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INTERNATIONAL STUDENT INTERNSHIP PROGRAM

Hotel and tourism management

Hospitality and facilities management

Green hotel management

Sustainable eco-tourism and development

 

Be part of our Eco-Adventure team in the Andes Mountains, at our 200 acre natural Botanical Reserve in the Pichincha Foothills. We own four private nature and birdwatching reserves throughout Ecuador in the High Barren Plains, Highland Rainforest, Cloud Forest and Subtropical Rainforest, all within a 2 hour radius of Quito.  Study the history of the Last Incan Emperor's Trail at San Jorge Botanical Reserve and learn first hand about the country that has been called "an Ecological Miracle" by leading scientists and explorers for generations. This is a unique opportunity to gain invaluable hands-on experience, working within the international eco-adventure community, sharing stories and making friends with travelers from around the world!

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.
We are looking for interns that have solid people skills and are creative, outgoing, rugged (able to adapt quickly to new situations and deal with whatever life throws at them), hardworking, resourceful, and independent.  Interns must be studying the fields of hotel and tourism management, hospitality and facilities management, green hotel management, sustainable eco-tourism and development, international marketing, conservation, biology, ornithology and/or ecology.

•We ask for a 1 - 2 month minimum commitment for our program, with interns who are willing to work long hours (up to 12 hours a day) during our busy seasons ( but we are open to discussing smaller time periods if a specific, concrete project can be decided upon ahead of time)
• We do not have a large volunteer program so volunteers should expect to work with a small number of other volunteers, and possibly no other volunteers, depending on the time of year.

Program details:
•Assist with the Reception Office, general administration, hotel check-in
• Hotel management training
• Assist with tour schedules, scheduling guides, tourism activities
• Assist with hospitality of guests
• Assist with the hosting, restaurant, kitchen, housekeeping, grounds
• Act as a liaison between staff and guests
• Learn to assist and guide guests in cultural, historical, eco-adventure and bird watching tours (tours may take place at San Jorge Eco-Lodges & Botanical Reserve/Quito or in the general area of Quito).
• Develop and implement eco-tourism improvements and other conservation related projects
• Reforestation work - planting native trees and plants, removing non-native plants
• Maintenance work - maintaining trails and the physical grounds, repainting, gardening, or minor construction of signs, doors, steps, birdfeeders, etc.
• Organic gardening projects
• Worldwide internet marketing and sales
• San Jorge research projects (some 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)
• Community service with our Quito Clothes Drive
• Biology programs at San Jorge’s  four nature reserves in the Cloud Forest, Tropical Rainforest, High Barren Plains and Highland Rainforest (for biology students)
• Teach English/Environmental Education to the staff at San Jorge
• Each intern will be required to write a concise article about San Jorge – The Magic Birding & Hiking Circuit, i.e. hotel management, sustainable tourism, history, conservation, archaeology, bird watching, medicinal plants, OR cooking-Ecuadorian menus, etc. and send a newsletter to any  organization that they are part of:  schools, social clubs, birdwatching associations,  friends and/or co-workers, as a project while volunteering at San Jorge.


Requirements for Program:
Conversational Spanish with some basic writing skills.
Excellent computer skills with both Word and Excel, internet experience, must like the outdoors and have a team sprit.  We do not have a large internship program so interns should expect to work in small numbers, or independently, depending on the time of year.
No alcohol, drugs or inter-relations with staff are permitted while at San Jorge.

Included
• Accommodations are provided in either a dormitory style building or shared private rooms with bath/hot water, depending on room availability at San Jorge/Quito. Linens, towels, soap and bottled water are provided.
• One free day off each week (unless it is high season or extremely busy – then free days are compounded for later usage).
• Limited internet access, some rides, and a few tours with guests.

Excluded
•Meals.  Food to be purchased at local supermarket by volunteers with use of our kitchen.


Cost: $100.00 USD per month

If you are interested in participating please send us your background information, education experience, the country you are from, resume if available, past and present courses of study, and past and present work experience.  Explain why you would like to join our team and why you would fit in at San Jorge.   We look forward to hearing from you!

Please email us at: birdwatching@eco-lodgesanjorge.com

Cheryl Korowotny
International Director
The Magic Birding & Photography  Circuit
SAN JORGE ECO-LODGES & BOTANICAL RESERVES
Quito – Tandayapa – Milpe - Cosanga - Estero Hondo-Sumaco Bajo-Guacamayos
Ecuador – South America
Email: birdwatching@eco-lodgesanjorge.com
(877) 565-2596 Toll Free USA & Canada.

Magic Birding & Photography Circuit Map


San Jorge has been awarded the Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence for the past 11 consecutive years!