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Ecuador
For seventeen years, Oregon students have had
the unique opportunity to live and study in Ecuador,
a country rich in geographic diversity
with four distinct regions to explore:
the jungle, the Andes Mountains, the coast,
and the Galapagos Islands
located 600 miles west of the mainland.
Nestled high in the Andes Mountains,
Quito is the center of Ecuador’s
political and cultural activity.
Colonial churches and cathedrals as well as the art
and artifacts of a diverse indigenous population
illustrate Quito’s rich history.
Narrow cobblestone streets of the Old City
instantly provide contrast with the
modern office buildings and avenues just a few blocks away.
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Academic Program
Through this Oregon University System (OUS) exchange program, you may study either in Quito at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) or Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) or in the Galapagos Islands at the USFQ-GAIAS Institute. In Quito, you may study Spanish language and culture and/or take regular university coursework in a number of subjects. In the Galapagos Islands, you will take courses in the natural and social sciences taught in English. You are encouraged to participate for an academic year, but semester options are available.
Depending on how many classes you take, you should receive approximately the same amount of credit for your time in Ecuador as you would being a full-time student in Oregon. You will be registered at your home campus in the OUS (or at an OUS partner institution) and will receive credit from that institution. Consult with your academic advisor and Campus Contact to determine how coursework done in Ecuador will integrate with your home campus curriculum requirements.
The OUS requires that you attend the day-long pre-departure orientation that covers the academic, administrative, financial and cultural information necessary for successful participation. Once you arrive in Quito, an on-site orientation at your host university will provide you with the academic, cultural and practical tools needed for your experience.
The Universities in Ecuador
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
The USFQ provides excellent support for students who wish to focus on Spanish language and culture, as well as regular university course-work with Ecuadorian students in the social sciences, sciences and humanities. A dynamic institution, the USFQ has garnered a reputation for academic quality, innovation, and a diverse curriculum. Students in a wide variety of disciplines will likely find coursework to fit their interests and degree plans. Visit their website at http://www.usfq.edu.ec.
Universidad San Francisco de Quito-GAIAS Institute
The USFQ-GAIAS Institute offers semester programs in the Galapagos Islands focusing on the natural and social sciences. All courses are taught in English. For program descriptions and course syllabi, visit http://www.usfq.edu.ec/GAIAS.
The Galapagos program is highly competitive so early application is encouraged.
Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Long known for its role in higher education in Ecuador, the PUCE is a traditional university that offers an excellent Spanish language program for foreigners and a selection of courses that help illustrate the people and cultures of Ecuador. For students with higher levels of Spanish language proficiency, there are opportunities for integration into regular classes with Ecuadorian students. Located in the middle of Quito, the PUCE is near the cultural, political and economic centers of the city. Visit their website at http://www.puce.edu.ec.
Housing
Living with an Ecuadorian host family is the best way to gain exposure to daily life in Quito as well as to improve and develop Spanish language skills. Host families are carefully selected and are in frequent communication with the Resident Director. Students remaining on the program for the academic year have the option of living independently after their first term. Students in the Galapagos Islands also have the option of living in the dorm.
On-site Support
While in Quito, you will receive support from the Oregon Study Center in Ecuador staffed by our Resident Director and Program Associate. They will assist you with academic, housing, personal, and logistical matters, including helping you to adjust to the Ecuadorian university system and life in Ecuador..
Important Dates
Application Deadlines
October 15, 2006 Winter/Spring
February 15, 2007 Fall or academic year
Orientations
November 18, 2006 Winter/Spring
May 19, 2007 Fall or academic year
Program Dates (dates below are for 2006-07; dates for 2007-08 will be similar)
PUCE
Aug. 22 - Dec. 22 Autumn term (language program only)
Aug. 22 - Feb. 3 Fall semester
Jan. 4 - July 15 Spring semester (winter/spring)
Aug. 22 - July 15 Academic year
USFQ including Galapagos
Aug. 22 - Dec. 23 Fall semester
Jan. 7-May 16 Spring semester (winter/spring)
Program Cost
The Oregon University System seeks to make its exchange programs as affordable and accessible as possible. For the 2007-08 academic year, the program fee for resident undergraduates is as follows: PUCE: $6,684 for autumn term; $9,948 for fall semester (fall/winter terms); $10,343 for spring semester (winter/spring terns); and $16,075 for the academic year; USFQ: $5,847 for fall semester; $8,266 for spring semester (winter/spring terms); and $14,044 for the academic year. For the 2006-07 academic year, for the USFQ-GAIAS Institute, the program fee for resident undergraduates was $10,132 for fall semester and $12,158 for winter/spring. Fees for the 2008-09 programs will be set in May 2008. Non-residents and graduate students pay higher fees.
Included in the program fee are:
‡ Academic and administrative fees
‡ Housing and meals
‡ Orientation expenses
‡ On-site support
‡ Health and accident insurance
The program fee does not include airfare, visa expenses including travel to the Consulate of Ecuador, your campus-based fees and personal expenses such as local transportation, textbooks, laundry, recreation (including travel), personal supplies and incidental expenses. Please see http://oregonabroad.ous.edu for an estimate of comprehensive costs.
Funding
You can finance your exchange program in Ecuador in many ways. A listing of available local and national scholarships can be found at http://oregonabroad.ous.edu in addition to links to resources on your campus. Most forms of financial aid, such as grants and loans for which you are eligible on your home campus, may be applied to the program. Veteran’s benefits may also be applied.
Eligibility
This program is open to undergraduate students in any major interested in Latin America. To be eligible, you must meet these minimum requirements by the time you participate:
‡ at least a 2.75 cumulative GPA and sophomore standing
‡ A minimum of two years, or the equivalent, of college level Spanish study (only one year of Spanish required for the Galapagos program)
You may obtain an application form and instructions from the international education office on your campus (see Campus Contacts) or at http://oregonabroad.ous.edu. Early application is encouraged.
Internship Option
You can earn academic credit and add a professional dimension to your time in Ecuador by doing an OUS IE3 Global Internship following your study abroad program.
Internships are available year round in a wide variety of industries and organizations throughout Ecuador and Latin America, including positions in areas such as art/culture, business, development, education, environment/science, and health/social sciences. Individualized internships developed to match your interests and skills are also available. Start planning your internship before you leave for Ecuador!
For more information, talk to your study abroad advisor or visit: http://ie3global.oregonstate.edu/ie3.
OUS Campus Contacts:
Eastern Oregon University
Miki Goodall
Study Abroad, Inlow Hall 113
La Grande, OR 97850
mgoodall@eou.edu
(541) 962-3237
Oregon Institute of Technology
Mark Clark or Julianne Murray
LRC 219 (Mark) or LRC 211 (Julianne)
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
clarkm@oit.edu or murrayj@oit.edu
(541) 885-1880 (Mark) or (541) 885-1677 (Julianne)
Oregon State University and
OUS International Programs Office
Julie Van Hoosen or Paul Primak
International Programs, Snell Hall 444
Corvallis, OR 97331
julie.vanhoosen@ous.edu
paul.primak@ous.edu
(541) 737-6459 (Julie) or (541) 737-6469 (Paul)
Portland State University
Alyse Collins
International Affairs, East Hall 101
632 SW Hall, P.O. Box 751, Portland, OR 97207
ayc@pdx.edu
(503) 725-8256
Southern Oregon University
Jennifer Yockey
International Programs, Stevenson Union 321
Ashland, OR 97520
yockeyj@sou.edu
(541) 552-6336
University of Oregon
Jamie Hoag Barnett
International Programs, Oregon Hall 330
Eugene, OR 97403
barnett@uoregon.edu
(541) 346-3207
Western Oregon University
Michele V. Price
Study Abroad and International Exchanges, APS 501
Monmouth, OR 97361
studyabroad@wou.edu
(503) 838-8905
