Quito - Area Studies & Language

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Overview

Quick Facts

City:

Quito [1]

Country:

Ecuador [2]

Program credits:

15-19 per semester (5-6 courses)

Language(s) of Instruction:

Spanish

Language prerequisites:

4 semesters of college-level Spanish

With a population of nearly 1.8 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 culture 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 improve 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.

Quito will also be your classroom. Can you imagine visiting and observing Ecuadorian customs at a traditional fiesta or visiting local markets and handicraft workshops? Wherever possible, our courses take advantage of the city’s many historical, artistic, and cultural sites. Several courses also include a hands-on, practical component. Welcome to study abroad!

You also take several exciting field trips to exotic destinations while you study abroad in Quito, including the Galápagos Islands and the tropical mountain rainforest of the Loja Province.

We want you to feel at home in Quito, so we will do everything we can to help you integrate into life in Quito, from internships to cultural activities. You even have the option of participating in service learning at local social and health organizations.

Program Dates

These dates are preliminary and are subject to change. Students should not book flights according to these dates.

Academics

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad experience possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences.

We offer unique courses that explore Spanish Language, Ecuadorian History, and Culture, as well as other topics, through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors and course options at prestigious local universities enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day in class.

You take 15–19 credit hours per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. All courses at IES Abroad and partner universities are taught in Spanish and are offered both fall and spring semesters unless otherwise noted.

You craft your own academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:

Spanish language course at IES Abroad (required, 4 credits)
IES Abroad core courses (at least one is required)
Additional area studies courses at IES Abroad, FLACSO, and/or PUCE (required)
Internship or service learning seminar and placement (optional, 4 credits)

Courses

This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account.

To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication [3].

Partner Institution(s)

Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO)
www.flacso.org.ec [4]
FLACSO, an international graduate school devoted to Social Sciences, was founded by UNESCO and is one of 10 FLACSO schools in Latin America. The school, with a multinational faculty, offers a wide variety of courses, as well as a unique program focusing on political violence.

Courses
Since a high level of Spanish is required to take courses at FLACSO, an on-site language placement exam will determine whether you are qualified. For a complete list of course offerings at FLACSO, visit www.flacso.org.ec [5], and look to the left-hand sidebar.

Qualified students can take open courses in the following areas:

Anthropology
Business Management
Communications
Economics
Gender Studies
International Relations
Political Science
Public Policy

Location & Commute Time
The FLACSO campus is located at La Pradera E7-174 y Avenida Diego de Almagro in Quito. The commute time from FLACSO to the IES Abroad center is approximately 5-10 minutes.

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE)
www.puce.edu.ec [6]
The oldest private university in Ecuador, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Ecuador (PUCE), is located in downtown Quito. PUCE offers many classes that focus on Latin American studies.

Courses
You take a practice predeparture language exam before arrival, and an official language placement exam upon arrival in Quito. The score of your placement exam in Quito determines your eligibility for PUCE courses.

Courses in the following disciplines are open to IES Abroad students. For a complete list of course offerings at PUCE, visit www.puce.edu.ec/sitios/programas [7].

Architecture
Arts and Humanities
Business Administration
Economics
Education
Engineering
Geology
Linguistics
Natural Sciences
Philosophy
Psychology
Religion
Social Sciences
Spanish Language and Literature
Studio Arts and Design
Theology

Location & Commute Time
The University is located near the downtown area of Quito. The commute time from PUCE to the IES Abroad Quito Center is between 15-20 minutes by bus.

Registration & Advising
Please note that course offerings vary from semester to semester. Exact course availability is determined shortly before the start of each semester. For this reason, it will not be possible for you to officially register until your arrival in Quito; however you will need to refer to current course offerings in order to preregister as part of your application.

Internships

While adding study abroad to your resume is impressive enough, adding an international internship experience is even more powerful, and can help distinguish your application for graduate school or a job opportunity in today’s competitive job market.

An IES Abroad Quito internship provides an invaluable cultural experience and helps you develop professional and personal skills.

Placement Examples
Internships

Business – A local textile manufacturer, NGO providing financial support to rural families
Education – Local colleges and universities, Fulbright program, ethnic diversity program at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Environment – Quito Botanical Gardens
Government/Politics – Ministry of Tourism, local public policy organization
Health – Hospital for low-income children and mothers

Service Learning

A service learning placement allows you to develop important work skills while working within social organizations in Ecuador.

Social and Health–Related Organizations – CARE-Ecuador, Ecuadorian Red Cross, Sun and Life Hospital Baca Ortiz, Hans Seidel Foundation, REMAR Foundation

Field Study

IES Abroad Quito organizes field study trips that complement IES Abroad courses and contribute to a general knowledge of Ecuadorian culture and society. Past activities have included:

A day trip to Latacunga, a town 60 miles outside of Quito, to observe a religious Andean Fiesta and discuss its cultural development and significance
A trip to Mindo in the Nublado Andino Forest to experience Ecuador’s biodiversity
A visit to the Guayllabamba Ecological Zoo
Discussions on ethnicity during a visit to Quilotoa

Housing

Our job is to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding what landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Quito, it will feel like home.

You have a private, furnished room in the home of a family or señora in Quito. Homestay hosts provide three meals daily.

Student Life

Part of making you feel at home in Quito is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.

Orientation

The at iprogram begins with a mandatory orientation thntroduces you to the IES Abroad Quito staff, your fellow students, and the city of Quito. Topics such as academics, housing, transportation, and health and safety are covered.

Additionally, CORE™, IES Abroad’s Comprehensive Orientation & Re-entry Experience, begins during orientation and continues throughout the semester with activities focusing on cultural adjustment, goal achievement, and preparing for the return home.

Intensive Spanish training is incorporated into the orientation program to help you prepare for the language placement tests given by Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE) and Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO).

Extracurricular Activities & Cultural Events

Redefine the way you live and learn in Quito through our cultural events, including visits to:

Quito’s historic city center
Traditional fiestas
The Ecuadorian Central Bank Museum
Handicraft centers

University Clubs & Events
PUCE's extracurricular program includes clubs for mountain climbing, soccer, basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, theater, and chorus. You learn more about these unique opportunities once on-site.

Field Trips

Although your adventure begins in Quito, our field trips take you to other great destinations in Ecuador and beyond to provide contrast and context for what you are learning in Quito. Possible destinations are listed below.

Otavalo
1 day | Fall & Spring
Visit an indigenous market and learn about the crafts and food being sold.

Mitad del Mundo
1 day | Fall & Spring
Straddle the equator and enjoy views of beautiful snow-capped mountains.

The Galápagos Islands
5 days | Fall & Spring
Explore the ecological diversity of the Galápagos, go snorkeling, and learn how to identify local flora and fauna. Mountain Rainforest in Loja

Mountain Rainforest in Loja Province
4 days | Fall & Spring
Explore this unique ecosystem in Southern Ecuador.

Machu Picchu
5 days | Fall & Spring
Explore ancient Incan ruins in Peru.

Amazon Rainforest Region
4 days | Fall & Spring
Hike the world’s largest and most biologically diverse rainforest with a local guide.

Center

IES Abroad Quito [8]

IES ABROAD Quito
Av. República de El Salvador N34-229 y Moscú | Edificio San Salvador, Piso 3 | Quito, Ecuador

Situated near Quito’s financial district, the IES Abroad Center is housed in a new, modern building. Features include:

Classrooms
Student lounge
Staff offices
Small library
Computer lab
High-speed Internet and printer access
A terrace that overlooks the city

Center staff:

Eduardo Ortiz
IES Abroad Director
Through LASPAU (Latin American Scholarship Program of American Universities), Eduardo Ortiz, a native of Quito, received a Fulbright Scholarship to obtain both his B.A. and his M.A. in Psychology at SUNY Geneseo in New York. After receiving his degrees, Eduardo returned to Quito, where he worked as Senior Official in the Ecuadorian Institute of Educational Loans and Scholarships (IECE) and as Ecuadorian Coordinator for an international educational exchange program (Canada World Youth). He also worked as Associate Professor in two leading Ecuadorian Universities (Catholic University of Ecuador and Army Polytechnic University). Eduardo also has experience as a project manager for USAID (United States Agency for International Development) in Ecuador where he managed projects in tax administration and education. Additionally, Eduardo has international consulting experience in training, organizational development, human resources management, and institutional strengthening in several International Development Agencies including IDB, the World Bank and Universalia Management Group from Canada.

IES Abroad Staff

Gladys Argoti
Student Services Coordinator

Rene Bueno
Academic Coordinator

Juan Carlos Sanchez
Administrative Support

Mariuxi López
Student Services Coordinator - Galapagos Islands Program

IES Abroad Faculty
Fernando Martín, Ph.D.

Christopher Minster, Ph.D.

Angélica Ordóñez, Ph.D.

Diego Quiroga, Ph.D.

Ana Rodriguez, Msc.

Evelyn Rodriguez, Msc.

Gabriela Rota, Msc.

Iván Ulchúr, Ph.D.

Hugo Valdebenito, Ph.D.

Marcelo Varela, Msc. MBA

Cost