EcoSwell
EcoSwell
Why choose EcoSwell?
For EcoSwell, it all began with friendships, a passion for sustainability, and a surf trip back in 2013. Four lifelong friends traveled along Peru's coast searching for waves and discovered the off-the-beaten-path town of Lobitos. While there, they caught some of the best waves of their lives, met incredibly kind people, and experienced breathtaking natural beauty and wildlife. As Jacques Cousteau...
For EcoSwell, it all began with friendships, a passion for sustainability, and a surf trip back in 2013. Four lifelong friends traveled along Peru's coast searching for waves and discovered the off-the-beaten-path town of Lobitos. While there, they caught some of the best waves of their lives, met incredibly kind people, and experienced breathtaking natural beauty and wildlife. As Jacques Cousteau once said, "People conserve what they love," and the group had fallen in love with Lobitos. However, they noticed the environmental and social challenges the town was facing, which contrasted sharply with its natural beauty. They realized that Lobitos' essence would not endure if nothing was done. This realization led to the creation of EcoSwell. Since then, the EcoSwell family has grown to in...
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EcoSwell Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
I couldn't have chosen a better place
by: Maria KingProgram: Research Volunteer Internship (In-Person & Online)I spent two weeks with EcoSwell in Lobitos, a lovely little untouched town. The work allowed me to get involved with the community. The EcoSwell team are well established in the locality and have a great relationship with the fishermen of the town. I honestly couldn't have chosen a better place to do my research!
A truly extraordinary experience
by: Joshua Hinton - United KingdomProgram: Medical,Nursing and Dentistry Electives (In-Person & Online)My name is Joshua Hinton and I have just graduated with a medical degree from the University of Bristol. As part of our degree, we are given a two month period to undertake a clinical placement either at home or abroad. It was always my ambition to use this opportunity to travel to South America to experience medicine in a Spanish speaking country and so I started my elective journey searching for placements matching that description. As part of EcoSwell’s Medical Elective Programme, I was aimi...
I hope to return soon!
by: Jorge Schwalb - PeruProgram: Research Volunteer Internship (In-Person & Online)My name is Jorge Schwalb, I’m from Lima, Peru, and studied Business Administration at the University of Lima. I was 2 weeks in Lobitos as a volunteer with EcoSwell, I met them through a talk held at the University of Lima and it caught my attention because I always wanted to be able to help a community doing something that has a positive impact. The main aim of my project was to find a sustainable use for Fishermen’s Guild Community Hall, which has a solar panel and a biodigester that are not be...
EcoSwell Programs
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EcoSwell is a multiple award winning non-profit located in Lobitos, a surfing paradise of northern Peru. Students who have participated in EcoSwe...
EcoSwell is a surfing-inspired sustainable development nonprofit driving the development of poor Peruvian coastal communities through a path of s...
EcoSwell is a multiple award winning non-profit located in Lobitos, a surfing paradise of northern Peru. The organization focuses on helping vuln...
EcoSwell is a surfing-inspired sustainable development nonprofit driving the development of poor Peruvian coastal communities through a path of s...
Water is a scarce resource in Lobitos. Not only do many residents lack access to toilets, but Lobitos also lacks a sanitation network, which prev...
EcoSwell is a multiple award winning non-profit located in Lobitos, a surfing paradise of northern Peru. Through their work EcoSwell have impacte...
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Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff
Ivy Jones
Participated in 2019
Ivy is a high school grad currently on a gap year before starting university. She is from Denver, Colorado. Ivy has been lucky to have parents who too...
Ivy Jones
Participated in 2019
I decided to travel abroad during my gap year because I wanted to learn about and experience a different location and culture in depth. There is no better way to learn about different ways of life and ways of thinking than to live in a different country for a long time. I love to learn and immerse myself in new experiences, and that is why I travel.
Andres Bustamante
Interviewed in 2019
Andres is one of the four Co-Founders and Directors of EcoSwell. He studied marketing and international business at Ryerson University in Toronto, Can...
Andres Bustamante
Interviewed in 2019
What inspired you to travel abroad?
At EcoSwell, there rarely are typical days at work, but all of them give me something to smile about. As a Director I live half of my days on the ground in Lobitos working with volunteer interns and the community, and the other half in our office in Lima managing our marketing and public relations activities.
Ellen Jones
Interviewed in 2019
Ellen is a geography graduate from the UK and currently working with EcoSwell in Peru. She supervises the international interns and the sustainability...
Ellen Jones
Interviewed in 2019
What inspired you to travel abroad?
A typical day at EcoSwell begins at 9:00 a.m. where we have a meeting every Monday with all staff and interns to plan out the tasks for the week. Once I have ensured that all interns are clear with their objectives and tasks, I usually complete some administration or financial tasks. We have lunch in the early afternoon and afterwards head out into the community to work on the reforestation project or carry out some market research until 5:00 or 6:00 p.m.
Recognitions
Check out awards and recognitions EcoSwell has received
