Architecture & Sustainable Construction Internship

location
4 - 24 weeks  ·  Alder 18 - 50+

rating  Outstanding 4.9  · 
  Verificeret af Volunteer World
  Excellent Svarrate

Højdepunkter

  • Design & deliver a unique internship based on your career aspirations and local needs, supported by an experienced international team
  • Make a meaningful difference to low-income populations who lack the education, support and resources to make the changes themselves
  • Advance your career, develop your skills and improve your resume through a hands-on project, with 1:1 mentoring from a professional in the field
  • Immerse yourself in another culture and experience a different way of life through family homestays, cultural activities and life in a small rural community
  • Set off on adventures and make one in a lifetime memories with other interns/volunteers - climb mountains, hike through in the jungle and explore indigenous communities


Særligt velegnet til

Alder 18+
Singler
Par
Familier
Grupper
50+

Om programmet

A hands-on, personalised internship helping local families restore cultural heritage & generate incomes, by transforming abandoned adobe buildings into attractive cabins

THE REGION

El Terreno is nestled on a hillside in Bolívar province, just outside the charming colonial town of Guaranda in central Ecuador. Surrounded by traditional farmland and indigenous communities, it offers stunning views of the majestic Chimborazo Volcano, the closest point on Earth to the ...

Om programmet

THE REGION

El Terreno is nestled on a hillside in Bolívar province, just outside the charming colonial town of Guaranda in central Ecuador. Surrounded by traditional farmland and indigenous communities, it offers stunning views of the majestic Chimborazo Volcano, the closest point on Earth to the sun. 

However, due to multiple challenges related to health, organisation, infrastructure, ecology, education, economy and equality - many (if not most) young people are migrating to the cities and abroad in search of a better life. Through the use of cultural exchange and social innovation, we are working with low-income communities to transform them into vibrant, prosperous and sustainable places to live.

THE PROBLEM

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.

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.

A PERSONALISED PROGRAMME

Now more than ever, employers are looking for a candidates with real-world experiences and strong references that an internship provides. That's why we will work with you to co-create a hands-on internship that matches your unique passions with local community's needs. You will receive a professional mentor throughout your internship and we arrange frequent site visits to other projects to expand your learning. 

We want your internship to be an unforgettable experience where you make an impact, and something that will give you a head start when applying for the job of your dreams!

¿LOOKING FOR A DEEPER EXPERIENCE? 

If you're excited about this internship but want to dive even deeper into sustainable architecture and make a lasting impact, we also offer a comprehensive 12-week cohort program in summer 2025.This extended opportunity includes all the hands-on experience and cultural immersion of our shorter program, plus additional benefits like 4x the amount of mentoring, weekly Spanish classes, Design Thinking & personal development workshops, and several site visits to sustainable building projects, all alongside a group of your peers passionate about revitalising vernacular architecture. It's perfect for those looking to fully immerse themselves in the challenges and rewards of architectural conservation in the Ecuadorian Andes.

¡FIND OUT MORE!

¿Interested in developing your career while making a meaningful impact in low-income communities? Schedule your free discovery call to begin co-creating your personalised internship in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes.



Typisk dag

TYPICAL WORKDAY OUTLINE (Mon-Thu)

Daily Activities

  • 8am: Warm up & check-in with other interns & volunteers
  • 8.30am: Project activities with support from a professional mentor
  • 12.30pm: Cooked lunch with other interns & volunteers
  • 2pm: Programmed afternoon activities, independent working or head for a ...

Typisk dag

TYPICAL WORKDAY OUTLINE (Mon-Thu)

Daily Activities

  • 8am: Warm up & check-in with other interns & volunteers
  • 8.30am: Project activities with support from a professional mentor
  • 12.30pm: Cooked lunch with other interns & volunteers
  • 2pm: Programmed afternoon activities, independent working or head for a walk/into Guaranda
Weekly Activities

  • Mon 2pm: Casa comunal cleaning
  • Tue & Thu 3pm: English classes Atandahua (optional)
  • Tue & Thu 4pm: Spanish classes for interns/volunteers (optional)
  • Fri: Local Site Visits (optional)
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 to the casa comunal, stopping to say hello to the friendly neighbours in the community as they take their cows to pasture. Before you get into the day's activities, join the community of international interns and volunteers in a daily warm up and check in in the sunshine.

Spend your working day working alongside welcoming community members, learning from your professional mentor and collaborating with other passionate interns. Working with your head, heart and hands, enrich yourself with a mixture of intelectual, social and practical work. Share a heart lunch alongside the team from around the world, sharing stories and learning about the different cultures. In the afternoons and evenings, continue to work independently on your project, join in with the other engaging activities on offer, head out for a walk in nature or travel into Guaranda to one of the cafe's or restaurants.

Fritidsaktiviteter

FREE TIME ACTIVITIES

With your time off, you can take a walk around any of the beautiful local trails around the communities, down to the river or jump in a taxi to savour the spectacular could-covered sunset. There are regular buses into town if you would like to go shopping, try the local food or ...

Fritidsaktiviteter

FREE TIME ACTIVITIES

With your time off, you can take a walk around any of the beautiful local trails around the communities, down to the river or jump in a taxi to savour the spectacular could-covered sunset. There are regular buses into town if you would like to go shopping, try the local food or learn about Guaranda’s Carnaval - the most infamous in the country.

For a day’s outing, don’t miss hiking up to Chimborazo’s refuge and enjoying a hot chocolate at over 5,000m above sea level. Alternatively, take a tour around the salt mines and micro-businesses of the nationally renowned village of Salinas de Guaranda. If you prefer warmer climates, within an hour you can drop down to sea level and go hiking in protected virgin forests in the search of pristine rivers, tropical birds and immense waterfalls. Bolívar really has it all (minus the tourist traps!).

CLIMATE

We are at almost 3,000m (10,000ft) above sea level and the average temperature is 13°C (55°F). Below is a list of typical weather patterns throughout the year, though climate change is definitely throwing these off, so be ready for anything!

  • Summer (Jun - Sep, around Christmas): hot sunny days (leading to water shortages), colder cloudless nights and often a strong wind
  • Winter (Feb - Apr): Often dry mornings and heavy rain in the afternoon. Less day/night temperature change and no wind.
  • Spring/Autumn (May, Oct - Jan): Somewhere between summer and winter!

Due to the high altitude, the sun feels cooler but will burn you more easily - so be prepared with a hat and sun screen. The temperature is cool at night and Ecuadorian houses have no insulation/central heating, we have blankets and hot water bottles to help keep you cosy. Fortunately there are no mosquitos at this elevation!


Krav

Krav

Minimumsalder: 18 år

For at kunne deltage i programmet skal du være mindst 18 år gammel på programmets startdato. Der kan være undtagelser, hvis du kan give tilladelse fra din(e) værge(r), eller hvis du ledsages af dine forældre.

Sprogfærdigheder

Du skal kunne tale Spansk (basic level) eller Engelsk (basic level)

Uddannelseskrav

Architecture, Construction, på University niveau

Nationalitetsrestriktioner

Ingen begrænsninger. Hjælpende hænder fra hele verden er velkomne.

Andre færdigheder

Our internships are best suited for pro-active, solution-focussed people who have a genuine desire to understand and meet the needs of rural communities. Strong people skills, independent working and a level of Spanish fluency is also required to make the most of your experience.

Tidsforpligtelse

Der er brug for din hjælpende hånd Mandag, Tirsdag, Onsdag og Torsdag fra 08:00 - 16:00

Hvad er inkluderet

Hvad er inkluderet

Tjenester af El Terreno

What's Included Before you Come:

  • Free Internship Discovery Call
  • Free Personalised Internship Plan
  • Support for Education Provider, Funding or Credits
  • Pre-Arrival Internship Planning
  • Support with Travel Logistics

What's Included During Your Stay:

  • Accommodation in Shared Dormitory
  • Cooked Lunches Monday-Friday
  • Weekly Session with a Professional Mentor
  • 24/7 In-Person Internship Coordination
  • Internship Activities Budget
  • Land and Facilities for Pilot Projects
  • Free-Time Activity Recommendations​
  • Certificate of Completion
  • Written Personal Reference
Optional Extras:

  • Private Room in Family Homestay
  • Airport Transfer
  • Spanish Lessons (before or during)
  • Additional Mentoring
What's Not Included:

  • Flights, visas, vaccines or any other expenses to reach us
  • Travel, health and work insurance
  • Other meals
  • Leisure time activities
  • Spending money

Indkvartering

You have two options of where you can stay:

Quilico:
Quilico is a shared communal space, with dormitories and living spaces. If you stay in Quilico, you will sleep in a shared dormitory with 4 beds. Living here is the best way to socialise with other volunteers, however it lacks privacy and services such as a washing machine. You will have access to a communal kitchen furnished with a cooker, fridge, microwave, and coffee maker. Personal storage space is provided for your food items. There are shared bathrooms and shower stalls, with hot water, and a hand-washing station for laundry. 

Family Homestay:
If you would prefer to practice your Spanish, get to know the local culture and enjoy a little privacy, a family homestay is also an option (subject to availability). Rooms may be humble, in keeping with the lifestyle that people live here. However, all will include a private room, hot shower, shared kitchen, WiFi and a washing station (either by hand or machine). You will also have full access to the kitchen, bathroom, living areas and WiFi of Quilico (volunteer dormitory accommodation), only a few minutes walk away.

Mad og drikkevarer

We provide a cooked lunch Monday to Friday at Quilico, cooked by our volunteers. We can accommodate most dietary requirements. 

The remainder of your food you must cook yourself. There are basic shops in the village and nearby town (10mins bus/30 minutes walk) or supermarkets in Guaranda (30 minutes bus)

Internetadgang

God adgang til projektområdet

Hvad er IKKE inkluderet?

Hvad er IKKE inkluderet?

Afhentning i lufthavnen i Mariscal Sucre International Airport

Afhentning i lufthavnen er heller ikke inkluderet i programgebyret.

Flybilletter

Den nærmeste lufthavn er Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) i Quito. Vi hjælper dig med at finde billige flybilletter til Ecuador. FINDE BILLIGE FLYBILLETTER

Rejseforsikring

At rejse til udlandet er et eventyr, og det er altid bedst at være forberedt. Pludselig sygdom eller skade, aflysning eller tyveri - en rejseforsikring til Ecuador giver sikkerhed og er en fordel at have. FÅ ET TILBUD

Vacciner

Hvis du har til hensigt at blive frivillig i Ecuador, bør du søge lægehjælp, før du begynder din sociale rejse. Tjek dine krævede vaccinationer for Ecuador. VACCINE CHECKER

Oplysninger ved ankomst

START DATES
We receive interns year-round for internships anywhere between 4 to 24 weeks. We welcome new arrivals on a Sunday for a full orientation the following morning, before beginning with your internship.

ARRIVAL DETAILS
Guaranda is located in the centre of Ecuador, 4-5 hours by bus from Ecuador's two largest cities of Guayaquil and Quito. Public transport is cheap and generally safe, though private transfers are also available. We are located 20mins ($4/5) by taxi from Guaranda.
Tilgængelighed
Jan. Febr. Marts April Maj Jun Jul Aug. Sept. Okt. Nov. Dec.

Programgebyrer

4 uger (min. ophold) 636€
6 uger 954€
8 uger 1.272€
10 uger 1.591€
12 uger 1.909€
24 uger (max. ophold) 3.817€
Gennemsnitligt gebyr 159€/uge

Programgebyrer

159€ pr. uge 4 - 24 weeks Alder 18 - 50+

Betalingsmetoder

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

INGEN KREDITKORTGEBYRER


Duration

4 - 24 weeks

Deposit

Depositummet er blot for at reservere din plads som frivillig. Betalinger håndteres af PayPal, vores betroede globale betalingsudbyder. Hvis du ikke har en PayPal-konto, kan du også betale med et kreditkort.


Final Payment

Din endelige betaling vil blive aftalt med El Terreno under ansøgningsprocessen. Almindelige løsninger er enten via bankoverførsel eller kontant betaling på projektstedet.


Mød din vært

El Terreno

Outstanding 4.9 rating (34 feltrapporter)

Agentur - grundlagt i 2021

Verificeret af Volunteer World

  Excellent Svarrate

Vært er

Joshua

Spoken languages: Engelsk, Spansk

Om projektet

Cultural Exchange Centre in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes. Our internships help you develop skills, make a difference to low-income communities, and travel the world.

Mød din vært

Nestled within the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes, El Terreno is encompassed by picturesque valleys, the warmth of its people, and the richness of culture. Since 2021, El Terreno has been building a dynamic cultural exchange centre, uniting global citizens and local communities in a shared mission to foster a more meaningful, prosperous, and regenerative world. 

We are Joshua (UK), Karina (Quito, Ecuador) and our toddler son, Liam. We have a strong passion for positive change and years of experience in social development, volunteer coordination and sustainable tourism. We chose to dedicate our lives to Atandahua due to it's amazing landscapes and people, but it's also a place with a lot of need:

  • 40% poverty
  • 48% child malnutrition
  • 75% children don't go to high school
  • 26% teenage pregnancy rate
  • >5% indigenous children speak the native language
  • 3-4 months of water shortages per year
  • 95% local forests destroyed

With your help, we're working to regenerate local ecosystems, build pride in indigenous culture, provide dignified employment opportunities, offer a wide variety of unique eco & community tourism experiences, and ensure interns like you learn valuable skills, meet extraordinary people and leave with unforgettable memories.

34 feltrapporter · rating4.9

Meaningful opportunity and amazing experience. Overall, I'm very grateful for my time in El Terrano. The program worked closely with the community, allowing you to really experience Ecuador and the local culture. It's clear that the program is aimed to give back to the community and help to improve ...
I really liked the mix of languages, cultural knowledge but also the constant help from Joshua from administration questions to more specific topics as cultures, architecture (in my case), history or local politics. I felt like I could ask whatever question I had and always got the help I needed ...
Time spent in El Terreno has been amazing, it feels like a second home. This experience allowed me to better know a completely different way of living, a slow, easy, and sustainable life, which I have taken back home with me for sure. Discovering a unique culture and so many beautiful people, ...
Over the summer I spent 10 weeks in Ecuador, immersing myself within the vibrant culture and appreciating the magnificently distinct way of life. The time I spent in the modest village of Atandahua was incredible, everything from the landscapes, food, fashion, architecture and traditions were all so ...
I'm so thankful for my time at El Terreno! I spent my time there as an architecture intern and got to do a very large variety of things, like different scales of designing, planning as well as working hands on with construction. El Terreno is a place where there's always new things to do and new ...
You can feel that this Project comes from the heart and that the main motivation is improving the quality of live for the local community. The love and energy that Joshua and Karina put into the work is omnipresent and create a wonderful atmosphere. I was nervous to spend such a long time away from ...

Placering

Amerika > Sydamerika > Ecuador > Guaranda

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