Social Justice, Indigenous Rights, Ecological Sustainability
Improve your Spanish as you work alongside community members on community-driven service projects, or enjoy a warm meal of gallo pinto with your host community.
Explore modern social justice and community development issues as you collaborate with indigenous rights organizations – both in the Andes mountains and in the Amazon Rainforest region. Examine the ripple effect of complex social, political, and economic policies on local inhabitants across the socio-economic spectrum.
Bask in the glory of the most biodiverse nation on earth: from the misty mountains of the Andes to the steamy jungles of the Amazon basin. Learn the impact of climate change on each of these regions and see first-hand how decisions we make at home impact these ecological hotbeds a continent away.
Focusing the group and laying foundations:
Spend your first days in the misty mountains of the Andes in the group’s homebase in the countryside surrounding colorful Otavalo. Test out your Spanish bargaining in the world-renowned Otavalo market; hike around the turquoise Lago Cuicocha; build group dynamics and your own cross-cultural skills through immersive activities facilitated by highly trained and caring staff.
Diving Deep:
During the heart of the program you’ll dive deep into social justice issues and innovative solutions being spearheaded by our partner organizations advocating for indigenous rights in the Andes mountains and the Amazon rainforest.
The interests of your group will drive your exploration of social justice and ecological justice as you collaborate with partner organizations and hosts.
Debrief, Reflection, Re-Entry:
Before heading back home, you’ll spend the final days of your experience debriefing and reflecting on everything you’ve learned and discovered, and you’ll explore the lingering questions you still have. You will set personal goals and zero-in on how this experience has informed your future. This is a great time to reflect on your own leadership skills and your own capacity to address some of the poignant social issues you’ve encountered during this experience.