Deeper, More Meaningful Study Abroad

Ecuador spans the equator on the northwest coast of South America. With its cultural diversity and wide range of environments--the Galapagos Islands, the coastal areas of the Pacific, the Andes mountain range, and the headwaters of the Amazon--Ecuador provides an ideal location for you to live in and learn about South America, encountering directly the issues and concerns of this great southern continent. In Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city and gateway to the Galapagos, you will enjoy a tropical climate with varied and abundant flora and fauna and a newly revitalized waterfront, or "Malecon." You will also encounter dramatic contrasts of wealth and poverty, and the social issues generated through that disparity.

You will spend a semester developing your Spanish skills; studying Ecuadorian history, culture, and society at Universidad Espiritu Santo; living with an Ecuadorian family; and serving 15–20 hours a week in an Ecuadorian community agency. Your volunteer service immerses you in the culture and deepens your understanding of Ecuadorian society in a way that goes beyond that experienced in traditional study abroad programs. It also facilitates your mastery of Spanish.

Program Facts

Language of Instruction: Spanish and/or English

Affiliated institution:Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo (UEES)

Courses & Credits

• Spanish Language | Credits: 3-6 (3 per module)
• Ecuadorian Socioeconomics | Credits: 3
• Institutions in Ecuadorian Society | Credits: 6
• Coastal Ecology Emphasis | Credits: 3
• Community Health Emphasis | Credits: 3
• Electives | Credits: 3

Service Opportunities:

• teaching English as a Second Language
• health care through medical and dental clinics
• health education
• tutoring and recreation for children and teens
• community and economic development

...and More...

Housing

You will live in a homestay with a middle-class Ecuadorian family, who provide most of your meals and introduce you to Ecuadorian family life. An integral part of the program, the homestay offers you the opportunity to make life-long friends, reinforce language skills, and experience the culture from "the inside." Host families are carefully selected and experienced with hosting students.

Why IPSL?

• Accelerated language learning
• Integrated study abroad experience
• Making a difference to people in need
• Full cultural immersion
• Real cultural understanding
• Meaningful growth and personal insight

Program Director(s):Mr. Christopher O'Connell

Eligibility:The program welcomes students of any nation. TOEFL equivalent 550. Academic studies are taught in Spanish and/or English. (See individual course descriptions.) Minimum Spanish prerequisite: 2 years of secondary school Spanish or 1 year of college/university Spanish, or the equivalent.

What's Included:Fees include all instruction; orientation; housing and 3 meals per day; service placement and supervision; health insurance; field trips; administrative fees; and pre-departure materials. Personal expenses not covered by fees include: airfare; books; spending money; and local travel.

Experience Guayaquil from a Local Perspective

Ecuador's main port and largest city, Guayaquil is a bustling coastal urban center, known for its friendly people, tropical climate, and vibrant nightlife. You will enjoy strolls along the refurbished riverside "Malecón," the colonial Barrio Las Peñas, the colorful houses and view from Cerro Santa Ana, the Mercado Artesanal (artisan's market), beautiful parks and plazas, and an abundance of cafés and restaurants. Guayaquil is also gateway to the Galápagos Islands and some of Ecuador's most beautiful beaches.