After arriving in Guayaquil, we will travel to Cuenca, where our headquarters are. There, all interns will spend the first two weeks living with homestay families, studying Spanish intensively, participating in development and social entrepreneurship educational discussions, project content and technical training, safety and security orientation sessions, and working with partner development and relief organizations located in nearby communities. This “ramp up” segment is essential to ensure that interns can work as effectively and efficiently as possible with our development professionals and constituents in the field.

To truly embed yourself in Ecuadorian culture and improve your Spanish along the way, you will live with homestay families throughout your time in Ecuador. You will be matched with a homestay family that has been selected and trained by the Social Entrepreneur Corps team. Engage in conversations, learn about the rich history, literature and culture of Ecuador, and take some time to enjoy the unique diversity of the Andean and Amazonian regions.

Upon conclusion of the Foundation Building segment in Cuenca, interns will work in small teams and each team will travel to and spend two weeks each in two different satellite sites including: Pulingui, Riobamba and Zamora. You will work alongside our local team members and community partners and it will be an opportunity for you to bring your energy, enthusiasm, and skills to a challenge, growth opportunity or new social innovation that can create impact with communities while engaging with local partners. Through hands-on fieldwork, meetings, and work sessions with your intern team, you will create solutions, deliverables, and strategic recommendations to help take the next steps forward. Learn more about what we do by looking at recent projects below or reading about our work.

Enjoy your last few days together as a group to share your projects with local counterparts and the rest of the intern team. Work with our team to create long-term plans for how they will implement your projects and incorporate recommendations. Engage and reflect with Social Entrepreneur Corps leadership about the transition back home and how to present your experience professionally and informally.