Orientation
At the start of your programme you will be given a comprehensive orientation by the project co-ordinators. The orientation will include:
- An introduction to Ecuadorian culture
- Information about your Spanish lessons (if applicable)
- Health and Safety information
- City Tour to places of interest and importance
- Workplace ethics before starting your project
- An introduction to the area, school and staff that you will be working with
Accommodation and Meals
Accommodation used during the language and volunteer programme is with a local host-family, though there is a student residence that may be used during peak periods. Staying with a local family gives you the rare opportunity to make local friends and experience the Ecuadorian culture from a unique perspective. The families also offer you support, advice and a safe environment to live in during your programme.
The host family will provide you with two meals a day; breakfast and dinner. Volunteers will need to purchase their own lunch locally, but this is extremely cheap in Ecuador. Ecuadorians eat a lot of fresh fruit and vegetables, with potatoes, rice and chicken forming the staple part of their diet. If you have any special dietary requirements, we will happily do our best to accommodate these.
Our Spanish School (Optional)
All participants who are not confident about their Spanish skills are recommended to take classes at our Spanish school in central Quito. Our Spanish school is an institution created to offer personalized instruction in the learning of Spanish as a Second Language.
If you are limited with time, you can arrange to have your language lessons and volunteer project run concurrently, to fit an 8-week programme into four weeks. Please contact a Real Travel Advisor for details.
- Classes are held Monday through Friday from 08:00-12:00 and 14:00-18:00, with start dates each Monday
- Students and teachers work one-on-one, which allows each student to work at his/her individual level. We place particular emphasis on flexibility: students pick the areas they wish to emphasise - conversation, comprehension, writing, etc. All of our teachers are native speakers with a university degree in Spanish and have a minimum of 10 years experience in teaching Spanish as a second language.
- We organise two or three cultural events per week. In the day we organise visits to museums, galleries, cultural centers, cooking lessons etc. In the evenings we go to restaurants, bars, music concerts, the theatre, etc. These trips give participants a chance to learn more about Ecuadorian culture, but also give them the chance to get to know other students and teachers better, and of course, to practise their Spanish.
- We also help participants to organise trips to the Amazon Jungle, Galapagos Islands etc, offering excellent discounts
Free Time
You will be volunteering for around 20 hours per week, so the rest of the time is yours to spend as you wish. We urge you to make the most of being in such an amazing location, and to take the opportunity to explore all there is on offer in Quito and the surrounding areas.
Project Support
Throughout your stay in Ecuador you will have the support and guidance of our local project coordinators. They will provide you with competent assistance and help you with any questions or advice you may need during your stay. The school staff will be on hand throughout your placement and the sports coordinator will be with you to offer any other assistance.
In addition, we will provide you with a 24 hour emergency contact number before you depart, so that you can contact one of our UK staff at any time should you need to.
Project Age Limit
Minimum age 18, maximum decided upon potential participant’s health Project Requirements: Basic to intermediate Spanish (Spanish school add-on for those wanting/needing to learn). Participants should also ensure they feel fit and able to join a project of this nature
