Internship
Opportunities in
Ecuador
Internship programs in
Ecuador may be quite formal, but most simply involve the intern taking
part in an ongoing scientific research project, conservation work or
sustainable
development program, for example, that is relevant to their studies.
Internships in Ecuador are most likely to be relevant to
those studying ecotourism, sustainable agriculture, rural development,
biology, natural resource management, ecology, sustainable development
or similar degrees. The country does not have a very
developed manufacturing sector.
The term intern or
internship is often loosely translated so it is always worth looking at
general volunteer
opportunities in Ecuador too, because these
may qualify as internships in the eyes of your
university or college. Also check with the project that they
will be willing to provide a letter of reference or fill in any forms
or reports that your course requires. Technically, the
difference between volunteering and an internship is that an intern has
studied the subject in question before gaining some practical
experience.
Internships in developing
countries such as Ecuador are rarely if ever paid and most make a
charge for
participation. Fees of around $25 to $35 per day (including
food
and accommodation) are realistic and fair, considering the costs of
providing the training, support and supervision needed for an
intern to get the most benefit from their internship. Interns
are
effectively "buying" the
experience that they need for their future career (but still have to do
the hard work too...). Whilst intern jobs here are not paid,
they are still a worthwhile investment as a solution to the
chicken-and-egg situation most graduates find themselves in with
regards to work experience.
Internship opportunities
in Ecuador:
Microfinance / Community Bank
Internship on Fair Trade Project to continue the work of
developing of developing a small community bank and/or emergency loan
program in rural communities in an area of extreme poverty.
The microfinance internship will include training members of
the new bank and helping them adapt the proposed plan to their local
situation, working with them to resolve implementation issues as they
arise. A
great internship
opportunity for finance students who have patience and a good rapport
with people. Interns also
participate in a monthly sustainable development workshop.
Available:
Any time
of year. Cost:
approximately $175
per week
including food and accommodation. Commitment: minimum
4 weeks, maximum 12 weeks. Language requirements:
intermediate or advanced Spanish. To
apply: www.progresoverde.org/internship.html,
quote
reference ETMicApr12 when applying for your internship.
Engineering Internships -
Environmental
Engineers, Civil Engineers for various projects in rural
agricultural communities.
E.g. to calculate the impact on the water supply of our sugar
cane farmers’ organic plantations and distilleries, or evaluate a damaged section of road,
design a solution (e.g. bridge, drainage, repair, etc.) and prepare a
costing to implement the solution.
Engineering interns can also help design appropriate technology and train
local people in how to use it. Interns also
participate in a monthly sustainable development workshop.
Available:
Any time
of year. Cost:
approximately $175
per week
including food and accommodation. Commitment: minimum
4 weeks, maximum 12 weeks. Language requirements:
basic Spanish. To
apply: www.progresoverde.org/internship.html,
quote
reference ETEngApr12 when applying for your internship.
Condor Conservation Internship:
behavioural
observation of the
critically-endangered Andean Condor, in the Andes Mountains
in northern Ecuador.
This volunteer opportunity may well be suitable as a biology
internship and is a great chance for students on biology /
wildlife
conservation degrees or similar to gain field experience in data
collection and conservation of a páramo habitat.
Data collection includes captive and wild condors, and you
may see other wildlife such as Andean bears.
Available:
All year round, though summer internships can book up early,
so
apply well in advance if possible. Currently there are still
spaces available for interns in all months except July.
Cost: $685
per 4 week period
including accommodation and food. Commitment: 4
or 5
weeks. Language
requirements: English (though you will get more from your
intern experience with basic
Spanish).
To
apply: download the Condor Conservation Volunteer Information
Pack, quote reference ETIntMar12 when you apply.
Sustainable Development Internship
in rural agricultural communities in the tropical western foothills of
the
Andes. Interns help
out on the various sustainable development projects being
implemented at the time in an area of extreme poverty and also run
their own mini-project.
Current projects include organic agriculture, fair trade,
appropriate
processing technology and ecotourism. Take the chance to
learn about past projects by the same organisation, sit in on
development planning sessions or community meetings and talk with those
who work
in sustainable rural development. A great internship
opportunity for international development students or those studying
sustainable agriculture, rural development, ecotourism or sustainable
development. Currently, internship opportunities exist in ecotourism development
and fair trade production,
as well as general sustainable development. Interns also
participate in a monthly sustainable development workshop.
Available:
Any time
of year. Cost:
approximately $175
per week
including food and accommodation. Commitment: minimum
4 weeks, maximum 12 weeks. Language requirements:
at least basic Spanish is usually required, especially if your intern
project includes contact with the local community. To
apply: www.progresoverde.org/internship.html,
quote
reference ETDevMar12 when applying for your internship.
Internship programs often
book up many months ahead so interns are advised to get organised well
in advance to avoid disappointment. As a summer intern, in
particular, it is probably not too early to apply a year in advance.
However, it is always worth a last-minute enquiry if
your plans change. Note that "summer" for European interns is
June to September, but summer internships for the Australians are
December to February, which can also be a time of high demand.
The best internship for
you depends both on your course requirements and your personal
interests. See also current volunteer opportunities in
Ecuador, some of which might be suitable for an intern, and read tips
about choosing where
to volunteer in Ecuador and wildlife
conservation and research projects.
Remember to
find suitable travel
insurance for interns, bearing in mind that many insurers
regard an intern job abroad as work rather than tourism and require a
different policy.
Internship
Opportunities
in Ecuador
Current international internships, volunteer intern jobs, summer
internships and intern programs in Ecuador, including a
conservation biology intern program, wildlife conservation, and a rural
development internship
opportunity. No responsibility
can be taken for the content of external websites. Evaluate
potential internships carefully before making your application.
