a meaningful contribution. I enjoyed my time in the homestay practicing my Spanish and learning about Ecuadorian culture.

The community of volunteers and interns has also found a special place in my heart. Whatever your reason for looking into El Terreno - it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. I'm very grateful the universe had led me there."

- Isabela from the USA (Ecology & Sustainable Agriculture)

Ready to Begin Planning Your Adventure?

Schedule your free discovery call and begin co-creating your personalised internship in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes.

Start Dates

Flexible - all year round.

Pricing

$145 per week (when booked before January 2024)

We are a small independent organisation and receive no external funds for our programme and therefore there is a cost to the programme, which is used to exclusively to deliver you the best internship programme possible!