My name is Euan and in Summer 2017, I am travelling to Ecuador to take part in conservation and development work. One of the main aspects of the expedition is a period of time in the Amazon Rainforest. Whilst in the Amazon Rainforest I will be involved in a lot of conservation and wildlife protection work including nature trail development, habitat protection and addressing human-bear conflict. I will also be staying in communities around the country and will be interacting with the local people to help improve their day-to-day lives. In the local communities in Ecuador, I will be helping with the refurbishment of community buildings such as schools as well as teaching conversational English to young children, supporting local coffee and chocolate farming, working with the locals to make and sell goods and getting involved with construction work. I am looking forward to the expedition because it will give great chances to help other people whilst learning about their culture and the way they live their lives. I am also looking forward to the fact that I am making a difference and contributing towards changing the planet. This expedition is the opportunity of a lifetime and will help me to gain lots of experience for the future as well as knowledge into how others live their lives. This expedition is extremely important to me because I feel that I will acquire and develop many important life skills such as my confidence as I am willing try my hardest in any unknown situation and adapt to find a solution; help those who are less fortunate than myself to gain a better quality of life through running workshops and education sessions; developing team work skills in situations which may be unknown and challenging as well as learning new trades from local people such as building, construction and agriculture.