A full Spanish immersion program located in Quito, the capital of Ecuador.
Spend a semester living in Andes! Quito is a bustling and historic city and UNESCO World Heritage site of approximately 1.69 million located at an altitude of over 9000 feet.
Explore with USFQ's Office of International Programs, who organizes excursions around Ecuador, including to the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon.
Immerse yourself in the Spanish language with your host family and by joining one of USFQ's student clubs.
An English language program which features hands on classes and field trips, based in the Galapagos Islands, with an introduction month in Quito.
Experience Ecuadorian culture and the opportunity to live in one of the most unique and amazing places on Earth.
Excursions to Tiputini Biodiversity Station, Ecuadorian highlands and cloud forest included, as well as tour of Galapagos Islands.
Learn about ecology, marine biology and sustainable tourism, as well as Ecuadorian culture, while also having the opportunity to conduct hands-on research.
Tracks of study include: Human Ecology and Marine Communities, Evolutionary Biology, Native and Introduced Plants, Population Ecology and Marine Life. Each track normally includes 5 intensive courses, taught in English in three-week modules.
Dates
Fall semester (late Aug to mid-Dec) or spring semester (early Jan through mid-May)
Students majoring in Spanish may study a full academic year at USFQ
Additional Requirements and Recommendations
B average in Spanish language courses
It is highly recommended that students take TCCA 230 (Intercultural Communication: Global Perspectives).
Specific to Quito:
Minimum 2 years of college Spanish
Specific to GAIAS:
Minimum 1 year of Spanish
One course each of biology and ecology required for the "Evolution, Ecology, & Conservation" track and "Marine Ecology" track
Housing
Students live with host families in both programs.
