Our international internship program in Ecuador provides currently-enrolled university students and recent graduates, as well as more experienced professionals, the chance to gain hands-on experience in a wide range of fields within this culturally-rich South American country. We offer placements throughout the country, where participants will have the opportunity to both explore nature and live with an Ecuadoran host family. Sharing their daily life will provide you with cultural experience and insight that you could never have as a tourist. The goal is for interns to better understand their industry, distinguish their resume with international work experience, and gain confidence in their field of expertise.
AIDE’s international internship programs offer participants the opportunity to gain experience and develop employability skills in a global context. Furthermore, participants may be eligible to receive academic credit for their international internship with AIDE. AIDE believes that this access to experiential learning develops intercultural competence, as well as tolerance and understanding of circumstances and societies that are different from our own. Our aim is to build a worldwide community of global citizens who will be part of an ongoing intercultural conversation. Welcome aboard, and we hope that you enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Participants are placed in an internship that is customized according to their field of study, professional experience, and Spanish language skills.
Positions and start dates are limited. To reserve your placement,
click here.
Eligibility:
* At least 18 years old
* Intermediate level of Spanish
* Eligible to receive a tourist visa to Ecuador
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Location:
Placements are located throughout the entire country,
including the Galapagos Islands!
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Length
of program: Minimum: one month
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Start
dates: 1st & 3rd Friday of each month
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What
you get:
Accommodations:
During your Spanish lessons and/or your internship placement, you will live with an Ecuadorian family. You will
be provided with 2-3 meals a day, and an invaluable insight
into the “real” Ecuador. Some host families will
be able to launder your clothes, but if your family does not
have a washer and dryer in their home, then you will need
to plan to spend around $3.50 USD per week on laundry. You
may live in a host family by yourself or with a small group
of other volunteers. A handful of volunteer projects offer
on site living instead of homestay home stay accommodations.
Visa Documentation:
Most tourist visas are valid for up to 3 months.
If you are interested in a longer program, we will assist
you in applying for a visa extension. We recommend checking
with your local Ecuadorian consulate for the most up to date
visa information.
Language Classes:
Optional language classes are available in either
Quito or the Galapagos Islands. Language classes are a great way
to be introduced to a new country and improve your Spanish skills.
Classes are held prior to starting your internship and are usually
one-on-one sessions with a personal tutor. Classes are 20 hours
per week (4 hours/day) for an additional USD$400/week and include
home stay accommodations and meals.
Internship placements:
We have internship placements throughout Ecuador. Below is a brief
sample of the kinds of placements we offer. If you are interested
in working in an area you don’t see below, please consult
your AIDE Program Manager. We do our best to accommodate
all requests.
Ecology and Conservation
Saving Giant Tortoises
Giant Tortoises have lived on Isabella Island in the Galapagos for ages, but their survival rate has been severely threatened by the introduction of predatory species to the island, such as cats and goats. Interns will feed and measure the tortoises, and monitor their eggs. You will also assist in record keeping and logging descriptions of tortoise activities, behavior, and changes.
Organic Farming
This project seeks sustainable development through its agriculture, reforestation, and education activities. The staff has established a farm / school with the goal of teaching organic farming practices to local farmers. Interns participate in farming activities, including botanical gardening, feeding the animals, working with medicinal plants, composting, and construction. If you are interested gaining invaluable organic farming experience, this is a great option.
Health Care
Urban and Rural Medicine
Location: Several cities throughout Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands.
Description of Project and Duties:
This internship enables pre-med, medical, nursing, pharmacology, and public health students to experience a hands-on placement in a hospital or clinic. Interns are able to rotate through the emergency room, pediatrics, obstetrics, internal medicine, and surgery. Medical placements are offered in larger city hospitals and also in smaller, rural clinics.
AIDE will attempt to match the interns to the type of medicine and/or specialty that they are interested in practicing.
HIV/AIDS Treatment and Education
Location: Puerto Lopez
Description of Project and Duties:
There is very little public knowledge about HIV/AIDS in many areas of Ecuador. AIDE is currently working with a combination of local organizations whose goal is to increase public awareness about how HIV/AIDS is spread and how to care for loved ones that are affected. A large focus of these organizations is to provide HIV testing to at-risk community members, especially pregnant women and sex workers. Another goal is to educate both men and women about HIV/AIDS prevention and the benefits of practicing safe sex.
Interns will engage in a variety of activities within the community, such as developing and presenting sex education campaigns, assisting with HIV testing in hospitals or mobile clinics, and providing medical and psychological support to HIV/AIDS patients and their families.
This position is best suited for someone who has an interest in public health or community education. Due to the nature of the position, daily duties will vary and interns must be flexible.
Journalism and Photography
Location: Quito and Ibarra
Description of Project and Duties:
Internships are available in either Quito or Ibarra with local newspapers. Interns have the opportunity to work either as a reporter or as a photographer. The newspapers have very collaborative environments and interns will work together with the rest of the staff to gather information, write articles, take pictures etc. Some travel around the region may be required to gather information and pictures for articles.
There is a possibility of having pictures and articles published, as long as they meet the standards of the paper. Interns are encouraged to develop their own ideas for articles and stories for the newspaper.
Requirements: An intermediate to advanced level of Spanish speaking and writing is recommended.
Women's Rights
Domestic Violence Recovery
Location: Cuenca
Description of project and duties:
This domestic violence shelter accepts mothers and their children who have been victims of physical and emotional abuse. The goal of the project is to provide a place of refuge for women who want to leave their abusers but have nowhere else to live. The women and their children are provided with a room and meals at the shelter. In addition, there are regular support group and counseling sessions to help empower the women to increase their self-esteem and take action for themselves. The children have access to classes, recreational activities, and medical treatment.
Interns have the option of assisting with the children’s activities or with the women’s counseling and support groups. It is also encouraged for interns to come up with their own programming ideas, such as educational sessions for the children (art, music, sports, etc) and professional workshops for the women.
Legal and Social Empowerment
Location: Quito, Cuenca and the Galapagos Islands
Description of Project and Duties:
As an intern with this project, you will be assisting in setting up and running workshops and seminars for women in Quito, to help them learn how to defend their rights. The workshops were created to provide legal help and advice to women that may be coping with domestic violence, as well as to provide psychological assistance to enable them to find personal strength and to overcome their fear, as well as to help them develop leadership skills.
The goal of this project is to encourage women's participation in political and economic discussions and events, as well as teaching them to have more control over their household and to use public resources.
Interns with an interest in law can also assist with organizing campaigns within the legal department. Those with a high level of Spanish may be able to present cases in court.
Veterinary Care – Domestic and Wild Animals
Veterinary Assistant
Location: Quito and surrounding areas
Description of Project and Duties:
This opportunity is unique because the veterinarian that interns will work with has his own domestic animal veterinary practice (dogs, cats, birds, etc.) but also travels around Ecuador to treat wild animals living in refuges. The majority of time will be spent working side by side with the veterinarian in the Quito clinic but there will be occasional opportunities to travel to the wildlife shelters.
Requirements: Interns should either be veterinary or pre-vet students since the placement will be very hands-on and some previous knowledge is required.
Education
Teacher’s Assistant
Locations: Quito, Cuenca, Ambato, Puerto Lopez, Ibarra, Galapagos Islands
Description of Project and Duties:
Many public schools in Ecuador are overcrowded and understaffed and struggle to provide adequate education. Interns will help with classroom activities at the elementary and high school levels, assisting teachers with regular lessons (math, art, music, English), although participants are also encouraged to bring a special interest or skill to the classroom. Interns will have a high degree of flexibility in teaching methods, including organizing excursions to teach English outside the classroom, as well as preparing materials with songs, games, and questions.
Summary:
* Pre-departure orientation
* Internship placement in field of choice
* Travel Medical Insurance
* Visa assistance (if needed)
* Airport pickup
* Transfer to your accommodations
* Arrival orientation
* Accommodations and meals
* Full-time local representative in Ecuador
* 24/7 personal support
* Certificate of completion (upon request)
*Assistance receiving academic credit (check with your university advisor for requirements)
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Price:
AIDE is a non-profit organization. Donations contributed
in excess of the fair market value of services you receive
from AIDE may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax adviser.
Mainland Ecuador:
4 weeks: USD$ 2,000
8 weeks: USD$ 2,600
12 weeks: USD$ 3,200
Additional Week(s): USD$ 150
Galapagos Islands:
4 weeks: USD$ 2,200
8 weeks: USD$ 3,000
12 weeks: USD$ 3,800
Additional Week(s): USD$ 200
Language Class Fees
Available in Quito and the Galapagos
Each week: $400 (includes home stay accommodations and meals)
Prices are subject to changes. Prices do
not include airfare, visa fees and personal expenses.
Any questions?
* Request
more info
* Call our toll free: 1 866 6ABROAD ext. 137
* Chat with us live
You might also consider an internship in:
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Argentina •
Australia •
Spain •
Peru •
Costa Rica •
Ireland
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