Ecuador
Homestay & Language Immersion
About the Program
Dive into an unforgettable adventure in Ecuador, where students live with local host families and experience authentic daily life up close. Participate in impactful community service projects, from supporting education to environmental initiatives, all while exploring Ecuador’s stunning landscapes. With the perfect blend of cultural immersion and hands-on service, this school group trip offers students the chance to make meaningful connections and create lasting change in the community.
Itinerary
Discover the exciting adventures and impactful moments that await each day on this itinerary!
- Arrive at the Quito airport and meet your Global Works Leader team
- Transfer via private bus to Quito accommodation, selected specifically for its comfort cohesive space for groups
- Safety briefing, snacks, and settle into bed
- Continue orientation to Ecuador
- Practice Spanish with fun language activities!
- Visit important historical sites throughout Quito: Plaza de Independencia, El Panecillo, the Quito Teleferico, and more
- Eat a local lunch while we continue to explore the vibrant culture of this city
- Return to group lodging for a homestay orientation – role play common situations we might encounter in our new home, and learn about our host families!
- Rise early to transfer via private bus to Lago Cuicocha for a hike to the spectacular crater lake
- Learn about the geological and cultural histories of the area, while taking in amazing views
- Lunch at a local spot
- Afternoon of games and soccer with our new community hosts- break the ice while practicing your spanish!
- Settle into our homestays for the night
- Explore our homestay community, a small indigenous community outside of Cotacachi. The economic activities here are mainly agriculture, artisan works, and community tourism
- Meet our community coordinator, community members, and local school staff for a warm and traditional opening ceremony
- Service Begins! Past projects include work in the school on upkeep, reconstruction of facilities, and restoring a local kindergarten. Projects are determined closer to travel dates baed on community need
- Afternoon trip to the Otavalo Market, the largest indigenous market in South America. We split into smaller groups to explore the many colorful, handmade items that the market has to offer- ponchos, jewelry, textiles, and more!
- Return to our homestays for dinner and rest after a busy day
- Jump back into our service projects today – continue work alongside community members, teachers, and students
- Delicious lunch at our homestays
- This afternoon, engage in hand-on workshops with community members. Today we’ll visit a local tannery and try our hand at shoe or wallet making!
- Dinner and evening activities back at our homestays
- Jump back into our service projects today – continue work alongside community members, teachers, and students
- Delicious lunch at our homestays
- Organic jam and jewelry making workshops this afternoon with a local women’s cooperative- learn about small business in this Ecuadorian community
- Dinner and evening activities back at our homestays
- Morning visit to worksite to see results, play some fútbol, and say goodbye to new friends
- Transfer back to Quito for one night
- Hold service learning reflection activities as a group to consider the days spent in Cotacachi
- Drive east for a visit to the mystical Papallacta Hot Springs
- Take in the gorgeous views as we transfer into a misty, green highlands setting
- Enjoy a local lunch to try a local delicacy- trout!
- Transfer back to Quito for final reflections, trip closure, and a celebratory dinner out in the city
- Transfer via private bus to the Quito airport in accordance with flight schedule
- ¡Adios, Ecuador!
Educational Focus & Highlights
Live with Indigenous Families
Experience daily life in an indigenous community by staying with local families. Learn about their agricultural and artisan practices while practicing Spanish in a meaningful cultural exchange.
Hands-On Projects with Local Schools
Engage in service projects that support local schools and communities. Projects may include maintenance, painting, or teaching, fostering collaboration and community development.
Craft & Small Business Skills
Participate in unique artisan workshops such as tannery, jewelry making, and organic jam production. Gain insight into small business practices in the local community. Visit Otavalo Market!
Cultural & Environmental Exploration
Hike around the stunning Lago Cuicocha crater lake and later relax in the mystical Papallacta Hot Springs. Explore Ecuador’s natural beauty while learning about its geological and cultural history.
Gallery
Lodging
Participants
Participants stay in comfortable, dorm-style rooms that typically accommodate 4-6 students per room. These accommodations are carefully selected and often include locally run hotels and eco-lodges that reflect the culture of the area. Each location is chosen to provide private meeting spaces for group activities, ensuring a supportive environment for our programs. Homestays typically house 2-3 students. Participants stay with families who have long-standing relationships with Global Works.
Chaperones
Chaperones can expect to stay in private rooms, unless otherwise noted by the Global Works operations team. These rooms are located in the same facility as the student accommodations, allowing for a peaceful environment to relax and recharge without compromising proximity to the group. During homestays, chaperones typically have a choice to either stay with a homestay family or in a nearby hotel (location dependent).
Bring Your Classroom to the World
Collaborate with Global Works on an impactful service-learning travel program for your students.
