Ecuador 2010
International Studies in Writing and Sustainable Practices
About the Program
This trip focuses on three distinct areas and activities within Ecuador. Flying into Quito, we will have a 13-day environmental, writerly, and cultural experience in the Andes, centered at the Black Sheep Inn Ecolodge in the Central Andes. While staying at Black Sheep we'll work with the local women's cooperative and explore the natural and cultural environments of the Quilotoa. We'll intensify these experiences via the practice of writers: readings in the political and social history of the area, as well as travel writing and place-based creative nonfiction, will inform this practice. Students will produce both analytical and creative writing via daily activities, including writers' workshops.
We will visit Cuenca on our way to the Galapagos. In the Galapagos we will study the history of the islands in the context of its unique ecosystems, tourism, and its current place in Ecuadorian and international politics and environmental efforts. We will also complete a service project, most likely on Isabela or San Cristobal Island. Our trip will conclude in Guayaquil to participate in a bamboo housing and infrastructure build in the surrounding poor suburbs with students from UEES. Throughout the trip, students will engage in the exploration of various "critical practices" in environmental literary and cultural studies as they pertain to Ecuador and the developing world.
Activities
Arrive in Quito/travel to Black Sheep Inn - a sustainable lodge (10 days)
- visit markets, mountain industries, ecosystems
- work on a service project
- interact culturally with the local indigenous communities
Fly to Cuenca (3 days)
Fly to the Galapagos (7 days)
- visit the Darwin center (land turtles, land iguanas)
- visit marine and upland (volcanoes) ecosystems by tour, bike, horseback ride, kayak, snorkeling
- participate in a service project
Fly to Guayaquil and surrounding area (7 days)
- build bamboo houses and composting toilets with UEES students
- home stays and socializing with UEES students
Throughout the trip: review and engage in critical writing of the environment and culture of Ecuador.
Partnerships
During the course of this trip, we will work with the following institutions related to sustainable development and non-profit housing for the poor:
- Universidad de Especialidades Espiritu Santo (UEES)
- Hogar de Cristo
Program Components and Academic Credit
Students will receive 15 credits total:
- Pre-trip Seminar in Writing and Sustainability (3 credits)
- International Sustainable Practices (5 credits)
- Writing Ecuador (5 credits)
- Independent Study (2 credits)
Housing and Transportation
During our stay in Guayaquil, faculty will be in UEES faculty housing, while students will be in homestays.
Transportation will vary according to the part of the program. While in the Andes, we will either be on foot, or chartered bus. in the Galapagos, we will be on charter boat, charter bus, or taxis. While in Guayaquil, we will be in chartered bus or taxis.
Program Directors
Director
Chuck Henry, Senior Lecturer
Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences
clh@uw.edu
Co-Leader
Elena Olsen, Adjunct Faculty
English
elenao@uw.edu
Program Expenses
This program will cost approximately $3,600 per student.
Payment Schedule
(under development)
IP&E will automatically charge student accounts for all program payments and fees.
Financial Aid
Students may use their regular financial aid and scholarship funds for study abroad. The exception is any scholarship in the form of a tuition waiver. Tuition waivers cannot be used to pay study abroad program fees. You may want to check with the Office of Student Financial Aid in Schmitz Hall for more information.
There are funding opportunities through the Global Opportunities Program, and the Office of International Programs and Exchanges also maintains a funding opportunities list at http://www.ipe.washington.edu/forms/FundingOpportunities.pdf
IP&E Refund Policy
A $350 deposit is required at the time of acceptance. This $350 deposit is non-refundable. Any student withdrawing from the program within 4 months of the program start date will be responsible for a minimum of 25% of the total program fee. In addition, there may be other unrecoverable fixed program costs. Any student withdrawing from the program within 2 months of the program start date will be responsible for 50% of the total program fee. Any student withdrawing from the program within 1 month of the program start date will be responsible for 75% of the total program fee. Withdrawal after a program begins involves the loss of the entire program fee.
Once accepted to the program in order to formally withdraw, you must do the following, in writing:
- Contact the program directors.
- Submit a signed withdrawal form to the UW Office of International Programs and Exchanges (see http://ipe.washington.edu/forms/WithdrawDefer.pdf).
- Provide notice in writing to the program director that you will no longer be participating in the program for which you have signed a contract and accepted a slot.
- Your withdrawal date is considered the date (business day) your withdrawal paperwork is received by the UW Office of International Programs and Exchanges.
Application Instructions
Application Deadline: February 12, 2010
Selection to the program is competitive and acceptance into the program will be decided based on application materials, interviews, and student's demonstrated motivation to challenge themselves intellectually across academic disciplines and cultures and to work both individually and in groups.