Ecuador Summer Internship

Quito, Ecuador

Why the Summer Internship Track?

Living and Learning provides custom internship placement for students at locations around the city of Quito. Students will be working at their internship site four days per week. One day per week is for optional Spanish tutoring, rest, and evening chapel. Students can either participate in the experience or seek out 'internship credit' from their home institution.

Internship sites are varied and include ministries, schools, non-profits, hospitals/clinics, government agencies, for-profit businesses, etc. For students enrolled in a college or university, L&LI can work with your home institution to award college credit for completing up to 180 hours of internship depending on their policies.

Ecuador Internship Opportunities

‍Internship Placement:

  • Living and Learning provides custom internship placement around the city of Quito.

  • Four factors that influence internship placement

    • Student interest/passion

    • Future career goals

    • Internship site availability

    • Mastery of the Spanish language (English speaking sites available)

  • Earn 3 to 6 course credits by interning 120-240 hours over eight weeks.

  • Internship placement is customizable and based on interests and the requirements of your university.

  • Within communications, there are a variety of corporate, non-profit and public roles. Cross-cultural communication exposes students to training in a variety 
of media outlets such as writing, programming, broadcasting, blogging, and even television and/or radio production. A communications internship prepares students for work in media industries, businesses, non-profit organizations and ministries requiring excellent written, interpersonal, organizational, oral and media production skills. Opportunities include HCJB, a local healthcare and media mission, and Control Z, a youth-focused radio station.

  • Business students study communication skills, financial modeling, and statistical theory as it applies in business settings, and recreational opportunities in the private sector, business law, and business ethics. Seeing how a business runs internationally equips students to succeed. A business internship deepens students’ involvement in the global marketplace by gaining practical hands-on and field experience. Business partners and connections constitute these internship opportunities.

  • Intercultural internships seek to help students examine culture from a biblical perspective and guide the student in the use of basic tools for grasping the content and application of God’s Word in a global context. Internships are offered at church partners and humanitarian organizations.

  • Students come to Ecuador with varying degrees of fluency in Spanish. Consequently, after initial placement testing, students are placed in internships that will correspond to their level of proficiency. Internships will introduce the students to the sounds and structure of the Spanish language through listening and speaking and allow them to serve others while improving their Spanish language learning. Homestays with Ecuadorian families would also accompany this Internship.

  • Educational internships prepare students to teach in public, private, or Christian schools. Teaching in a multicultural society, and even teaching in a different language prepares teachers well to enter the educational community. Opportunities include teaching English in high schools (international and national) elementary/middle schools, and after-school programs.

  • Knowing your way through the wilderness is important. Being able to guide others through their journey of faith in an outdoor context is even better. Outdoor Leadership students develop the necessary knowledge and skills in experiential education to be able to effectively lead others through the process of Christian formation. Internships in this area are realized at El Refugio, an outdoor training and leadership center.

  • Youth & Worship Ministry opportunities seek to help each student examine the scriptural basis for the faith and to guide the student in the use of basic tools for grasping the content and application of God’s Word. International ministry helps students acquire and develop their skills in ministry through involvement in other hands-on experience opportunities; through service projects, campus ministries, and volunteer programs. Opportunities include high schools, youth groups, and church worship ministries.

  • Pulling from the historical roots of the profession, such opportunities emphasize that community well-being is essential to a common good, that each community has gifts and assets, and we are called to participate in the life of a community. Opportunities for students to fulfill their callings to Christ-like service are present through numerous service learning and field education experiences, including high schools, orphanages, senior care facilities, prison ministries, and community outreach partners.

  • Physical well-being and access to healthcare are essential to a healthy life, particularly in a developing country. Pre-Med and nursing opportunities give students hands-on experience in an international medical context; in clinics, emergency rooms, out and inpatient procedures, all to gain an understanding of international medicine and medical practices. Internships include clinics, hospitals, and senior care facilities where the need is present.

  • Other internship opportunities may be available (for specific major requirements). Other non-major internships include work at orphanages, old-folks homes, prisons, coaching sports teams, soup kitchens, a daycare for children at the city dump, and other ministry partners connected with L&LI.

Summer 2024 Calendar

May 13 - July 5, 2024

An Experience Like No Other

Intern abroad with us and you'll be immersed you in culture, ministry, and learning and have the opportunity to visit some incredible destinations around Ecuador

  • Four-Week Homestay with local family

  • Optional Galápagos Island Excursion

  • Mission and Ministry experience in the Amazon Jungle

  • Internships and Service Opportunities

  • Cultural Activities

  • Travel & Explore

Optional Galápagos Island Excursion

If you would like, you are able to join us for about six days after the program in the Galápagos Islands! Following the 8-week program, students can join an optional 5-day guided excursion of the Galápagos Islands. Family members and friends are invited to join at the Additional Visitor Price.

Highlights

  • Visit the Galápagos Tortoise reservation

  • Boat Ride and Snorkeling

  • Visit Tortuga Bay and see wildlife up close

  • Hike and swim in a natural volcanic ocean channel

  • Free time

  • Optional Scuba Diving (additional fees paid on location)

Cost

This excursion is $1,700 which includes round-trip airfare from Quito to the Galápagos, guides, hotels, excursions, national park entrance, immigration registration, and select meals. Family and friends are welcome to join! The excursion cost for family and friends is $1,800 to cover additional administrative fees.

What’s included?

Both program options, the Internship Program, and the Spanish Language Institute cost the same. Each participant is a part of the same program and the track that is selected only affects what you do Monday-Friday during normal working hours.

Program Cost: $4,000

Cost Includes: 

  • Airport transfers

  • Meals during program events (about 50% of the program)

  • Lodging and program transportation

  • Four-week Homestay experience with an Ecuadorian Family

  • Comprehensive Orientation and Debrief

  • A 6-day service trip to the Amazon Jungle

  • A variety of cultural activities

  • International Travel Insurance (not primary medical insurance)

Does Not Include:

  • Airfare

  • Passport

  • Immunizations

  • Meals outside of program events (about 50% of the program)

  • Personal expenses or personal travel