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Bc. Kristyna Veitova, Brno University of Technology,
ročník 4About the country
Location of the place
I worked and lived in the capital city - Quito.
City
Quito is situated 2800 meters above see level and it's surrounded with mountains. There are a lot of possibilities to do a lot of activities; especially the northern part (Amazonas) is very touristic.
Surroundings (possible trips, ...)
There are bunch of possibilities to travel since you live in the capital that is situated almost in the middle of Ecuador and from there go buses and planes to any part of Ecuador and even across the borders. Ecuador has an interesting nature, so you can visit volcanoes, mountains, jungle, national parks, coast, spa cities, indigenes places etc.
Employer
Employer
I worked in a company Proquim s.a.
Work description
I worked from Monday until Friday. I was responsible together with a boss to create a new franchise model for a new business he has planned. I needed to analyze the market, talk with experts and consultants and on its base to create a model.
In the other part of my internship I was creating a new marketing strategy for the business that already exists.
In the other part of my internship I was creating a new marketing strategy for the business that already exists.
Salary (sufficient for local conditions?)
350USD per month. If I would only work, eat and sleep, I could probably make it but since you are so far, you want to travel, go to Spanish classes to learn the language and have some daily activities during the week too.
Language requirements
English or Spanish
Accommodation (price, who provided it)
I lived in Casa Agua Canela, where also other students lived, very close to the centre and public transport connection. I paid 125USD per month. It was a single room and I shared it with my boyfriend. To sleep on one-bed with another person was quite difficult. The owner provided us another room but that was too dark so we decided to stay in the previous one.
We had a shared kitchen and livingroom with other guests.
We had a shared kitchen and livingroom with other guests.
Social life
Meeting IAESTE members (pick-up at the airport, organized events...)
David, the owner, picked us up at the airport and brought us to the hostel for 20USD. Since I came really late (beginning of November) a lot of people already left and it became empty. Anyway, there were still some meetings or little parties, but no trips.
Meeting other foreign students
I met with a lot of Europeans but they were leaving in couple of days, so we didn't do things together.
Sport and culture
If you like sport and dance there is a place called Lift Gym. It's just 10 minutes walking from Canela and they have all workout machines and dance/fitness lectures as well. The price was good, try to bargain. There is a theater, cinema, concerts, festivals (depends on the period you are there). Just ask locals for info.
Food, local specialties
I preferred to cook by myself. There are a lot of supermarkets, markets with fruit and vegetable and little shops where you can buy your food and cook at home because I don't have a good experience with eating the street food here. But others lunched for 2-3USD and had rice, meat and some vegetable.
Try ceviche, seafood and all their fruits! It's delicious!
Try ceviche, seafood and all their fruits! It's delicious!
Other information
Possibilites to communicate with the Czech Republic
Internet connection available at home.
Recommendations for students who will go to the same place
Take care of your personal belongings (small bag for your phone and money under your jacket), do not take higher amount of money while being outside, avoid walking on certain places at night, watch out while crossing the street :-D (drivers are crazy) learn Spanish, and travel here as much as possible!,
What not to forget with you
If you forget anything, you can buy it here. But maybe some medicaments that you have a good experience with would be useful because sometimes here you don't find what you really want. And I would recomend you to take a tiny bag that you can put under your jacket (for phone and money).
Benefits of the internship
I have learned how it is to work in a completely different environment, use theory gained during my studies in practice and how to deal with Ecuadorians.
Cooperation with IAESTE in the foreign country
They helped me to certify my visa, went with me to arrange some necessary things at the beginning and were always reachable on the phone or email. Really nice people.
Overall experience with IAESTE
Good.
Student's website
www.pozdravyzesveta.wordpress.com
Employer's webiste
http://www.garza.com.ec/garza-y-sus-inicios
Other useful links
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Other comments
Do not hesitate and go.