Ecology Study Abroad Programs in Ecuador

No words can describe how incredible this program is with its passionate academic directors, incredibly planned excursions, and the welcoming host families with whom students live for the majority of the time in Ecuador. During this program, I was taught courses in Quito and took my learning every other week on a different excursion, where we did field-based work. We went on planned excursions to the Paramo Highlands, multiple parts of the Cloud Forest, the Amazon rainforest, and the Galapagos Islands. Overall, the cultural and educational experiences I had here cannot be compared to anything I had experienced in my life until coming to this incredible country with SIT.

SIT's Comparative Ecology program was a life changing experience that I will never forget! Due to the nature of the program, including living with host families and going on trips to different ecosystems so frequently, every second was an opportunity to learn, grow, and laugh. Each of our excursion destinations holds a very special place in my heart. From the biodiversity of hummingbirds in the Paramo to swimming with sea lions in the Galapagos, each day in Ecuador inspired me more. In addition to the time spent experiencing new cultures and biomes with a great group of new friends and our professors, I had the opportunity to complete an individual research project. With this I had the chance to live and work in the Amazon Rainforest, completing research that has implications on my current position post-grad and being lucky enough to experience life with a Quichuan family. If you're considering this program, my advice would to be to get lots of rest before you go and prepare to trust in the process of things, but to definitely do it! I love and adore this program and everything it taught me, and hope you do too!

Before applying, I had doubts about whether I should study abroad and whether or not it should be with this program. Now that I have completed it, however, the thought that I might have gone elsewhere haunts me. I am so thankful to have been a student in Ecuador with SIT, and it has had major positive impacts on my plans for the future. As a student of Environmental Biology in St. Louis, this program gave me field research experiences I couldn't have gotten anywhere else that perfectly complemented what I had already learned in school. After numerous trips to conduct research in some of the coolest places on Earth (cloud forests, the Amazon, the Paramo, and the Galapagos islands), I spent a month studying spider populations in the Amazon for an independent research project that I was able to bring from initial concept to a completed research paper. If this seems intense, fear not! The lovely professors of this program will help build your confidence over the semester and teach you the skills necessary to do something similar yourself (I certainly felt that way). On top of all of this, I met lovely people along the way and felt truly comfortable and informed within the Ecuadorian cultural context. If you are interested in gaining field research experience, seeing some of the most gorgeous parts of the world, and applying theoretical ecology concepts that you've learned in school, look no further. This program is perfect.

SIT Ecuador was an incredibly challenging, but incredibly rewarding semester. I am an ecological and evolutionary biology major in New York City, so I had not had many field experiences before this program. I have now stayed on an island in the Amazon River Basin for 3 weeks by myself researching monkey behavior. Throughout the program I learned how to conduct my own research, write papers, and analyze data. I had a heavier work load than typical semesters, but the field excursions that caused them were well worth the late nights. The professors are incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely care about the students. I could not have asked for a better program.

Studying abroad in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands was a once-in-a-lifetime, life changing experience. As a biology major, I was looking to gain more knowledge and hands on experience with nature in other areas of the world. Getting to visit the Amazon Rainforest and staying in the Galápagos Islands fulfilled these desires! The courses I took exposed me to new material and were much more hands on than my courses at my home university. In fact, we spent more than half of our class time in the field in some of our courses. Besides the biological aspect, I had wanted to learn Spanish and experience life in another culture/country and Ecuador was perfect for both of these things! The people in both Quito and the islands were friendly and patient as I practiced my Spanish. As for the university and program staff, everyone was super approachable and there to help us adjust to a new life and environment. This experience taught me so many good lessons and I learned so much about my future aspirations. If you are looking for a study abroad program that is both culturally and biologically diverse, this is the program for you!

I have always wanted to study abroad. Additionally, I have always wanted to be a wildlife biologist and do field research. Furthermore, The Galapagos and The Amazon have been at the top of my “Bucket List” for my whole life. The fact that my first field research opportunity in my life was at both of these locations is mind boggling.

I had such an incredible time on this trip!! I've always dreamed of going to the Galapagos Islands and it was the best experience of my life. Being able to interact with wildlife on such an intimate level was incredible. As well as this, being able to experience the Amazon Tiputini Biodiversity Reserve was a whole other level of crazy. Not having my phone and electricity at certain points definitely changed my outlook on things!

I went on this trip during a hard time in my life. I have always wanted to go to a rainforest and have always loved learning about the delicate balance of the environment and human society. This trip allowed me to find who I am, including who I want to be! I was immersed in the Ecuadorian, and South American culture and their beautiful environment. I realized my dream of protecting nature through conservation and found a college that would be a perfect fit, for my path and purpose as a human being, and that is pure magic. This was a beautiful experience, and I still talk to my group on WhatsApp!!! We formed a bond and learned a lot from each other. We all pushed past the box we grew up in, and our learned limits, which is such a beautiful thing. Difficult of course but so so worth it!!! I suffer from a lot of anxiety as well as Chronic Lyme and this helped me grow from the barriers I thought those labels put me in, including how and what I needed to work on for myself especially mentally.

We got to explore so many parts of the country, from Quito, Mindo, Tena, Banos, Riobamba, to Galapagos, everything was so different and interesting at the same time. We explored rainforest, waterfalls, Chimborazo and the Galapagos islands. We saw so many different animals and experience so many different physical activities that are really once of a life time experiences. We hiked in the Amazon Rainforest for 4 hours, snorkeled in the Galapagos islands, climbed the Chimborazo mountain that is the closest to the sun and experience homestays in Riobamba.

I was very hesitant about leaving my college and missing out on a semester, but I'm so glad I made this choice! This program is an amazing combination of hands-on environmental science and ecology fieldwork, program-organized travel to all major ecoregions (that wouldn't be accessible to typical tourists), exposure to very different styles of life and groups of people, and experiencing Ecuador through living with host families and exploration with other students in the program. The excursions were the highlight of this program- it was such a refreshing change of pace to have days filled with setting up mist nets for birds in the morning, learning about macroinvertebrates and sampling in the afternoon, and looking for monkeys or using moth light traps in the evenings. They were exhausting, with long days of hiking, collecting data, and listening to guest lectures about topics related to that region, but so incredible and never felt like "work" in a burdensome way. Snorkeling in the Galápagos is certainly not a normal type of schoolwork. Less mentioned in program material is how easy it is to travel and explore independently, too. Almost every weekend, members of our group took buses to different parts of the country and got to see awesome volcanos, visit indigenous markets, ride bikes down waterfall routes, climb mountains, and explore the awesome food, museums, and neighborhoods of Quito, all for very cheap. For me, the independent research project was the most rewarding and challenging experience. I had a wonderful month spent living with a rural community and 2 other SIT students and designing and carrying out a project that was very relevant to my community's needs. I am a much more confident researcher now, have great professional contacts who served as my advisors, and feel more qualified for a variety of field research positions and academic work in Spanish in the future. This program is not based around a university, which meant an adjustment to a very different academic structure, but people are drawn to this program for its uniqueness and we became a very close-knit group. In addition, I felt very connected to my host family, my host community from the research month, and others who I met throughout my time in Ecuador and can't wait to visit some of them again. Ecuador is a very friendly country and I absolutely loved getting to talk to people in academic and social settings and learn about their lives. I would do this program again in a heartbeat.

While this study abroad was short, it was full of amazing opportunities and we were always doing fun things. I would recommend this study abroad to anyone looking for an opportunity outside of their university. Very organized and great people!

When I first decided to go on the adventure of a lifetime, I was terrified but excited at the same time! By the second day the terror went away and I was only left with good friends, lots of learning, and extraordinary adventures. We became close like family by the time we accomplished all our hard worked towards goals, and the experienced gained forever. I would recommend this for everyone, they made it very accommodating and adapted to everyone’s individual situation!

Prior to the program, I realized I didn't love learning as much as I used to. I hoped this program would remedy that...and boy did it deliver! Our classes were purposeful, but engaging. Excursions were the highlight, and classes during these portions consisted of long, leisurely hikes or snorkeling multiple times a day. Learning was fun. Our more traditional classes in the city were also engaging, with many breakouts into small-groups or with guest lecturers from a variety of fields. This program gave me so much I would not have had at my university. It was extremely hands-on (think getting up at 6 to go on a 2-hr birding expedition before breakfast, then going to a river after breakfast to collect water samples and analyze them yourself), comprehensive (we visited so many places in the country), taught me how to do independent research (the program culminates for a month-long research project you do yourself), and provided me connections I still maintain. On top of this, it was extremely supportive (the professors were always available and approachable). Though it was a tough decision to leave my university for the semester, I am glad I did. Additionally, I study environmental engineering; as such, I am used to examining similar issues we learned about but from a completely different angle. I was glad to gain an understanding of the biological/conservation side of environmental issues. I was able to learn what other considerations should go into decisions of engineering rather than just efficiency. While this program is not at a university with student groups, clubs, and events, the community in this program was tightly knit and so supportive. The 14 other students in the program were a delight to get to know, and our professors supported us in our academics but also in our wellbeing. It truly felt like a family.

This program allowed me to get to know Ecuador in the best way possible. As a group, the 23 other US students and I traveled with our professors to many beautiful places in Ecuador, some of which would not be accessible to me as a regular tourist. I learned about important environmental issues while visiting some of the most biodiverse places in the world. I also made amazing friends who share my passions and values, both from Ecuador and the US, who I have been staying in contact with even after the program. The homestay enriched my experience and provided the most opportunities for Spanish practice. The style of learning can be tiring, because it is rigorous, but it is easily justified by the hikes through the Amazon, the early morning bird watching, or snorkeling and seeing marine life in the Galápagos. Throughout this program, I gained confidence in myself, as well as an appreciation for familial bonds and a different perception of life and family structure.

The program provided field trips with everything included such as meals and equipment. We went snorkeling with sea turtles, sharks, sea lions, and other marine biodiversity. My host family was welcoming and they shared their stories of living in the Galapagos. They treated me like family. The meals were great. We ate a lot of rice and by the end of the program we loved rice. Our class was about the biodiversity, history, and current issues that the Galapagos islands is facing. Our professor and tourist guides were helpful and made the program fun and educational. My favorite memories were learning to snorkel, swimming with sharks, and watching the sunset at the end of class or a field trip since the beach is right in front of the campus. After we left the Galapagos islands, we went back to Quito and we had a last field trip to a market to buy souvenirs. We ended the program by having dinner at a 5 star restaurant in Quito. This experience was exciting and made me more independent and open-minded. I have learned to appreciate other cultures and become more comfortable traveling to other countries. If you are thinking on going to the Galapagos do it. It is worth it and you will never want to leave this place. It is unique in the entire world. The program will provide you with all the help necessary and they will always answers your questions and address your concerns.

This program is an incredible opportunity for students studying ecology or environmental science! I had had great experiences traveling throughout Ecuador, learning about local ecology, and making new friends. The classes, and especially the independent research project, made me more qualified for ecology research positions. Taking classes in Spanish and living with a host family has made me much more confident in Spanish classes at my home university. I loved living with my host family, and I'll never forget all of the local traditions and foods they introduced me to. The program directors and host families are so proud of their country, and it's easy to see why! This was an incredible experience and I would recommend it to anyone interested in ecology and conservation.

This is an amazing program for anyone looking to further their Spanish and learn a lot about biology, ecology, geology, and natural sciences. The program is very structured and intensive but this is what makes it so rewarding. The academics are interesting, challenging, and supported by real experiences in the field. You will travel to a number of amazing locations including the Galapagos, Amazon, páramo, and cloud forest. While the program itself is heavily oriented towards science and conservation you will also learn about culture through school and through your host families. One of the aspects of this program that makes it so unique is the independent study project. This was also one of the things I was most nervous about, but you will feel prepared and confident with the help of professors and staff. Students use this opportunity to study a topic of interest, practice research techniques, build their resume, gain field experience, do their senior thesis, and have an independent and immersive experience. Do not expect to have a ton of free time. The days in the city are spent in class and nights spent with your host family. Excursions are spaced about a week apart. This allows you time to reflect on the last trip, prepare for the next, and have time to explore the city. This is by no means an easy study abroad program academically or culturally. However if you are open-minded and passionate about ecology and conservation this will be an amazing and worthwhile experience. There are many people both in and out of the program that are kind, helpful, and excited to share their culture with you. One things this program really stresses is how to be a conscious and respectful student abroad. Overall, this is amazing experience and you will learn so much personally and academically!

What I loved most about this program was its experiential learning aspects. Living in a homestay taught me about the culture and people in Ecuador, while improving my Spanish skills. I also loved the excursions we went on, including to the paramo, the cloud forest, the Amazon, and the Galapagos. Learning about these places in the classroom and then being able to physically be in them to learn deeply about them was incredible. I felt that I had a great opportunity to learn a lot about myself as I learned how to live within a different culture and also how to take advantage of all the amazing things I was learning while being outside in unique ecosystems. Overall, this program was absolutely fantastic. If you're looking for a program that will challenge you while offering you a very remarkable experiences in many beautiful places, this is the program for you!

IES abroad made sure that everything was taken care of so all I had to do was show up and have the time of my life! Living in the Galapagos is a whole other world; the community is incredibly tight-knit and so kind. Latino culture is extremely warm and living with my host families was an absolutely amazing experience. We bonded over cultural differences and it was an opportunity for me to be immersed in their culture while also being able to teach my families about my own culture. This program is extremely hands-on and research based! If you love being outside this program absolutely takes advantage of being in the Galapagos and each course has a ton of field trips and outdoor excursions so that you really get to know the Galapagos Islands and all they have to offer! If you are scuba certified and in the Marine Ecology track each of your classes has a scuba component too! This program absolutely changed my life and it will change yours too!

No matter what academic background you may come from, whether it be Marine Science or Political Science, studying in Ecuador and the Galápagos Islands is a must! From the perspective of a biologist, I believe that the Galápagos Islands are the best place in the world to observe evidence of evolution by natural selection, a key part of numerous science disciplines and the basis of life in general. As a student in the Marine Ecology academic track, I participated in research conducted off the coast of mainland Ecuador, as well as in the waters of the Galápagos Marine Reserve and in the labs at the Galápagos Science Center on the island of San Cristóbal. After spending the first month of the program with my wonderful host mom in Cumbayá, San Cristóbal became my home for the next three months of my time abroad. I immediately felt at home with my host families and experienced a perfect balance of having them there for me as a support system but having the independence to explore on my own as well. I spent countless hours traveling around the island and enjoying all it has to offer; a typical day began with a hearty breakfast prepared by my host mom, followed by a beautiful walk to the university, which is located right across the street from a popular beach. After spending the morning in class, my friends and I would venture to the downtown “malecón” area for a bite to eat and then spend the rest of the day working on assignments at the university, spending time at the beach, or snorkeling at a beautiful nearby cove filled with several species of fish, numerous sea turtles, sea lions, marine iguanas and countless other marine organisms. My friends and I befriended many locals, and between sharing meals with them in addition to those spent with my host family, my conversational Spanish improved immensely and I now feel very confident in using my language skill back home. The culture of the island is incredibly rich for its size; there were events sponsored by the national park service and by the local government almost every week. These provided excellent opportunities to experience true “island life” and become a part of the environment and culture in Ecuador. It was incredibly hard for me to leave my new home as the semester came to a close, but I hope more than anything that I will be able to return in the future!