Description

Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) 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.

USFQ offers excellent courses for students studying Spanish as a second language, though it's recommended to have at least two years of college level Spanish before coming. Students live in Quito with carefully screened homestay families so they can still enjoy the best of the big city. Service opportunities can be coordinated in nearby communities.

Highlights

Ecuador is one of those rare destinations in the world that seems to have the unique combination of natural beauty, intriguing history, and vibrant culture. Nestled along the Equator in the northwest corner of the South American continent, much of the country still remains wild and uncharted. It is home to the highest active volcano in the world, pristine Pacific beaches, and virgin tropical rainforests as well as ancient Incan history now echoed through the lively Ecuadorian culture. Ecuador is marked by its diversity. Within a territory of 120,000 square miles, one can travel from sea level to 12,000 feet of altitude within a six-hour drive, visit a fishing town and see a highland village within the same day.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

• Culture
• History
• Liberal Arts
• Spanish
• Spanish Literature

Cost in US$:

approximately 11,990 (subject to change)

Program Fees Include:

- 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.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

EcuaExplora's Mission Statement

To make it possible for international students, interns and volunteers to have meaningful experiences studying in Ecuadorian universities and institutions of higher education, interning in professional placements throughout Ecuador, and volunteering in collaborative projects focused on the sustainable social and economic development of Ecuador.

Year Founded

2010