Social Work Internships in Quito

Having studied in Madrid the previous semester I really wanted to come back and have a different type of work experience during the summer. I enjoyed the laid back environment of my internship with Fundación Tríangulo yet I gained valuable insight about public health and sexual health in Spain, among many other skills which will benefit my future career/studies. I did enjoy the centrality of our apartment but it was quite small, I know this is normal for Madrid, but I we did not exactly have private living spaces. I really love Madrid and the availability of outdoor activities, shopping, diverse food choices, the kind people, nightlife, and much more. It will stay in my heart forever, the memories, friends, education and work experience, and I hope to return soon.

Professionally, I was hoping to receive more opportunity for career development in the area of public health investigations or to really be able to delve deep and learn more about a health topic. While I developed great personal relationships and was able to help out, the placement in the hospital wasn’t really the right place for learning what I had originally wanted to.

My experience with World Endeavors was mostly positive. As far as the communication between me and my advisors, and the willingness to help, it was very positive. However I think Covid and the circumstances it created caused me to be a little dissatisfied with some aspects of my trip. In the end I did enjoy moments at Rio Muchacho and the people I got to meet, however I did not enjoy the "volunteering" aspect and work we were expected to do on the farm, not because it was farming but mostly with how it was run. It felt disorganized at times, and the morale between me and the other volunteers was very low or dismal sometimes. I did not like how the person in charge would impose his stresses regarding the farm or other visitors coming on the volunteers. Also I think World Endeavors could do better by updating the information they have on Rio Muchacho, and being more explicit about what the place does and does not offer, especially due to the earthquake and covid which has significantly impacted the experience at Rio Muchacho. I do not feel like I got full value of what I paid for the trip. The amenities and lodging Rio Muchacho provides for the volunteers was not the best to me, especially compared to the host family I stayed with in Quito. In all though I am very grateful to World Endeavors and the advisors/ coordinators and their ability and willingness to help me navigate my time and experience in Ecuador, and not feel as alone.

Besides a few bumps in the road due to unavoidable circumstances in Ecuador (nationwide protests), I was able to complete my internship requirements, and majorly improve my Spanish which were two goals of mine. I believe this internship set me up for future success, and it was a major personal growth opportunity for me. One suggestion I have is for the program placement coordinators to be more aware of what is and isn’t safe for foreign volunteers. For example, the doctor at the clinic often told me a time to start and often times when I would arrive even a few minutes late, no one was at the clinic to let me in. I understand cultural differences on time. My biggest problem was that when I arrived I was not able to enter the clinic if no one was there. The clinic was in a more dangerous part of Quito, and then I was left to stand in the street to decide what to do. One time I waited almost an hour for the secretary to arrive. I just suggest that maybe local directors are reminded that things that may not be an issue for them can often put volunteers in a vulnerable position. Other than that, everything was great. An amazing opportunity of growth, learning, adventure, and so much more!

I'm so thankful for Kaya Responsible Travel. At the end of my college experience, I desperately wanted to go abroad and experience living in another culture both in a meaningful way for me and in an impactful way for the community. I also didn't have much money. I gravitated toward Kaya right away for their cost-efficient programs as well as their commitment to traveling responsibly (as is in their name). Kaya was very personable from the start, my advisor listened to my wishes and concerns and helped me choose a program based my interests and skillsets. It was clear that my advisor was not rushing me to sign up, but wanted to find a program that fit my needs as well as find a program who would benefit most from having me as a volunteer. My internship on Social Justice in Ecuador was more amazing than I could have imagined. The program head in Ecuador was thorough in the orientation, excited to get to know the volunteers and interns, and ready to provide assistance in any way. She explained how the money from our tuition and tourism was circulating in the local community and the importance of responsible travel. I lived with a wonderful host family and felt equally supported at my internship. My internship was assisting a local, LGBTQ+ NGO on administration and events planning and implantation. My supervisor was excited to have me and interested in any input I had. In my free time, I did lots of hiking. The program head helped answer any questions about the logistics of traveling throughout the country, which favorite places to go to, and gave suggestions on tour guides to hire. I'd highly recommend this program for anyone looking for a high-impact internship program with great in-country support.

It started with a Google search. I tried to look for ways to travel despite the pandemic. I am bored to death at home. I searched available internships on Google, and tadah the Institute for Global Studies came up. I was very hesitant at first, but the video call with Dr. Adams made me trust the organization. He assured me everything will be safe and sound. Fast forward, 1 week after my internship in Hawaii. I so missed the people there, the people I bonded the most, the children whom I taught English, and the IGS mentors I gained along the way. Glad that I did that Google search!

As an Education Major, I know that the childhood phase and early youth phase are crucial stages in one's life. That's the precise reason why I chose this internship. Here, I was given the chance to work with children abandoned by parents and committed some juvenile crimes. We created teaching lessons for them and spearheaded class discussions. What melted my heart is that they are really actively participating and very much enthusiastic as they listen. I wish I could extend my trip, but I had to go home because of personal matters. I'll be back I promise!

I became a youth mentor in Bangkok and all I can say is Thailand is really beautiful. More than the postcards and the YouTube videos that I watch, it is intensely more beautiful in person. We toured Bangkok during weekend trips - me and my co-interns. They are nice people and fun to be with at the same time. Among all the places we visited, mI can't forget The Grand Palace and the floating market. There are still so many tourists!

Children and women are being exposed to so many risks, like emotional, psychological, sexual, and physical abuses. While society are doing its best to address these issues, there are still a handful of cases left unheard and unresolved. In my internship, I was tasked to answer hotline calls from abused women and children, interact in their therapy sessions, and even organize parties for the children in the shelter. These kids are so adorable and I could not bear the fact that some people are finding it easy to resent them. At the outset, before we started our internships, we are trained by licensed guidance counselors and psychologists and told us what to and not to do. I learned a lot.

Indeed, domestic violence poses serious threats to women and their children. I have witnessed it first hand in my own home, and I regret every second of it. When I was presented with the chance to work with women and children in their care shelters, I was ecstatic. Even told it to my mom and she was very supportive. Internships like these are rare, and being chosen as an intern here is an honor for me. Happy to do it with IGS! :)

As a policy student, I really am very interested with this internship. When my classmate told me her experience with IGS, I did not hesitate and applied. Good thing, IGS's courses are available the whole year, so I was able to find an internship suitable to my needs and preferences. I got to experience 3 weeks of fulfilling and rewarding internship, and actually make a difference on others' lives.

Weekends in Ecuador are awesome. We visited the Galápagos Islands, Quito: Ecuador's Historic Andean Capital, Cotopaxi and Cajas National Parks, and the Hot Springs of Baños. My internship in Digital Marketing also opened doors for me in knowing more about Google Ads and Search Engine Optimization. I'm planning to build a career on that.

I only joined my friends in having an internship in Ecuador. I'm actually glad that I did it though. beautiful places and people. we get to work with diff people in their IT industry and they're good at their jobs. very dedicated too. they gave me a glowing letter of recommendation after the internship and I knew it'll help me very very soon

My main work in Ecuador is teaching students Spanish and English. It was a fruitful experience. My fellow interns are very happy people and I source my inspiration and strength from them. Ecuador's climate is just okay, not too hot, not too dry. I like that people are welcoming too. Mil gracias, IGS!

I love that we maintain a flexible work schedule and are given the opportunities to take on job responsibilities outside of our job description. My cooking skills are put to good use when we cooked for the children and facilitated a “tutoring and feeding program” for them. I am glad that my years of cooking experience did not fail me and managed to help me in these times. IGS stayed true to its brand that “Meaningful travel starts here”!

The educational facility to which we were assigned to, treated us like their own employed teachers. They asked us about our opinions and original ideas on how to best help the children. It was particularly helpful for me as a future educator, because my critical thinking skills are tested. I also discovered the art of communicating with people of different cultures, since my fellow interns are from different continents and from all walks of life.

What I enjoyed the most during my internship was when I helped plan the children’s field trip in the home of their national hero. We supervised the children on the excursions and made sure that they learn about the hero’s brave acts and heroic life. In the process, I also learned how to be more patient with kids and the importance of “buddy system” for kids not to be lost. It was very challenging but I really really enjoyed spending time with these cute kids.

During my internship with IGS, I was assigned to create reading programs and scripts that are tailored to the needs of the children. My grandmom used to tell me a short story about three ducks, and I used that as main characters in my scripts. The kids loved it! It feels like home away from home. I cannot wait to tell my other co-teachers about this program. I am sure they’ll love it as much as I did.

As a Family Life and Child Development Major, this internship made us involved in traditional day-care settings, educating and taking care of cute children ages three to six. We facilitate all aspects of the students’ day and act as their second moms. I was attached to one of the students, named Katy, and she was even crying when we have to leave. After the IGS internship, Katy’s mom and I became friends on social media and Katy and I usually do videochats once a week. What a charming kid!

On my first day in Sydney I was wandering around what was soon to become my neighborhood. After a few days, my roommates and I talked about the range of architecture and culture the city seemed to capture. The definition of a melting pot: home to a large Asian population, European, and some Americans. The food, the buildings, the languages are all a mix. What really struck me in my time there was the plight of the Aboriginal people. The drastic loss of these people and their culture is what has inspired me to learn some of the real history of the area. In a recent trip to the Blue Mountains we spoke to an Aboriginal briefly and observed traditional Dreamtime dances and rituals. There are so many things to appreciate about the land, and that goes hand in hand with appreciating the culture and survival of the Aboriginal peoples. At Grotto Point, I viewed cave art made 40,000 years ago. The engravings are not colorful and loud artwork, but rather very simple marks that almost felt like evidence. They are outlined symbols of fish, water, and land. I am so lucky I stumbled on to this native history during my short time here.