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4.9 / 5Overall Rating
8Reviews
2006Year established

Program Overview

This project is part of a Galapagos Government Council project seeking to strengthen small, local entrepreneurs through social networks to generate a greater reach for their project or service. As a volunteer, you'll help local community members & their businesses get their products and message on social media or public by other means (flyers, brochures, etc.).

Your responsibilities will depend on your skills and experience, as well as on the needs of IOI or the business you'll work with. Tasks may include generating footage (photo, film) and text that accurately and meaningfully capture the nature of IOI or the business and its product. You could also design a flyer or social media strategy. The possibilities will vary!

IOI encourages long-term participation to optimize benefits for both locals and volunteers/interns by offering huge discounts for each additional week of stay. The minimum duration is two weeks. This program is ideal for those with:
* Social media experience
* An understanding of camera equipment
* A passion to drive fundraising and engagement campaigns using the latest digital marketing techniques
* The ability to work independently as well as in a team

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Jump to the full breakdown of dates, costs, eligibility, and more.

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Program Highlights

Apply your social media management skills through tasks like sending materials to our Programs Manager.
Step up your proficiency in Spanish through daily practice with your host family and with our staff at IOI.
Help spread awareness of the environmental habitats surrounding the Galapagos National Park.
Discover less-frequented spots together with natives, helping you see the islands from the perspective of locals.
Experience lifetime opportunities, such as coming face to face with exotic species like the giant tortoise or marine iguana!

What's Included

Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
Weekday Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Weekend Meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner)
Some Meals / Partial Meal Plan
Visa Fees
Required Equipment
On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
Pre-Departure Orientation
In-Country Orientation
Training
Laundry
Cultural Training / Program / Orientation
Emergency Support

Program Details

Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know

Locations

  • Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Available Terms / Availability

  • Years Offered
  • Year Round

Eligible Nationalities

  • All Nationalities
  • This Program is also open to Couples

Education Levels & Language

  • Education
  • Any/All Education Levels Accepted

Accommodation Options

  • Guest House
  • Home-stays

Application Procedures

  • Online Application

Age Requirement

18+

Duration

  • 2-4 Weeks
  • 5-8 Weeks
  • 9-12 Weeks
  • Summer
  • Alternative Spring Break
  • Winter
  • Short Term
  • Spring
  • 1-3 Months
  • 3-6 Months
  • 1 Year
  • After College
  • Post High School
  • During College
  • Career Break / Mid-Career

Program Reviews

Hear what past participants have to say about Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI)

4.9
8 reviews

Rating breakdown

5
7
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0

Top categories

Health & Safety
5.0
Day to Day Life
4.7
Program Administration
4.6
Living Situation
4.5
Volunteer Placement
4.4
Community Engagement
4.3

Participated in this program? Share your experience now.

Review this Program

Showing 1-8 of 8 reviews

LilyJuly 2023

I really got to know and love the community

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because the staff and volunteers are lovely. I really got to know and love the community and the island is just such a perfect place. I am so happy that I took this leap of faith and joined the IOI team. I went in solo and came out with so many rich friendships.

CindyNovember 2022

Thanks to IOI

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it will help you to develop other skills, meet people and new place while you are on the program. I couldn`t be more grateful with this experience. Thanks to IOI to support the community and local environment/animals with their programs.

EpkeJuly 2022

It widened my world view

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it widened my world view and opened my mind to traveling in South America. What an amazing experience! This community has so much to offer and this has been the trip of a lifetime. 10 / 10 would come again.

GiuliaFebruary 2022

I would love to come back for another program

I would 10000% recommend IOI, but I can't say I would recommend the social media position. While it was fascinating to learn how different farms and restaurants operate, I felt it was difficult to produce the materials needed due to the technological issues. I feel I have supported an organisation that makes a real difference to people. I met amazing staff and volunteers along the way. I would love to come back for another program, or continue to work with IOI in the future - please do get in touch if there is any way I can help.

BethJanuary 2022

There is so much to do

I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it allows a wonderful opportunity to visit a beautiful location while contributing to the local community. There is so much to do. As a social media volunteer, I ws gifted the experiences of witnessing IOI's impact in a variety of capacities.IOI provides the training wheels for community initiatives to thrive their way.

Stefan AscherlGermany · January 2020

Exploring the nature

I was doing the social media volunteering on Isabela island. This included the follow-up of different activities and documenting them for online purposes. As a ioi-volunteer you are also allowed to access areas that are forbidden for the public as for instance at the breeding center, which gives you a deeper insight of the work going on there. Further, i was also able to go up to the highlands for helping there a family with coffee harvesting and stuff, which was interesting and fun to do. If you plan to stay for a longer period, then you will also need to think about own projects I guess, my time was two weeks only which was fair enough to follow up the daily activities.

LexieNovember 2015

Volunteering in the Galapagos

I spent 5 weeks volunteering at IOI in the Galapagos Islands working on the social media team. IOI’s strong local involvement allowed me to really become a part of the tight-knit community here, where I got to hear amazing stories and become friends with many of the locals. Through volunteering with the social media team I got to photograph and participate in many local events including parties, beach clean-ups, and health seminars. I was able to spend time with other volunteers to learn about what they were doing to help the community, from teaching English in schools to volunteering at the tortoise breeding center. IOI allowed me to showcase my marketing, web design, and social media skills on a variety of online platforms. The best part is that the volunteer schedule is flexible and not overly-demanding allowing me to get out and explore the natural beauty of the Galapagos!

Emmet TorneyGalapagos Islands · October 2014

Social Media in the Galapagos

I worked with IOI Galapagos as Social Media Communication volunteer. I took photos of events and other volunteers. I produced a video for IOI's youtube and Vimeo channels. I also wrote descriptions and quizzes for pictures that were used for weekly updates on IOI's Facebook page. I also partook in the flamingo count, mangrove planting, and beach clean up which were projects conducted along side with the Galapagos National Park. I enjoyed taking pictures and film. I believe my specific service project was important because I helped promote IOI Galapagos to the general public through their social media outlets.

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FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to all the most common questions about Intercultural Outreach Initiative (IOI).

What fees are not included?

Fee includes food, room and board, permits, Transient visa, local coordination and training at respective facility, local transport, full access to our facilities, etc. — everything with the exception of your airfare, personal expenses, travel insurance, the $20 USD Tourist Transit Card fee to Galapagos (cash at Quito/Guayaquil Airports), and the $15 USD visa-holder Galapagos National Park Entrance Fee (cash at the Baltra/San Cristobal Airports).

When can I start this social media program in the Galapagos?

We ask our volunteers to arrive on a Monday and depart over the week with a 2-week minimum stay.

What are the accommodation options?

In a homestay, you will have breakfast and dinner with the family and lunch will be in one of the participating restaurants via a charting system. In the volunteer house, you are responsible for your breakfast, while lunch and dinner are in one of the participating restaurants. The homestay option is also really nice if you’re interested in full cultural immersion.

Recognitions & Awards

Awards and accreditations earned by this provider

Top Rated Notable Mentions 2022
Innovative New Program, Volunteer Abroad
Innovation in Sustainability 2021 Finalist
Innovation in Sustainability 2021 Winner

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