Summer in Ecuador

Spend your summer learning advanced Spanish in Quito, Ecuador, where old meets new and where cultures come together. Explore the historic city center, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, while also walking past the headquarters of many national and international organizations and institutions. Learn to understand the many influences in the region, from colonialism to indigenous knowledge.

Deepen your Spanish language abilities by taking courses in Spanish, taught by local instructors. Engage with the Spanish language outside of the classroom by living with local homestay families in Quito.

Courses will focus on Latin American and Spanish culture and literature, as well as indigenous knowledge as it relates to the environment. These courses will be based in Quito, and will involve excursions around Quito as well as other parts of Ecuador to engage with and learn from local communities.

You will live with a homestay family throughout your time in Ecuador. Homestay families provide breakfast and dinner daily; you will be responsible for providing your own lunches. Host families can typically accommodate a variety of dietary needs, but if you have severe food allergies and/or restrictions, contact the program team prior to applying.

Homestays are an integral component of the learning experience and often a highlight for participants. Your family provides not only housing and most meals, but also a vital connection to Ecuadorian culture. Nearly all families have hosted students before and have been chosen for their genuine interest in sharing Ecuadorian life with you..

Excursions around Quito as well as day-trips outside of Quito are included in the program fee and course content.

• Gain a deeper understanding of Ecuadorian culture through coursework and excursions
• Strengthen Spanish language skills inside and outside of the classroom
• Deepen cross-cultural understanding through interactions with local instructors, homestay families, and community member
• Increase independence and self-reliance by learning to navigate Ecuadorian society

José Suárez

José Suárez is Executive Director of Fundación Cimas del Ecuador, a development-focused nonprofit organization in Quito. Dr. Suárez received his MPH and PhD degrees in public health from the University of Minnesota. A physician and epidemiologist with extensive community experience, he has authored research studies and books about health and environment in Ecuador, participated in many international and national committees, and served as a consultant to the Pan American Health Organization and Ecuador’s Ministry of Health. In addition to his extensive experience working with North American students and academic programs, Dr. Suárez has taught at the University of Washington, Evergreen State University, and the Medical School of the Universidad Central del Ecuador.

Dolóres López

Dolóres (Loli) López is President of Fundación Cimas. She studied Anthropology at the Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador (PUCE), and holds a bachelor's degree from Evergreen State College and a master’s degree in Social Science and Ecuadorian Studies from the Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (FLACSO) in Quito. She received her PhD degree in the Latin American Cultural Studies Doctoral Program at the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar in Quito. She has conducted research on social and cultural population issues, gained practical experience in working in indigenous and peasant communities, and organized local, national, and international conferences. In recent years, she has been deeply involved in intercultural research projects in relation with ancestral medicine, the use of pesticides in agriculture and cut flowers for exportation, and actively participates in community-based processes to identify alternatives for development. She has worked with US students and study abroad programs since 1989.

Pre-Departure Orientations

Summer 2025 fees are forthcoming. We expect the Program Fee to be between $8,900 and $9,900.

• Course Selection Form
• Transcript
• Home School Nomination

Detailed descriptions and instructions for submitting each checklist item are included on the application checklist assigned to you.

After your application checklist is complete, your application is reviewed by our program team. You will be notified of an acceptance decision by email. If accepted, you will be assigned a confirmation checklist, which you will complete to confirm your participation in the program. If you decide not to continue with the application process, log into the online application system and submit a Cancel Request.