Location:

Quito, Ecuador

Program Type:

Study Abroad

Degree Level:

Undergraduate

Term:

Fall Semester

Program Overview

Program Description:

Be part of a total cultural immersion for a semester in the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ)! The semester program s ideal for intermediate to advanced Spanish speakers who want 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!

Students can study in a country that is home to the highest active volcano in the world, pristine Pacific beaches, and virgin tropical rainforest. Learn about ancient Incan history in and out of the classroom. Take your weekends to adventure to the Amazon or even the Galapagos! Work on a sustainable, community-development project throughout the semester!

- 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:

The university is the first private liberal arts university in Latin America. Located in the valley of Cumbaya, just twenty minutes from downtown Quito and twenty minutes from nearby indigenous Andean communities, the campus offers a tranquil, community feeling to its 900 international and 5500 Ecuadorian students. Ecuador’s largest library, a Galapagos campus, Tiputini Biodiversity station in the Amazon, local community service program, Ethnical Diversity Academic Program covering all 14 different indigenous cultures, excursions, and student support services and activities make it an ideal choice for a student interested in exploring Ecuador’s ethnic and natural biodiversity from a comfortable home base.

Cost:

See website for additional information