Study international development in Ecuador—a blend of indigenous and Spanish colonial—while improving your Spanish language skills.

You’ll also contribute through an internship or research project with a nonprofit organization while you are there. Explore the complexities created by issues such as environment, globalization, public health, and social justice.

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.

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.

How do I choose among programs?

• See the Office of Global Learning’s “Selecting a Program” page for information on program types and considerations
• Use the search features on the Experience Cornell  Opportunities page to filter for programs approved by your college, and by particular subject areas
• Go to the “Get Advice” page for information on drop-in advising hours, scheduling an advising appointment, returned student contacts, and college advisors for study abroad
• Find out about upcoming events, check out FAQs, and read stories from returned study abroad students

How do I apply?

Applying to study abroad is a two-step process. You may complete both steps simultaneously, but the Cornell approval process must be complete before your program advisor in the Office of Global Learning can submit any approval or nomination to the program.

1. For Cornell Approval, click on the "Apply" button on this webpage. Applications are approved by the Office of Global Learning on a rolling basis until the application deadline listed on this page.
2. For Program Admission, complete an external application directly on the program’s webpage, using the link in the “Snapshot” section. (Note: This deadline may be in advance of the general Cornell deadline for approval. Many programs fill by rolling admission.)