International Volunteer Student Internship Program at San Jorge Eco-Lodge & Botanical Reserve

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: dates open

Description: Volunteer Work Available at San Jorge:

* Assisting at the Reception Office with general administration; hotel check in; welcoming guests
* Practice worldwide internet marketing & sales; enabling future sales positions
* Hotel management training & tourism activities; hosting, restaurant, kitchen, housekeeping, grounds. Long hours of work when we are busy.
* Biology programs at our four nature reserves in the Cloud Forest, Subtropical Rainforest, High Barren Plains/Highland Rainforest (for biology students)
* Assisting with the hospitality of the guests
* Acting as liaison between staff and guests
* Helping guide guests in cultural, natural and historical tours. These may be at San Jorge or in the areas in and around Quito - a good way to work on your English and Spanish
* Marketing assistance/passing out fliers to tourist-related businesses in downtown Quito
* Research projects - San Jorge research projects. Some research projects may need authorization through the ministry of the Environment in Ecuador (examples include helping identify bird species, and cataloguing the native plants and trees)
* Reforestation work - Planting native trees and plants, removing non-native plants
* Maintenance work - Helping improve San Jorge through maintenance of
trails, and the physical grounds, repainting, gardening, or minor construction of doors, steps, birdfeeders, etc.
* Assisting in teaching the local staff English
* Helping to develop and implement eco-tourism improvements and other conservation related projects
* Helping to develop and implement process and efficiency improvements

Highlights: We believe that having Ecuadorian and international volunteers is a mutually beneficial experience and an integral part of the success of San Jorge! We want you to enjoy Ecuador and we enjoy learning from the skills and experiences that our students have to offer.

We are looking for Volunteers Interns that have good people skills, who are creative, outgoing, rugged (able to adapt quickly to new situations and deal with minor inconveniences and surprises), flexible and hardworking, resourceful and independent with an interest or experience in ecotourism, conservation, nature, biology, ornithology, ecology, hotel management services and international marketing, and who are willing to work long hours when needed. We ask for a minimum commitment of 3 months for our internship programs.

Qualifications:
* Excellent computer skills with Word and Excel
* Some website experience is helpful
* Must like the outdoors and have a team spirit
* Conversational Spanish is required with some basic writing skills

We do not have a large internship program, so volunteers should expect to work in small numbers, or independently, depending on the time of year.

Cost in US$: 100.00 USD per month

Excluded:
Meals not included - food may be purchased at local supermarket and prepared in our kitchen by volunteers.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: We are looking for Volunteers Interns that have good people skills, who are creative, outgoing, rugged (able to adapt quickly to new situations and deal with minor inconveniences and surprises), flexible and hardworking, resourceful and independent with an interest or experience in ecotourism, conservation, nature, biology, ornithology, ecology, hotel management services and international marketing, and who are willing to work long hours when needed

Age Range: 18-25

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Transcript
• Written Application

San Jorge Eco-Lodges & Botanical Reserves's Mission Statement: We believe that having Ecuadorian and international interns is a mutually beneficial experience and an integral part of the success of San Jorge. We want you to enjoy Ecuador and we enjoy learning from the skills and experiences that our students have to offer.

Year Founded: 1988