What inspired you to work for El Terreno?
I am inspired by the opportunity. I have to meet people from various parts of the world and to be able to show through my experiences and knowledge something that is very meaningful to them.
In my role I am able to learn and improve the skills that I have learned throughout my life as a teacher, traveler, and entrepreneur. My current project allows me to explore areas that are increasingly interesting such as languages ??and development. It requires skills to meet people from other cultures who speak other languages.
Describe a typical day at work.
I first start with a section of reasoning to get into grace and fill myself with positive thoughts about the new day that is about to begin. Then, I look at my to-do list for the day from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. I first organize my list, the online classes, then decide on the breaks I will take and the time I must take for my personal projects.
Why do you do what you do?
I have my own philosophies of life, and I always want to do what are my priorities to ensure my inner balance. I want to be well with myself so that my professional projects are anchored to my personal stability. The projects in which I currently work allow me to develop as a person and a professional, which is something very difficult to find today and not everyone can do it.
Visiting one of the highest points in the world (Chimborazo Volcano).
What is your favorite part of your job?
I like the connection I can make with people and how I can influence their lives so that they can have an enriching experience. The experiences focus on developing a better world, a better community and on development for everyone. It enriches others first with our quality work.
My job allows me to serve and take advantage of that. In every project, I am able to work for the benefit of students, travelers, and people from different cultures.
How do you use your education and international background in your current role?
I am a teacher of language pedagogy, a traveler, and entrepreneur. I have 6 years of experience in marketing and I never stop learning. For this reason, in my current position I can share these experiences with my clients and colleagues in projects in which I can contribute with my experience and talent.
What challenges do you often face and how do you overcome them?
I face challenges as an entrepreneur and creative person. Wanting the common good over some things is something that is difficult to reconcile socially and economically. I am aware, however, that you can not always have projects or vision of social benefit without first thinking about your own benefits.
Carrying out an intercultural activity in Guaranda, Ecuador.
What are some current projects you are working on?
I am currently working on two books that I wrote as a beginner (I am not a writer). I am also working on creating a community interested in linguistic and cultural exchange that will benefit locals and foreigners looking to have an experience in a project or service like the one I offer. I have to learn a lot about writing, editing, digital marketing and more, but it is something I work every day to balance it and bring it forward.
What advice would you tell your pre-travel self?
Never stop learning, educate yourself, and do not believe everything you have ever been told. Research, explore, travel, so that you can learn better. The best is yet to come. You will see. You are not on the wrong path. You will leave a big mark and many will be proud. Be more disciplined, so the talent you have will develop better.
What makes El Terreno special?
To be able to explore different fields that allow me to put into practice several of the skills that I have learned but have not fully put into practice. My current work requires promoting experiences. My clients and I can exchange experiences and knowledge to move projects forward. Finally, the opportunity to work here is special because I am in a multilingual and international community.
Interacting with people in the Ecuadorian andes for an educational research.
Why should someone choose El Terreno over competitors?
We make sure that people gain experiences that allow them to learn about people from other cultures and appreciate the importance of the benefits of serving in multilingual and cultural exchange work. There is something that cannot be bought, like experience and being able to interact with other people in a new language and doing activities of common interest.
What is El Terreno’s mission and how do you continue to work toward it?
The mission is to have a space and provide an experience of language and cultural exchanges for people who want to leave the traditional and help the world. In my current project, I have to learn about how to improve the processes of management and marketing. For that reason we invest in learning about new technologies, working productivity, and how to improve the quality of life of our customers.
What do you hope participants take away from your programs?
Participants get the opportunity to have the experience to get to know another country and to be able to interact/live with people, speak another language, get involved in activities that must be carried out together and in the company of a community. This community is one that supports visitors with kindness. They are people who can be part of the project from anywhere in the world.
Why is it important for people to travel abroad and experience new cultures?
As I said in one of the previous questions, it is important to go out and explore new cultures, languages, and new situations. I always remember that traveling and supporting cultural exchange projects outside of your country is something that will fill you with knowledge.
Additionally, traveling will make your mind grow, you will become more humble and you will understand that there are other ways of living, types of people, customs, and difficulties that will make you value what you have more.
Playing soccer with the children of a community in the Ecuadorian Andes.
What does meaningful travel mean to you?
In my opinion, a meaningful journey is a journey that allows you to grow and realize what life is like outside of what you are used to. It means learning how other people perceive the world and what their needs and problems are. A meaningful journey implies reflecting on what you have and being grateful for what you learn. You are never the same again when your journey is meaningful.
What hopes do you have for the future of international education?
My hopes for international education for the future would be that organizations invest in generating standards that can serve as examples so that places that cannot meet these standards can receive support from organizations that can afford them. This would make it a collaboration effort to serve underserved areas and give them international education.
How is your company handling Covid protocols? What should participants know about your Covid readiness? How are you assisting participants with navigating the new travel landscape?
Protocols are mandatory and they must always be followed in order to carry out the activities without disturbing others. It also protects the integrity of each participant. The protocols that are followed are those that the government has placed and those that align with the needs we have for each project, whether that be in our place or at any event in the community.
