Courses and course schedules are determined by GAIAS two to three weeks before the program begins. When available, course syllabi are available on the IES Abroad website. Registering for courses at GAIAS is a 3-step process. Each step is done online on the USFQ website, and they must be done in order. They are: Register as a student by completing an online application where you will need to upload several documents. Take the online Spanish language placement test on the USFQ website. Register for courses. We will send you emails with more details on each of these steps, so please read them...

GAIAS Courses The classroom atmosphere might be entirely different from what you experience on your home campus. Please keep in mind that you will have to be able to adapt to different classroom structures and expectations. Teaching styles may vary from professors who mainly use lectures as their method of presentation to those who foster participation, debates, and practical work. Readings and assignments will be indicated in the syllabus, although you are expected to work more independently and explore outside resources on your own. Ecuador requires six years of secondary education before...

You may have the opportunity to participate in highly specialized course-related trips, such as underwater diving. If you wish to participate in underwater dives, you are required to obtain a Basic Open Water Diver Certification through the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI). We strongly recommend you obtain PADI certification before you arrive in Ecuador. Proof of certification must be submitted prior to the program start date via your MyIESabroad account for any student who chooses the Marine Ecology track. For students who plan to dive recreationally outside the GAIAS...

Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) was the first institution in Latin America with a liberal arts-based curriculum. USFQ’s main campus is located in the attractive suburb in the Cumbaya Valley accessible by bus from central Quito. The Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (GAIAS) is a world-class academic and research institution located on the main island of Galápagos, San Cristóbal. GAIAS is supported by the Galápagos National Park Service, the Municipality of San Cristóbal, and the provincial and central governments. Your program is run by the USFQ on two campuses...

In the Galápagos, your homestay will be close to the USFQ GAIAS campus. All homestays are located in safe areas and inspected on a regular basis. You will have your own furnished room, and may have another IES Abroad student staying in your home. Expectations for Your Homestay No two homestay situations are the same! Just as “family” could mean many different things in your home country, Ecuadorian families also are quite diverse. Some families are composed of a set of parents and their children. Other families consist of an older couple with grown children. Some might be single parents. Some...

Your specific housing assignment will be sent to you via email from admissions@IESabroad.org approximately three weeks before the program start date, provided you have submitted all forms listed below. Make sure that emails from this address will not end up in your spam filter by adding it to your trusted sender list. NOTE: We must receive all forms listed below before we can finalize housing arrangements on your behalf and release your housing assignment to you. Review the housing options below to determine your preferences and contact your IES Abroad Program Advisor with any questions...

Your specific housing assignment will be sent to you via email from admissions@IESabroad.org approximately three weeks before the program start date, provided you have submitted all forms listed below. Make sure that emails from this address will not end up in your spam filter by adding it to your trusted sender list. NOTE: We must receive all forms listed below before we can finalize housing arrangements on your behalf and release your housing assignment to you. Review the housing options below to determine your preferences and contact your IES Abroad Program Advisor with any questions...

You will participate in a mandatory on-site orientation which begins at the IES Abroad Center, followed by orientation sessions at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito campus. A complete schedule is distributed upon arrival. On the first day of your IES Abroad orientation, you will receive a packet containing the following: IES Abroad Quito student manual Emergency plan Orientation schedule Semester academic calendar List of important course registration dates Student ID card Staff contact information Emergency phone numbers Map of Quito Tourist brochures of the four regions of Ecuador IES...

Welcome to the Eternal City! Rome is arguably one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city’s famed seven hills offer sweeping vistas of the city. The Tiber (Tevere), Rome’s famous river, offers romantic promenades and this Italian hub has been an important city for close to 2,500 years. The city’s long history is visible on many of its streets and by-ways and is a modern, vibrant city, the seat of the Italian government, and a popular location for international meetings. As an important cultural and artistic center today, Rome has a wealth of cultural treasures. Take a tour around...

Internship Attendance Policy Class attendance is compulsory. Unexcused absences will be subject to a 5% reduction in final grade per missed class. Attendance at the internship placement, at the times agreed with the placement supervisor, is mandatory. Any emergency absences, due to documented medical or family situations, must be communicated immediately to both the placement supervisor and to the IES Internship Team. Any hours missed must be made up during the semester, in agreement with the placement supervisor.