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Sustainable Economic & Community Development in Ecuador
The Fair Trade Internship in the Mindo Cloud Forest is a unique combination of sustainable development and cultural/heritage preservation. You work with indigenous families who cultivate cocoa using traditional techniques while paying respect to environmental conditions. Intern activities generally fall within various business aspects, including marketing and customer service. The placement is with a women’s association that runs training programs for farmers. They ensure that products, such as pure and flavored chocolate, are put on the market for a fair price. This way, the local community is able to generate sustainable income. This internship is geared toward undergraduate and graduate students, and industry professionals. Your focus should be on entrepreneurship, international development, business, food engineering, tourism, or a related field. Team working skills and flexibility are required as well as a reasonable level of fitness. Proficiency in Spanish (level A2 User of CEFR) is required since you’re working alongside local people. Please bring a laptop to record your progress during the program.
The Fair Trade Internship in the Mindo Cloud Forest is a unique combination of sustainable development and cultural/heritage preservation. You work with indigenous families who cultivate cocoa using traditional techniques while paying respect to environmental conditions. Intern activities generally fall within various business aspects, including marketing and customer service. The placement is with a women’s association that runs training programs for farmers. They ensure that products, such as pure and flavored chocolate, are put on the market for a fair price. This way, the local community is able to generate sustainable income. This internship is geared toward undergraduate and graduate students, and industry professionals. Your focus should be on entrepreneurship, international development, business, food engineering, tourism, or a related field. Team working skills and flexibility are required as well as a reasonable level of fitness. Proficiency in Spanish (level A2 User of CEFR) is required since you’re working alongside local people. Please bring a laptop to record your progress during the program.
Program Highlights
Work with a local women's association to help generate sustainable income for local communities.
Gain direct experience working in the fair trade industry.
Dive into life in Ecuador while living with a local host family and working with a local team.
Experience the unique heritage of Mindo Valley, known as the “Ruta de Cacao” and famous as a a biodiverse ecoregion.
Spend your weekends on outdoor adventures such as rafting, mountain biking, birdwatching, or just enjoying yourself nearby a waterfall.
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Quick Details
- Mindo, Ecuador
- 1-3 Months
- 3-6 Months
- Business
- Development
- Sustainable Development
- American
- Australian
- Austrian
- Belgian
- British
- Canadian
- Cypriot
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- English
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hawaiian
- Hungarian
- Icelandic
- Irish
- Italian
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuanian
- Maltese
- Manx
- Polish
- Scottish
- Slovak
- Slovenian
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Swiss
- The Vatican
- Welsh
Awards
Program Details
Learn all the nitty gritty details you need to know
Locations
- Mindo, Ecuador
Types and Subjects
- Fields
- Business
- Development
- Sustainable Development
Availability
- 1-3 Months
- 3-6 Months
Age Requirement
18+
Guidelines
- American
- Australian
- Austrian
- Belgian
- British
- Canadian
- Cypriot
- Czech
- Danish
- Dutch
- English
- Finnish
- French
- German
- Greek
- Hawaiian
- Hungarian
- Icelandic
- Irish
- Italian
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuanian
- Maltese
- Manx
- Polish
- Scottish
- Slovak
- Slovenian
- Spanish
- Swedish
- Swiss
- The Vatican
- Welsh
This Program is also open to Solo
Starts At
Program Cost Includes
- Accommodation / Housing for Program Duration
- Airport Transfer (Pick-Up)
- Airport Transfer (Drop-Off)
- International SIM Card
- On-Site / In-Country Staff Support
- Training
- In-Country Orientation
- Pre-Departure Orientation
- Certificate of Completion
- Internship Placement
Accommodation Options
- Home-stays
- Other
Qualifications & Experience
- Spanish
Language Skills Required
- Any/All Education Levels Accepted
Accepted Education Levels
Application Procedures
- Online Application
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fair Trade?
Fair trade is the term used to describe the arrangement designed to help goods and services from developing countries achieve equitable and ethical trade. This means that the producers are paid a fair wage and receive improvements in their social and environmental standards!
What support will I receive during this internship?
If you volunteer or intern with Kaya, each participant receives 24/7 support from placement advisors before and during the internship. There will also be on-the-ground support from the organisations you work with that can help with educational, recreational and even medical support while abroad.
Do I need any qualifications for this internship?
For this internship, participants should be studying or graduates of fields such as entrepreneurship, tourism, food engineering, international development, and business. All interns must have basic Spanish language knowledge (lever A2 user of CEFR).
How long is the internship?
The length of this internship starts from 8 weeks and can be extended to 12 weeks. Every week after that is £251/$392.
Do I need a visa to intern in Ecuador?
You may need to apply for a temporary resident visa or volunteer visa in Ecuador, however, if you want to be sure, you can contact our Kaya Placement Advisors or consult your government website.
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Ready to Learn More?
The Fair Trade Internship in the Mindo Cloud Forest is a unique combination of sustainable development and cultural/heritage preservation. You work with indigenous families who cultivate cocoa using traditional techniques while paying respect to environmental conditions. Intern activities generally fall within various business aspects, including marketing and customer service. The placement is with a women’s association that runs training programs for farmers. They ensure that products, such as pure and flavored chocolate, are put on the market for a fair price. This way, the local community is able to generate sustainable income. This internship is geared toward undergraduate and graduate students, and industry professionals. Your focus should be on entrepreneurship, international devel...
Kaya Responsible Travel
Kaya Responsible Travel
Ready to Learn More?
The Fair Trade Internship in the Mindo Cloud Forest is a unique combination of sustainable development and cultural/heritage preservation. You work with indigenous families who cultivate cocoa using traditional techniques while paying respect to environmental conditions. Intern activities generally fall within various business aspects, including marketing and customer service. The placement is with a women’s association that runs training programs for farmers. They ensure that products, such as pure and flavored chocolate, are put on the market for a fair price. This way, the local community is able to generate sustainable income. This internship is geared toward undergraduate and graduate students, and industry professionals. Your focus should be on entrepreneurship, international devel...
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