The Salisbury Abroad: Ecuador program allows Salisbury University students the opportunity to earn 4/5 of an interdisciplinary studies minor in Latin American Studies while studying one semester in Ecuador.  The cost of the program is equivalent to one semester of study in Salisbury.  Since 1994 Salisbury University has partnered with the Centers for Interamerican Studies (CEDEI) in Cuenca, Ecuador to provide high quality study abroad experiences in Latin America.  Ecuador is a diverse country ethnically, biologically, and economically.  It has been shaped by its Native American, European, and African roots.  Ecuador adopted the US dollar as its national currency in 2000.  As a secure destination, rich in history and culture, and ideal in climate, Ecuador has seen an increase in study abroad students from the United States of approximately 30% per year during the past few years.

CLASSES: Students may spend either the fall or spring semester at the Centers for Interamerican Studies. In either semester students may choose from among a selection of courses taught in English and/or Spanish on a variety of topics in Latin American Studies.  All students complete a mandatory intensive Spanish language course based on their current level of Spanish.  All students also complete a semester-long cultural journal based on their out-of-classroom learning experiences.  The entire semester earns 16 credits.  The credits are for SU courses and earn SU GPA.  They are not transfer credits.  The Salisbury Abroad: Cuenca, Ecuador program can be combined with one additional course taught back in Salisbury either before or after the semester abroad to earn the interdisciplinary minor in Latin American Studies.  For more information:

• Detailed Description of Latin American Studies Program on Salisbury Abroad: Ecuador

• Course Descriptions

• Checklist for interdisciplinary minor in Latin American Studies

CITY OF CUENCA: With a population of 400,000, Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador behind the port city of Guayaquil and the capital, Quito.  Cuenca is nestled high in the Andes Mountains at an altitude over 8,000 feet.  Located south of the equator in southern Ecuador, the climate is temperate throughout the year with warm sunny days and cool mountain nights.  A UNESCO world heritage city, Cuenca has preserved its Spanish colonial roots with quaint cobblestone streets and colonial Spanish architecture.  It also reflects the strong Native American culture of the Andean region. 

CENTERS FOR INTERAMERICAN STUDIES: The Centers for Interamerican Studies (CEDEI) is a not-for-profit institution of higher learning, dedicated to the study of American languages and cultures. CEDEI was founded in 1992 in recognition of the 500th anniversary of the meeting of the Old and New Worlds. To foster understanding among the people of the Americas, CEDEI sponsors a variety of academic activities independently and in conjunction with universities in North and South America.  CEDEI also offers flexible, non-credit Spanish immersion classes and volunteer opportunities, as well as two-year degrees in Television Production, Sales and International Marketing and Entrepreneurship through our Technological College.

HOUSING: Students live with an Ecuadorian host family and experience the hospitality of Latin American culture firsthand.  Most of the families have been housing students from Salisbury University throughout for fifteen years.  These families play an active role in providing a rich intercultural and personal experience for Salisbury Abroad: Cuenca, Ecuador students. 

PROGRAM TRAVEL: Included in the costs of the program are short field trips to the capital city of Ecuador, Quito, the world-famous indigenous market at Otavalo, the Cañari and Inca ruins at Ingapirca, Cajas National Park, and several Andean villages.  There are a number of optional excursions at additional cost including week-long study tours to the Amazon rainforest in northern Peru and an 11-day study tour to Peru that includes a visit the modern metropolis of Lima, the ancient Inca capital of Cuzco and the Lost City of Machu Picchu.  Some courses include travel excursions.  Excursions associated with specific courses involve additional costs not included with the program fee. In addition to program sponsored travel, Ecuador provides a convenient launching point for individual explorations of all of South America.  Inexpensive airfare is available from Quito or Guayaquil, Ecuador to the great metropolises of South America including Lima, Santiago, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and Rio de Janeiro.   

COSTS:  Costs for the Salisbury Abroad: Cuenca, Ecuador program are $7,300.  Costs include all tuition and fees at Salisbury University and Centers for Interamerican Studies, single occupancy housing and full board with an Ecuadorian homestay family, all program-sponsored excursions, and international health insurance.  Costs not included are international airfare, optional program travel, spending money, books, other.  This cost represents the same cost that an in-state student pays for one semester of tuition and fees, on-campus single-occupancy housing, and the “All Day, Every Day” meal plan at the SU main campus in Salisbury. 

DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT INFORMATION:  An initial deposit of $250 is due at the time of application.  This deposit is part of the total advertised cost of the program.  Once a student is academically admitted by the faculty director, the initial non-refundable deposit is due to the Cashier’s Office.  The student will be automatically enrolled into the study abroad course.  The University Billing Office will then bill each registered student for the total cost of the study abroad program (less the deposit amount) through the regular university billing system.  Standard University deadlines for withdrawals do not apply to study abroad programs.  Once the published Application Deadline occurs, the accepted student is responsible for the entire amount of the study abroad program charge. 

APPLICATION INFORMATION: Application forms are available at the Center for International Education.   Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Deadline for applications is May 1 for fall semester and November 1 for spring semester.  Students should also submit a 300 word typed essay answering the question: "Why do I want to participate on this program", and a completed faculty recommendation form from a faculty member who knows the student well.   Recommendation form available here.  All questions concerning the program should be addressed to:

Dr. Brian Stiegler, Director

Center for International Education

Phone: 410-334-3495 E-mail: sucie@salisbury.edu

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