Ecuador Reporter

Useful Links

Volunteer Work
Ecuador Volunteer

Language Schools
La Lengua Spanish School
Beraca Spanish School
Study Spanish 20 minutes from Quito in the valley
Yanapuma
Guayasamin School

Accommodation
Folklore Hotel
Hostal Puerta Del Sol

Accomodation Outside Quito
Salasaca Indigenous Weaving Workshop & Hostal Runa Huasi
Intag Community-Based Cloudforest Tours
Sol de Súa (SUA)
Villa Paradiso (Cotacachi)

Jungle Lodges
Sani Lodge
Yachana Lodge

Travel Agencies
Galapagos Tours by Tierra de Fuego Agency
Compania de guias de montanas

Volunteering and Internships in Quito

While the SAE has always been a primarily volunteer organization, over the last several years interns have become an integral part of the SAE. Internships last at least 15 weeks and the longer time frame affords interns the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the club. Volunteers must be willing to volunteer, full-time for at least a 6 weeks. Beyond the amazing experience of working and living in Ecuador a Volunteer/Intern has the chance to:

  • Develop professional skills with diverse and expanding programs
  • Work with an international staff
  • Develop language skills
  • Develop interpersonal communications
  • Work with resource and project management
  • Develop self-proposed initiatives
  • Work face-to-face with a diverse cliental

Responsibilities of an Intern/Volunteer

An intern/volunteer at the SAE has responsibilities in multiple areas. They assist members with their itineraries and travel plans, sell club merchandise, manage clubhouse resources, plan events, and perform general office tasks. In addition, each intern in collaboration with other staff and volunteers works on special projects that help the club adapt to the members changing needs as well as follow current trends within travel, research and exploration. In addition to learning valuable project management skills, past interns have been able to earn university credit for their work.

Clubhouse/Member Services

  • Update current recommended lists, brochures and info sheets
  • Solicit trip reports from members and manage trip report database
  • Schedule, promote and manage clubhouse events including classes, talks, parties, fundraisers, etc
  • Maintain lending library, book exchange and clubhouse bookstore
  • Welcome and provide trip planning assistance to visiting members and respond to email requests

Internship Specialty Areas

Examples of past special Intern projects include a needs assessment of local non-profit/non-governmental organizations, the expansion of SAE’s volunteer resources, writing area information packets, fundraising campaigns and club promotions. Each intern will collaborate with the clubhouse staff to design a special project that compliments and expands upon the individual intern’s personal skills and professional strengths.

Intern responsibilities are divided into several areas and internships can focus on any one or a combination of the following:

Volunteer Resources Management

  • Meet with humanitarian, socially and ecologically oriented non-profits and establish lasting relationships with them
  • Maintain and update Volunteering information for Ecuador
  • Advise members on volunteering opportunities in Ecuador
  • Organize community service projects and fundraisers with local organizations

Marketing/Public Relations

  • Build relationships with local businesses such as outfitters, hostels, hotels, travel agencies, student exchange services, etc.
  • Negotiate special deals with organizations/companies for group memberships and discounted membership rates
  • Establish and maintain media contacts to publicize the club and events
  • Design and harmonize the appearance of club publications, such as brochures, flyers, website, enewsletter, etc.

Event planning

  • Organizing events and trips for our members
  • Creating and distributing flyers, posters, general club advertising
  • Updating weekly email newsletter

Fundraising & Development:

  • Research funding opportunities in the U.S. and abroad to create development strategies including the management of grant application research, proposals, materials and deadlines.

    Candidate must possess the following skills:

    • Excellent persuasive written skills
    • Detail and deadline oriented
    • Have knowledge of public funding sector
    • Prior experience working with funding organizations or grant proposals highly encouraged.

    Travel Research and Writing

    • Contribute to SAE publications such as website content, South American Explorers magazine and enewsletters.
    • Research travel opportunities and write informational brochures, packets, articles, etc.
    • Contribute articles to websites and publications of SAE partners

    Requirements

    Time: A volunteer commits to at least 6 weeks, while for an intern a minimum of 15 weeks is required. Exceptions can be made, but a smaller time frame fails to allow for adequate training and proper design and implementation of each intern’s required special project.

    Education/Experience: The completion of high/secondary school is a must, preferably some university study. Professional work experience is not necessary although is a great asset.

    Skills: Desirable skills include good organization, responsibility and ability to complete tasks. Computer literacy is required; preferably experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, Photoshop and other design software. Good written and oral communications skills are necessary and exceptional writing ability is required for the Travel Writing position (please submit a writing sample if interested). Above all, enthusiasm for travel and a commitment to helping others are a candidate’s most valuable assets.

    Language: A large amount of both written and verbal communication is used within and between the clubhouses so the ability to write and speak fluently in English is also a must. Those who are currently studying Spanish are encouraged to apply although a decent working knowledge is a huge asset. We handle a large amount of correspondence in Spanish in addition to the day-to-day situations that arise while living in South America.

    Travel Experience: Normally we like long-term volunteers and interns to have travel experience in Latin America (travel in Argentina is a plus). We spend a good deal of the day just interacting with members, and it's imperative to have a good base of knowledge to use to advise them. That's not to say that you have to have been everywhere, but sounder advice definitely comes with first-hand experience.

    How to Apply: Please fill out an application and attach a CV or resume. If applying for a travel writing internship please also submit a short writing sample. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and should be submitted via email to quitoclub@saexplorers.org

    If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to write or call us at the clubhouse.

    Benefits for interns and volunteers:

    Unfortunately we are unable to pay our interns a stipend, however SAE strives to provide its interns and volunteers with other benefits in appreciation for the work they will do for the Club. Benefits include but are not limited to:

    • Opportunity to live and work in a different culture.
    • Excellent networking opportunities with other NGO’s, schools, tour operators, academics, etc.
    • Develop new skills, i.e organizational, marketing, I.T.
    • Opportunities to organize your own trips with updated information.
    • Free lunch and hot drinks
    • Free internet access one hour before & after office hours and during lunchtime
    • Discounted Spanish classes (available to volunteers who are contracted for longer than 1 month)
    • Flexible work schedule – this will allow the volunteer time to travel or take Spanish lessons
    • Free membership for volunteers contracted for over 1 month
    • Meet new people and make lifelong friends- Quito SAE office is a very relaxed & social environment in which to work.

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