Intern in Ecuador with World Endeavors

Professionally, I was hoping to receive more opportunity for career development in the area of public health investigations or to really be able to delve deep and learn more about a health topic. While I developed great personal relationships and was able to help out, the placement in the hospital wasn’t really the right place for learning what I had originally wanted to.

My experience with World Endeavors was mostly positive. As far as the communication between me and my advisors, and the willingness to help, it was very positive. However I think Covid and the circumstances it created caused me to be a little dissatisfied with some aspects of my trip. In the end I did enjoy moments at Rio Muchacho and the people I got to meet, however I did not enjoy the "volunteering" aspect and work we were expected to do on the farm, not because it was farming but mostly with how it was run. It felt disorganized at times, and the morale between me and the other volunteers was very low or dismal sometimes. I did not like how the person in charge would impose his stresses regarding the farm or other visitors coming on the volunteers. Also I think World Endeavors could do better by updating the information they have on Rio Muchacho, and being more explicit about what the place does and does not offer, especially due to the earthquake and covid which has significantly impacted the experience at Rio Muchacho. I do not feel like I got full value of what I paid for the trip. The amenities and lodging Rio Muchacho provides for the volunteers was not the best to me, especially compared to the host family I stayed with in Quito. In all though I am very grateful to World Endeavors and the advisors/ coordinators and their ability and willingness to help me navigate my time and experience in Ecuador, and not feel as alone.

Besides a few bumps in the road due to unavoidable circumstances in Ecuador (nationwide protests), I was able to complete my internship requirements, and majorly improve my Spanish which were two goals of mine. I believe this internship set me up for future success, and it was a major personal growth opportunity for me. One suggestion I have is for the program placement coordinators to be more aware of what is and isn’t safe for foreign volunteers. For example, the doctor at the clinic often told me a time to start and often times when I would arrive even a few minutes late, no one was at the clinic to let me in. I understand cultural differences on time. My biggest problem was that when I arrived I was not able to enter the clinic if no one was there. The clinic was in a more dangerous part of Quito, and then I was left to stand in the street to decide what to do. One time I waited almost an hour for the secretary to arrive. I just suggest that maybe local directors are reminded that things that may not be an issue for them can often put volunteers in a vulnerable position. Other than that, everything was great. An amazing opportunity of growth, learning, adventure, and so much more!