Those seeking to experience a dynamic international internship while being immersed in a new culture and language need look no further to meet their professional and personal goals. With a strong and growing economy, Ecuador is not only investing locally, but globally as well, which has created opportunities for interns in many fields to gain hands-on, real world work experience.
World Endeavors offers internships in a wide range of professional fields in Ecuador, and our advisors are proud of their ability to find great opportunities in unique and highly specialized fields.
Featured Fields
Environmental Conservation
Environmental Conservation interns in Ecuador have worked with a number of environmental and wildlife organizations. A past intern worked with an animal rehabilitation and release program for endangered species from the Amazon rainforest. Tasks included daily feeding of the animals, collecting food in their natural habitat, preparing the food, cleaning the cages, constructing or repairing cages, and they work hand in hand with the veterinarian in charge of the center. Interns also help with clearing the hiking trails in the surrounding areas, and the walking paths that lead to the cages. Depending skills and background, interns are able to work on special projects, i.e. creating a more systematic way of collecting data.
*Maximum duration for this project is 3 months. Please note there is an additional fee for Environmental Conservation placements. Contact World Endeavors for details.
Occupational Therapy
Join a multi-disciplinary team at a dynamic clinic providing Occupational Therapy and Psychology services for patients. The OT program focuses on four key elements:
- Rehabilitation of patients with pedagogical cognitive diagnoses (aphasia, dyslexia, dyscalculia, and others)
- Neurological rehabilitation of patients who have suffered cerebrovascular accidents
- Rehabilitation and reintegration of psychiatric patients and patients with traumatic injuries
Working alongside two licenced occupational therapists, and supervised by a doctor and a psychologist, main responsibilities include:
- Assisting patients in re-training in the basic and instrumental activities of daily life, readjusting habits according to their abilities, and preventing further injury
- Conducting assessments of the capabilities and limitations of patients, including sensory, social and psychological assessments
- Developing and evaluating rehabilitation treatment programs with individualized objectives based on specific patient needs
- Working together with patients to adapt their environment and developing architectural barrier removal programs
- Training in the use of technical aids, orthoses and prostheses as necessary and recommended
- Encouraging individuals to achieve the highest degree of socio-labor reintegration possible as an active member within their communities
- Collaborating with institutions for the promotion and development of intervention programs in populations with disabilities
Spanish language skills required.
Work with an organization that provides therapies to children and teens with diagnoses like Down syndrome, autism and cerebral palsy. In addition to shadowing an OT, you can also help with therapies in a pool (hydro therapy) and with horses (equine therapy).
Social Work
Social Work Interns in Ecuador have had the opportunity to work with a center that aims to restore and promote the fulfillment of rights for vulnerable and working children and adolescents in Quito’s poorest market sectors. Intern task will vary from day to day as the center works with a number of different projects and programs. Interns will work with the social worker in the community, as well as helping with meal distribution while taking care of the children.
Other fields offered in Ecuador include:
Accounting interns work in accounting firms as well as in company accounting and finance departments to gain practical experience with financial reporting, account management, and a range of other responsibilities.
Advertising interns work with creative teams in agencies as well as company advertising departments, learning about local and global markets as well as business strategy.
Agricultural Sciences interns work to analyze the impact of farming practices and help to employ new, more sustainable, and cost-effective models.
Coaching and Sports Management interns in Ecuador help with marketing and promotion efforts, plan events, and manage facilities for gymnastics teams as well as learn about the business side of the sport.
Healthcare interns assist health professionals in a range of projects from public health initiatives to medical research or healthcare administration.
Hospitality Management and Tourism interns assist management and work in reception, marketing, and communications in internationally-recognized hotels and resorts.
Marketing interns work in advertising agencies or in the marketing departments of a wide variety of companies, planning and managing campaigns, analyzing market information, assisting with websites and social media, and interfacing with clients.
Media Studies interns work at radio and television stations, film production companies, newspapers, magazines, advertising or public relations agencies, and other print or digital media companies gaining professional experience in a wide range of job duties and picking up a host of valuable practical skills.
Museum and Cultural Management interns work with professionals in museums and at historical sites, gaining hands-on experience in a variety of activities, such as research, curation, archiving, analysis, restoration, and administration.
Physical Therapy interns work in the offices of physical therapists and sports trainers, learning about patient care as well as the business and administrative aspects of their field.
Public Health interns in Ecuador have had the opportunity to work with a local psychological and psychotherapeutic center in Quito. Past interns have had the opportunity to be involved with visiting local schools and high schools to provide information and health education through workshops, attending family visits to provide information and resources, community visits, designing and distributing material in the community, assisting with sexual education programs for young/teen mothers, as well as shadowing and assisting the doctors at the center. Depending on the technical and linguistic knowledge, interns can carry out psychological tests as well as diagnostics, tending to patients in the waiting area and perform basic computer entries.
Youth Development interns assist experienced educators with projects such as creating and implementing workshops, coaching sports teams, coordinating youth plays, and planning family night activities.
Do you want to earn academic credit for your international internship? Nearly half of World Endeavors participants earn credit while interning abroad. Many students are required to participate in an internship to fulfill a requirement for their degree program. World Endeavors works closely with students and their academic advisors to ensure that our program meets those requirements. If you don’t fall into that category there is another exciting option for you. Through our collaboration with University of California Berkeley, students can earn UC Berkeley credit by taking one of two online courses while interning abroad.
Internships are available year-round, with flexible start dates and durations. Public holidays and seasonal work availability may impact certain start dates in some locations.
Please wait until after you are accepted into the program and you have received the confirmed arrival and departure dates before you book your flight
Please note: The minimum duration for Environmental Conservation, Healthcare-related fields, Nonprofit Management, and Social Work placements is 2 months. Please contact World Endeavors for additional information.
| Program Name | First Month | Each Additional Month |
|---|---|---|
| Intern In Ecuador | $2,990 | $1,090 |
Through our collaboration with University of California Summer Sessions, World Endeavors interns can earn academic credit alongside their international internship. Alternatively, interns can arrange for credit through their home institution. Learn more here.
INCLUDED FEATURES
- Dedicated Program Advisor
- Customized Internship placement
- Flexible durations from 2 to 6 months with year-round start dates
- Academic credit facilitation
- Local On-site Coordinator with 24/7 availability; pre and post arrival orientation
- Personalized Program Success Plan with ongoing coaching
- Re-entry Handbook and Support
- Spanish language instruction: 20 hours included
- Airport reception, pick-up, and drop-off
- Home stay accommodations with 2 meals per day
- Comprehensive travel medical insurance
- 24/7 Emergency Travel Assistance
- Travel protection
OTHER BUDGET CONSIDERATIONS
- Round-trip transportation to Ecuador
- Some Meals
- Visa expenses
- Optional trips and excursions
- Daily transportation
- Personal expenses
- World Endeavors interns should be 18 years or older and should have a passport valid for at least 6 months from the start of their program.
- Keep in mind that all countries have different visa restrictions for varying types of passports.
- It is recommended to have a background in your desired internship field, but not absolutely required. Internship placement opportunities increase with experience or relevant coursework.
- It is preferred that interns considering Ecuador should have an intermediate level of Spanish language skills.
Congratulations on your decision to embark on this one-of-a-kind, life-changing experience abroad! We look forward to working with you to make your trip memorable and meaningful. We recommend that applications be submitted at least 16 weeks in advance of the intended program start date. If your intended start date is less than 16 weeks away, please contact World Endeavors for more information.
World Endeavors interns in Ecuador stay with host families, where they share space, build relationships, practice language, and learn about traditional culture, food, home rituals, and customs. Housing accommodations are modest, safe, and clean, but may differ from Western norms in terms of space or amenities.
ABOUT QUITO
Quito is the capital of Ecuador and the country’s second largest city. Nestled amongst the snowy peaks of the Andes and situated between the Pichincha Volcano and the Machángara River Canyon, the city flaunts beautiful panoramas and breathtaking views in every direction. Ecuadorian history comes alive in Quito; the city is a wonderful mix of colonial and modern architecture, and its historical center has been distinguished as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Quito also does not lack for a fantastic cultural element. The city hosts a variety of museums, festivals, art galleries, shops, restaurants, and cafés for its lively and engaged population. Visitors to Quito are fortunate to have a variety of outdoor opportunities at their fingertips; from hiking in the Andes, to paragliding from a volcanic peak, to archaeological or bird-watching tours, the area has something for the cautious as well as the most adventuresome explorer.
We strive to provide immersive, life changing, and professionally rewarding programs for our interns. Our programs are designed as a comprehensive “program” instead of just the internship so that we can provide a full experience for our participants. The program fees we charge include the in-country expenses (housing, insurance, orientation, etc.) and also the dedicated work that goes behind finding a customized, one-of-a-kind, international internship placement. You can find more information about the costs and inclusions in the “Dates & Costs” section on this page.
We really wish we could offer paid internships, but all of the internships we coordinate are unpaid placements. Paid internships abroad are few and far-between, as they require a different type of visa that is difficult to attain, and they also require sponsorship by the host company, which is quite costly for them. The goal of our program is to provide meaningful, hands-on experience in your specific profession or field of study that will give you a competitive edge in the job market and make you valuable to employers who are globally minded. If you are seeking a placement to help you gain international experience, improve your skills in your field and enhance your resume, our program provides the perfect opportunity.
Our internships are customized to fit each individual’s goals, interests, and skill level. We consider all of these things and then make a placement accordingly. Therefore, we don’t have specific internships “set aside” waiting for people to fill them. We have placed interns in both small and large companies, but due to confidentiality of our host companies and organizations we are not able to provide a list of companies.
All of our internships are customized, and we work with each intern to make sure we find a placement that fits their specific interests, background, experience, and goals for the internship. Your specific responsibilities during your internship will be determined further in the enrollment process and will depend on your skills and goals for the program.
Monica went to Ecuador to complete a Journalism internship and was forever changed!
"Every time I travel and see another area of this magnificent world that we live in, I carry with me an even greater sense of connectedness. We are all one people. We have different customs, beliefs and opinions but together that is what makes us great. We are not all separate lives, living in separate countries…we are all contributing and living in harmony with one another. We must all learn to work with each other and begin to see the beauty in all of us."
- Gaye, Volunteer in Ecuador
