- Home
- Providers
- Back
- El Terreno
- Architecture &Sustainable Construction Internship in Ecuador
Architecture &Sustainable Construction Internship in Ecuador
by: El Terreno
Sign up for this hands-on, personalized internship and help low-income, indigenous communities reclaim their ancestral building techniques to restore and build sustainable housing for all. The challenge: Before the industrialization of construction, local people in the Andes built houses out of the rich clay soils. However, globalization has meant that local people build single-skin, concrete bui...
Sign up for this hands-on, personalized internship and help low-income, indigenous communities reclaim their ancestral building techniques to restore and build sustainable housing for all. The challenge: Before the industrialization of construction, local people in the Andes built houses out of the rich clay soils. However, globalization has meant that local people build single-skin, concrete buildings. While these are quicker and more modern, they are also colder, more expensive, less ecological, and more vulnerable to earthquakes. In the area, hundreds of adobe buildings have been left to ruin. As these traditional techniques are lost, so is the cultural heritage captured in the architectural beauty. The solution: We are helping to restore these old buildings to preserve the cultural ...
Program Highlights
Design and deliver a unique internship based on your career aspirations and local needs, supported by an experienced international team.
Advance your career, develop your skills, and improve your résumé through a hands-on project with 1:1 mentoring from a professional in the field.
Make a meaningful difference to low-income populations who lack the education, support, and resources to make the changes themselves.
Immerse yourself in another culture and experience a different way of life through family homestays, cultural activities, and life in a small rural community.
Set off on adventures and make lifetime memories with other interns and volunteers – climb mountains, hike through the jungle, and explore indigenous communities.
Media Gallery
Quick Details
- Guaranda, Ecuador
- 5-8 Weeks
- 3-6 Months
- 9-12 Weeks
- Summer
- Alternative Spring Break
- Birdwatching
- Camping
- Eco Tours
- Architecture
- Civil Engineering
- Construction See more
- All Nationalities
Awards
Program Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
Inspiring
August 30, 2025by: Hope Kisakye - UgandaProgram: Architecture &Sustainable Construction Internship in EcuadorI really enjoyed learning more about traditional architecture and working alongside the locals to create beautiful designs that embrace their heritage. I hope to employ similar design philosophies to the work I do in preserving the cultural heritage of my country.
¡Viva Ecuador!
July 14, 2025by: Antoine Côté - CanadaProgram: Architecture &Sustainable Construction Internship in EcuadorI enjoyed my experience in Ecuador. My first big trip “alone”. People there were really nice, locals and other El Terreno members as well. The work was a good challenge for me. I hope that people will like the house when it will be done. The place is safe, the accommodations were better than I expected. The food was good, but I found it a bit repetitive. There are a lot of activities to do around. If I had the choice, I would have stayed longer. Thanks for Joshua, Karina and all the others for this unforgettable experience ! ¡ Gracias y hasta luego !
Meaningful opportunity and amazing experience.!
October 31, 2024by: Mei Ling Dekorne - United StatesProgram: Architecture &Sustainable Construction Internship in EcuadorOverall, I'm very grateful for my time in El Terrano. The program worked closely with the community, allowing you to really experience Ecuador and the local culture. It's clear that the program is aimed to give back to the community and help to improve the live's of those living there. Joshua was super supportive of the other interns and I. He closely listens to your goals, while also being able to offer you suggestions on what could make your involvement even more exciting. Joshua helped to organize multiple trips into the local community, outside of Atandahua, which enriched my entire trip even more. I got to work closely with various professionals, and after working on so many hypothetical projects in school, this brought a certain level of realistically to the project and made everything even more interesting. The man we worked to design a cabin for during my 6 weeks there, was super sweet and humble, which really made you want to do good work and create a good design. There's a wide variety of activities you can do on the weekends in your spare time, which gave a nice balance of work to pleasure, and the opportunity to explore the rest of Ecuador. I'm super happy with my experience and would honestly recommend it to anyone interested in traveling and doing work like this.
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Guaranda, Ecuador
Types and Subjects
- Adventure Types
- Birdwatching
- Camping
- Eco Tours
Availability
Years Offered: Year Round
- 5-8 Weeks
- 3-6 Months
- 9-12 Weeks
Age Requirement
Age Requirement Varies
Guidelines
All Nationalities
This Program is also open to Solo, Couples, Group
Cost per week
Program Cost Includes
- Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
- Some Program Activity Costs
- Wifi Costs
- Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
Accommodation Options
- Dormitory
- Home-stays
Qualifications & Experience
- Any/All Education Levels Accepted
Accepted Education Levels
Application Procedures
- Online Application
- Phone/Video Interview
Frequently Asked Questions
Ready to Learn More?
Sign up for this hands-on, personalized internship and help low-income, indigenous communities reclaim their ancestral building techniques to restore and build sustainable housing for all. The challenge: Before the industrialization of construction, local people in the Andes built houses out of the rich clay soils. However, globalization has meant that local people build single-skin, concrete buildings. While these are quicker and more modern, they are also colder, more expensive, less ecological, and more vulnerable to earthquakes. In the area, hundreds of adobe buildings have been left to ruin. As these traditional techniques are lost, so is the cultural heritage captured in the architectural beauty. The solution: We are helping to restore these old buildings to preserve the cultural ...
El Terreno
El Terreno
Ready to Learn More?
Sign up for this hands-on, personalized internship and help low-income, indigenous communities reclaim their ancestral building techniques to restore and build sustainable housing for all. The challenge: Before the industrialization of construction, local people in the Andes built houses out of the rich clay soils. However, globalization has meant that local people build single-skin, concrete buildings. While these are quicker and more modern, they are also colder, more expensive, less ecological, and more vulnerable to earthquakes. In the area, hundreds of adobe buildings have been left to ruin. As these traditional techniques are lost, so is the cultural heritage captured in the architectural beauty. The solution: We are helping to restore these old buildings to preserve the cultural ...
Related Programs
Browse programs you might like