GAIN EXPERIENCE.
MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
SEE THE WORLD.
Design & deliver a hands-on, personalised Internship in Murals & Community Arts to improve your resume and gain real-world experience, while making a real difference to rural communities in the majestic Ecuadorian Andes.
Deliver creative workshops & artworks to help indigenous communities build pride in their cultural identity
The Challenge
The indigenous communities surrounding Atandahua have few opportunities and resources. Children study in dilapidated schools with minimal creative expression or cultural reinforcement, and the region's proudest cultural moment, Guaranda's Carnaval, is something they watch rather than shape. Many do not see a future beyond the poverty around them.
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The Solution
Art has the power to bring communities together, build confidence and transferrable skills, and transform communal spaces into vibrant hubs with powerful symbology that changes how people feel about themselves. We're looking for passionate participants who work with children and community groups to design and deliver arts programmes, murals, and the Carnaval whose float, costumes and choreography to place communities inside Guaranda's biggest celebration.​​
Recommended by Previous Participants
Since 2021, We've Hosted Over 250 Participants from 40 Countries
¡Advance Your Career!
Gain more community 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.
"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)
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​​
Project Costs
Additional Project Costs:
(e.g. 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.
Only $295/week
less than $45 per day​
You can make more impact when you stay longer:
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:
