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Location
  • Ecuador
    • Galapagos
Length
1 - 2 weeks
Program Categories
Cultural Immersion Language Immersion Volunteer Abroad

Program Details

Program Type
Provider
Timeframe
Summer
Housing
Host Family
Language
English
Age Min.
15
Age Max
18

Pricing

Starting Price
$3,605 USD
Price Details
Visit website for more information on what is included in the cost.
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Airport Transfers Meals Travel Insurance
What's Not Included
Airfare Visa
Aug 16, 2021
May 28, 2021

About Program

Projects Abroad offers High School programs for teens between 15-18 years old who are interested in utilizing time off from school to get their hands dirty and help communities, animals and environments in need of support.

Travel for two weeks to the famed Galapagos Islands off the coast of Ecuador and volunteer on projects focusing on Giant Tortoise and Sea Lion Conservation as well as Early Childhood Development support.

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Video and Photos

Volunteer assisting a young boy with his ribbon in Ecuador
Projects Abroad volunteers clean a Giant Tortoise pool

Program Reviews

10 Rating
based on 2 reviews
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  • Growth 9
  • Support 10
  • Fun 10
  • Housing 9
  • Safety 9
Showing 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
Default avatar
Felix
20
Male
United Kingdom
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

One of the most beneficial experiences of my life

May 28, 2021

I made possibly the first group of proper friends on this trip. I was never a loner, but i would consider every single one of the 20 or so people with me in the Galapagos as part of my family, the vibes we had were immense! Our projects advisor was very open to suggestions and improvements that we had for the Project, which really made you feel a valued part of the team and allows you to have a more lasting impact while you are out there. It was the perfect mix between work and play. The ability to structure our free time as we saw fit and take a week or two off gave us the opportunity to visit a ton of different islands. It allowed me to do meaningful work, broaden my cultural horizons and have a great time.

If you did this all over again, what's one thing you would change?
Nada. I would Just do my best to appreciate it more
10 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Response from Projects Abroad

Hi Felix,

Thank you for such a great review! It's amazing to hear that you and your group had such a great connection with each other. We greatly appreciate volunteers who take initiative, pass on new ideas, and strive to have a long-term impact, so thank you for your suggestions and contributions. I will absolutely be passing this message on to the team in the Galapagos Islands. We hope to have you join us again in the future!

Kind regards,

Courttani Manning
Project Expert and Volunteer Alumni

By Courttani Manning on August 17, 2021
Default avatar
Luisa
63
Italy
10/10
Yes, I recommend this program

Nature, animals, conservation: what else?

Feb 12, 2020

If you like nature and animals, living quietly in their habitat, if you like working with them and the local community, if you like to experience stunning views and lovely food, go to san Cristobal and join this program. I had fun and I learned a lot of new thing. Always feeling safe and supported from the manager and the rangers. With them, you also can meet the local community and get in contact with its lifestyle. It’s really a great experience for solo traveller, couples, under 20 and over 60.

What would you improve about this program?
Basically nothing, I found everything interesting.
11 people found this review helpful.
Helpful
Animals are all around, they are part of the every day life
Sea lion on the beach
Read my full story
Response from Projects Abroad

Hi Luisa,

Thank you for taking the time to leave your review of the Conservation project in Ecuador. Your effort was not only appreciated by us but, by the local community. We look forward to having you on another project or Internship in the near future!

William Puga, Country Director for Ecuador

By Projects Abroad on March 4, 2020

Questions & Answers

Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Luisa Cordova

Program
Projects Abroad High School Project in Galapagos
Luisa Cordova

Why did you choose this program?

I had some free time and I decided to use it volunteering for conservation. I did it twice, once in Costa Rica for three months and once in Galapagos for three weeks. I think that working hard in nature helps clear your mind and gives you a different perspective on life. And it worked very well.

What did your program provider (or university) assist you with, and what did you have to organize on your own?

As I am not a young person, I did everything by myself: looking for the program, choosing it, organising the flights and some of my traveling accommodations. I managed with Project Abroad about my fist night when I landed in the countries. And, of course, the lifts to my final destinations.

Everything worked very well.

What is one piece of advice you'd give to someone going on your program?

When you go volunteering, bring always with you patience, smiles, curiosity and flexibility. Be open-minded - there are new cultures, foods, lifestyles that you’ll meet and you have the opportunity to share yours with local people. Don’t be scared to experience, but respect and follow the behaviours of your guests. You might have problems only if you insist to behave as in your country.

What does an average day/week look like as a participant of this program?

Days with Project Abroad in Galapagos are very well scheduled. You have the opportunity to see many different aspects of local life, nature, animals. You can also organise tours and short trips to other islands of the archipelago. It’s a never-ending adventure.

You work for 5 hours per day (average) and then you can enjoy surroundings, pubs, restaurants.

Going into your experience abroad, what was your biggest fear, and how did you overcome it? How did your views on the issue change?

After the PA experience, I’m more confident in problem-solving and I know that a different lifestyle can be fun and definitely ‘change your eyes’. Things that seemed so important at home, take the right place in life.

I was scared not to find friends, but I was wrong. I found a lot of friends...

Any last pieces of advice?

The side goal of this experience in Galapagos (but also the one in Costa Rica) is that you really create a net of friends all over the world. You meet different people, different ages, different cultures. And it’s really interesting. I met Australian, Chinese, New Zealand, Canadian, European. When you share life, you learn a lot about other people.

About Projects Abroad

Discover what you are capable of with Projects Abroad! Projects Abroad is a global organization formed in 1992 around the need for gap year programs abroad designed for students taking a break from studying. We have since expanded to offer high school volunteer programs and a vast variety of other programs geared towards people of any age and...
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