El Nomad Package Options
A home-stay - a local family immersion experience
El Nomad works with upper middle class families who have an interest in
sharing their culture and family life with international students and assisting
them in improving their language skills
A local internship - work experience in a local Ecuadorian company
El Nomad works with well known local companies and provides many different
positions for students to gain work experience while improving language skills,
workplace specific vocabulary, and real world work experience
A volunteer position - donate your time with a local NGO or nonprofit organization
El Nomad has a commitment to place you with non-profit institutions and
organizations which are recognized for their work with the community and
dedication to make a difference.
Spanish classes - help build your language base at school or improve the Spanish you
already know
El Nomad works only with certified Spanish teachers and provides you with the
flexibility to customize your learning schedule and class times to best suit your
individual needs.
We want to stress that these programs are flexible and that you are welcome to customize
your own package! Pick and choose options from the list above and let us know exactly
how we can help you construct your ideal experience!
También ofrecemos clases de ingles!
Por favor contactenos para mas información!
Accomodations
El Nomad’s home-stay option is an excellent choice no matter if you are backpacking,
touring, vacationing, or looking for a new way to experience a foreign country. It allows you
to take the Spanish you learn in classes or at your internship/volunteer position and apply
these skills to a home situation. It also introduces you to real Ecuadorian culture and allows
you to make personal connections with an Ecuadorian family, which will last a lifetime.
All of our home stays are with middle and upper middle class families whose houses are
located in safe neighborhoods and hand selected by the owners of El Nomad. With these
home-stays we guarantee that you will have a complete cultural immersion experience and
the ability to practice Spanish 24 hours per day 7 days per week, with your family helping
you experience as much of Ecuadorian life as possible!
Private Accommodation
A small, private, apartment is available on the side of the El Nomad Center.
It is one-bedroom, fully-furnished, self-contained apartment. It contains a private entrance, cooking facilities, bathroom, and bedroom with sufficient space for two people to fit comfortably.
Please contact us for rates and availability.
Internship/Volunteer Positions
An international internship is a way to get an edge in the workplace and make yourself
much more marketable to businesses. Not only will an internship in Ecuador through El
Nomad increase your job opportunities, but it will also immensely increase your language
skills and introduce you to a new culture and new ways of thinking which are highly desired
by employers in our increasing global world. It will also help you take what you learn
in your Spanish classes and apply it to the real world; taking the theory and turning it in to
practical application.
By customizing packages we allow students to individualize their experience. However
this does not stop at just the packages. We take this same idea of customization and assist
students through the development of...
- Personalized placements (by listening to exactly what the student is studying and what
their future goals are)
- Providing individual guidance throughout the internship and volunteer process through a
personal intern supervisor (weekly meetings will be scheduled to make sure the student is
gaining as much as possible from the experience and focuses on their listed learning objectives)
- Encouraging students to keep a comparative journal of their intern and cultural experiences
abroad to better help them apply what they have learned once they return home
- An official record of service/internship program completion
A Sample of Our Year Round Intern Positions
Remember, this is just a sample of what we have to offer. Let us know what you're interested in and we will let you know what we have in your field!
Zoo Amaru
El Nomad offers internships and volunteer positions year round with Amaru.
Positions available year round: Aquariums and reptarium, environmental expeditions, "Anaconda" Kids Club, children's workshops, environmental education programs for all ages, environmental and community development, ecological studies of local flora and fauna, ecotourism projects including feasibility studies, observation of fauna in its natural habitat, environmental expeditions, and much more!
Foundation Santa Ana de los Rios de Cuenca
Nonprofit organization which focuses on aiding the elderly when they can no longer care for themselves. It is a small community organization who assists around 20 elderly adults to meet many basic needs that would otherwise go unmet, such as housing, food, clothing, medical attention, and physical and recreational therapy.
Positions available year round: Psychologist, Nurse, Nutritionist, Recreational therapist, Physical therapist
El Arca
A community organization which focuses on one of the main animal issues in Ecuador, the sterilization of dogs and cats, in order to reduce homeless animal numbers. They also assist in educating locals regarding proper animal care, as well as all around support for animal rights and welfare.
Positions available year round: Veterinary doctors focusing on cats and dogs, Veterinary doctors specializing in dog and cat sterilization.
Modern Art Muesum
The modern art museum opened to the public in 1981. The building used to house the museum was the renovated 'Casa de la Temperancia' due to its immense size. It acts as an exposition location for all types of art, not just modern forms. Also within the museum a library specializing in art has been formed and is at the disposal of those investigating, studying or simply just enjoy such aesthetic productions.
Positions available year round: Art Restoration
Communidad de Misioneras Coredentoras "Hogar de La Madre y del Nino"
This non-profit, social assistance organization provide treatments, follow-ups, group therapy, direct support, and many other needed services to children and adolescents who have been violated, sexually abused, exposed to family violence. The goal of the organization "Hogar de la Madre y del Nino" is to reduce and to give skills to mothers and their children so they can return and reinsert themselves in to family and social situations.
Positions available year round: clinical psychology and nutrition, volunteers assistance with general duties within the center and general program assistance.
Communidad de Misioneras Coredentoras "Gramja Gualaceo"
This is a non-profit organization which works to provide community and social assistance by running a community farm.
Positions available year round: production, maintenance, and commercialization of the farm, technical assistance for greater production, and assistance with strategies for better use of existing resources.
Communidad de Misioneras Coredentoras "Centro de Cuidado Diario Perpetuo Cocorro"
This is a non-profit organization which focuses on the care and attention of children from 6 months through 5 years of age. This care focuses on health, alimentation, education, and in general to provide the children with a higher quality of life.
Positions available year round: pediatric medicine, clinical psychology, language therapy, early stimulation, English professors, physical education teachers.
Communidad de Misioneras Coredentoras "Cooperativa de Vivienda Jose Fidel Hidalgo"
This non-profit organization assists single mothers find housing. They are currently looking to construct community housing for 42 family of single mothers to create a self-sustaining community.
Positions available year round: civil engineers
Communidad de Misioneras Coredentoras "Jardin de Infantes Jose Fidel Hidalgo"
This is a non-profit organization which focuses on the initial education and care of children, specifically focusing on children who come from families below the poverty line as well as children of single mothers or immigrant families. Services focus primarily on family group therapy, diagnostic tests, evaluations and work with children as well as evaluating and treating children in need.
Positions available year round: clinical psychology, language therapists, early stimulation therapists.
Spanish Classes
Spanish is the world's third most spoken language, after Mandarin Chinese and English.
Today, almost 500 million people worldwide speak Spanish!
El Nomad knows and understands that living in a country and interacting with native
speakers is the best way to truly learn a language. The way El Nomad’s programs are designed
provides you with the opportunity to incorporate Spanish in to every part of your
daily life (home-stays, internships/volunteer positions), and reinforce these experiences
with private Spanish lessons.
The lessons we offer are one-on-one to maximize learning potential as we understand
each Spanish student we have will be at a different level of language learning, and learn in
a different manner than the next. All of our teachers have verifiable university degrees, are
certified teachers and have years of teaching experience. They are also accustomed to
and capable of individualizing their teaching style to meet the needs of their students.
The Process
El Nomad makes the international immersion process simple by arranging all of the necessary
components of your program, from your internship/volunteer position placement to
your housing, so you can focus on your upcoming experience.
After we receive your application one of the company owners will analyze your application
and match you with a program (internship/volunteer position/Spanish lessons/home-stay)
that is best suited to your skills and experience. Once you accept and have paid the appropriate
deposit we will inform the company or organization of your decision and send
you a pre-departure packet to assist with your preparations for your upcoming adventure!
You will also need to book your flight, which is not included in the package price. If you
need assistance with booking your flight we are more than happy to make suggestions of
where to look and where to fly to and from.
Upon arrival we will meet you at the airport and transfer you directly to your home-stay.
The following day will include an orientation with you and your family and a city tour to familiarize
you with your new surroundings. Your program will start a couple of days following
your arrival.
Although schedules can be altered depending on each student's specific needs, we recommend
scheduling your educational and internship/volunteer activities for 4 days a week
6 hours each day. This schedule allows internship/volunteer/language experience, but at
the same time allows for free time to experience all of what Ecuador has to offer.
Pricing
One Month Program - $1,790.00
Includes a home-stay for 4 weeks
All meals and laundry
64 hours of private Spanish instruction (2 hours per day 4 days per week)*
A volunteer or internship position
All of our “Extras”
Trip to Cajas National Park
Trip to Ingapirca Ruins
Any of the free cultural activities listed below
Special discounts associated with being a student of El Nomad
El Nomad ID Card
Three Month Program $3,999.00
Includes a home-stay for 12 weeks
All meals and laundry
192 hours of private Spanish instruction (2 hours per day 4 days per week)*
A volunteer or internship position
All of our “Extras”
Trip to Cajas National Park
Trip to Ingapirca Ruins
Any of the free cultural activities listed below
Special discounts associated with being a student of El Nomad
El Nomad ID Card
Six Month Program - $7,790.00
Includes a home-stay for 24 weeks
All meals and laundry
384 hours of private Spanish instruction (2 hours per day 4 days per week)*
A volunteer or internship position
All of our “Extras”
Trip to Cajas National Park
Trip to Ingapirca Ruins
Any of the free cultural activities listed below
Special discounts associated with being a student of El Nomad
El Nomad ID Card
12 Month Program - $13,707.00 (price includes 10% discount)
Includes a home-stay for 56 weeks
All meals and laundry
768 hours of private Spanish instruction (2 hours per day 4 days per week)*
A volunteer or internship position
All of our “Extras”
Trip to Cajas national Park
Trip to Ingapirca Ruins
Any of the free cultural activities listed below
Special discounts associated with being a student of El Nomad
El Nomad ID Card
SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAMS!
6 Week Summer “Experience Ecuador” Package - $2,550.00
Includes a home-stay for 6 weeks
All meals and laundry
60 hours of private Spanish instruction (3 hours/day 4 days/week for 5 weeks)*
A volunteer or internship position
All of our “Extras”
Trip to Cajas National Park
Trip to the Ingapirca Ruins
3 day/2 night coastal adventure to Machalia and the Ruta del Sol*
3 day/2 night trip to Ecuador’s capital Quito*
Any of the free cultural activities listed below
Special discounts associated with being a student of El Nomad
El Nomad ID Card
*You can select either Machalia and Quito, or substitute these two trips for a 4 day/3 night Galapagos cruise in tourist
class. This does not include a flight which runs at $348 during high season and $305 during low season from Guayaquil.
It also does not include the $100 park entrance fee which is payable upon landing in Galapagos.
2 Week Winter Getaway “Experience Ecuador” Package - $2,450.00
Days 1-5*
10:00am - 12:00noon
Spanish lessons
12:00noon - 2:00pm
Preparing
traditional lunch with Chelita
2:00pm - 3:00pm
Traditional Siesta Time
3:00pm onward
Enjoy your evening and explore Cuenca
including visiting local cafes, cultural
activities, churches, soccer games, bicycle
rentals, and much more! The staff at El
Nomad will show you around and help you
take advantage of all Cuenca has to offer.
*Days 1-5 includes rooming in the El Nomad housing facilities as well as all of your meals.
Day 6
Free day, get packed and ready for your upcoming adventures!
Days 7 - 10
Take a 3 day/2 night trip to the Nation's Capital, Quito and explore all
it has to offer, including a trip to the world famous Otovalo market
Days 11-14
Take some time and relax on your final days in Ecuador on the Ruta
del Sol. This is the coastal region of Ecuador and will be very diverse
from what you have already experienced. Try coastal seafood, eat
ceviche, and experience the pristine beaches of Machalia during this
3 day/2 night mini vacation, you might even see whales!**
This package also includes:
All of our “Extras”
A volunteer or internship position
Any of the free cultural activities listed below
Special discounts associated with being a student of El Nomad
El Nomad ID Card
Optional: Ingapirca Ruins and Cajas National Park (These are free additions if
you feel you have time and would like to visit them)
PLEASE REMEMBER!
All of our programs are customizable, if you do not like the options included
we are happy to change the options and provide you with a new price quote.
We want to make sure that your experience in Ecuador is exactly what you
would like it to be, so please do not hesitate to contact us and let us know
what you’re looking for!
Additional trip packages can be added to any of the above program options. Options include:
3 days/2 night Machalilla National Park,
3 days/2 nights Quito and Otovalo,
4, 5, and 8 day Galapagos,
Amazon Region packages.
Please contact us for more information regarding these options.
Extras
All of our program packages include:
- A city information packet, including detailed city maps, locations of information centers,
airport terminals, hospitals, local transport information, cultural information such as how to
adjust culturally, and information on local tourist site
- Contact information and directions to the best local tourist companies
- A trip to Cajas National Park
Trip to Ingapirca Ruins
- The planting of a tree (see the Go Green! section)
- Early morning training sessions and weekend bike trips with Team El Nomad
- Optional mobile phone rental at additional charge
Please Note: The cost of medical care is not included in our packages. We do have a private
doctor who works directly with El Nomad and will be ready to assist us with any medical
emergency our students may face, however any doctor services are also not included
in program prices. 
El Nomad recommends that all program participants either ensure their
current insurance covers them abroad or purchase international medical insurance. Please
visit the World Nomads site for more information about international health insurance options. If you are uninsured, common medical costs run around:
- Doctor Visit - between $20-$80
- Allergy/Stomach/Cold/Antibiotic medications - $20-$100 per prescription
Cultural Activities Offered
We offer a variety of local cultural activities for our program participants to take part
in. Some of them are free of charge, some of them have a small entry fee associated
with them, however, they will all help introduce you to activities that go on everyday
in an average “Cuencanos” life and integrate you in to those activities. The
following are the daily activities offered by EL NOMAD.
Monday -
Play on a community fútbol team!
$2.00 per person
An associate of EL NOMAD will take you to the field and set you
up with a team so that you can play fútbol (soccer/football) with
the locals.
Tuesday -
Morning Thermal Pools Visit
$1.50 - $20
Take a morning bus to the small town of Banos which is located
right outside of Cuenca and relax in the naturally heated
volcanic mineral pools. Price of entry varies on the services
selected.
(Normal thermal pool entry runs at around $1.50 - $2.00)
Wednesday -
Shopping at the local “feria libre”.
FREE
Our social and cultural liaison will accompany you to the local
market where all sorts of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, hand
crafts, and almost any other item you can imagine can be found.
Learn to barter prices like a local while you learn about all of the
different products Ecuadorian markets have to offer.
Thursday -
“Feria de Artesenias” - Shop for local handicrafts
FREE
Shop around the local handicraft market with our social and
cultural liaison. She will talk to you about the various products
and demonstrate how to barter for the best price possible, just
as a local would do. Plus you will be able to purchase gifts for
your friends and family, or fun items for yourself!
Friday -
Cooking Classes with Chelita!
FREE
EL NOMAD supplies the food, you do the cooking. Learn to
cook traditional Ecuadorian dishes: meats, rice, lentils, soups,
salads… there will always be something new to learn and good
food to eat when you’re done.
Sunday -
Deportivo Cuenco Futbol Matches
$5-30
Come and see live South American fútbol and root on Deportivo Cuenca. Their home games fall on the following dates:
-Sunday 30 March - Deportivo Cuenca - Emelec
-Sunday 13 April - Deportivo Cuenca - Deportivo Azogues
-Sunday 27 April - Deportivo Cuenca - Deportivo Quito
-Sunday 11 May - Deportivo Cuenca - Olmedo
-Sunday 25 May - Deportivo Cuenca - El Nacional
-Sunday 22 June - Deportivo Cuenca - Barcelona
-Sunday 6 July - Deportivo Cuenca - LDU
Special El Nomad Student Discounts
Cachumambe is the best Salsa school in Cuenca! They teach many forms of Salsa
and are offering a 10% discount for all classes and services at Cachumbambe
Salsa School. Classes are available by the hour, week and month and can be coordinated
directly through the El Nomad office.
10% Discount for all products from Cikla Cuenca and Quito as well as at 10% discount
on all cycling classes in Cuenca. This includes a discount for bicycle rentals
so you can explore the city on bike!
Bambu Travel offers El Nomad students a 10% discount off of any add on trips they
purchase on top of their El Nomad immersion experience.
Check our website frequently as we are always adding and updating our activities!