A small local-run organisation desperately in need of volunteers, donations and tools to help with reconstruction projects following the devastating earthquake in August 2007. More than a year later, there are still thousands of people without homes so every pair of hands is appreciated, whether you stay for a couple of days or several months. If you can bring anything on their wishlist with you, even better!

www.piscosinfronteras.org

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I used to work as one of the stout monkeys here. It's actually a great fun place to work if you're in town for a few months, most of the staff are European and all mix well. Lots of nights out and banter at the taps.

Anyway, instead of drinking your complimentary pint up stairs in the always over crowded Gravity Bar - great veiws but not enough seats - squeeze up for a look, then take the stairs down to floor five and have your drink in the bar there. Its nearly always quiet, it still has good views and you can buy more hooch when you're done with the black stuff.

St James Gate

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A Cuenca establishment, CEDEI (pronounced “say-day-ee”) as locals call it, is a byword for quality classes. For those looking for teaching opportunities, the biggest English language school in the city is usually looking for qualified teachers, but better to make contact before you go. If your plan is to work on your Spanish then Cuenca – where locals are famous for their sing-song pronunciation – is about as good a place to put down some roots and do it as anywhere. CEDEI offers one-on-one classes, market visits, cooking, and homestays with a local family. As with most things in Ecuador, you get what you pay for.

Address: Tarqui 13-45 and Pio Bravo, in the Old Town (it’s the huge red-brick building on the corner of these two streets);
email: info@cedei.org;
www.cedei.org

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Never mind a two-week holiday - the best way to experience Whistler is as a local. Anyone aged 18 to 35 can obtain a 12-month work permit through BUNAC's Work Canada programme. (You don't have to be a student.)

Whistler Blackcomb holds a hiring fair in October. Competition is fierce and the company is extremely customer-focused, so show plenty of enthusiasm and animation.

A job with the mountain means a free season pass, free lessons, discounted food and ski/snowboard gear and subsidised accommodation. You might work as a liftie, a ski technician, a cappuccino bar server or a ticket validator.

Hard work, yes, but you'll improve your skiing/riding no end and discover all the secret spots on the mountain.

Contact BUNAC (British Universities North America Club) for visa details (020-7251 3472, bunac.org.uk).
Whistler-Blackcomb recruitment (+604 938 7557, whistlerblackcomb.com).

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