Location:

Quito, Ecuador

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Fall Semester, Summer

Program Overview

Program Description:

Enjoy a semester in Quito, Ecuador as you study at the Pontifica Universidad Catolica del Ecuador! With a culturally vibrant capital and historically intriguing colonial city of Quito as your classroom, a semester at the university will take you to Ecuador's past, present and future.

This semester program is ideal for intermediate to advanced Spanish speakers who want a total immersion with Ecuadorian students, host families and language. Students will live in the beautiful city of Quito (surrounded by stunning views of the Andes) with carefully screened homestay families. Classes range from a variety of liberal arts courses, to History, Spanish Culture and Literature and more! When you study abroad with EcuaExplora you will have the support of our full-time Director who is fluent in both English and Spanish, 2 meals per day, 1 weekly activity and more!

- College Credits Students participating in a study program through EcuaExplora will receive an official transcript from the Ecuadorian institution showing classes taken while abroad. U.S. universities often accept transfer credit from foreign institutions, but ultimately it is up to individual schools to determine credit transfer on any study abroad program. To ease the process of transferring overseas credit, students should consult the Registrar at their home university to determine the transferability of credit from foreign schools. - Tuition For students studying in Ecuador, tuition at the Ecuadorian university is included in the program cost. The U.S. equivalent of 12-18 semester credit hours is considered a normal course load for students studying in Ecuador, and this amount of tuition is included in the cost. - Resident Directors In Ecuador, the Resident Director of EcuaExplora, Kate McConnell is on-site to welcome students, lead a personalized orientation, as well as provide student, intern and volunteer support throughout the duration of the program. She is fluent in both Spanish and English. - Housing Participants will live with local Ecuadorian families in shared rooms, with other Ecuadorian students, or at the facilities of their volunteer site (see each project description for further details) Accommodations are comfortable, yet modest, and provide easy access to public transportation. Breakfast and lunch are provided Monday Saturday. - Airport Pick-up/Drop-off: Participants will be picked up and dropped off at the Quito International Airport. Escort to Project Site and induction at project site with local staff and supervisors. 24 Hour Staff Support and Ongoing Supervision (Virtual and Physical) Country Directors will maintain regular contact with volunteers through required weekly reflections online and weekly phone, mail, and physical (where applicable) check-ins. - Cultural Excursions Participants on the study program will be offered several excursions throughout the duration of their semester. Some excursions are included in the program cost and some will be provided for an additional fee. Volunteer and Intern participants will also have the same opportunity to participant in these excursions at an additional cost. Sample excursions include: trips to surrounding cities and a visit to the coastal region of Ecuador to see the pristine beaches and archaeological sites where some of the oldest cultures in the Pacific coast of South America are still being studied. Other possible excursions include: indigenous markets, Amazon jungle excursions, visit to nature and wildlife reserves, Cloud Forests, alternative city tours, shrimp farms, banana plantations, and visits to the beach. EcEx staff can suggest reputable travel agents to help you plan trips to the Galapagos at your own expense.

Setting Description:

Enjoy all the amenities of a large, urban campus, from gyms, cultural events, and student clubs to internships opportunities or just hanging with your new Ecuadorian amigos. Special events, such as conversation clubs and Ecuadorian mentors, help international students integrate into student body of nearly 8000 students. PUCE has several satellite campuses, including the Yasuni Research station in the Amazon, along with the Ibarra campus a couple hours north of Quito, where students can take classes or join excursions.

Cost:

See website for additional information