Ecuador: Community Internships in Latin America
Fall & Spring Semester
Ecuador is characterized by great geographical, economic and ethnic diversity. The smallest country in the Andean highlands offers an idyllic climate, mountain vistas and mild weather as well as a complex scenario of social, cultural, economic and political phenomena. The Community Internships in Latin America program offers a semester of study and experience with a focus on community participation and social change. Current issues of globalization, ecological issues, oil politics and Plan Colombia are addressed as students learn from individuals who help make change happen. Models of community participation, organization, development and social change are compared and contrasted.
A home stay is combined with a hands-on internship and independent study opportunity designed to meet your own learning goals. A field seminar involving local experts and activists provides an intensive immersion into Latin American daily life and culture.
Learn first-hand about challenges in Ecuadorian communities and explore ways they are being addressed!
Example Internship Placements
Hands-On Experience
In addition to substantive work at internship sites working on health, youth development, women’s issues, environment, human rights or other issues, you will also experience Ecuador’s diverse culture through field studies in indigenous communities and the rain forest.
Courses
Community Participation and Social Change
Internship (Placement and Seminar)
Independent Study
Courses are taken as an integrated whole and provide a semester’s worth of credit.
Faculty
Martha Moscoso Carvallo and María Arboleda
Extras
The equivalent of two years of college Spanish is required. All lectures and discussions are in Spanish. Generally, Ecuadorians speak slowly and clearly and this offers an ideal environment for students to gain confidence and fluidity. Readings are mostly in Spanish. Papers may be written in English or Spanish. Internships and field projects are conducted entirely in Spanish. Students needing additional language development may arrange for outside tutorials at an additional cost.
Home-stays are provided as housing for the duration of the semester.
If you would like to know more about the program fee, dates or other specific application information please visit the General Program Information page.
| Example Syllabus |
| Learn More about Ecuador |
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