Pitzer in Ecuador Semester Program

Core Course 

All students will participate in the program’s core course, Ecuador: un país Andino, which integrates all components of the program, including lectures, study trips, involvement in a local community organization and the family stay. It offers an important framework for understanding the social, political, economic, and environmental issues in Ecuador. The core course is taught in Spanish by the program director, using a sheltered approach that is appropriate for all language levels, and that allows students to engage fully in the ideas and issues covered in the classroom and the readings. 

To gain firsthand experience with issues explored in the core course, students spend at least 6 hours a week participating in a service-learning experience with a local organization. Partner organizations include Proyecto Transgenero, Hospital De Niños “Baca Ortiz”, MUCE – Museo Universitario, and Centro Educativo Intercultural Bilingüe Yachay Wasi. 

Independent Study Project

All students will complete an Independent Study Project (ISP) which will allow students to take one topic of special interest and explore it in depth. The independent study project for this program will be an ethnographic study culminating in a major paper written in Spanish for students with advanced Spanish proficiency and in English for students with beginning or intermediate Spanish proficiency. Project locations will be limited to areas within Quito.

Other Coursework

• Beginner/Intermediate Spanish Levels: Students at beginning and intermediate levels will take one language or culture course at Academia Latinoamericana de Español, a premier language institution in Quito. In addition to the course at Academia, students at will take one class that is less language intensive (yoga, dance, cooking, art, etc.) at USFQ.
• Advanced and Heritage Spanish Levels: Students with advanced Spanish or heritage level proficiency will take two university courses (fully in Spanish) at USFQ with the support of the Oficina de Programas Internacionales. To research course options, visit the USFQ course catalogue. The opportunity to take courses alongside Ecuadorian peers is a great way to improve language and understand higher education in South America, specifically within the Ecuadorian context. 

The heart of the program is the semester-long family stay in Quito. The opportunity to become a part of a family and develop a personal relationship with the individual family members is a distinct privilege. The host family stay is a valuable opportunity that allows students to become involved in Ecuadorian culture and to get to know people of different ages and backgrounds. 

To deepen students’ knowledge about topics discussed in the seminar, students will take day trips to areas of interest within Quito and take part in two longer study trips. 

• The first away trip will be to the Galápagos Islands, which are known worldwide for their flora, fauna, and unique beauty. In the Galápagos, students will be able to appreciate the biodiversity that characterizes Ecuador and learn about some of the practices that are endangering the island as well as efforts by locals and institutions that are working to protect it. 
• The second away study trip will take students to the community of San Clemente, an indigenous Quechua community located in the foothills of Imbabura (to the north of Quito). There, students will interact with the indigenous population of the area and will get to know, firsthand, their way of life and ongoing issues and projects. While on this study trip students have the opportunity to stay with an indigenous family in the community of San Clemente.

How to Apply

Application Steps and Deadlines for Pitzer College Students

Application for Non-Pitzer Students

Before You Go

Passport: Everyone on the program needs a passport. Check the expiration date. If you do not have a passport valid for six months after your planned return from study abroad, then you will need to renew your passport.

Orientation: After students apply and are accepted into the program, they will participate in a program orientation before leaving for Ecuador. Orientations are required and designed to ensure students get the most out of the study abroad experience. They provide cultural context, health and safety information, and academic guidelines. At orientation, students will receive details specific to the program including program dates, flight arrangements, immunization documents, safety guidelines, and the handbook.

Visas: Students are encouraged to research country specific information and the visa process when applying to the program. However, needed paperwork and additional information about the visa process will be provided during orientations. Typically, students with a U.S. passport will receive a 90-day tourist visa upon arrival, USFQ helps with extending this visa. Be aware that the visa process can change; students should stay informed on entry and exit requirements by reading the State Department website and the Ecuadorian Tourism website.