This story highlights how a CCPD Summer Internship Stipend helped one student spend the summer at SALEM International, a community center in Mindo, Ecuador. While there, Isabel worked closely with children and teens, supported day-to-day programming, and collaborated with an on-site psychologist. The experience deepened her Spanish, expanded her understanding of therapeutic work with young people, and helped her think more concretely about future career options.

“I spent this summer working at SALEM International, a nonprofit located in Mindo, Ecuador. SALEM is a community center for children, teens, and families and I learned about their volunteer opportunities during my time studying abroad in Quito, Ecuador. They focused on supporting the community of Mindo by providing engaging activities, therapy, food for children and teens as well as providing information and educational resources to their caretakers about parenting 

During my time in SALEM, I worked with children ages 5 to 8 and teens ages 13 to 16 and supporting activities like sewing and art classes, playing with the children, and setting up fun events like talent shows! My daily responsibilities included helping prepare the spaces around SALEM and preparing lunch as well and greeting the children and supervising lunch time. In addition to these responsibilities, I had the opportunity to work with their on-site psychologist. I helped her create materials for her therapy sessions like for cards to describe emotions and researching methods for coping with strong emotions.  

This experience allowed me to continue improving my Spanish-speaking skills while gaining experience working with a psychologist during the summer before my senior year. Having the opportunity to explore aspects of both of my majors, Spanish and Psychology, before my senior year has been super beneficial while I consider my next steps. I am interested in pursuing a career working with children as speech pathologist or child psychologist and gaining more experience working with children while exploring therapy has given me a deeper understanding of what I want my future career to look like, regardless of what path I choose.” – Isabel Reyes ’26