Academics
- Learn about international development.
- Gain hands-on experience by participating in a community internship.
- Take Spanish language classes.
- Program type:
MSID Ecuador is an experiential program. Learn about Ecuador through classes, field trips, internships, and research.
- Level:
3,000-4,000 level courses.
- Term:
Fall semester plus optional pre-session, spring semester, academic year plus optional pre-session.
- Prerequisites:
2.5 GPA; juniors and above; 4 semesters of college-level Spanish required. Experience in your MSID country, relevant course work, or volunteer experience preferred but not required.
- Courseload:
16 credits for fall or spring semester; 32 for the academic year. Add 4 credits for optional pre-session.
Faculty
Dr. José Suárez, MD, Ph.D. in epidemiology, directs the academic program. Delores López assists with program coordination, and Ecuadorian faculty provide all instruction.
How to Apply
Click the button below to visit this program's web page for more information about the application process for this program.
About This Program
Few countries as small as Ecuador contain such remarkable geographic and biological diversity. Geographically it ranges from coastal deserts to temperate mountain valleys to Amazon forests. Culturally and racially, its population includes every mix of indigenous, Spanish, and African elements. The program is based in Quito, an Andean city within sight of snowcapped volcanoes, which houses a remarkable mix of colonial and modern, rich and poor. Internship sites are scattered within a three-hour radius of Quito.
Homestays are an integral component of the MSID learning experience. All students live and share most meals with at least one family, and many with two different families--one during the classroom phase and a second in a different part of the country during the remainder of the program. Students with internships in the main city typically choose to remain with the same family throughout.
Language Pre-Session: An optional winter break or summer session intensive language course is offered for fall semester and academic year students. One language course is taught over a four-week period and awards 4 undergraduate credits. The Ecuador program offers 5th semester language instruction. The syllabus focuses on language skill development and daily oral practice. Students live with host families, and local excursions are included.
Semester Program: The semester program consists of four courses. All classes are with program participants and are taught by local faculty. Through the coursework and the internship, you have the opportunity to discuss the complex nature of development as realized in your MSID country.
About the Learning Abroad Center
The Learning Abroad Center in the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance is the University of Minnesota's comprehensive resource for study, service-learning, work, intern, volunteer, and travel experiences worldwide.
The Learning Abroad Center is a leader in providing innovative international learning experiences that expand and redefine the world for a diverse population of students, colleagues, and staff. The Learning Abroad Center staff and University of Minnesota faculty and staff participate in numerous leadership opportunities and serve on the advisory boards of organizations who provide and/or support education abroad programs. Through collaboration and individual attention, the Learning Abroad Center continues to promote empowerment, development, understanding, and responsibility in the global community.
A variety of program options--300 programs in over 80 countries--have been developed to address the diverse needs of students. Programs vary in length, level, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, cost, and degree of independence demanded of the participant.
