Help low-income, indigenous communities live healthier lives through education programmes and affordable medical interventions.
There are many health challenges in rural Guaranda, malnutrition is at 48%, caused primarily by a poor diet and unsafe drinking water. A lack of education results in further issues, such as teenage pregnancy which is at 26%.
There is a small health centre that tries to serve 5,300 people, many of which live more than an hour's drive along on dirt roads. It lacks many of the medicines required to effectively care for the population; as 40% live in poverty, many can't afford private treatment.
You will support the services the health centre delivers including visits to the remote communities, to help all gain access to free healthcare services and education. You will work alongside professionals to develop your skills, while making a meaningful difference to rural communities in the Ecuadorian Andes. The health centre has particularly requested:
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Pediatricians
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Gynecologists
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Geriatricians
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Psysiotherapists
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Psychologists

Recommended by Previous Participants
¡Advance Your Career!





Gain more medical experience with the support of trained professionals 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.


Our stay with El Terreno was so far beyond my expectations. They - and their entire community in Atandahua - embraced us and shared their music, dancing, food, stories, adventures, and work. It is a truly special place.
The team are kind, organized, communicative, and inspiring. The work is fun and very fair, the accommodations are comfortable, the community and the group of volunteers is lovely and easy to build friendships within. I highly recommend this project to anyone looking to experience this region in a real way, and to become immersed in a small, hard-working community with a beautiful vision for the future. I will be thinking about all that I learned here for a long time.
Kenzie (USA)
¿What's Included?

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
Materials Budget
Cultural Immersion
Free-Time Recommendations
Certificate of Completion
Written Reference
Additional Services

Private Room within a Local Family Homestay
Group or 1:1 Spanish Classes
Private Transfer from Quito / Airport
Additional Professional Mentoring Sessions
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.
Imagine waking up to the cockerels at dawn as the sun rises over the horizon as you take in Chimborazo volcano over your morning coffee. After breakfast, walk down for the morning check-in with other interns, stopping to say hello to the friendly neighbours in the community as they take their cows to pasture.
Then, jump in the back of a pick=up truck to the San Juan health centre to support them with the day's activities; perhaps working with primary care with drop-in patients, performing home visits to those in need or travelling with your colleagues to perform a community education or vaccination programme.
Get back in time for lunch, which you spend with the rest of the team and workers from the local community, sharing stories and learning about the local culture.
In the afternoon you might meet with your mentor to develop your learning, return to the health centre to continue some work or develop your independent study in your family homestay. Later on, join other interns and volunteers to go and watch the sunset, go out to a local bar/restaurant or simply spend the evening learning more from your host family.
Still not sure what a hands-on in the Ecuadorian Andes would look like? Speak to our team who will create you a personalised internship plan to give you a glimpse into the future, all free of charge.