Forestry Internships in Ecuador

I lived in the community Nueve de Junio, Sacha Waysa, for one month. It was such an amazing experience, I got to really connect with the people in my community, learn a lot from their experiences, travel around Napo and meet others, and make a lasting connection with everyone I met. I hope to go back at least one more time in the next year (maybe during the fruit season) because of how close I got with my host family. I learned a lot about the land and Ecuador in general which was great, and Im glad Im still in contact with my hosts because I miss them already.

I stumbled upon this opportunity as I was looking for a placement in completing my masters of social work degree. I’ve always felt strongly connected to indigenous worldviews, and while looking for a field placement that fit my criteria, so many people told me what I wanted was too specific and maybe search for something in a more broader sense. So happy I followed my heart and found this program through Linked In. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the description: “work with natural healers in the Amazon, make plant medicines, volunteer at the natural birthing centre with the Kichwa mamas” I felt so elated. Going through the process was also straightforward and simple. Andy, the founder of the program did an interview with me to make sure I was a fit for this experience and I teared up by the end of it. So much alignment in feeling like I found a likeminded individual who overstand the importance of connecting with the first peoples of these lands and learning from their potent and magical lineage. Also, in a strengths focused, empowered way. Andy has been actively building relationships and a healthy rapport with these communities and the families for over a decade, and actually curated a program that’s immersive and heart centred. I spent 7 weeks in tena during this program, the most transformative 7 weeks of my life. I ALWAYS felt safe, and supported during my stay. I met the most incredible people, and felt apart of this community in so many beautiful ways. I’m excited to bring my loved ones with me and go back for another round in the near future, I think everyone who’s even just a smidge curious about natural medicine should experience this program. You get sooooo much more out of this than what’s inputted in the description. Thank you SO much for all the learning and gifts this opportunity has brought into my life, im a better person for it.

Beyond Travels allowed me to feel comfortable and confident while taking part in a fun, exciting, and powerful cultural immersion experience. I spent my days in the Amazon living and working with farmers tending to their sustainable agroforestry systems. I learned about the ecology of the region, their successful regenerative practices, and also their struggles. I made lasting connections with my host family, as well as other community members and interns I met during my time in Ecuador. Beyond Travels connected me with other communities working on similar projects in regenerative agriculture and tourism, giving me a broader view of what it's like to be a farmer in the Amazon. I also got to take part in unforgettable activities like rafting, hiking, and swimming in my free time, while also exploring the local shops and restaurants along the way. Beyond Travels allowed me to have an unforgettable experience while keeping me in constant connection with multiple guides and mentors so I always felt safe and comfortable. Thanks to them I made so many great connections with the community and I feel like I have a second home in the Amazon!

I cannot recommend this internship highly enough. The host family I stayed with was so welcoming and really made me feel part of the family. Everyone in the community was so knowledgeable and open to teach me as much as possible, from local wildlife to the workings of their Chakras (permacultures). It really opened my eyes to new possibilities for sustainable agriculture, ethical tourism and safeguarding of biodiversity and local culture/knowledge. All the planned days were a lot of fun, from white water rafting to seeing an apiary with stingless bees and vanilla production. Tena is also one of the most special places I have been to, with great food, a fun nightlife, all while being in the Amazon rainforest, with Cafe Tortuga an amazing hub to get to know a vast array of amazing people. Really, this is an experience which is eye-opening, rewarding, and filled with unforgettable experiences.

The program I was enrolled in was unavailable to review on this platform, but I was more focused on learning amazonian arts from the Ecuadorian people. I learned a lot about how to derive materials from plants and the earth, including how to harvest and purify clay, how to make fibers from the pita leaf, and which plants or minerals could be used as natural pigments for dyeing or painting fabric, a painting surface, or skin. I also learned how to make many artesanias with the natural fibers, how to make glasses and bowls from various woods and fruits from the trees, and traditional pottery techniques. I also learned about the natural medicinal properties of many plants, and about more environmental topics. I painted a mural for my community's business and learned about the gastronomy of the area and how the farming influences it as well.

I spent eight unforgettable weeks living with the Yumbo family in the Sacha Waysa community near Cotundo, Ecuador. From the moment I arrived, I was welcomed with open arms and gradually became part of the family. By the end of my stay, we also really became friends. The Yumbo family is part of the sacha waysa community, which is a community that works tirelessly to preserve its culture while sharing it with the world through ecotourism. During my time there, I focused on helping to attract more visitors interested in experiencing the kichua culture and daily life. I really enjoyed contributing to this project, it was meaningful to help support their efforts to sustain both their traditions and their livelihoods. Alongside this work, the Beyond Travels team organized weekly activities that allowed me and the other interns to explore different community-run projects. One of the most memorable experiences was visiting a group of midwives who assist women in giving natural births. They had an entire garden filled with medicinal plants, each with its own purpose and history. Learning about these plants and the traditional knowledge behind them was fascinating. Living and working with the Yumbo family gave me a rare opportunity to fully immerse myself in a different way of life. I gained a deep appreciation for their connection to nature, their strong sense of community, and their dedication to preserving their heritage. Being able to both learn from them and contribute where help was needed created the perfect balance between cultural immersion and meaningful participation.

When I first arrived in tena, I immediately felt so welcomed by Megan, and the 1-1 induction helped me settle in and get familiar with the town, going to the markets and finding my way around which was super helpful! I stayed with Clemente and Alena, who were both so welcoming, and I settled into daily life quickly, helping them in the house, working in their chakra and then working in the nearby town. Their house is in a really beautiful area, when I first arrived I thought that their back garden was the chakra as there were so many beautiful trees and plants around- waking up to the sound of nature was amazing! Whilst I did miss home occasionally over the 7 weeks, the weekly activities with other interns and 1-1s with Megan were great to just have someone to chat with- I also feel like without Megan I wouldn't have got the most out of my stay, knowing what new foods to try, and places to go in my free time was invaluable! Getting to eat soo many new fruits, and things like chontacuro was great, I might not have had the guts to do it without her!! Overall it was a great experience, that weekly activities were fun and I learnt a lot, the family and where I stayed was amazing and I really felt like I was integrating into their life- not just someone on holiday. The people, views and experiences are something I will never forget, I already want to go back <3

Staying with Patricio and Sylvia and being in the Amazon jungle truly changed me. It was a very healing experience and I learned so much about plant medicine and more about what I want to do in life. I left feeling connected to the forest, and very in tune with myself. They have a beautiful mirador where you can see rare birds which was amazing. They are very accommodating, and social! It really felt like a nice family. The program is structure itself is really nice just be prepared to walk a lot and stay hydrated. Megan was great and Andy truly made me feel safe and supported every step of the way. I definitely will be coming back!

During my internship, I worked in the clinic and on a shaman project. I loved working in the clinic. I loved Carmen and Cris — they made my experience. What I'm most proud of is having acclimated to a completely different culture. The most impactful part was my host family. Being the only white person in an entire community was difficult at first — from it I learned that integrating yourself in a new situation just takes time. I think I could have spent more time in the community during the weekends. Looking back, I developed my Spanish speaking abilities, and the idea of adaptability will definitely help me in my future endeavors. Beyond that, I became more culturally aware. I am grateful for all of the wonderful relationships I made while in Ecuador and all of the amazing people I met. I think I am more confident in my abilities and just more outgoing now in general.

I honestly wouldn't know what to improve — I had the best time and would 100% recommend it to others. During my internship, it started with the Ministry of the Environment, which began great. However, at a certain moment I realized that it didn't work out for me personally. Luckily, I was able to shift my focus to the chakra systems and Guayusa! Andy and Mirka were both lovely and super helpful. What I'm most proud of is deepening my understanding of nature and its global, border-transcending impact. The most impactful part was my host family. It was hard to hear of and see so much environmental destruction and social inequalities — it is one thing to learn about it at University, but to witness it can be very hard to process and deal with. So I'd say I learned how to cope with that and channel it into something useful. I think I could have tried to learn Kichwa better, but speaking Spanish for most days was already challenging. Looking back, I improved my Spanish and learned a ton about the complex realities that people face in the region — it also got me to think about ways to alleviate some of the issues, and I was able to practically use the skills I learned at University. If it works out, this program might have given me the inspiration to start my own business! Beyond that, it changed my life and made me affirm the life choices that I have made and the ones that I am about to make. I am immensely grateful for my host family's hospitality and kindness — they took me in and made me feel welcome and happy. I would recommend this to anyone, outside or inside of a university program, who is open to getting to know a culture and themselves on a deeper level.

During my internship, I conducted a study for the GIZ to determine social impacts and barriers for chakra farmers. I am very proud of my final product for the GIZ — getting to do the interviews and having such a hands-on role in the whole project was amazing! The most impactful part was all of the above. The home stay was challenging because I often didn't feel like my family was very welcoming or wanted a volunteer in their household. I think I did learn resiliency from this relationship, as well as gain a better understanding of the struggles my host family was going through. The relationships I made were still ultimately very meaningful to me. I wish that I had taken more advantage of opportunities available and been more assertive, because I do feel like I lost some time my first few weeks. Looking back, I feel more liberated to pursue what I truly want from life and I am also putting less pressure on myself to find a single path to success — there are so many ways to be successful! I believe the program helped me determine what's important to me in my future career, such as having work that I am passionate about but also a work environment that I enjoy. I feel more passionate about food justice and public health for the future. I gained more confidence in my day-to-day life. I'm super grateful for this experience, the connections and friendships I made, and the growth I experienced as a result of pushing myself outside of my comfort zone. I would recommend Beyond Travels to anyone who wants to participate in a unique program with true cultural immersion.

During my internship, I conducted masters research on female corporality and its relation to environment, talking with family, a variety of shamans, Amupakin mamas and more contacts. I also learned procedural skills and taught dance. My host family was absolutely incredible — I 1000000000% recommend them. Always felt safe, was well taken care of, learnt a lot, and lots of fun. Very responsible, incredible food. Timing is not always on the side of an academic who has a time limit — that can pose problems which usually wouldn't be a problem, and it's something I'd plan ahead for next time. The check-ins had good structure, though they could be timed better. What was most impactful was interacting with locals. What I learned from the challenge of timing in the Amazon is that it's not what they verbally say — plan ahead and keep open timing. Beyond that, I developed artesanias, cooking, plant knowledge, survival skills, natural world knowledge, and spiritual and energy level skills. I will carry this experience for my life, both as an academic enhancement and to show the ability to work in different contexts. I felt very comfortable and was inspired every day — I see myself coming back. There's lots of projects happening. It's a great way to get access, be safe, have information and a security net for personal work. I would recommend for students!

The training days, for me, were essential. It was my very first trip alone, so I really appreciated the orientation days in Tena. During my internship, I visited Viktor from Wayta Chocolate, Patricio Andy and his Casa Ingaru, the Ikiam University, Ali Mamallacta and his Chakra, and Amupakin and Pakarina's chakra. I also learned a lot about the cooperation between the University and Indigenous communities and families. Every project was incredibly interesting and unique in its own way — with everybody I learned something different and got another point of view on the things around us. The main project basically was the life at Clemente's and Elena's, where I learned something new every day. I just loved the place and like Clemente's family so much. They really inspired me and I learned more than a lot from them and their way of life. Hopefully I get the chance to visit them soon again. The check-ins were super exciting and a great opportunity to get to the city — they were the guarantee that everything was in order, and on top of that, they were super interesting. So thank you very much for that. What I'm most proud of is clearing a whole area in the Chakra with Clemente one day and producing a ton of wine to sell at the market in Archidona — it was a great day. In the beginning it was some of the foods they eat there, but I realised that almost everything was really good. You have to accept that the time in your family and community will change you as a person, and be ready for this as a process — this really is important for the best time you can have there. If you haven't changed at all, you should rather consider whether you've done everything right. I could have learned even more Spanish and Kichwa and worked a little harder. Next time I would also reduce the contact to Germany a lot more. Looking back, I developed Spanish, working in the field with a machete, cooking, talking to strangers, and many more small things. This experience is definitely going to be part of my bachelors exam — I am also more open to traditional knowledge and have perfected my methods for writing fieldnotes. The things I learned can be used at my home as well, and I also made the decision to come again, even though this was not my idea before I went to Tena and San Luis. I will certainly never forget this time — and I'm sure it won't be my last visit to the Amazon. So thank you very much for everything, and hopefully see you in the future.

During my internship, the main project was just living daily life, getting to know the culture and general way of practicing medicine! I also created a study abroad course for traditional medicine, put together an orientation for new volunteers at Amupakin, and created a Go Get Funding page for Amupakin. I appreciated the check-ins — I feel like they always came at the right time when I needed them the most to stay on track. What I learned most was to adapt to the culture and go with the flow! The most impactful part was all of the above. Having to wait around for buses all the time was a challenge, but I chose to use that lag time to practice reading out loud in Spanish from my book — this ended up being one of my most valuable Spanish-learning tools. Having more confidence that I could indeed do more than I thought is something I wish I had leaned into earlier. Looking back, I developed knowledge of traditional medicine, an understanding of global midwifery practices, the ability to maintain a conversation in Spanish, and an understanding of the dynamic of indigenous cultures and Westernization. I feel extremely benefited by my enhanced perspective of medical practices worldwide, along with the interplay of traditional forms of medicine and biomedicine. The experience definitely made me realize how much I love more traditional, organic forms of practicing medicine, and I don't think I fit into more stressful, systematic medical environments. The Amupakin mamas showed me how valuable and honorable it is to be a mother and raise a family — it was encouraging to see that role truly respected. I have learned a lot about balancing an activity-based mindset with a socially based mindset, and also understanding that as long as one maintains the proper focus, whatever work that needs to be completed will be completed. Tranquila. I'm just super grateful to Beyond Travels for helping me to fulfill my longstanding dream of immersion in another culture, learning indigenous medicine! Thank you for connecting me with the Kichwa people and giving me the chance to learn from people full of knowledge to share!

During my internship, I worked in a health clinic assisting staff, mostly nurses, as well as doing medical brigades and vaccination campaigns — really good experience and I would recommend it to anyone else who is pursuing a health career. The communication was very open and I knew I could ask for help whenever I needed it. I was impressed with how nice of a house I was placed in. What I'm most proud of is being able to handle prepping patients by myself on one of the busiest days. The most impactful part was all of the above. Learning Spanish taught me not to be afraid of making mistakes and giving it my all. Looking back, I wish I had spent more time with my family. Beyond that, I gained confidence in all aspects of my life that will help me to pursue my career more head strong. This experience also helped me realize what values I hold and how much they really mean to me — these values will help guide me through my next chapter in my life. This is the first time I've truly felt confident and proud of myself and it has made me less afraid of the future. I'm just so thankful for all the inspiring people I met throughout this experience.

During my internship, my main project was teaching English in 5 de Octubre — three hour-long classes twice a week for about six weeks. In my community, I spent a lot of time taking care of the big vegetable garden, and I also helped out with the tourism business in my community, whether that was cooking, translating, or helping them with money stuff. I really liked the 1:1s I had with Mika — I always left our conversations feeling good about what I had done and inspired for the future. Once we started, I could see a change in the way I approached my internship — with more focus, purpose, and confidence! I loved every single minute I spent in 9 de Junio and would not have changed anything about my time there. The people are so kind and friendly and welcoming. What I'm most proud of is the relationships that I built with everyone in my community — it was one of my goals to get to know everyone in 9 de Junio and I feel like I both met and exceeded that goal. I was proud of how openly I trusted and shared about myself in order to build trust, and then how people reciprocated that by telling me about their lives, inviting me to come live with them or go visit their family. When I left, I truly felt like I was leaving a second family. The most impactful part was my host family. While living with a host family, I found the lack of personal space challenging at times — I learned to keep my things very tidy and to take intentional time out of my day or week to be by myself to recharge and then return home at my best energy. I was really proud of how my Spanish improved, and I also think I practiced and learned a lot about self-accountability and taking initiative. From my experience in my Kichwa community, I learned a lot of spiritual practices about the earth, the jungle and our world that I want to take with me into my personal life. I am most grateful for having gotten to know my community — I am so grateful for the way they opened their homes and their arms to me, and for all the laughter and fun times we shared, but also for the way they opened up to me about their lives and their challenges. I had a lot of personal transformations about the way I view the world and my place and responsibility in it. I think this is a super program, especially for gap year students — it was the perfect combination between support and freedom, and I think the freedom also pushed me to grow more than I would have in a structured program, all while knowing that if I ever needed anything, you both were right there to help me.

During my internship, I did translation of documents, marketing, and web design. When I did check in with Mika they were always awesome — I didn't do it near enough as I was so busy, but it was great to get reconnected when I did. I loved my family and am still in contact with them to this day. What I'm most proud of is being grateful to have helped Winak with their website and Guayusa manual. The most impactful part was my host family. The drunk community members were really difficult at first, but I learned so much about how to handle it and remain safe. Looking back, I developed Spanish and critical thinking skills. I am now thinking of how to create a business to employ Kichwa women for an artisan social enterprise of my own. Beyond that, it literally changed how I live, what I eat, how I think. I am so grateful for my host family that supported me and cared for me so well. I developed a love for Spanish, indigenous people, and social enterprise. I would recommend anyone to Beyond Travels in a heartbeat. Love Ecuador and can not wait to come back.

During my internship, I worked on a nutrition plan with Nick — we were putting together a packet on information about fruits from the Amazon. Stephanie is the reason I survived. She is strong and kind and empathetic and always willing to listen and help in any way she can. What I'm most proud of is going out of my comfort zone. Communicating was a challenge, and I learned that if you're nice and you try, most people respond well. I wish I had studied more Spanish. Looking back, I developed Spanish and patience. The experience and patience I gained will help me in leadership roles and in the medical field in the future. Beyond that, it showed me a lot of things that I don't want to do with my future, which is helpful. I am grateful for all the other interns who made the experience so amazing. I would recommend it — just make sure people know that things change so rapidly that you don't really know what you're going to get.

During the program, I focused on recording medicinal plant species and their traditional uses at Amupakin. The end result was adding signs to their Chakra to support the ecotourism component in communicating their wisdom across the barriers of language. This project helped me crystallize the next phases of other work I am currently pursuing — it was an incredibly valuable experience for my path. I love Elena and Clemente so deeply, they are amazing hosts and incredible chefs! There were moments of really intense confrontation of alcoholism in the community which were difficult to observe and be exposed to, but ultimately it gave me a more panoramic perspective of the challenges going on in Kichwa culture, and I am grateful to have a very real, unromanticized view of Indigenous peoples of the region. For me the check-ins felt very necessary being alone in the program — they gave me an opportunity to reflect and process my experiences. What I am most proud of is connecting deeply with all who surrounded me regardless of language barriers. It was hard not feeling fully comfortable at Clemente's after some very strange and invasive questions and conversations with other family members, but I am grateful to have had two host families — it actually made the experience better. I would have liked to hold a Conversatorio and share my ideas around herbalism more formally. Looking back, I expanded my view of traditional medicine, the process of recording ancestral knowledge, and also increased my Spanish. I am currently applying for a Fulbright to do something similar in another Indigenous community in Costa Rica, and the on-ground experience I received in this program has helped me frame a solid grant proposal and gives me real experience to draw upon going forward. I better understand the challenges rural Indigenous communities face and will be integrating that into my work in International development and ancestral herbalism. I see myself gathering so much knowledge from around the world to synthesize and gift back to all communities in support of an ancient future — a future that amplifies marginalized voices, centers the Earth, and values the traditions of our ancestry. What I am most grateful for is the love I feel from and for the land of the Amazon. I have a lot of people in my circle who could benefit from this program and will surely pass it on.

During my internship, we were able to talk to so many people and visit very special places. We spoke to infectiologists in Tena Hospital and a third-line hospital in Quito, visited urban and rural health centers where doctors and nurses showed us around and spoke about their experiences with TB care, made home visits to TB patients together with nurses and community health workers where we heard impressive stories and saw distressing situations, visited the prison in Archidona and received information from the medical team about their screening programme, met with the district office for TB control, visited the National TB Programme in Quito, and — since traditional Amazonian medicine is a very important part of health care for many people in the Amazon — it was also great to be able to visit chakras with medicinal plants and speak to shamans about their work and views on TB care. Through all these visits and conversations we were able to get an idea of all the possibilities in Ecuador regarding TB care and control. The weeks in Tena and around were amazing — we got a complete overview of TB care and all stakeholders involved. So much is being done comparably to how we work in Amsterdam, and on the other hand there are so many struggles for doctors, nurses and patients. At times it was heart-breaking. The visit to the Ministry in Quito added so much and placed it in a broader light. And we also had a great time personally — we met wonderful people that made our internship very worthwhile and even became friends. Tena and the surrounding area is stunning; it was a privilege to be there. I am not proud — just very grateful for this opportunity. The major challenge was visiting very poor people who were hit hard by tuberculosis or other diseases and not being able to be of real help for them. My Spanish improved quickly. This experience showed me tuberculosis care and control in a global perspective, and Tena, Ecuador is in my heart. I am grateful for the whole programme, the welcoming people, and the friends we made. A great thank you to Andy Gavilanes for organizing this wonderful trip, for being there for us to adjust the schedule to changing insights, and for helping out with translations. I think for people in a public health related field this area offers so much — there is a lot to see and learn in a friendly, safe, and beautiful area.