Academics
- Gain practical language skills.
- Advance your Spanish a semester in less than four weeks.
- Speak Spanish with your host family to work on conversation skills.
This program appeals to students who are interested in advancing their Spanish knowledge.
- Program type:
Advanced Spanish in Ecuador is a classroom-based course to work on students' speaking, listening and reading skills.
- Level:
Fourth or fifth semester
- Term:
Winter break or summer break; four weeks
- Prerequisites:
2.5 GPA; freshmen and above; 3 semesters of college-level Spanish required
- Courseload:
4 credits.
Faculty
Dr. José Suárez, MD, PhD 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.
Although excursions change from semester to semester, you can expect to visit a variety of sites that may include local markets, non-governmental organizations, farms, factories, and potential internship sites.
One language course is taught over a four-week period and awards 4 undergraduate credits. Choose between Intermediate Spanish II and Spanish Composition and Communication. All classes are held at the University of Minnesota’s partner organization Fundación CIMAS, a local study center. Language courses are taught by experienced instructors who are native speakers. Small class sizes allow you many opportunities to practice their language skills and receive feedback from the instructor. You will also rapidly improve your Spanish skills through conversations with your host family and take excursions in and outside of Quito.
You may also participate in this program as an optional language pre-session for our MSID Ecuador program.
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.
