GET HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
SEE THE WORLD.
Design & deliver a hands-on, personalised Internship in Architecture & Sustainable Building to improve your resume and gain real-world experience, while making a meaningful difference to rural communities in the majestic Ecuadorian Andes.
Help local families generate much-needed income & restore cultural heritage, by transforming abandoned adobe buildings into attractive accommodation.
The Challenge​
Before the industrialisation of construction, Andean people built charming and durable houses out of the clay-rich soils available to them. But globalisation has meant that local people now choose to build single-skin, concrete buildings. Whilst these are quicker to build and considered 'modern', they are less thermally efficient, sustainable, anti-seismic and cost more in materials. In the area, there are hundreds of vernacular adobe buildings that have been left to ruin, and as these traditional techniques are lost, so is the cultural heritage captured in the building's architectural beauty. Meanwhile, 40% of local people live in poverty.
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The Solution​
We are restoring these neglected buildings, not only to preserve the cultural heritage, but also to provide much-needed income to families through tourism. With support from our experienced team, you will take on a design and/or build project where you will learn about how these traditional homes are made in the Andes and help us restore buildings that would otherwise fall into ruin.​
Recommended by Previous Participants
Since 2021, We've Hosted Over 250 Participants from 40 Countries
¡Advance Your Career!
Gain more construction experience with the support of trained mentors to expand your knowledge and build your confidence.
Now more than ever, employers are looking for a resume with diverse experiences, certificates and strong references that an internship provides.
"An Extraordinary Opportunity..."
The kind of opportunity your are infinitely grateful for ! I loved everything about my fantastic journey in the Andes, discovering ancient vernacular building techniques and learning from local professionals.
The touching contact with local population has been a great opportunity to practice my Spanish and get to know their incredible culture. Absolutely grateful to Joshua for his support and dedication in the project and for making my internship such a wonderful time.
Regis from Switzerland (Architecture & Sustainable Construction)
Results from Past Internships
Check out this final presentation from previous interns, to see what they've achieved during their time here
¿What's Included?
Pre-Arrival
Free Discovery Call with our Founder
Personalised Changemaker Plan
Pre-Arrival Logistics & Orientation
Documentation Support (credits / funding / university requirements)
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Accommodation
Single-sex Dormitories (≤4 beds per room)
Cooked Lunches (Mon-Fri)
Washing Service (1x per week)
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Projects
Arrival Onboarding & Orientations
Weekly 1:1s and Reflection Sessions
Bilingual Project Coordination
Professional Mentoring (1hr/wk)
Participatory Methodology & Tools
Community & Institutional Collaboration
Site Visit Coordination
Accident Insurance
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Personal & Professional Development
Weekly Group Workshops
Monthly Ancestral Ceremonies
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Free Time
Free Time Activity Recommendation
Language Exchange Evenings in Guaranda
Weekly International Shared Meals
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Post-Departure
Certificate of Completion
Written Professional Reference
LinkedIn Recommendation
Alumni Network
¿What's Not Included?
Pre-Arrival
Flights or Expenses to Reach Us
Visas or Vaccines
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Projects
Additional Project Costs**
(eg. materials, transport, site visits, and coordinator / mentor expenses)
**However, you can apply for a $50 project microgrant and/or we can support you to create a crowdfunding campaign to send through your networks.
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Only $295/week
less than $45 per day​
Those who stay longer can make more impact
Get 12 weeks for the price of 10
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First 6 deposits of the season choose from
$25/week discount
Dinner Meals Included Mon-Fri
$250 Project Transport & Materials
50% off additional all services, up to $250
We are a small independent organisation and receive no external funds for our programmes.
Your contribution is used to exclusively to deliver you the best internship programme possible!
Additional Services
6-Week Pre-Arrival Spanish & Cultural Essentials Course
Airport Transfer
Private Room / Family Homestay
Breakfast Ingredients
Breakfast Meals (Mon - Fri)
Dinner Meals (Mon - Fri)
Additional Mentoring
Health Insurance
Monthly Ancestral Ceremonies
Language Classes (1/wk)
Cultural Activity (1/wk)
Changemaker Coaching Programme
The Ideal Candidate
Existing skills & experience in the project theme is preferred, but not essential. Bilingual coordinators will help with community engagement — but you will get much more if you come with at least B1 Spanish.
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What is essential is a hard-working, professional attitude with passion for making a difference. To thrive in rural Ecuador, you need to be positive, adaptable and a good collaborator.
Mutual respect for communal living, the lived experience from locals and the El Terreno team is key.
Application Process
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Fill out the online interest form
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Participate in your discovery call, free of charge
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Review your personalised internship plan, free of charge
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Place your deposit & confirm your place
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Complete any required documents for your education provider
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Join us for an unforgettable experience in the Ecuadorian Andes!
Gain Experience.
Make a Difference.
Travel the World.
Safety in Ecuador
We sometimes get asked about travelling in Ecuador — is it safe?
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While it's impossible to answer with a 'yes' or 'no', what we can say is that since starting programmes in 2021, nobody has been robbed or assaulted at El Terreno, and with a police station in the village, people generally feel very safe.
As with many places in the world, you need to take care of yourself while travelling, and we will provide a full orientation including how to be a savvy traveller. If you follow our advice, you're most likely to have a safe and fun experience.
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If you'd like to learn more now, we've written the following blog to help you come prepared:
