The Quito Semester exists to provide an academically excellent Semester where students will engage the challenges of a developing nation and learn to respond with an appropriate Christian Worldview.
Ecuador is one of Latin America's most diverse countries. While in Ecuador you can experience the high mountains, low desert, tropical rain forest, coastal beauty, the Galapagos Islands and the deep Amazon Jungle.
This Semester abroad opportunity is based in Quito, the nation's capitol. Quito has amazing weather and is famous for its eternal spring time conditions. The city offers rich history, architecture, friendly people and safe living conditions in which to grow and learn. Living and Learning in Quito is part of a 15 year old organization called Youth World. We offer the amazing mixture of Adventure, Academic Excellence, Culture, Practical Experience, Language, Mission and Integrated Living as you participate in this Semester Abroad program.
Spring 2012 : January 25 - May 10, 2012 (this is the Current Semester)
Fall 2012: September 5 - December 13
Spring 2013 : January 23 - May 10
Join Us
Living and Learning in Quito, Ecuador is a study abroad program
available to students who desire to continue their college education in an
international setting. Living and Learning in Quito will function
under the supervision and guidelines of your North American
institution. This semester is designed to combine classroom
learning and practical internships in a unique and challenging cross-cultural
setting. Along with receiving up to 16 units of college credit,
students will live, learn and grow academically, experientially, and
spiritually. The men and women who participate in this program will
be asked to consider how they can use their gifts and talents to reach the
world with the good news of Jesus Christ.
While living in Quito, students will experience a variety of new cultures, gain a global perspective
and understand in a new way the joys and the challenges of serving God in a
cross-cultural setting. Students will enjoy the rich interaction
with teachers, faculty, and ministry site hosts in a classroom setting, as well
as on a one-to-one level. We believe this unique opportunity and
setting will lend itself to life-long impact.
Experiential Learning
Service Learning & Internships
Cultural exposure and learning experiences in Quito and to surrounding cities/areas of Ecuador will offer an alternative to classroom instruction. Opportunities to see and be involved in ministry will challenge students to put into practice all they are seeing and learning. Each student will either participate in Service Learning in a volunteer setting OR perform an internship with partner ministries in and around Quito. Practicum credit can be earned towards your major.
Missions and Ministry
It is our goal that you will experience ministry and missions as a part of this Semester experience.
No matter what your discipline of study, skills, talents and passions God has a place for you in His global kingdom.
It is our desire that you would get a first hand opportunity to serve while you are in Ecuador. Some of this
will happen as you attend your weekly service learning or internship site. It will also happen as you venture together as
a group into week long missions experiences. Typical weeks include a 5 – 6 hour bus ride out of Quito to the Amazon
Jungle. We partner with local and established ministries to serve as a group. Construction, VBS, sports ministry, drama or music are some of the ways we have served in the past. While experiencing the Amazon Jungle we also
see how God is already at work and how we can join in with our lives.
Galapagos Islands
Located just off the coast of Ecuador, the Galapagos are a
world famous site that thousands of people visit every year. As a part of the Quito Semester you will get
the opportunity to see first hand the amazing history, setting and animals that inhabit these islands. As a group we
will travel to the Galapagos and stay for a multiple day excursion. Seeing the Galapagos on land, in boats, snorkeling
and with a professional guide is a highlight for all. You will get to experience one of the world’s most sought out travel destinations.
Cultural Activities
Experiencing Ecuador’s rich culture will happen throughout the semester. Some of it will naturally
occur as you live with an Ecuadorian family, learn spanish language, or as you are moving throughout the city of Quito.
Other opportunities include field trips in your HPCM class and intentionally scheduled outings by the Quito Semester staff. These outings can include soccer games, salsa lessons, cooking latin style, trips to museums and art galleries, special Ecuadorian restaurants, journey to the middle of the world (equator) monument, historic old town Quito, local hikes and taking a bus to a rain forest. You will come to appreciate the rich diversity in the country of Ecuador.
Home Stays
Living with an Ecuadorian host family is one of the most interesting and rewarding aspects of the Quito Experience. All homes are carefully screened for suitability and are inspected regularly by our staff. During this semester you will have the
privilege of living with an Ecuadorian family for 4 weeks Our program has ongoing relationships with Ecuadorian families who are interested in hosting international students . We call this our "homestay" program because when you participate in this program, you are not only renting a room in somebody's house, you are being welcomed into their home as if you were a member of their family
When students are not in their Homestays.
Total cost of the Fall 2011 Semester is determined by your College or University. Check with the Off Campus Study Abroad office for exact costs.
Semester Cost covers all of your in country program expenses. This does not include International Airfare to and from Quito, Ecuador and it does not include personal expenses like shopping, personal needs or personal travel.
Living and Learning in Quito is a fully accredited program wherein participants receive credit from their participating College or University. All Living and Learning Professors hold their MA and/or PHD in order to teach academic courses.
Academic Criedit can be earned directly through your College or University. Students can also recieve Academic Credit through transfer credit from our Academic Sponsor school - Trinity Christian College.
For most Colleges and Universities students must be enrolled in a minimum of 12 units to be considered full-time.
Each participant will be enrolled in a Spanish Language Institute during their time in Quito. After introductory testing, each student will be placed in classes that reflect their appropriate level of learning. U.S. College credit will be earned for these courses.
Students come to Ecuador with varying degrees of fluency in Spanish. Consequently, after initial placement testing, students are placed in classes that will correspond to their level of proficiency. Courses will introduce the students to the sounds and structure of the Spanish language through listening, speaking, reading and writing. Courses will provide the basis to understand and communicate Spanish effectively. Students will be under the direct instruction of the Andean Study Program. Each 3 unit course is the equivalent of 39 hours of instruction.
This course provides an overview of the history, politics, and culture of Ecuador, along with the relationship between various factors. The course includes guest speakers from local organizations and visits to community groups, along with lecture and readings. Open only to students who participate in the Ecuador Semester Program.
An integrative cross-cultural experience designed to help the student understand and form his or her Christian worldview, cross-cultural engagement, and understanding of diverse social and cultural contexts. Field experience sites involving small teams of students will be utilized in this intercultural practicum. Students will perform 7 weeks of internship. Extensive daily journaling of experiences both positive and negative, instructions in learning and observing will be noted. A debriefing process will conclude the practicum.
This course will examine the dynamics of personal development in student???s lives, focusing on spiritual growth. Biblical principles that govern the character and conduct of Christians will be addressed. Students will employ analytical tools and reflection skills to develop a greater self- awareness. From this foundation they will explore the process of spiritual formation and establish an initial life-plan for the regular practice of spiritual disciplines.
The goal of this course is to understand the nature of a worldview and the function of faith and reason in developing a worldview. To define and analyze eight basic worldviews (Christian theism, deism, naturalism, nihilism, existentialism, Eastern pantheism, New Age spirituality and postmodernism). To explore and critique six major world religious traditions: Judaism, Christianity, Taoism & Confucianism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. To offer an internal critique of each worldview and an evaluation from the standpoint of historic Christianity.
This course is designed to examine the principles and practices of communicating from one culture to another. Focus for the course lies in differing perceptions, ways of thinking, values, non verbal expressions, language expression and sub groups within a culture as they relate to the media and the message. Furthermore, students will have opportunity to discuss strategies for practical application that will address these issues and integrate Christian values.
Evaluation of your work is based on many factors. These include but are not limited to: participation, written assignments, and examinations. A "C" grade indicates adequate performance, a "B" grade indicates good, competent and complete work, and an "A" grade indicates creative excellence that is integrative and exceeds requirements.
