The Department of Spanish at Western Michigan University offers a study abroad program in Quito, Ecuador.
EXACT DATES FOR Summer I 2024 TO BE DETERMINED (APPROXIMATELY MAY 6 to JUNE 26)
Open only to currently enrolled WMU students.
Program overview
The WMU program at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito offers qualified students the opportunity to study Spanish language and culture in university courses especially designed for them.
Earn six to seven credit hours in Ecuador, advancing your fluency in Spanish and expanding your knowledge of Latin American cultures. These courses will be offered at the beautiful campus of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, located in the valley of Cumbayá, which is known as one of the most cosmopolitan areas of the capital. Students will participate in various cultural activities outside of the classroom such as visits to the famous historical center of the city, which was declared a World Cultural Heritage Site by Unesco in 1978. Other excursions included in the program are trips to Otavalo, Cotacachi y la Laguna de Cuicocha. These co-curricular activities will provide many opportunities for students to explore and learn about Ecuadorian culture in depth.
Academics
There are two different options for this program.
Option I: Completion of SPAN 2000 prior to departure is required. Students will earn seven credit hours for the seven weeks of study in Ecuador. Four of these credits will be for SPAN 2010 and three will be for SPAN 3160.
Option II: Completion of SPAN 2010 prior to departure is required. Students will earn six credit hours for the seven weeks of study in Ecuador. Three of these credits will be for SPAN 3160 and three will be for SPAN 3170.
Housing
Students selected for the program will stay with families in Quito. They will have individual rooms and will eat all three meals with the family.
Transportation
Students make their own travel arrangements both to and from Quito. They are advised to consult with the faculty director before finalizing their travel plans. If they travel independently to Quito, they will be responsible for coordinating their arrival with the faculty program director. Students who wish to do so may travel to Quito with the faculty director.
Administrative organization and student responsibility
The faculty director for Quito is Professor Mercedes Tubino-Blanco, a member of the regular WMU Spanish faculty. She will offer orientation sessions on campus prior to departure and will be in Quito during the first week of classes to assist students with any questions about their accommodations.
In addition to doing satisfactory academic work, WMU students are to comply with all rules and regulations of both WMU and the Universidad de Quito. Any student who does not meet academic and behavioral standards may be dropped at any time.
Additional program information is available from:
- Professor Germán Zárate-Sández, Interim faculty program director
- Department of Spanish
- Anastassia Kaml, WMU Office of Study Abroad specialist
Western Michigan University reserves the right to cancel or revise the program if necessary.