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Ecuador internships in architecture, anthropology, medicine & more! 🇪🇨

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El Terreno volunteer internships in Ecuador – Get valuable experience in your chosen profession, travel to new cultures around the world and make a difference in low-income indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Andes. We offer a range of hands-on, personalised internships for students and graduates who are looking to further their careers while creating a positive impact.

We will help you to design and deliver a unique internship based on your career goals and local needs. You will work directly with the local community and build friendships with other interns/volunteers. You will receive regular, experienced guidance from a professional mentor to complete a successful internship. Living with a local family you will be immersed in another culture, learn new skills, make memories and make a difference.

What category best describes your hosting arrangement? 🏡
Location – Where is your volunteer project located?🌏
What are you looking for help with?

What’s the mission of your community? 🎯

As a centre of cultural exchange and social innovation, we bring together local Ecuadorians and others from around the world through sustainable tourism, culture, education and ecology – to create a more meaningful, sustainable and prosperous world.
Our vision we want to see rural communities with access to quality education, healthcare and employment while celebrating their culture and regenerating local ecosystems. And that these communities offer meaningful experiences to international visitors, who leave inspired to catalyse positive change around the world.

Our proven methodology

Our internship programs are built around the transformative Design Thinking methodology, ensuring that every solution meets the unique needs of low-income populations. You’ll engage deeply with local stakeholders to understand root challenges, co-create ideas, and test solutions that drive real impact. Through immersive guided tours, social innovation workshops, and hands-on prototyping, you’ll collaborate to build and refine sustainable initiatives. By the end of your experience, you’ll gain professional skills and create lasting resources that empower communities and future interns to continue this meaningful work.

How many volunteers could you host? 🎎
When do you usually need volunteers? 📅
How many hours of help per day? ⏱

How many days of help per week? 🌒

Note about the volunteer work and other expectations 📝

Travel the world, gain valuable work experience and make a difference in low-income indigenous communities in the Ecuadorian Andes. We offer a range of hands-on, personalised internships for students and graduates who are looking to further their careers while creating a positive impact. Design & deliver a unique internship based on your career aspirations and local needs, receiving professional support and authentic cultural immersion.

Are accommodation and food included? 🏠🍜

Yes, we offer food and accommodation

What type of accommodation can you provide? 🏕

Click on the images to enlarge

Diet – nutrition information 🥗🥤

While most Ecuadorians eat a meat-based diet, we can accommodate most dietary requirements in the shared meals we provide.

Fee transparency 🆓🔍

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 exclusively to deliver you the best internship programme possible. This covers standard accommodation, cooked lunches, a professional mentor, in-person internship coordination, certificate of completion, written personal reference and genuine cultural immersion. For more information, visit our website.

VISA SUPPORT – Are you able to assist with visa support, and information, or provide invitation letters? 🛂

Yes, we can help with Visa/invitation letters ✅

Volunteers’ benefits 🏆🏅
Preferred attitude & values 💬

As an organisation committed to a community-based approach, we look for ethically minded participants who share our vision for a more vibrant, prosperous, and sustainable world. The ideal volunteer is passionate, proactive, can work to deadlines, and takes pride in their work, all while stepping outside their comfort zone, building authentic relationships, and becoming part of our international community.

Safety in Guaranda & Atandahua 🛡️

El Terreno is based in a peaceful rural community where people know and support each other. The region is considered very safe, and Atandahua even has its own local police station. There have been no security incidents involving our volunteers or community members since our start in 2021. We maintain close partnerships with local authorities and offer 24/7 on-site support to ensure everyone feels safe and welcome.

What are the activities available during your free time? 🚴🚣🦒

During weekends – or before and after your stay – you can explore Ecuador’s incredible diversity, from the Amazon rainforest to the Galápagos Islands, both easily reachable by short domestic flights. Closer to home, you can hike up to Chimborazo, visit the salt mines of Salinas de Guaranda, or swim in the waterfalls of the tropical lowlands. For a detailed list of ideas and suggestions, you can also check our free-time guide: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DnzJevDt8V_bT4qWSMgQU9YDnqDwxRIb8iGHETIONUA/edit?usp=sharing

Language 🗣🇬🇧
Geography 🌳

The project is on a hillside in the village of Atandahua, just outside of the quaint colonial town of Guaranda in the province of Bolivar in central Ecuador. The project is nestled in a valley surrounded by traditional farmland and indigenous communities, with a spectacular view of the majestic Chimborazo Volcano (the point on earth closest to the sun!).

Although stunningly beautiful, Bolivar is one of Ecuador’s poorest provinces. There is a high rate of malnutrition, illiteracy and poverty. With few employment opportunities, many high-school graduates quickly leave for the larger cities, and the indigenous language and culture are under threat.

CLIMATE

At 3,000m (10,000ft) above sea level, the average temperature is 13°C (55°F). Below is a list of typical weather patterns throughout the year, though climate change is definitely throwing these off, so be ready for anything!

Due to the high altitude, the sun feels cooler but will burn you more easily – so be prepared with a hat and sunscreen. The temperature is cool at night and Ecuadorian houses have no insulation/central heating, so you can feel the cold. Fortunately, there are no mosquitos at this elevation!

How to get to your site ✈ 🗺

Our Location: https://goo.gl/maps/UPjQPF45GVp69u8bA 📍

Guaranda is situated in the centre of the country, an equal distance (5 hours) from the two main international airports, Quito & Guayaquil. Bus travel is inexpensive ($1.25 per hour of travel) and generally safe.

From Quitumbe Bus Terminal in Quito:

From Guayaquil Bus Terminal:

We can also help you arrange private transportation if you prefer, for $130 from either within the city or directly from the Airport, to the casa comunal at El Terreno.

Is there internet access? 🌐

Yes!

“Paying guests” Option. Could you accommodate “solidarity” tourists? 🎎

Yes, we can accommodate eco/responsible tourists & paying guests 👌

CONTACT DETAILS 🔍📧

Organisation name: El Terreno

Host email: talent AT elterrenoecuador DOT com

Contact person: Cristian Toscano-Bocancho, Program Manager

Website: https://www.elterrenoecuador.com/

Phone (WhatsApp): +593 (0)999 337 521

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ElTerrenoGuaranda/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elterrenoguaranda/

volunteer program, hospitality exchange, internship, Ecuador, volunteering, team, anthropology, indigenous

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