For more information contact Prof. D. Eric Holt, deholt01@mailbox.sc.edu.

The Spanish Summer Global Classroom Program will take place in Quito, Ecuador, the oldest capital city in South America, and the second highest capital city in the world at 9,350ft above sea level. Situated in the Andean mountain range, Quito is the political headquarters for the Republic of Ecuador, offering impressive views of nearby volcanic formations, the Andes mountains, cloud forests, and much more.

Quito is the only place in the world where it is possible to have one foot in the Northern Hemisphere and one in the Southern Hemisphere at the same time (latitude 00°00’00’’; Ecuador is the Spanish word for “equator”).  The capital city is located on the Guayllabamba River Basin on the eastern slope of Pichincha, an active stratovolcano in the Andes mountains. The historic center of Quito is one of the largest, least-altered and best preserved in all of the Americas, hosting around 130 monumental buildings filled with incredible art and architecture. Along with Kraków, Poland, Quito was the first World Cultural Heritage Site declared by UNESCO in 1978.

Students will embrace the Spanish language and Latin American culture while living with Ecuadorian host families in the rural parish of Cumbayá, just east of the center of Quito, while assisting cultural and language courses at the top-ranked Universidad San Francisco de Quito.

Galápagos add-on
This year for the first time, students will be able to extend their stay in country by participating in an exceptional opportunity to learn more about the Galápagos Islands and study Environment-Society Relationships of Ecuador.

This will include 5 full days on site with excursions, cultural and ecological activities such as visits to Kicker Rock and Punta Pucuna (Experiential fishing – a trip with local fishermen ), El Junco lagoon, Galapaguera (tortoises) and Puerto Chino (Haciendas visit: invasive species). There will be 3 additional lectures, the first two on the continent, the last on San Cristóbal Island. Includes an additional 1 transfer credit hour (Environment-Society Relationships in Ecuador; GSS, cognate/other major/minor/general elective credit), and will include a short written project.

ACADEMICS:

Students will be awarded 6 hours of credit. Three will be received for SPAN 350  and three for an Andean Culture course. Both may be applied to the Spanish major, minor, elective, or general university credit.

In addition to classroom work, cultural and academic excursions are included weekly to enhance and complement the material. Transportation, guides, and entrance fees are included on these excursions.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Students will reside with Ecuadorian host families in Cumbayá.  These families provide an insight into Ecuadorian life and an opportunity to speak the Spanish language in its natural environment. They also provide two meals daily and laundry once a week.

 CULTURE:

There are four excursions outside of Quito included in this program:

• Day-trip to see the Cloud Forests
• Day-trip experience of Otavalo which hosts a famed indigenous artisan market, waterfalls, and museums
• Excursion to the Quilotoa Lake in the most western volcano of the Ecuadorian Andes

In addition to the excursions, we will also have guided tours:

• Quito’s Historic Center
• Activities of the Afro-Ecuadorian Community (history, identity and social inclusion)
• Dance and cooking classes

There will also be a focus on Service Learning projects in the community, for which the student will receive a Service Learning Certificate.

APPLICATION AND PROGRAM PROCESS:
Basic cost with with Galápagos/+1 transfer credit:

• 5 students:   $4,245
• 8 students:   $3,615 +$2,005
• 10 students: $3,540 +$1,960
• 15 students: $3,050 +$1,735
• 20 students: $2,840 +$1,675

• Spanish language course
• 3 transfer credit hours of from the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) for Ecuadoran culture course (SPAN 003T)
• Homestay, 2 meals daily, laundry
• Dance, gastronomy, other weekly cultural activities and weekend excursions
•  Overnight stay in Salasaca Community
• SIM card with a local phone number

• 5-day/4-night excursion to Galápagos Islands (with cultural and ecological activities)
• INCLUDES additional 1 transfer credit hour (Environment-Society Relationships in Ecuador; GSS, cognate/other major/minor/general elective credit)

• Round trip airfare USA-Ecuador-USA
• 3 credits UofSC tuition of SPAN 350 (Spanish language course)
• Passport fees/personal items/telephone calls
• Daily lunches and some meals on excursions or by choice
• Optional entertainment, excursions/excess baggage fees
• Local transportation
• Required travel insurance
• Education Abroad Application Fee

• Minimum 2.5 GPA
• At least 18 years of age
• Must have completed SPAN 210 (see Professor Holt for exemptions)