IES Abroad Quito & Galápagos Islands
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Sit back, relax, and dream about the adventures that await you in Ecuador. First, imagine exploring Quito’s vibrant neighborhoods and admiring the beautiful colonial Spanish architecture that makes the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, pict... read more
All Reviews
Self-awareness, independence, clarity about career, ecological knowledge, fieldwork skills, practice with ArcGIS, and the most amazing group of people that I have ever met. Delilah H - Wellesley College View Entire Review
I think it was a very formative experience for me and I'll always have an affection for Ecuador because of my time there. It's definitely something I'll remember for the rest of my life. Additionally, the ability to live completely in Spanish was essential to improving my Spanish to basically fluent and giving me confidence in ... A student - Rice University View Entire Review
I crossed some amazing locations off my bucket list and became inspired to pursue a career in environmentalism. It was 100% worthwhile. Nile M - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Study abroad is always worthwhile. I gained focus and perspective on my likes, dislikes, and have more confidence in my options for careers in the future. Leah B - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned about politics of conservation and human/wildlife conflict. Some classes were boring, and there were times when I felt like I wasn't learning anything, but I've definitely taken lessons with me. A student - Wellesley College View Entire Review
Living in a community that is so different from my own was certainly worthwhile and gave me a new perspective on how issues I study, like conservation, should be addressed. A student - Wellesley College View Entire Review
My Spanish skills (speaking, writing, reading and listening) all improved phenomenally! I now consider myself fluent. My public speaking skills and self confidence soared as well. A student - Indiana University - Bloomington View Entire Review
This program taught me so much about myself, my place in the world, and the importance of preserving our environment. I also learned that cultures around the world are more similar and interconnected than we typically think them to be and that plantains are an incredibly versatile food! A student - Wellesley College View Entire Review
This study abroad experience was definitely worthwhile. All of the classes were not only educationally enriching, but required hands-on work in some of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. Living with a host family helped me learn Spanish and learn about Ecuadorian culture in a way you ever could in a classroom. Overall, I ... A student - University of Maine - Orono View Entire Review
I learned so much about myself, my field of study, and the world during this program and I would not trade this experience for anything. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Yes it was very worth while. I grew a lot as a person in terms of confidence and cultural awareness. My Spanish also improved a lot. A student - Trinity University View Entire Review
I was able to travel extensively, become fluent in Spanish, study ecology in a megadiverse country and take incredible literature courses. Samuel Lieb - Brandeis University View Entire Review
It's hard to put into words what I gained from my experience because I feel like I don't totally understand everything I learned there yet. Obviously I learned a lot about a different country and culture, and the knowledge I obtained in my classes. But I think I am still figuring out the personal growth aspect of my experience. ... A student - Trinity University View Entire Review
I learned how to actually speak Spanish, I learned that there is no such thing as the human/nature divide, what a granadilla is, that there is a lot of value in physical discomfort, that I can actually tan given enough time, that I can learn to enjoy profound amounts of free time, that part of the reason that the Amazon is being... A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
It was absolutely worthwhile -- I learned to guide my own experiences and practice trying new things in a completely new environment. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I became more grounded! I learned how to live a simpler life in the Galapagos and I wouldn't give that up for anything! Emily M - Brandeis University View Entire Review
As someone who identifies as Ecuadorian, this experience taught me more about my culture and gave me the opportunity to live in it. I also gained research experience through one of my classes and got to strengthen my spanish. Daphne B - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Lots of Spanish improvement, cultural immersion, beautiful nature. So worthwhile! A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I learned a lot about the lasting impacts of colonialism and capitalism enacted by the Global North on the Global South and how local environmental issues are so closely tied to global political and economic issues. I was also able to make some incredible friends, especially in my host families, that I hope to have lasting relat... A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
A new perspective and a lot to think about. It was the most worthwhile experience I have ever had. I loved it so much! Ellie Mendelson - Brandeis University View Entire Review
New Spanish skills, lifelong friends, incomparable experiences, checks off my bucket list, and so much more. It was worth every penny. A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
I gained so much! I feel my time was incredibly worthwhile. I gained new friends and experiences along with practice scuba diving, knowledge from my courses, and spanish speaking skills. Alexandra A - Brandeis University View Entire Review
Not only was able to improve upon my Spanish and gain invaluable skills for my future but I had some of the most incredible travel experiences that I will never forget. It was beyond worthwhile and it's all I can talk about Talia - University of Redlands View Entire Review
This was the best thing I could have chosen for myself. This abroad program exceeds anything I had thought about before and I wouldn't trade the experience for the world. A student - University of Maine - Orono View Entire Review
I can't express in words how much I learned from my abroad experience, both academically and culturally. But, I would say that the most important thing I learned is to It was absolutely worthwhile! A student - Brandeis University View Entire Review
About
Sit back, relax, and dream about the adventures that await you in Ecuador. First, imagine exploring Quito’s vibrant neighborhoods and admiring the beautiful colonial Spanish architecture that makes the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Next, picture yourself studying the ecological diversity of the Galápagos Islands, standing on the equator in Mitad del Mundo, and hiking the mountain rainforest in Loja Province. Pack your bags now—South America awaits you.
Programs in Quito:
Programs in Quito:
- Quito - Area Studies & Language: With a population of nearly 1.6 million people, Quito is a vibrant and modern city that is famous for its beautiful colonial Spanish architecture. It is also the capital of Ecuador—one of the most biologically varied countries in the world. Come to Quito and immerse yourself in the local language and cultures as you focus your studies on Ecuador’s ecological and ethnic diversity and the challenges of development. If you’re interested in improving your Spanish language skills, this program offers you the opportunity to rapidly strengthen your Spanish through a rigorous language course taught by IES Abroad. You select the remainder of your courses from options available at IES Abroad and prestigious local universities, such as Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) and Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO). You can also enroll in an internship or service learning placement during your time in Quito, which will help you add international work experiece to your résumé, or help you understand the city’s social issues first-hand.
- Quito Direct Enrollment - Universidad San Francisco de Quito: Quito is perfect for the adventurous soul. With its surrounding mountains, you’re always just a climb away from a breathtaking view of the valley and from a bird’s-eye view of the colonial Spanish architecture that makes the city famous. Plus, Quito is a great base for trips to the rainforests and marine habitats that make Ecuador famous around the world. We invite you to Ecuador to improve your Spanish while enjoying all that this amazing country has to offer. While in Quito, directly enroll at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) and take the majority of your courses at the University alongside local students. Because USFQ offers nearly 1,500 courses each semester in a wide variety of disciplines, students with almost any academic interest can find exciting and challenging enrollment options.
- Quito Summer - Environmental Studies: Although Ecuador is only about the size of Colorado, it is one of the most ecologically diverse countries on the planet. Four eco-regions—the Amazon basin, the high Andes, the coastal plain, and the Galápagos Islands—offer a wealth of flora and fauna that attract biologists, botanists, and environmentalists from around the world. In addition to the country’s natural riches, Quito is an architectural jewel known for the warmth and hospitality of its residents. Based in Quito and featuring three weeks of course-related excursions in the Galápagos Islands, this program allows you to study issues of environmental management and preservation, while exploring Ecuador’s rich ecology. The program is organized in cooperation with the Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (GAIAS) and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ). All Environmental Studies courses are taught in English, and previous Spanish study is not required.
Program Type(s):
Study AbroadProgram Length(s):
- Fall
- Summer
- Spring
Instruction Language(s):
- Spanish
Relevant Study Subject(s):
- Environmental Studies
- Foreign Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics
- Spanish Language, Literature
- Cultural Studies
- Anthropology
- Economics
- International Relations
- Political Science and Government
- Sociology
Minimum GPA:
2.75Website
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