Internship Program in Ecuador

Limited Time Only Scholarships Available: Free one-month language course and $500 stipend. For more information, click here.

This program, administered in cooperation with our partner organization AMILI, provides internship opportunities for U.S. and Canadian students and young professionals in all four regions of Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands. Unpaid placements are available in business/ finance, hotel management/ tourism, computer science, engineering, social work/humanitarian and environmental fields. Two program options are available: a 4-week Spanish language course with a 2-month internship at an Ecuadorian company or a 1-week language course followed by a 3-month internship. Upon your arrival, you will be picked up at the airport by a representative of AMILI, and given an orientation to explain bureaucratic and cultural issues.

Placement Process:
Once you have been accepted to the program, CDS, in cooperation with AMILI, will find an unpaid internship position with a host company for you. While many internships will be in large cities, we cannot guarantee placement in a specific location or with a particular company. Because the success of an internship depends heavily on a good match between the host company's needs and the intern's skills, we must place priority on finding the best company for you, although we will try to take your requests into consideration.

Host Companies:
CDS/AMILI work with all types of companies: small family-owned businesses, medium-sized companies, or multinational holdings. Many companies are experienced in accommodating foreign interns, and have been working with AMILI for years.

Internship Positions:
Tasks for interns are as diverse as the companies and the participants. Some companies will expect interns to work rather independently, while others prefer to supervise their work closely. Though it will be your responsibility to negotiate your direct work conditions, we will try to assist you whenever possible. Your resume will be sent to several companies in your field. You will be notified of your placement approximately 3 weeks prior to your program start date.

Language Course:
Language instruction will be provided by your own, private instructor in a one-on-one setting. This ensures that you receive instruction based on your individual needs and your Spanish ability. Language instruction is scheduled for 20 hours per week (4 hours per day).

Health Insurance:
You must have health insurance during the program. As an enrolled student during and after the program, you will either keep your U.S. insurance, or choose to purchase coverage through CDS at a cost of $40/month.

Housing:
During your stay in Ecuador, you will live with a host family that has been carefully selected based on its commitment to helping participants practice and improve their Spanish skills and integrate into the culture. By living with a family, you will gain first-hand experience of Ecuadorian culture and will have an unparalleled understanding of the day to day life in this warm and inviting country. As a participant, you will be treated as part of the family and are encouraged to participate in family outings and functions, providing you with ample opportunities to practice Spanish and gain fluency.

Housing costs are $13 per day and include a comfortable room, three daily meals and laundry service (once a week).

Partner Organization: AMILI

Free Language Course:
For a limited time, AMILI will provide FREE language courses for participants who have been accepted for the 2 month Internship Program. Recipients of the language course will be enrolled in AMILI's 4-week Spanish language course. Groups are based on language proficiency and consist of 2 to 3 students per instructor. Classes meet daily for four 45-minute sessions for a total of 80 sessions.

$500 Scholarship:
Several $500 scholarships are available to help defray living costs during your internship in Ecudaor. Scholarships will be awarded based on merit as well as financial need.

For more information on the scholarship and language course, including application instructions, please contact Katrin Hammerling.

• typed/printed CDS application
• current resume in English
• current resume in Spanish (sample enclosed in Application Packet)
• official copy of college transcripts
• letter of recommendation from a professor qualified to comment on your Spanish language skills
• letter of recommendation from a current or former employer
• completed Participant Request Form (enclosed in Application Packet)
• completed AMILI diagnostic language test (enclosed in Application Packet)
• personal statement (one typewritten page) in Spanish entitled "What I believe I can contribute during my internship"
• seperate statement (one paragraph) detailing your financial situation