With opportunities stretching to all four corners, those looking to study abroad in Ecuador may find that the startling diversity makes it a little harder to pick a location. To help stave off analysis paralysis, check out this breakdown of the most popular locations to study abroad in Ecuador: 

Ecuador’s capital city of Quito is prime spot for studying abroad. Regarded as one of the best-preserved colonial cities in South America, Quito is a surprisingly metropolitan place, with dazzling architecture and a mesmerizing mix of the old and new. Spend your free time strolling down the cobblestone streets in el Centro or observe life in the tree-lined Plaza de la Independencia and marvel at the ingenuity of the colorful textiles used as backpacks by the local indígenas. You won’t want to miss the bus in Quito. Literally. Be sure to hop on a chiva, a party bus with live bands on board, and fiesta-it-up Ecuadorian-style. 

Choosing the Galapagos Islands will undoubtedly give you the opportunity to study in the world’s greatest lab rather than sitting in a stuffy classroom all day. Travel by boat from island to island, as you ramble among one-of-a-kind creatures like the blue-footed booby. Study abroad programs and service projects in the Galapagos often include wildlife conservation, clearing invasive species, or examining the impacts of tourism. Just imagine yourself snorkeling with sea life, hiking through a crater, or doing lab experiments with highly-esteemed scientific experts!

Guayaquil has made enormous advancements in recent decades, giving it a big-city profile, and yet still leaving a splash of its colonial history in its neighborhoods. Spend your weekends exploring revitalized squares, parks, and massive urban renewal projects. The city also has a growing arts scene and numerous lively bars, fuelled by several large universities that accept international students with open arms.