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GAIN EXPERIENCE.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
SEE THE WORLD.

Design & deliver a hands-on, personalised Internship in Nursery Education to gain real-world experience while making a real difference to rural communities in the majestic Ecuadorian Andes.

Help the improvements to a rural nursery and vibrant education for its toddlers (1-3 years) for low-income indigenous families.

The Challenge

Low-income rural families don't make enough money to take care and feed their babies well enough. The men often migrate in order to generate an income and the women either stay at home or have to carry their children while they work long days in the fields. In some villages, there are government-run nurseries that offer free childcare and meals for toddlers aged 1-3, giving families more freedom to work. However, these nurseries are severely underfunded, meaning that they lack adequate infrastructure and the educational resources necessary; they often don't even have money to pay staff!

The Solution

You can help in many ways. If you have a creative eye and know how to make spaces beautiful, help redesign and decorate the nursery buildings and gardens. You could also develop a fundraising campaign to provide the nursery with essential materials. And of course, you can help with the day-to-day activities of looking after the children and delivering creative educational activities! It's a great way to get hands-on experience while making an impact in communities that desperately need your help.

Our Proven Methodology 

Our internship programs are built around the transformative Design Thinking methodology, ensuring that every solution meets the unique needs of low-income populations. You’ll engage deeply with local stakeholders to understand root challenges, co-create ideas, and test solutions that drive real impact. Through immersive guided tours, social innovation workshops, and hands-on prototyping, you’ll collaborate to build and refine sustainable initiatives. By the end of your experience, you’ll not only gain professional skills but also create lasting resources that empower communities and future interns to continue this meaningful work.

Agriculture Study Abroad Traineeship with Indigenous Communities

Recommended by Previous Participants

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¡Advance Your Career!

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Gain hands-on experience in early childhood education while working in a rural nursery that serves low-income indigenous families. 

Now more than ever, employers value real-world experience. This internship will strengthen your resume with practical experience, mentorship, and a strong professional reference.

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¡Make a Difference!

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Support toddlers in low-income indigenous communities by improving access to quality early education.

Without intervention, many of them face limited opportunities, continuing cycles of poverty, lack of education, and migration.

¡Travel The World!

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Why gain experience in the same settings you’ve always known when you can immerse yourself in new countries and cultures? During your placement, explore Ecuador's diverse landscapes and cultures - making memories that will last a lifetime!

Travel Abroad on a Internship Placement
"A wonderful cultural exchange experience from beginning to end!"

One of the best parts of this experience was having the best of both worlds culturally: on one hand, you’re able to live in a less-touristy part of Ecuador and immerse yourself in Ecuadorian culture, but on the other hand, you don’t feel completely like a fish out of water.

My internship involved interacting and collaborating with various stakeholders, from the teachers to the parents. By the end of internship, I felt that I had made a meaningful contribution. I enjoyed my time in the homestay practicing my Spanish and learning about Ecuadorian culture. 

The community of volunteers and interns has also found a special place in my heart. Whatever your reason for looking into El Terreno - it turned out to be exactly what I was looking for. I'm very grateful the universe had led me there.


Isabela from the USA (Ecology & Sustainable Agriculture)

¿What's Included?

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Free Discovery Call & Plan
Flexible Start Date & Duration
Educational Documentation Support
Pre-Arrival & Travel Support
Shared Accommodation with 
WiFi
(Family Homestay also Available) 
Lunches Monday to Thursday
Weekly Professional Learning/Mentoring
In-Person Coordination
Cultural Immersion
Free-Time Recommendations
Certificate of Completion
Written Reference

Only $170 / week

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

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Private Room within a Local Family Homestay
Spanish/Kichwa Classes (before or during visit)
Private Transfer from Airport
Additional Professional Mentoring Sessions

¡Design Your Internship!

Application Process

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  1. Fill out the online interest form

  2. Participate in your discovery call, free of charge

  3. Review your personalised internship plan, free of charge

  4. Place your deposit & confirm your place

  5. Complete any required documents for your education provider

  6. Join us for an unforgettable experience in the Ecuadorian Andes!

Gain Experience.
Make a Difference.
Travel the World.

Imagine waking up to the sound of birds at dawn as the sun rises over the horizon, with Chimborazo volcano in the distance, while you sip your morning coffee. After breakfast, walk through the quiet rural village, greeting neighbors as they start their day, many heading to the fields with their children by their side.

Then, take the bus with your supervisor to the local nursery where you will be supporting toddlers (1-3 years old). Meet with the staff to assess needs, organize learning activities, and create a welcoming environment for the children. Help with daily routines, assist in feeding times, and introduce engaging early education activities.

In the afternoon, work on improving the nursery space—help paint murals, organize play areas, or contribute to a fundraising campaign to provide better materials for the children. Your support will have a direct impact on families who rely on the nursery for childcare while they work long hours in the fields.

After a fulfilling day, join other interns and volunteers to watch the sunset, visit a local café, or spend the evening sharing stories with your host family, immersing yourself in Ecuadorian culture.

Still not sure what a hands-on internship in the Ecuadorian Andes would look like? Speak to our team, and we will create a personalized internship plan to give you a glimpse into the future—all free of charge.

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El Terreno Guaranda

Atandahua, Guaranda, Bolívar, Ecuador

+593 981971920

joshua@elterrenoecuador.com

Business Registration Number for
'El Terreno': 1759628769

Charity Registration Number for
'Fundación El Terreno':
0291526609001

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