Department of Spanish and Portuguese Studies


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Quito, Ecuador Program

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

Overview

During Winter 2013, the Division of Spanish and Portuguese Studies will take a group of highly motivated 203, 301 and 302-level students to the city of Quito, Ecuador to live with local families and study local culture and Spanish for a quarter.

Quito is the capital and second largest city (population 1.3 million inhabitants) of Ecuador. It is the nation's main transportation hub, with bus and airline routes that span the country and continent, and it is the home to the most extensively preserved colonial-era neighborhood in South America. Old Quito was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997 and recently underwent an extensive renovation which was completed in 2007. The city's location in the Andean highlands (elevation 9,300 feet) makes it a unique meeting ground for indigenous and European-influenced cultures. Though located in a tropical zone, the altitude helps keep Quito's climate temperate, and spring-like weather conditions are the year-round norm.

Dates- Winter 2013

Dates of the program will be January 9th - March 21st, 2013:

All students must arrive on Tuesday, January 8th, 2013. The last day of your Ecuadorean homestay will be Sunday, March 24, 2013.

Since flights to Quito, Ecuador arrive late at night, your host family will meet you at the airport. Be sure to book your flight early, as prices will go up the closer we get to the Christmas and New Years holidays.
Classes will be held January 9th - March 21th, 2013.
Holidays (Carnival) will take place February 8th - 12th, 2013. If you have family coming to visit and/or are planning a trip within Ecuador, please schedule it during the holidays or before/after the dates of the program.

Courses

Classes will be held at the Andean Center for Latin American Studies (ACLAS), located in north central Quito.

While enrolled in this program, students will choose one of the following options (all classes in each option are required):

Option 1
SPAN 203- Intermediate Spanish (5 credits)
SPAN 301- Grammar and Lexicon (5 credits)
SPAN 322- Intro to Hispanic Cultural Studies (5 credits)
SPAN 392- Service Learning (1 credit)

Option 2
SPAN 301- Grammar and Lexicon (5 credits)
SPAN 308- Latin American Literature (5 credits)
SPAN 322- Intro to Hispanic Cultural Studies (5 credits)
SPAN 392- Service Learning (1 credit)

Option 3
SPAN 302- Grammar and Lexicon (5 credits)
SPAN 308- Latin American Literature (5 credits)
SPAN 322- Intro to Hispanic Cultural Studies (5 credits)
SPAN 392- Service Learning (1 credit)

Excursions & Other Activities

Students will participate in group excursions and activities, including a tour of the city, a visit to the Ecuator, and a visit to the Indigenous (Indian) Market in Otavalo. Access will be provided to the computer labs at ACLAS.

Please note that students must follow the rules of the Andean Center for Latin American Studies with whom the University of Washington has an agreement. These rules include, among other things, not renting a car while in Ecuador (although students may hire a driver with a car) and signing a statement promising to follow the drug laws of Ecuador.

Housing Information

Housing and board (three meals a day and laundry) for students will be arranged with families in Quito. Houses are typically located in areas for easy access to school and city amenities.

Insurance

Participants must provide proof of health/accident insurance coverage. Please refer to IPE's Health Insurance webpage for information regarding health insurance while studying abroad.

ELIGIBILITY, APPLICATION, & ORIENTATION

Eligibility Requirements

Completion of SPAN 202, 210, 203, 301 or placement into SPAN 203 or 301 prior to Winter Quarter 2013.

Application Procedure & Deadline

Applications are due by August 2, 2012. To apply to the program, please visit IPE's webpage for the program and click on the "Apply Now" button.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Questions about the program can be answered by:

Phillip Markley
Padelford Hall, B-232
(206) 543-5629
phillipm@u.washington.edu