Nature Reserve & Biological Field Station
-Un poco del Chocó-

How to get there
Unfortunately, there is no public transport to the biological station Un poco del Chocó. However, the bus company „Minas“, which operates from the Northern bus terminal „La Ofelia“ in Quito, has a daily bus going to Las Tolas at 17:30h (2 hours, 2$). Furthermore there are several busses to Tulipe (1,50$). You can be picked either in Las Tolas or Tulipe, or you can also be picked up directly in Quito (e.g. at the airport).

Costs for transportation
from/to Las Tolas                            10$
from/to Tulipe                                 15$
from/to Quito                                  60$ (max. 3 Pax)

Working hours
As a volunteer you work at Un poco del Chocó from Monday till Friday. Breakfast time is from 7.30 to 8.30 o’clock. Then you work until 12.30 o’clock. After an hour lunch break you’ll work until 16.30 o’clock. Weekends are off.
The working hours of interns and students depend on their investigation topic and the required data collection. This means that sometimes you might have to work in the very early morning, at nighttime or on weekends. Usually the working hours are more or less the same as for volunteers.

Language
If you’re interested in doing a biological internship or your thesis at Un poco del Chocó, then a lack of Spanish doesn’t pose a problem. German and English are spoken, as well. But it would definitely be of an advantage to speak or learn some Spanish in Ecuador. It helps you to get in contact with the local people and makes it a lot easier to understand the Ecuadorian mentality and culture.
If you’re interested in volunteering, you should speak at least a little Spanish. You need to be able to communicate with Wilo during your work at the station. For the environmental education program and the work with the local people Spanish is definitely required.

Recognition of Study Abroad Projects
It might be possible for biology students to receive recognition of the internship, individual research project or the tropical ecology course from their university back home. You should check on the conditions for recognition with your university in advance. Often, a major requirement is a written report (which you need to do for Un poco del Chocó, as well) and a certification. After handing in your report Un poco del Chocó will issue a certificate.

Payments
Due to the limited number of volunteer or internship spaces, you need to pay 25% in advance. After your successful application, you’ll be informed about our payment regulations on a detailed information sheet.