Sustainable development starts at home, that’s why our community programs address the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) from a grassroots perspective working with local actors and organizations on change that begins in your backyard.
Community Connections
Connect with local non-profit organizations, social enterprises, and change-makers all working to make your community more sustainable.
Broaden Your Perspectives
Challenge your understanding of the world through hands-on activities that integrate authentic learning experiences without compromising any of the fun.
Authentic Experiences
From investigating invertebrates to making meals for communities in need, we've developed an itinerary full of experiences that will forever change how you see the world.
Breathtaking Landscapes
Whether it's the Amazon rainforest or Andes mountains, our adventure through Ecuador will take you to breathtaking landscapes.
Broaden Your Perspectives
From conservation to sustainable development and social innovation, our adventure through Ecuador will integrate authentic learning experiences without compromising any fun.
Authentic Experiences
From chocolate to plant-based handicraft workshops in the Amazon, we've developed an itinerary full of experiences that will forever change how you travel.
Global Community
Whether it's developing authentic connections with our Ecuadorian partners, or building friendships with other like-minded travelers, you'll leave Ecuador with a sense of belonging to a growing global community.
Everything's Included
With the program fee covering everything you'll need, you can truly immerse yourself in the experience without worries about unexpected expenses or hidden fees.
Get to know the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and understand the complexities in addressing them. Students will participate in group discussions and break-out activities led by our program facilitator. This session will lay the foundation for the rest of the program by making students comfortable with the SDGs abroad and at home.
Learn how the UN Sustainable Development Goals are being addressed in your community before welcoming community organizations and actors into the classroom to discuss their work.
Get out into the community to learn about social sustainability with local organizations.
Students will spend the morning addressing food insecurity in the downtown core by making and handing out meals to community members in need. In the afternoon, students sit down for an engaging discussion on poverty, drugs, and stigma with local activists.
Get out into the community to learn about environmental sustainability with local organizations.
Students start the morning with a hike through the forest to learn the importance of the cedar and salmon to local Indigenous communities. In the afternoon, students get their hands dirty removing invasive species in urban gardens.
Learn about design thinking as a creative problem solving process that can be used to address sustainability issues, and focus on developing a solution that can be shared with local organizations. Students will participate in ideation, prototyping, and building pitches in preparation for their upcoming Pitch Day.
Students present their design thinking solutions to non-profits, social enterprises, and change-makers to get useful feedback on how to maximize their impact in the community. Then students will debrief as a class on what they learned and how they will apply their new perspective moving forward.
If the program is cancelled or postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all participants will be refunded in full.
Insight develops immersive travel programs that incorporate fun and adventure with purpose driven learning. By incorporating authentic experiences into the itinerary, we’re able to show you amazing things about Ecuador while also broadening your perspectives. No need to worry as there won’t be any test at the end!
We’ve run programs for high school, university, and adults around the world. Ecuador is one of the most welcoming and safe countries to visit. Our experienced team will be with you the entire time and will give you a thorough briefing upon arrival on best practices while exploring the country. We have run programming in Ecuador since 2015, all without significant incidents or issues.
The program fee includes flights, accommodations, transportation, meals, and activities as listed in the itinerary. It also includes travel and medical insurance. Personal expenses, such as shopping for souvenirs, are not included.
Ecuador is a great program for students interested in the conservation, sustainable development, and social innovation. Anyone who loves rainforests and mountains will enjoy the landscapes. Anyone who enjoys learning about and engaging with local initiatives will have plenty of opportunities to do so. Students who sign up should be comfortable with potential bugs.
Please refer to instructions sent by your school.