El Terreno
Why choose El Terreno?
El Terreno is an Ecuadorian organization, based in Bolivar—one of Ecuador's smallest, poorest, and most ecologically diverse provinces. Communities in this province suffer from low education, health, economic and living standards, with hundreds of families relying primarily on conventional agriculture and livestock. In line with this, the organization aims to create opportunities for locals to ...
El Terreno is an Ecuadorian organization, based in Bolivar—one of Ecuador's smallest, poorest, and most ecologically diverse provinces. Communities in this province suffer from low education, health, economic and living standards, with hundreds of families relying primarily on conventional agriculture and livestock. In line with this, the organization aims to create opportunities for locals to learn and practice sustainable methods of developing and improving their economy while preserving their heritage. They bring together local Ecuadorians and other tourists across the globe to collaborate towards ecosystem regeneration, promote indigenous culture, propose employment opportunities, and provide a wide range of eco and community tourism experiences. El Terreno offers a variety of pr...
Follow Us
El Terreno Reviews
Hear what past participants have to say about the programs
Overall Rating
Total Reviews
Fever-dream adventure
August 30, 2025by: Sophia Cherniavsky - United KingdomProgram: Community Water Management Internship in EcuadorIt was such a humbling but important experience. I learned a whole new approach to life, and am so thankful for all the opportunities to immerse Joshua and his team have created. I enjoyed the parallel nature of work and culture, how integrated the local people are into any project.
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.
More than an internship
July 28, 2025by: Wies Brabänder - NetherlandsProgram: Anthropology & International Development InternshipMy ten months at El Terreno has been another deeply enriching and eye-opening experience in my life: one I can definitely call a whole 'chapter'. What stood out most to me was El Terreno’s commitment to working with the local community, rather than for it. It never felt externally driven or detached from the realities on the ground: "what you see, is what you get, and you have to work with that". I had a chance to engage with the local culture, reflect on different dimensions of development work, and grow both professionally and personally. While there are always areas to improve within organisations - particularly around project continuity and intercultural collaboration - I leave with a strong sense of appreciation and insight. El Terreno not only provided me with a valuable internship for my graduation semester, but it also - thanks to the community, Joshua, Karina, the animals, and all the wonderful people I met - turned my time in Ecuador into something much more: a place that felt like home
El Terreno Programs
Browse programs you might like
Dive into this hands-on, personalized internship and gain experience while helping low-income, indigenous communities live healthier lives throug...
Join a hands-on, personalized internship to help families & indigenous communities develop profitable tourism destinations that preserve local cu...
A hands-on, personalized internship to help indigenous communities build pride in their cultural identity through creative workshops and artworks...
Media Gallery
Interviews
Read interviews from alumni or staff
Joshua Holmes
Interviewed in 2022
Joshua traveled to Ecuador as backpacker in 2013 and fell in love with the people, culture, and landscape. After some time in the UK, he felt restless...
Joshua Holmes
Interviewed in 2022
What inspired you to travel abroad?
After first living and working in Guaranda in 2017, I saw a hidden province with a richness of culture and biodiversity. I also saw a huge amount of social and environmental problems, as well as human potential.
Wilson Morales
Interviewed in 2022
Wilson, also known as Will, runs a personal and professional project called Linguistic Hause. He works on issues related to cultural and linguistic e...
Wilson Morales
Interviewed in 2022
What inspired you to travel abroad?
I am inspired by the opportunity. I have to meet people from various parts of the world and to be able to show through my experiences and knowledge something that is very meaningful to them.
Kamila Martinkova
Participated in 2022
Kamila is 27 years old. She is originally from Slovakia but lives in Prague, Czech Republic. Kamila studied geography and cartography. While studying ...
Kamila Martinkova
Participated in 2022
In general, I enjoy traveling around the world - keeping an open mind, getting inspiration, meeting different people, getting to know different traditions, cultures, and being amazed by beautiful views of nature in the different continents.
Ready to Learn More?
El Terreno is an Ecuadorian organization, based in Bolivar—one of Ecuador's smallest, poorest, and most ecologically diverse provinces. Communities in this province suffer from low education, health, economic and living standards, with hundreds of families relying primarily on conventional agriculture and livestock. In line with this, the organization aims to create opportunities for locals to learn and practice sustainable methods of developing and improving their economy while preserving their heritage. They bring together local Ecuadorians and other tourists across the globe to collaborate towards ecosystem regeneration, promote indigenous culture, propose employment opportunities, and provide a wide range of eco and community tourism experiences. El Terreno offers a variety of pr...
El Terreno
El Terreno
Ready to Learn More?
El Terreno is an Ecuadorian organization, based in Bolivar—one of Ecuador's smallest, poorest, and most ecologically diverse provinces. Communities in this province suffer from low education, health, economic and living standards, with hundreds of families relying primarily on conventional agriculture and livestock. In line with this, the organization aims to create opportunities for locals to learn and practice sustainable methods of developing and improving their economy while preserving their heritage. They bring together local Ecuadorians and other tourists across the globe to collaborate towards ecosystem regeneration, promote indigenous culture, propose employment opportunities, and provide a wide range of eco and community tourism experiences. El Terreno offers a variety of pr...
Awards
Check out awards and recognitions El Terreno has received
