Discover Ecuador Summer Program

  Ecuador

Quito

Term: Summer 
Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: Six weeks departing in June

Description: Discover Ecuador Summer Program:

If ecology, biology, anthropology, or Spanish fascinates you, join other YFU participants from around the world in this six-week program in Ecuador. You'll live with and enjoy getting to know your Ecuadorian host family. Living with a family gives you a chance to explore and understand another culture as an insider.

You may take day trips to places like the colonial section of Quito, hike up to volcanoes, visit the colorful Indian market at Otavalo, or attend cultural performances, such as a ballet with folklore music. Included in your program is a three-day tour of the northern rainforest. Activities include canoeing and observing monkeys, reptiles, exotic plants, and other wildlife in the region. Students will also learn about the rainforest from trained local guides.

Summer students may also opt to take a five-day tour of the Galapagos Islands for an additional fee.

Live with a host family while immersing yourself in Ecuadorian culture. Benefits include fluency in another language, knowledge of another culture, increased maturity, enhanced opportunities for the future, and lifelong friendships. College credit can be earned while on any YFU program.

Highlights: When you choose to live in Ecuador, you choose a country that straddles the equator and is home to the descendants of the great Inca empire. Discover this rich heritage as a YFU exchange student and you will understand Ecuadorian culture as few visitors do.

Among a population of 13 million, Ecuadors indigenous peoples have maintained a strong cultural identity and are known for beautiful textiles and ceramics. Youll notice the Spanish cultural influence in Quitos beautiful colonial churches, which have been well-preserved.

What you might enjoy most about Ecuadorian culture is the haunting Andean music, distinctive for two reasons: the pre-Columbian instruments and the musical scale, which is different than the one were familiar with in the US.

As a YFU student in Ecuador, you may find yourself in a large host family since the average family size is five. As in many Latin American countries, family bonds are strong and members gather often to celebrate.

Youth For Understanding (YFU) International exchange, an educational, nonprofit organization, prepares young people for their opportunities and responsibilities in a changing, interdependent world. With YFU, high school students and recent graduates can choose a year, semester, or summer program in one of more than 35 countries worldwide.

Cost in US$: Inquire for more info.

Experience Required: no

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview Required
• Letters of Reference
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home
• Alumni Network

Youth For Understanding USA's Mission Statement: Youth For Understanding (YFU) prepares young people for their responsibilities and opportunities in a changing, interdependent world.

Year Founded: YFU in 1951