EcoSwell

I truly enjoyed the work I was involved in, especially knowing that my efforts in research and Salesforce contributed to EcoSwell's growth. The Google Ads project that I am working on has been particularly valuable; learning to use both Google Ads and Salesforce has been highly relevant to my professional development. I’m really grateful for the opportunity to work on these projects, as they provided me with practical skills and a sense of meaningful impact.

The best part of my time here has been the incredible sense of community. The environment is relaxed and friendly, with people on the street greeting you, which makes everything feel very welcoming. The EcoSwell house and staff are just as warm—they greeted me every day and made me feel right at home. Overall, this experience has been all about connection, kindness, and feeling truly welcomed, making it a memorable stay.

This internship offered a rich learning experience about the local ecosystem and the impact of climate change on flora, particularly how grazing practices affect the environment. I appreciated the balance between desk work and field work, which kept the experience engaging and varied. However, I do wish there had been more participants in my program, as working with a team would have made the workload more enjoyable and manageable. Overall, the mix of field and desk tasks provided a comprehensive understanding of conservation work, making it a valuable experience.

From the beginning, EcoSwell made it easy to feel part of the house and the community. The team went above and beyond to make me feel welcome, even reaching out while I was still in Lima. This warm and inclusive atmosphere helped me settle in quickly. In terms of work, I especially enjoyed my visit to the Medical Center in Quiñones (where EcoSwell are installing a solar UPS system) with Hugo, my supervisor. I appreciate that my current work, like transcribing interviews and gathering information, is a part of a larger project for the Medical Center in Suyo, where another system is being installed. Seeing the impact of my efforts and how they connect to a greater purpose is incredibly rewarding and makes me look forward to similar work in the future.

The best part of my experience was the strong bond with the group; we got along so well that it made every moment enjoyable. I also loved visiting several solar panel installations and witnessing firsthand how they positively impacted people's lives by making daily tasks easier. Working in Suyo, particularly at the medical center, was eye-opening. We saw how these solar systems benefited the community and learned about the challenges they faced before having access to reliable energy. Seeing the contributions of past interns highlighted the importance of this work. The hands-on learning with the solar panels was another highlight. Taking measurements and observing how parameters changed based on the panel's condition was fascinating, and having the chance to ask technical questions to experts deepened my understanding. Overall, the blend of team camaraderie, real-world impact, and technical learning made this a truly valuable and rewarding experience.

Overall, this has been a wonderful experience. The group of volunteers has been fantastic, and the staff at the medical post have been incredibly kind, friendly, and welcoming. There hasn’t been anything negative about my time here. While the local culture took a little getting used to, everything else has been great, and I’ve truly enjoyed every part of it. The positive atmosphere and the people made this experience unforgettable.

My volunteer experience was very positive, and I learned a lot during my time here. One of the highlights was having the chance to collaborate across different areas. While I was mainly involved in Renewables, I also worked on water, sanitation, and reforestation projects, which I found very rewarding. A standout aspect was observing how volunteers took a project from start to finish. Seeing the progression—from our initial groundwork to the final outcomes and the satisfaction of the families who benefited—made the experience deeply fulfilling.

I’m grateful for this experience, where I learned a lot about the dry forest ecosystem and was able to contribute to both reforestation and water & sanitation (WATSAN) projects. While the reforestation tasks could feel repetitive, the WATSAN projects had a clearer timeline, which added variety—I'm thankful Diego, the Director of the program, gave me the opportunity to work on both. The local food has been fantastic, and trying different Peruvian dishes was a highlight. I was also fortunate to be here when all four directors were around. Diego’s presence added a passionate energy to the work, while Jesús, the Volunteer coordinator program, did a wonderful job organizing outings and encouraging us to participate in local events, creating a welcoming and engaging atmosphere. The trips to places like Piedritas were amazing, and it would be great to see those continue as they add so much to the experience. On the downside, the frequent turnover of volunteers made it challenging to form lasting connections, and finding personal space could be difficult. It would be great to add more outdoor spaces with hammocks for relaxing. Overall, this internship offered a rewarding mix of impactful work, cultural immersion, and community, making it a unique and memorable experience.

Overall, my experience was very rewarding, especially the chance to work closely with my supervisor and directors in a hands-on role. I appreciated the level of trust they placed in me, which isn’t something you always get during an internship. Attending workshops and meetings was an added bonus, and it was inspiring to work in a positive environment with like-minded people. One challenge, however, was managing the frequent turnover of volunteers. I was there for an extended period, and sometimes I found myself responsible for onboarding new WATSAN volunteers and even supervising their work. While I enjoyed the responsibility, it became overwhelming at times, particularly as a volunteer myself. I think this could be improved by ensuring that supervisory roles are managed more directly by a designated supervisor or director to support long-term volunteers better. Despite this, I’d still recommend the program for anyone looking for an impactful experience with a lot of responsibility and trust in a supportive work environment.

This experience provided me with a meaningful opportunity to apply my studies in epidemiology and public health to real-world projects. Being able to work on a public health project similar to what I do in university allowed me to immerse myself practically and deepen my understanding of the field. Collaborating with Alejandro, the supervisor of Research Program on the impact report was especially valuable, as I'm considering a career in nonprofit work. This experience gave me insight into how nonprofits operate and what it's like to work in this sector. Alejandro was incredibly supportive, offering guidance and always ready to help. Overall, this experience was highly beneficial for gaining practical knowledge and exploring potential career paths.

One of the highlights of my time in Lobitos was the opportunity to interact with the local community—something not always possible when traveling. Thanks to EcoSwell’s dedication, which included involving local staff and encouraging participation in community events, I was able to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and build meaningful connections. This local engagement created a welcoming and authentic atmosphere. And, of course, being close to the beach and ocean added an extra layer of enjoyment, making this experience both enriching and unforgettable.

One of the aspects I've enjoyed most about my time at EcoSwell has been the complete immersion in the close-knit community of Lobitos. Getting to know everyone has been wonderful—both the EcoSwell team and the town itself are incredibly welcoming. It’s clear that the locals appreciate having us here, not just as volunteers but as individuals, which made me feel part of something special. From day one, it felt less like a group of coworkers and more like friends, almost like a family. This warm, inclusive atmosphere has made my experience truly memorable.

I've really enjoyed the past few weeks—it’s been such an interesting experience. Being part of the medical program has been eye-opening, allowing me to gain valuable insights. But, without a doubt, the highlight for me has been surfing. I've had so much fun catching waves and truly enjoyed every moment out on the water. This mix of professional learning and personal enjoyment made for an unforgettable experience.

Overall, my experience was very positive. Over the four weeks, I felt incredibly welcomed by everyone. Although I faced a bit of a language barrier, Junior was a fantastic help, and Leslie was super kind. The highlight for me was definitely the people—those at the EcoSwell house and at the medical post. Getting to know everyone and making an effort to learn Spanish added to the experience. Leslie and Louisa made me feel so included, proving that kindness and body language can go a long way in bridging language gaps.

I recommend this program, especially for those studying civil engineering with a focus on water and sanitation. It gave me the chance to work on a real project directly related to my field, which made the experience incredibly relevant and valuable. One of my favorite parts was also getting to meet all the other interns and spending time together – it was a great way to connect and share ideas. Overall, this program was a fantastic opportunity to apply my studies in a real-world setting while building connections with like-minded people.

Returning to EcoSwell for a second time, I took a broader approach to my internship, focusing on various projects instead of a single one. In a conversation with Andres, the Director of the Program, we agreed on this structure so I could gain a comprehensive view of how different projects intersect and provide help where it was most needed. This approach became essential in my first two weeks, as I stepped into a supervisory role. During that time, I collaborated with other volunteers to align on ongoing projects, helping them—and myself—better understand the work. It was an insightful challenge that gave me experience in managing multiple projects and ensuring their timelines stayed on track. Eventually, I concentrated on two specific projects: one with the group of the Newcastle University, where I explored project financing related to my field of study, and another focused on developing a centralized organizational system for EcoSwell. The goal was to make project documentation more accessible, streamlining the onboarding process for future volunteers. Both projects broadened my skills in project management and introduced me to innovative ways of implementing concepts in different environments. Compared to my first time here during the pandemic, having a larger volunteer group enriched the experience significantly. I gained valuable insights from people worldwide, which added a new level of learning and collaboration. The larger team made this experience even more rewarding.

I’ve only been here for three weeks, and it’s been amazing! Initially, I was quite nervous about coming to South America, but everyone here is incredibly friendly, which quickly put me at ease. The work itself has been fascinating, and I’ve learned a lot. Michael, my supervisor, has been super engaged and helpful, and I appreciated the entrepreneurial aspect of the tasks I was given—it really opened up a new side of my thinking. Overall, a very rewarding experience!

The internship was an incredibly positive experience. One of the best aspects was the freedom and independence I had in my role, which allowed me to fully engage with a range of tasks. I especially appreciated the variety of work—conducting interviews, going out into the field to connect with the local community, and taking on more creative responsibilities like drafting the company’s impact report. I also enjoyed gathering statistics and conducting research. Overall, it was a truly enriching and hands-on experience.

I had a great time during my stay. The best part was meeting people from all over the world and participating in many activities together, which made it a very social experience. Getting to know the other volunteers was really enjoyable. Jesús, in particular, has been fantastic, and we got along really well—he adds a lot to the sense of community. It truly feels like a little family here, and that sense of closeness has been one of the highlights for me.

Overall, my experience was very positive. I appreciated being placed directly into an environment where I felt like a true part of the organization. The level of autonomy I had was one of the best aspects, as it allowed me to take ownership of my work and manage my responsibilities independently. Alejandro, my supervisor was instrumental in providing this opportunity for autonomy, which made the experience even more rewarding and engaging. This experience gave me a genuine sense of responsibility and hands-on learning that I greatly valued.