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Jungles, snow-capped volcanoes, beautiful beaches and colonial cities make travel to Ecuador an exquisite South American excursion. Astounding cultural and natural diversity overflows – the beautiful Amazon Rainforest, the intricate eco-unique Galapagos Islands (made famous by Charles Darwin) – Ecuador ha so much to offer interns, world travelers and nature lovers. With IFRE's internship in Ecuador program, the memorable opportunity exists to reach beyond the exciting opportunity to help local children, citizens and quaint communities, towards beauty and mystique!
IFRE's Ecuador internship program is based in Quito , the capital of Ecuador . It was founded in 1534 on the ruins of an ancient Inca city and is located 15 miles from the Equator at an altitude of about 10,000 feet. Today, two million people live in Quito . It was the first city to be named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978 (along with Krakow in Poland ). Quito is a fun place to explore offering numerous museums and urban parks as well as delicious restaurants and an exciting nightlife.
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INTERNSHIP IN ECUADOR: ACADEMIC CREDIT |
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You can earn academic credit for most internship projects in Ecuador . The best way to receive academic credit is by pre-arranging the project with your college/university. It is up to an intern to communicate with faculty/academic advisors regarding college credit for internship work PRIOR to applying to IFRE. Your college/university may require additional information prior to approval and may require students to submit pre/post research or other requirements.
Alternatively, you can earn academic credit through Seattle Central Community College (SCCC). SCCC offers college credit for a variety of international programs (study abroad, volunteer abroad, intern abroad, language studies and even cultural-exchanging home-stays). IFRE recommends contacting Professor Steve Tash (we can provide contact details) to further explore this option of receiving academic credit for your international internship. IFRE is not associated with SCCC and it is up to the intern to arrange to transfer SCCC course credit to their university/college of choice.
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SPANISH LANGUAGE PROGRAM IN ECUADOR |
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Are you considering improving your Spanish language skills? Then IFRE's Ecuadorian Spanish Language Program is the perfect choice.
IFRE currently offers highly affordable Spanish language classes in Ecuador . These classes are exclusive to IFRE interns participating in our program. In Ecuador , IFRE partners with a highly reputable Spanish school. They employ qualified and experienced Spanish teachers and offer the most intensive and effective Spanish courses in Ecuador . In this program is structured so that interns can work at their internship project and learn Spanish simultaneously. For example, interns can take Spanish classes from 9:00-11:00 AM (before lunch) followed by internship activities. Alternatively, interns may take Spanish classes from 3:00-4:00 PM (after their day's internship work). Most of the projects are located close to the Spanish school, so it is possible for interns to design a personal schedule. IFRE invites you to improve your Ecuador experience by learning or improving your Spanish.
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INTERNSHIP IN ECUADORIAN WORK PROJECTS |
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IFRE's internship projects in Ecuador are located in Quito . Our internship in Ecuador programs offer unique opportunities to serve humanity while simultaneously exploring the spectacular diversity of wildlife and marine life all contained within the bountiful borders of Ecuador .
Our internship programs in Ecuador include:
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ECUADOR INTERNSHIP PROGRAM FEE & DATES: |
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Start Dates: Internship programs starts on the following (first and third Monday of each month)
IFRE is a 501(c)3 organization, so your program fee will be tax deductible. IFRE Interns is proud to offer an extensive assortment of programs at very reasonable prices ( and may rank “best priced and best value” among the many internship abroad organizations in the USA/Europe/New Zealand ). Our programs are now more affordable than ever. We are proud to focus on the humanitarian aspect of our business, not the profit. We work very hard and smart to keep costs down, especially for you the intern, as we know the value of your donated time and efforts. We remain devoted to maintaining both the quality of the program and the safety of all interns involved. Below is a brief summary of the program fee and services that IFRE Interns offers. IFRE fees comprise of two separate fees. An application fee of $349 USD (covers advertising, staff/office expenses, etc.) and a nominal weekly program fee (covers room/board, insurance, field support, etc).
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Internship program fee (US$) |
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What's Included in Program Fee |
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| 1 week: |
$456 |
| 2 weeks: |
$626 |
| 3 weeks: |
$796 |
| 4 weeks: |
$966 |
| 5 weeks: |
$1,165 |
| 6 weeks: |
$1,311 |
| 7 weeks: |
$1,457 |
| 8 weeks: |
$1,603 |
| 9 weeks: |
$1,749 |
| 10 weeks: |
$1,895 |
| 11 weeks: |
$2,041 |
| 12 weeks: |
$2,187 |
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*Spanish language (group) $6.5 per hour
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Additional costs for interns |
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International flights, passport, visa, personal expenses on water/soft drinks, entertainment, laundry, telephone, immunizations.
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ECUADOR IN INTERNSHIP: ARRANGEMENT OF ROOM & FOOD |
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IFRE manages living accommodations and food in Ecuador . Our interns stay with carefully selected host families. All interns receive three (3) meals a day. Prepared meals are typical of the Ecuadorian diet. Occasionally, if interns are away from their host families during lunch, they may be required to pack their own 'to go' lunches, with food the host family provides. Your host family is responsible for preparing three meals for you each day. If traditional Ecuadorian fare doesn't appeal to you, you are welcome to buy your own food and prepare it yourself. The simple rule is to please not use the family's food for your own use. If you have other needs for food outside of these meals, you are able to purchase snacks and meals at local restaurants and grocery stores. You will be sharing the house, kitchen and bathrooms with the family members. You will have the ability to do your laundry in the house or the host family may offer to do it for you.
Host family residences are simple and clean. Generally, our Ecuadorian host families are respected members of their communities and they live in well-off neighborhoods. Most of our host families are experienced with hosting international interns. Rooms may be shared with another same gender intern. Bathrooms are shared with the family. Toilets are ‘Western style', yet often there is not always hot running water. Throughout the internship project, our local staff stays in contact with interns either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. With longer placements, we visit our interns every two weeks (when possible) and interns are always welcome at the local office. If project placement is local, we request that interns stop by the office once a week to keep us posted on how they are doing with their home stay and project. If project placement is very far, then our local staff members maintain communication by either email and/or phone.
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ECUADOR Internship program free time |
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Interns have free time for the duration of their internship project, weekends and the Language and Culture program. While IFRE does not arrange activities during this time off, our local staff, members and coordinators can provide priceless assistance in making appropriate arrangements for travel in Ecuador . It's the time for self discovery and learning. It's time to explore Ecuador – it is one of the most beautiful countries in the world offering numerous opportunities for a truly amazing experience. Our IFRE local coordinators/staff are available to give you free advice, travel tips and helps to book your travel.
Quito provides a beautiful, high-altitude backdrop for free-time adventures. Quito 's Old City is the largest in Latin America . This historic and important part of Quito has received a huge restoration and revitalization program over the last decade. It boasts numerous churches, monasteries and convents and 17 squares. City busses are safe and inexpensive ways to explore the city and beyond. Locate high in the mountains, Quito serves as a launch pad for eco-tourism – experiences include the world's highest cable car, rainforest excursions, multiple parrot and wildlife encounters and strolls through the well-established botanical garden. Options abound! Rent a bike. Visit the “Middle of the World” Monument. Ride horses. The choices are there for your making! Enjoy Quito !
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