SIT Ecuador: Development, Politics, and Languages
- Location: Quito, Ecuador
- Minimum GPA: 3.0
- Language of Instruction: Spanish
- Class Eligibility: Juniors
Introduction
Study indigenous concepts of sustainability as it intersects with biological diversity, culture, and quality of life in Ecuador. Living in Ecuador, you will experience a multilingual and multiethnic nation that is also one of the America’s most biologically diverse countries. Here, you’ll study development as well as alternatives grounded in indigenous worldviews that call for respect of natural resources. Two homestays will deepen your understanding of both urban and rural life and culture in Ecuador.
On excursions to the threatened Andean Chocó Biosphere Reserve and the Galápagos Islands you will observe the conflict between development and natural resource preservation. You will also visit the Upper Amazon, where you will experience direct exposure to political ecology and socio-linguistic issues regarding this highly diverse but threatened region.
You’ll explore how Spanish and indigenous languages are used to reinforce and reinvent power relationships as you consider how intercultural and inter-ethnic relations are shaped. You will learn basic Quichua and develop your Spanish language skills through classroom instruction, homestays, excursions, and cultural immersion.
- Visa:
Required. Students with US passport will need a cultural exchange visa.
Non-US Citizens should consult with SIT and the Office of International Student Support before applying to the program.
Additional Visa Information - Fees: Students pay Haverford tuition to Haverford. Haverford is responsible for making tuition payment to SIT. Students are responsible for paying room and board costs directly to SIT.
Academic Overview
Requirements
Since students are expected to have attained a usable level of language proficiency, one course beyond intermediate Spanish or its equivalent of three recent semesters of Spanish is required. Students should have the ability to follow coursework in Spanish as assessed by SIT. It is preferred that students be enrolled in a Spanish course the semester before they are expected to study abroad.
Academic Credit
Each semester, students must carry a minimum of 15 credit hours, which equals 4 credits at Haverford. Students are not permitted to take less than 15 credits unless they have the permission of their dean and advisor in advance. Major, minor, and concentration transfer credit will only be granted for courses in which students received a grade of a C or above.
Curriculum
Required courses:
- Languages in Contact: Spanish, Quichua, and Other Languages in Ecuador
- Paradigms of Development and Political Discourse in Ecuador
- Spanish for the Social Sciences
- Research Methods and Ethics
- Independent Study Project
Course Highlights
Political Science, Spanish
Note: Changes occur frequently. Students are responsible for finding the classes they need and consulting the official site of the institution.
Non-Academic Overview
Orientation
During the first week of the program topics such as academics, cultural, and health and safety are discussed. Through group discussions, readings, and participatory methods, students are introduced to the host country and develop skills for successful cross-cultural communication.
Number of Students
25-30 per semester
Housing/Meal Plans
Homestay only. Each student lives with a carefully selected host family.
While on excursions, accommodations may include hostels, guest houses, and small hotels
Haverford students may not opt for independent off-campus housing – that is, housing not arranged by the program.
Notes
Additional Resources
- Support for LGTBQIA+ Students
- SIT Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Resources
- Mental Health & Self Care While Abroad
- Diversity Abroad
Options
- Semester
Dates
- Semester I: Late August - early December
- Semester II: Late January - early May
Application Deadlines
- Semester I: March 1
- Semester II: October 1