Volunteer for Credit

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Tabacundo

Term: Throughout the year 
Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: inquire for dates

Description: In addition to our volunteer programs the FBU has designed three options for which American college credit is available through Burlington College's independent degree program. For those interested in gaining credits and those interested in these programs but without credits please contact the foundation.

All participants of these program options will spend at least one week of orientation at the foundation's hacienda for learning organic agriculture and forestation - for more details please see organic agriculture.

During this week there is the option to study Spanish in one to one classes with native speakers. Communication is an essential part of the volunteer programs we run and the foundation expects all volunteers that go to live in communities to have a communicative level of Spanish.

Following the weeks orientation volunteers will then be guided to their community and family where they will spend the rest of their time, partaking in the daily lives of the community campesinos.

The options are:

Program #1 - 6 credits - Foundation fee: $350 Duration: 1 month

- 5 page paper to be submitted to Burlington College (for accreditation only)
- 1 week one to one Spanish course at the hacienda, 20 hours in total. Additional time spent participating in daily activities around the hacienda (see "organic agriculture" in our web page)
- 3 weeks living in a rural community of your choice (see "cultural exchange" and "community profiles" in our web page)

Program #2 - 6 credits - Foundation fee: $700 Duration: 1 month

- 5 page paper to be submitted to Burlington College (for accreditation only)
- 2 weeks one to one Spanish course at the hacienda, 40 hours in total. Additional time spent participating in daily activities around the hacienda (see "organic agriculture" in our web page)
- 2 weeks living in a rural community of your choice (see "cultural exchange" and "community profiles" in our web page)

Program #3 - 9 credits - Foundation fee: $1020: Duration 2 months

- 5 page paper to be submitted to Burlington College (for accreditation only)
- 2 weeks one to one Spanish course at the hacienda, 40 hours in total. Additional time spent participating in daily activities around the hacienda (see organic agriculture)
- 6 weeks living in a rural community of your choice and teaching 4-11 year olds in the local school (see cultural exchange, teaching and community profiles)

Further credits can be gained through longer participation in the programs, additional Spanish study and also additional papers, as agreed with Peter Shear at Burlington College.

Please inquire for Additional information about our programs.

Highlights:
- One to one Spanish tuition in the tranquility of a rural hacienda
- An introduction to organic farming and forestation through daily practical sessions with our staff
- A community home stay, where volunteers will live with a family to gain a real insight into the culture and customs of the rural farming communities in Ecuador
- Three community options: in the zone of Intag, the county of Pedro Moncayo (Pichincha) or the indigenous community of Columbe in Chimborazo

Qualifications: These credited programs are open to all US students who are able to transfer credits. No formal qualifications are necessary, but conversational Spanish language ability is a must.

Cost in US$: Various

A portion helps cover the costs of administration and office overheads and the remainder is used to help maintain the FBU's training activities for community leaders. In this way, every cent of the fee is put to good use to help the people of these communities.

Credit Available: yes

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18+

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups of 1-3

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Year Founded: 1953