program allows Salisbury University students the opportunity to study the Spanish language and courses in Latin American studies in English and Spanish in the historical colonial city of Cuenca, Ecuador. The cost of the program for tuition, room and board in Ecuador is equivalent to the same costs for one semester in Salisbury. Since 1994 Salisbury University has partnered with the Center for Interamerican Studies Foundation (CEDEI) in Cuenca, Ecuador to provide high quality study abroad experiences. 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 Foundation. In either semester students may choose from among a selection of courses taught in English and/or Spanish on a variety of topics. 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.

Spanish Studies Track: Students can complete coursework towards the minor and major in Spanish at SU during a semester in Ecuador. All upper-level courses count towards the minor and the major. Courses are offered in Spanish. No prerequisite.

Course Descriptions

Latin American Studies Track: Students can complete a maximum of 4/5 of courses towards the interdisciplinary Latin American studies minor at SU with one semester in Ecuador. Courses are offered in English and/or Spanish. No prerequisite.

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 FOUNDATION: The Centers for Interamerican Studies Foundation (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.

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

Total Estimated Costs Worksheet
Maryland Resident Tuition and Fees	$3666
Housing	$2725
Full Board	$1918
Sub-Total (Billable by SU)	$8309
Estimated Airfare	$800
Passport Fees	$75
Visa Fees	$100
Vaccinations (none required)	--
Books, School Supplies	$200
Optional Excursions (Galapagos, Macchu Pichu)	$2000
Total (including optional excursions + entertainment)	$11,166

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 a week-long study tour to the Galapagos Islands 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 include all tuition and fees at Salisbury University and Centers for Interamerican Studies Foundation, 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.

APPLY NOW!

Admission is competitive and enrollment is limited. Students will be admitted on a rolling basis until the program is full. Once the program is full, accepted students will be placed on a waiting list.

The application deadline for spring semester is October 15 and for fall semester is April 15.

In addition to the application form interested students should submit the following directly to the program director:

- An unofficial transcript demonstrating overall Grade Point Average of 2.5

- A 300 word typed essay answering the question: "How will my participation in the Salisbury Abroad: Ecuador program contribute significantly to my academic career and influence future plans? ",

- A completed faculty recommendation form from a faculty member who knows the student well. Recommendation form available here.