Beyond Travels

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 Amazon Learning 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 Amazon Learning 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!

During my internship, I worked in the Red Cross lab, worked as an assistant to the paramedics, and worked with Sumak Kawsay Wasi with the physical therapists going out into communities to help the disabled people who cannot travel to Tena. The 1:1 check-ins were one of my favorite parts of the program — when I was having a hard time with something, the check-ins always made me feel better and gave me a better attitude for moving forward. I was living with the Andy Grefa family in Muyuna. Overall, I wouldn't have traded my host family for another experience because we got really close and they think of me as another daughter and I think of them as a family in Ecuador. I really liked how orientation was intimate and very informative — it made me think deep and I learned a lot before starting the actual internship. What I'm most proud of is using my communication skills to become part of the community and make friends here. I didn't come with a friend — I made all these connections on my own, and I'm proud of myself to think that wherever I go in the world, I can use these skills to integrate into the community. The most impactful part was all of the above. Being the first intern with my host family, I learned that communication is key — after really convincing myself that the only way to feel better was to communicate with them, things started to change for the better and I felt more at ease. During this experience I learned a lot about the importance of needs assessment and first studying a place and the people before trying to get involved — being more educated before diving into a project will only help eliminate obstacles and problems before they happen. My experience with Amazon Learning sparked an interest to work with communities in a healthcare capacity, and although I'm still unsure of how, it made me want to continue to travel and work in the healthcare field. I am grateful for the opportunity I was given to see a part of the world much different than what I have seen before and to have spent four months challenging myself and growing as a result of my efforts and the efforts of others. I learned what is important to me in life — experiences and getting to learn from others is more important to me than material things. I think Amazon Learning facilitates an experience that will change someone's perspective on life and will teach them something about themselves and about other people.

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 Amazon Learning 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 Amazon Learning in a heartbeat. Love Ecuador and can not wait to come back.

During my internship, I worked with women's health, pre/postnatals, birth attendance, working in the chacra, and community visits. The rhythm, the connection, the care was so loving and welcoming with open arms — I loved it so much. The weekend activities, Amupakin, the culture, the connections — all of it felt so tailored to me and I am so grateful. Megan was awesome — attentive, available, reliable with responses and check-ins. What I'm most proud of is that I gave myself to the people, the land, the experiences. Part of my intention for coming was to give back to those holding and sharing knowledge and be in service — I now see it as the attunement, attention, excitement to learn and fall in love with their visions, gifts and culture, along with creating meaningful connections without words or conversation requiring other ways. Physical discomfort — the heat, the bug bites, not feeling 100% great all the time — was the challenge. I learned to surrender to it and allow it to exist alongside everything instead of becoming a focal point. I learned Spanish before coming — that's what I could have done better! Looking back, I deepened my trust in plant medicine and in my own intuition. Not speaking the language offered a very cool opportunity to learn a different way outside the mind — I found a pathway of observation, intuition, and employing other less-used senses, and allowed answers to find me. These skills may be more important in this type of work. This experience anchored things for me — my love and service to plants and women. It brought to life things I have learned and been taught through theory and has inspired more expression from a place of deeper relationship with birth, plants, the land, and the teachers. It helped me define a clearer sense of my gifts, passions, and what is just creating distractions. Beyond that, I now have an embodied sense and knowing of matriarchal and women-led community — and this experience developed a stronger sense of self-trust and confidence. The relationships that have been developed, nurtured, and cared for — that allow for such an expansive and rich experience — are what I am most grateful for. And sooooo grateful to have been able to go to Momma Adela's home to hug her goodbye. It would have felt incomplete without that. Life changing if one lets it.

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.

During my internship, I worked with the Ministry of Environment to write a story about the history of Santa Rita, and I accompanied my supervisor for her daily activities, including tour guide. They were incredible — 10000/10. Stephanie was awesome! She helped me with any struggles I faced and was there with a tremendous amount of support and guidance, and I felt very comfortable speaking to her and expressing my feelings. What I'm most proud of is the friendships and relationships that I fostered. The most impactful part was my host family. I struggled with my lower level of Spanish, but I learned to practice it and learn from others. I could have reached out to more actors to help jumpstart the trash program in my community. Looking back, I became more selfless, resilient, and learned to be more curious rather than judgmental. I believe I gained a multitude of skills from working at MAE which will benefit my career in the environmental studies realm, and I would want to focus my work in Latin America, where practicing Spanish will serve as a huge benefit. I really loved Ecuador and I would hope to live here one day. I am super grateful for this experience, but I am most grateful for living in Santa Rita.

During my internship, I was teaching English through songs with the ukulele, working on art and trying to find ways for the girls to sell their jewelry in the states, learning about traditional medicine through the finca and cooking, helping with brigades, wanting to implement some health education, and helping set up soccer Tuesdays — I love soccer. It was a lot. I was sometimes all over the place in my head, but I really enjoyed it all. What I am most proud of is the quality of relationships I made with individual people and families — they are all very genuine and relationships that I feel will last a lifetime. The most impactful part was my host family. Communication in the beginning with the family was a challenge — I need to make sure, when speaking in another language, that what I am saying is understood and that what they say I understand, to avoid confusion and questions. I think I could have given more to others, though I think I gave in other ways — writing notes, doing deeds of kindness. I could have also taken advantage of time a bit more and woken up earlier to take some time for myself. Looking back, I developed language — I consider myself fluent, if not very close — along with confidence, initiation, and communication. With the skills I gained, such as the language, initiation, communication, love, compassion, and perseverance, I feel like I have changed in wonderful ways that will most definitely help me in my future endeavors. Being involved in such a vibrant country and culture made me fall in love with Ecuador and its people, confirming my belief that I need to travel as part of my job and continue meeting and being open to people everywhere. Steph! You helped give me the confidence — many times — that what I was doing was worth it! And it all totally was, but was hard to see at times. You always encouraged me to look for the good in the situations and my time here would have been much more challenging without you! Super likely to recommend — however, an experience like this definitely depends on the person and personality. People have to be willing to take initiative to get out there, meet people, and involve themselves.

During my internship, I helped with the operations of Los Yapas, and participated in a bit of activities related to traditional medicines such as lemon grass, and talks. The most impactful part was all of the above — and also interacting with locals. What surprised me most was learning to be neutral and take things in, although they might not be my favourite things to take in. The language barrier was a challenge — I'm gonna practice better Spanish before I re-visit the Amazon. It would have been great to have a more precise idea about what I can do in my host family rather than taking more time to figure them out upon arrival. Beyond that, I developed a bit of Spanish, patience, and adaptability — tolerating long-journey buses builds that fast! I was already an advocate for sustainability before I went, and upon completing the program I feel like I am making less waste in my daily life now, which is good. I am grateful that everything turned out smoothly, for the great communications with Steph and Andy, for surviving well in exotic surroundings with no major danger, and for how supportive and welcoming Ecuadorians are. I believe a lot of people from Asia would be eager to explore, and Amazon Learning is definitely the first step that they can take.

During my internship, I worked on creating an encyclopedia of medicinal plants and making salves and other remedies with my host family. I'm happy with what I completed and want to come back to do more. The most impactful part was my host family — I'm grateful that I was such a good fit with them. They were incredible. A shower would've been nice. What I learned most from the challenge of communication was how to rephrase things better, to have patience at trying to understand, and that it's important to keep learning Spanish actively, because it takes a ton of experience to become fluent. Taking advantage of waiting time — such as for the bus — to get things done is something I could have done better. Beyond that, I developed Spanish, social skills, drawing, patience, flexibility, medicine making, and writing. I now have a much broader selection of medicinal plants to choose from, and can work with Clemente to get them to the US when I have my own shop. I want to come back to Ecuador to keep studying medicinal plants, and I feel like my definition of "home" has changed — I do have more confidence now that I've traveled to a foreign country by myself. I think it's a great experience to study and work abroad, especially in the Amazon!

During my internship, the first week had me doing manual labor with bamboo stocks and constructing a hut. I would also work in the chacras on most days — various tasks from cutting cacao to pruning banana trees. Other days I would head to Tena for internet and do market research on cacao, cho cho, and soybeans. My host family, community, and accommodations were perfect — they are doing things the right way over there. I felt safer there than I do back at school and home in California. Everything went so well in Shandia that it is hard being this far away from them at this point. The check-ins were nice to have for extended conversations — at no point did I think I was alone; if things got ugly I knew who to contact and felt comfortable with that idea. What I'm most proud of is making a second home. The most impactful part was my host family. My health was compromised at some points, which inevitably led me to be much more of a believer in natural remedies — I was used to knowing things a certain way, but I could go on about other things that were done differently and helped me open my mind up. My Spanish improved immensely, in addition to my comfort level with those of different backgrounds. I had never been around little kids so often and I think I may have improved my future skills of raising a child. I am now much more adept in conversing with strangers and would love to have a career in Ecuador or elsewhere in Latin America. Completely, my needs and wants out of this life changed vastly. My future decisions will be influenced by the time I spent in Ecuador because it truly changed the way I perceive the world and my place in it. I don't see money or other material items the way I used to — in Shandia, we had everything we really needed to live and be happy. My host family had much less in some cases, but a lot more of the things that mattered. Thankful for every minute I had in Ecuador. There is still a somber feeling when writing the evaluation, but I'm forever grateful for this opportunity and carrying these bliss memories with me as I go on.

During my internship, I worked at the Centro de Salud in Muyuna. What I'm most proud of is learning to communicate with my family and create a bond. The most impactful part was my host family. Losing my headphones was a challenge — it made me learn to be innovative and also learn how to be strong without my music readily available. I think I could have traveled more and made more effective use of my weekends. Looking back, I developed leadership, self-motivation, linguistics, and more. This experience helped me gain valuable experience in the Global Health sector of Public Health and also helped me better improve my linguistic skills. It will definitely make me challenge myself more and go out of my comfort zone more often. I truly learned how to be alone and how to make myself mentally stronger. I am so grateful to all of the people that made Ecuador feel like my home — I met so many phenomenal people and without them, I truly believe I wouldn't have been nearly as successful in Ecuador as I was, including everyone at Amazon Learning. This experience was so life changing and amazing that I want anyone and everyone capable to experience what I did.

During my internship, I volunteered in 9 de Julio. The 1:1s were great for collecting my thoughts and processing all of the experiences I was going through — it was easy to get caught up in the flow of community living and forget to stop and soak in all of the cultural learnings and experiences. I always came away with a greater understanding of what I was going through and how I can continue to grow and enjoy myself. I loved my family and community. What I'm most proud of is becoming a member of the community on a level I couldn't have imagined at the start. The most impactful part was my host family. Communication was always difficult even up to the day I left — I learned that with patience and support, inter-language communicating can be done effectively, and I also learned not to be afraid or embarrassed to at least try to speak Spanish. Everyone always appreciated my effort. I think I could have prepared a bit better with my Spanish, and I also could have interacted with the adults in my community a little more — I found myself interacting with the kids more because it was easier and more comfortable. Looking back, my language skills strengthened immensely. I learned a lot about community development, how to enter a community and build their trust and support, and how to adapt to a difficult situation and make the best of it. I hope to work with communities, so this was great experience in entering an unfamiliar community and gaining their trust. I now have more ambition to travel to new and unfamiliar places, and I feel more capable and confident in my abilities. I am grateful for the warmth and compassion of my community — it was as unexpected as it was heartwarming and meaningful.

During my internship, I created a map of Kallari's sales points in Tena, created some Instagram posts which they told me they'd post in the future, and worked in the cacao collection center for two days — which was an excellent and unique experience. I really enjoyed my time in Tena. Mirka was very involved, informed, and helpful, and I am happy to have met her and for all the activities she prepared for us. I had the best chocolate and the best teas and foods. I can only hope that Ecuador's products can find a bigger market in the world. What I'm most proud of: visiting Roger's chakra and trusting strangers enough to let go during an ayahuasca ceremony — getting the full effect — is something I am proud of. Forcing myself to interact in Spanish even when I could not respond or understand some things, and watching my Spanish improve drastically in a month, is also something I am proud of. And preparing chocolate at Sinchi Warmi — this is the best experience I could have wished for regarding chocolate. People taking their time to do things was a challenge for me — my sense of time, efficiency, and getting things done only sometimes resonated with the locals of Tena. I could have pushed Kallari to work with me more. Looking back, I developed Spanish, negotiation, saying no, trusting more easily, foraging, and taking it slow. I now have some knowledge on cacao, chocolate, indigenous culture, and the Ecuadorian Amazon — these are valuable, especially in Europe, which is 10,000km from the Americas. I think I would like to come and spend six months to a year in the Amazon. I did not foresee how a person could feel so great spending time in a forest with so many fruits around. I also think working with fruits and vegetables makes me very happy and I would like to find a job in the future that lets me do that. All the friendships I made there are what I am most grateful for. Mirka knows a lot of people, the locals, the local experiences that a tourist cannot easily find searching online — I think that is one of the most valuable aspects of Amazon Learning.

During my internship, I worked at Kallari Association, helping their cacao business in any capacity that I could. I learned how the cacao is planted, grown, harvested in my family's chakra, and then collected, processed, packaged, and marketed at Kallari. I also was given the opportunity to explore and learn from nearby cacao organizations and chakras. Carla and her family were absolutely wonderful — super friendly, helped me out a lot, and made delicious food. Mirka was an excellent mentor! She helped me understand what to expect during my time in Tena and provided excellent support. What I'm most proud of is being able to build relationships with the members of my host family — my Spanish is not anywhere close to perfect, but my host family was very supportive and patient. One challenge was trying to fit in everything I wanted to do and learn during my short stay in Tena — I learned how to be efficient and concise with the things I did. I think I could have put more effort into speaking Spanish during the entirety of my stay instead of speaking English when I had the opportunity to do so. Looking back, I was pushed out of my comfort zone and became much more flexible and able to adapt to situations — my Spanish skills most definitely improved, as did my agriculture skills, since I only knew of American farming techniques. This experience has helped me determine that I want to go into sustainable agriculture or food security in the United States. I am applying to graduate school now, and hopefully will start my own entrepreneurial venture relating to this one day. I will be much more aware of how my actions impact my community and the planet, and I will be doing things I'm passionate about instead of purely monetarily. I am grateful for the wonderful family that so generously opened up and shared their lives with me. I think exposing as many people to this program would be wonderful — it helps people explore their interests in a new perspective and makes a positive impact on the community in Tena.

During my internship, I worked in the Red Cross, Sumak Kawsay Wasi, and Amupakin. With the Red Cross I worked in their lab with Mariuxi — she's awesome — and did fundraising efforts. I created a GoFundMe and a 5k race and raised a total of around $1,100. At Sumak I assisted and mostly observed the epic team of técnicas who worked with disabled people in communities. At Amupakin I helped the midwives in the chakra and basically just learned from them! Mika was awesome at giving me tons of feedback and support during the 1:1s — I always left feeling more inspired! I loved my host family so much — had the best experience, and I hope they will host more students in the future. What I'm most proud of is my fundraising efforts for the Red Cross — it was small but I'm still proud. The most impactful part was all of the above. I struggled with homesickness towards the end, but I gained so much independence and resilience from being away from my home for a long time. I could've done an even better job at being present and not having my mind in the clouds — but I'm a generally spacey person, so that's a life goal right there. Looking back, I'm really proud of my improvement in Spanish, and I'm much better at making connections now. I feel like I developed my confidence in myself a lot, and I can take more initiative now in all aspects of my life. I know a lot more Spanish now, which is going to help me so much in the medical field. I also have so much more inspiration to go through all of those years of studying, and I'm full of ideas of the kind of doctor I want to be. I will appreciate my family and friends so much more now. After everything I saw and experienced in Ecuador, I hope I'll continue to make the right choices in my life. I'm so grateful for my host family — I'll never forget my time with them, and they are far from seeing the last of me!

During my internship, I worked with MedWater designing and implementing a hygiene intervention for school children, conducted a qualitative study on how Kichwa people transport water and areas of possible water contamination, developed a monitoring program for MedWater's programs, and participated in three medical brigades. Andy was very supportive of my needs. What I'm most proud of is being able to apply my public health skills in real life. The most impactful part was all of the above. Learning about the Kichwa culture taught me to be a better listener and to have patience. I wish I had more time to write a report on all my activities. Looking back, I developed practical application of public health, and this experience has given me field experience. Beyond that, I plan to return to Tena. I am grateful for the support provided by Amazon Learning staff. It was an amazing experience and I would like many more to have such an opportunity. Continue the great work.

During my internship, I worked with GIZ helping with climate change workshops and inputting information into Excel spreadsheets, worked at Tamia Yura getting a tour of the botanical gardens, and taught English classes two evenings a week at Cavernas Jumandy. I also conducted independent research on Buen Vivir for school. I really loved Tamia Yura — the people there and the forest, the gardens, everything. It was so beautiful and I hope it can work out in the future. The 1:1s were fantastic, very helpful and thorough. I loved my host family — they did a great job making me feel included in the family and welcome in the home. They all made efforts to get to know me and ask questions, and taught me about their culture. What I'm most proud of is conducting interviews for my research project, starting teaching English classes at the Cavernas Jumandy, and developing strong relationships with my host family. The most impactful part was all of the above. At the beginning it was hard for me to be so visibly different, so conspicuous as a gringa — I didn't like walking on the street because I felt like everyone was looking at me all the time. After a while I realized that I couldn't change the way I looked and was just going to have to brush it off. I learned to care less about what other people were thinking about me — it's not something I can really change from a distance. I wish I would have started more conversations with family members instead of waiting for them to start conversations. Looking back, I got better at Spanish, learned to take more initiative, and became more confident in myself through being visibly different. This experience made me more interested in environmental education and made me want to work in South America. I really want to come back in the future to see the people I developed relationships with, and going to Ecuador made me realize how important traveling can be and how much I want to keep traveling, and possibly live abroad at some point. I am so grateful for my host family and their support, friendship, and for including me in their lives. I had a wonderful experience — I'm having a hard time explaining it to others. You just have to go yourself.

During my internship, I headed a public health project focused on preventing common infections among children in the region — creating a poster and pamphlets to be used to inform children and their families in the hospital about the most common types of infections, their causes, recognizable symptoms, and how to prevent them. I also worked in various areas with the Patronato, including going on medical brigades where I helped with translation, helping with Dr. Fabian's physical therapy patients, and helping run the summer camp activities for children in July. My host family was the most incredible part of my experience in the Amazon — they were so sweet and very hospitable towards me. I greatly appreciated all the support and guidance that Stephanie gave during our 1:1s — she was always incredibly receptive to any and all ideas I had and never hesitated to go above and beyond to make sure I was getting exactly what I wanted from the internship. What I'm most proud of is creating an educational program structure that can be adapted and used in the hospital to inform many different population groups about the most pressing health issues and how to best prevent them. The most impactful part was all of the above. I struggled a lot in the beginning with the fact that there seemed to be a lack of structure in my internship — however, this helped me learn to recognize and appreciate the different culture that existed when it came to work and pace of living in general. I wish I would have spent a little more time in the communities, learning about how their lives were different than that of life in the city. Looking back, I developed communication skills, patience, workplace interactions, the ability to reach outside my comfort zone, and Spanish speaking. I will be more willing to take risks and more confident in my ability to get involved in new things. I want to continue traveling to new places and learning more about how health is integrated in the lives of different people and cultures. I'm grateful for the people I met and the incredible and lasting relationships I made. Overall, my experience in the Amazon is one I would want others to be able to experience as well.

During my internship, I worked with Sinchi Warmi and attempted to get plants donated to them. Sometimes I felt like I was not doing anything, but in the end I felt like I accomplished a lot. The check-ins were very helpful and always made me feel motivated for the next day. My host family was amazing — supportive and loving, everything I wanted and needed from a host family. Looking back, what I'm most proud of is just the simple act of participating in the program. What was most impactful was all of the above. What surprised me most was that communication doesn't always need to be with words — I developed communication, confidence, plant knowledge, people skills, and many many more. It was a real world experience, which prepares you in ways a classroom can't. My life perspective has changed, and so will my life as a whole. I am grateful I met so many amazing people. Beyond that, I am re-evaluating my future career, so there's that. It was a wonderful experience and I believe everyone should have a similar experience in their lifetime. I liked the end of week questions, but kept forgetting to do them.

During my internship, I organised various viveros in different communities, collecting seeds and plants from the rainforest and planting them. I felt like I could always get in touch if I needed to, as both Andy and Stephanie were friendly and approachable — I appreciated the check-ins to ensure everything was going well and I felt comfortable. The most impactful part was my host family. What I'm most proud of is the ability to communicate effectively with members of the community and gaining respect from them and my colleagues. Getting off the wrong stop on the bus and ending up in a different community was a challenge — I learnt to have confidence to ask questions and ask for help, as people are generally willing to give it. Looking back, I developed Spanish and physical manual labour skills. This experience gives me something interesting to talk about in job interviews, as it shows that I understand other cultures and biodiversity. Beyond that, it made me more humble and more conscious about my consumption and trying to be more sustainable. I am grateful for the opportunity to live with a local family and understand everyday life as a local. I feel it is a good way to understand the Amazonian region deeply rather than just focusing on its attractiveness.

During my internship, I came to truly understand how traditional medicine persists, how it is received by the people looking for it, how they deeply use the plants, and what challenges it is facing. I also learned about the public health system in Ecuador — what exists and what is, from my point of view, missing — and how people are making their best to reach communities and more vulnerable people even though it's hard through distance, culture, and money. What was most impactful was being with the family, living in Amupakin and everything that happened there, and visiting the chakra and the health center. What I'm most proud of is eating tilapia again — and participating in a parto vertical using only plants as help. The challenge of witnessing alcoholism and the beating of children was difficult, because in my culture it's really an issue. I learned to respect a disagreement, and in general I really learned to fit into a new culture and adapt to it regardless of my opinion on it. Sometimes being more active despite the tiredness to create stronger connections with some people faster is something I could have done better. Looking back, I developed the skill of using plants in their whole, paying more attention to nature, and seeing how projects can be implemented in public health or to help traditional medicine survive. As I would like to switch to public health implementation while taking into account cultural background and traditional medicine, this was perfect to see how it already exists and what and how it can be done — it strengthened my motivation toward my future career choice. I am grateful to have been able to know the Kichwa culture and the public health system in a true and real experience — not by staying in a bubble above it, but by being able to be in it. For the orientation and support, knowing you are not alone. And for meeting so many different people while having a main place — for me, Amupakin. Because it's really worth the money. You have support, a great team working to make the best happen, listening to you and your needs. It's a month I know I'll remember forever. I'm also very thankful to Carlos, with whom I explored around and got to learn about everything he knows and had a general great time.

During my internship, I was working on a reforestation project with chunchos and corn. My Ecuafamily was perfect — I really enjoyed working and living at Mushullacta with Jose and Maira's family. The 1:1 was very useful at the beginning because I was a little bit lost in this new country, and my English and Spanish were very bad at the time. For the first time I think I have realized and accomplished something professionally. What I'm most proud of is accomplishing my personal and professional project. The most impactful part was all of the above. Improving my language skills was a real challenge — I learned that to learn a new language perfectly it's important to take classes, because people could not understand me but my English and Spanish are not very academic. Looking back, I wish I had been myself earlier. I developed skills in how to manage a reforestation project in a developing country, and it confirms me in the idea that it is what I want to do in my future professional life. All of my experience there was a personal transformation, and I discovered a new culture I am grateful for. It was one of my best experiences — I would recommend it extremely likely.

During my internship, I inventoried chakras with a professor at Ikiam University — he plans to experiment growing different species on Ikiam property and help the local communities retain more value from their crops. Great family, plan to stay in touch with them after just three weeks! My 1:1 happened on my last day, so it was nice to recap and touch base before re-entering the US. What I'm most proud of is analyzing tree species data to understand best growth conditions and value potential. The most impactful part was all of the above. Parsing out when a local was telling me species names in Kichwa versus Spanish was a challenge, and I could have connected more with Amazon Learning and the other interns. Looking back, I developed plant species identification, strengthened my Spanish, and gained some international experience. This experience helped me understand a foreign culture through the eyes of local people and become more sympathetic to their way of living. It gave me more perspective and made me realize how many things I take for granted. It is a very unique and formative experience — the combination of receiving some formal training through Amazon Learning and then getting an immersive experience is very powerful and rewarding. Thank you for everything!

During my internship, I got twice a tour of Amupakin and filmed it, got a limpia, hung up signs with the names of plants and helped decorate for an event. At Elena's and Clemente's house I made two balms, got a tour in the chakra, and made a maito. At Mamallacta I helped making ayahuasca, and at Pakarina I collected coca leaves and made tools for making ceramics. I would have loved to have focused more on one project so I could contribute more, but on the other hand I have now seen many places and learned a lot about the surrounding communities. It was a pity that I could not meet Andy in person but he was out of the country unfortunately. He did however put much effort in the calls and provided me with a lot of important and interesting information. Mirka was very lovely and was really good in translating everything and checking in every now and then. She also put a lot of effort in making sure that the activities matched with my interests and gave me a lot of freedom in deciding what I wanted to do — thanks a lot for that, Mirka! What was most impactful was all of the above, and also interacting with locals. For a moment you are pulled firmly from your familiar environment and have to deal with your new living environment. That uneasy feeling made me feel alive and gave me the idea that I was making huge personal leaps. Living in the forest made me feel much healthier, in body and mind — I slept a lot, ate healthy meals. Because there were very few stimuli and distractions in the area where I was staying, I had to enjoy myself in other ways, which resulted in many special moments with my host family. Once we went camping at the old finca and had beautiful conversations about their family's history while being accompanied by fireflies — I will never forget that moment. Another lesson I learned is the importance of patience. There is a different pace of life in Ecuador, and being more patient gave me a greater sense of gratitude. The most valuable lesson I learned is to be content with what you have and to enjoy the simple things in life. I have learned that I can resonate very well with the tranquility of nature. It provides peace of mind and a deeper connection with everything around me. I could have taken more initiative to focus on one specific project, but in the end I think it all went the way it was supposed to be. This experience has definitely made me think about whether I want to continue my career in horeca — I am thinking about starting my own jewellery line, inspired by my trip in Ecuador. But I would explain to anyone I recommend it to that it will be different from what you would initially expect from the internship.

During my internship, I worked with Winak, an indigenous chocolate company. While working with Winak I was able to develop a new website, new product design, do a lot of translating of documents, participate in the cacao production process, and teach English. My project was wonderful — the people I worked with were welcoming, open, and kind, and I felt like I was able to learn and contribute. My host family was really wonderful — caring, attentive, respectful, and so kind and welcoming. I could not have asked for a better host family. I appreciated the individual check-ins and I think the Amazon Learning team did a good job offering me support when I needed it, while also giving me plenty of independence to go through the process on my own and truly immerse. What I'm most proud of is the fact that I was able to teach English to my coworkers at Winak — this was a task I was not expecting, and I was able to develop lesson plans, interact, and teach with confidence. The most impactful part was all of the above. I struggled with my inability to control my diet, since I was being served by my host family — the diet is drastically different from the one I am accustomed to, and it made me feel like I was losing control. I was able to adapt by speaking with my host family, taking a more active role in making meals, and buying groceries that I enjoyed and incorporating them in with the family's meals. This allowed me to use my skills of adaptation, communication, and acceptance. I think that I could have tried to engage more in the community beyond my family life and work life. Looking back, I strengthened my Spanish language skills, problem solving skills, cultural awareness, adaptability, communication, appreciation, and perseverance. My experience in the Amazon made international development come to life for me — previously I learned a lot in the classroom, but being able to experience a new culture and open my eyes to new problems and solutions will serve me well in my future career. Ecuador gave me the gift of humility, and has truly changed the way that I look at the world around me every day. I am grateful for my host family — their generosity, attentiveness, and care could not have been more apparent, and these things truly made my experience in Ecuador so much more meaningful to me. Opening my eyes to a new culture and a new people has allowed me to view my own culture through a new lens, as well as view myself and my life differently. I think that an experience like the one I had is so valuable for a young person to have.

During my internship, I worked with the Red Cross — both in the laboratory and with the ambulance. I worked with the Ecuadorian Rivers Institute to help with river conservation in the JondachiFest and Piatua Libre. I helped teach English at Amazonico, and we also started the vivero. It was a pleasure to be a part of each project. I LOVED my time at the Red Cross — they were like a family that welcomed me with open arms. It was the perfect hands on experience that I dreamed of having. Gabi and her family are God's gift to the world. She is a lifelong friend and it was a PLEASURE to live with her. I got to learn so much about a different way of life that I previously knew nothing about. From bucket showers to washing my clothes in the river, I could not get enough of the culture. You guys at Amazon Learning were always there when I needed help, but you also gave us a lot of freedom to figure things out on our own — I felt like you gave the perfect balance of support and freedom. What was most impactful was all of the above. What I'm most proud of is working with the Ecuadorian Rivers Institute — I felt so passionate about the river conservation and I loved the way Mateo went about doing it. Bringing awareness to the beauty and financial success of the rivers by way of kayak races is absolutely brilliant. It pushed me out of my comfort zone. That two-week mark definitely got to me — I went head first into everything I was doing and forgot to take care of myself. I realized that I need to take care of myself a bit more and make sure I am in a good place because otherwise I can't help others as much as I'd like to. I can't honestly think of a thing that could have gone better — everything happens for a reason and I enjoyed every moment. I learned how to deliver compassionate care across language and cultural barriers. I remained calm in the high stress situations of the ambulance, and during my time in the lab I developed a wonderful relationship with the lab guy — he even let me use his arm to practice drawing blood. I can tell you very few people have that experience before medical school. My time in Ecuador has completely changed the way I look at life — it has made me a lot more aware of the harmful effects of being wasteful, and a lot more aware of how thankful I am for life. I just have a greater understanding of the world and it has made me a better person. I feel like I'm a completely different person. I was bullied a lot in high school and my undergraduate studies left me feeling very vulnerable about my intellectual capabilities — but as time went on I began a great transformation and I started to realize that when I put my mind to something, I can succeed. I feel like I needed that time to find confidence in myself and to find a greater understanding of life in order to be the doctor that I aspire to be. Thanks to AL, I will get there! Huge fan — keep doing you!

I LOVE DANI!!!!! Having her to check in with was totally amazing. I really felt so comfortable talking to her about anything, and I felt that she really listened to me. It was really awesome to have her there for me whenever I needed her. MY HOST FAMILY WAS AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was supposed to work with Ricardo on ethnobotany, but it didn't really happen. Walter taught me a bit about medicinal plants and Glida used plants to cure anything I needed, but I worked with Glida on making artisanal jewelry which ended up being awesome! What I'm most proud of is the fact that I was able to connect so well with my host family even through the language barrier. I'm really proud that I was able to open up to them and show them who I am, and I was able to get to know who they all are too. The biggest challenge I faced was the language barrier. I felt frustrated by it sometimes because I felt like I couldn't express myself fully or in the way that I wanted to. But as the days went on I learned to use other ways of communicating to express myself. I think I could have tried to talk more — I am not confident at all in my Spanish skills, but I actually know a lot in Spanish. I found myself not saying very much because I was scared of messing up. From this experience and the language barrier, I especially became an incredible listener. I find myself, even still, taking time to really listen to people and things before responding or reacting. This experience, as I've said in previous answers, has changed my life in all aspects. It has also taught me to be a more mindful person and to be so thankful and grateful for everything in life that I have. I am so grateful for my host family — they made me really feel like part of the family and that was so incredible. I really just feel like a much stronger and more independent person. I absolutely loved every minute of being a part of Amazon Learning and I think it's a really amazing opportunity for young people to be a part of.

I love how supportive and passionate the entire team is — I never felt out of place and I felt so safe at all times. During my internship, I worked on learning about plant spirit medicine and understanding the connectivity and legends behind the sacred plants. Everything was wonderful, honestly. My host family is absolutely lovely — they treated me like I was their own and I felt it deeply. Mirka honestly deserves multiple rewards! She really does give everything she does her all!! We want a raise for Mirka as soon as possible!!!! What I'm most proud of is learning how to communicate with people in Spanish. Looking back, what I learned from that challenge is that when I take my time and be patient, the outcome is abundant and works in my favor. I could have been more familiar with the Spanish slang in Ecuador. Beyond that, I developed trust in myself and my intuition — that was definitely strengthened on this trip. I will be merging plant medicine into my practice to support individuals to heal on multiple levels, and I will continue to make the best choices for myself, because I was shown what that looks like when I was in a completely different country and unknown territory. I am grateful for the independence and freedom I experienced — it really helped me grow as a person. I am telling the whole world!! Everyone should do an internship like this. I love you guys!! Rock on!!!!

I interned with Beyond Travels from May to July 2018. Over the course of 6 weeks, I participated in their Public Health and Traditional Medicine internship in completion of my MPH program’s curriculum. Given my concentration in global health and strong interest in investigating the intersection between Western and traditional health care practices/systems, this direction seemed suitable because it would allow me to engage in an under-researched topic within a global setting. During my interview process, my interviewer was attentive to my interests and expressed flexibility in allowing me to combine aspects of different internships to meet my learning objectives. As part of my internship orientation, I received a cultural competency training in a group setting (this was my first time being exposed to a training of this nature). Take away points from this training established the foundation for my research (including ethical data collection methods). During my internship, I was placed in contact with local community members and experts (I lived with a local family), which enabled me to conduct ethnographic fieldwork. This facilitated a community-involved needs assessment, that informed the development and implementation of a culturally humble health promotion program for older adults. In short, this experienced encouraged my professional growth. Beyond putting theories into practice, I took initiative to achieve my learning objectives, which helped me hone research and leadership skills. Drawing from the successes and challenges of this experience, I feel confident engaging in community needs assessments, as well as developing and implementing health programs in underinvested settings. For anybody wondering, staff members were accessible and responsive to my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being throughout the entirety of my internship. I would highly recommend interning with Beyond Travels!

I interned with Beyond Travels during the winter of 2017 as a Public Health intern at the Runa Foundation. My time there was incredibly impactful in learning what field I would want to go into after graduating from college. I spent my two month internship learning about the chacra system and traditional medicine from local farmers and my host family, developing arcGIS mapping skills to help the Runa Foundation in their project aiding local farmers in the mapping of their land, and also assisted on a food security project which involved interviewing farmers about their family’s nutrition experience and needs. This experience helped my language skills immensely, launched me into the local culture of Archidona, Ecuador, and taught me that I want to go into medical anthropology and learn more about how indigenous communities engage with health care systems. These connections from my internship with Runa Foundation through Beyond Travels helped me make the connections that I would then use for a Fulbright scholarship this year. I am now researching women’s health in Archidona on a Fulbright grant, thanks to the help and support of Beyond Travels opening my world two years ago.

I was paired with the most amazing host family, who are growing dozens, if not hundreds of medicinal plants in their chakra (permaculture rainforest garden). I learned so much from them, and it was also a good learning experience to be volunteering with Amu Pakín, the Kichwa midwives association. There are also lots of botanical gardens you can go to that have information about medicinal plants. There’s so much to learn, I will definitely be coming back because in two months I barely scratched the surface!

Choosing to go to Ecuador’s Amazon with Beyond Travels was one of the best decisions I ever made. Andy connected me with just the kind of people I wanted to live and work with. It is 6 months later and I still regularly call my host family. I grew so much as a person while I was there and I got to learn and experience things that most people in the world will never get to experience!

This was one of the best experiences of my life and I would recommend spending time with Beyond Travels! The program has a positive atmosphere and everyone I met were amazing. If you have an interest in learning about ethnobotany or traditional Amazonian medicine this is the program for you. I lived and worked with an indigenous family and learned so much about the jungle and myself.