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Quito
Tucked high in the Andes, Quito is blessed with a spring-like climate throughout the year and is one of the most beautiful cities in South America. In 1978, UNESCO designated Quito as a world cultural heritage site, ensuring the preservation of Quito’s colonial architecture. The old center is remarkably well preserved displaying some of the most impressive architecture in Latin America. With a spectacular geography that encompasses tropical Pacific beaches, Andean mountain villages, and Amazonian rainforests, Ecuador provides a dynamic setting for studying the challenges that face a small, developing nation.
The School for International Training (SIT) program in
Ecuador focuses on the theme of "Culture & Development".
Students begin the program with intensive Spanish language
study. Following this class, students begin the core
seminar in Culture & Development, taught in Spanish, which
deals with the following sub-themes: History,
Politics & Economics; Development Issues; Environmental
Issues, Geography & Ecology and Cultural Anthropology &
the Humanities. The core seminar is supplemented by
integral excursions to the cloud forest, the Ecuadorian
Amazon and the coastal region, as well as homestays in
coastal villages outside of Quito. The other
academic components of this program include a required
field study seminar and required independent study
project.
Dates: Fall semester:
early-September to mid-December. Spring semester: early
February to late-May.
Fields of Study:
Ecuadorian history, politics, economics, environmental studies, ecological
policy, anthropology, sociology, arts.
Eligibility:
Four semesters of college-level Spanish, with one semester taken in year
preceding study abroad, 7.5 GPA required.
Pomona students are part of a competitive national pool.
Number of Students: 5 or more Pomona students.
Total group approximately 20-25.
Academic Program:
The program begins with a week of orientation conducted by the program
co-directors in Quito. Following orientation,
students are placed in one of six intermediate or advanced
groups based on a placement exam in Spanish. The
academic program consists of: Intensive Spanish
(1.5 Pomona credit); Culture & Development Seminar (1.0
Pomona credit); Field Study Seminar (.5 Pomona credit);
Independent Study Project (ISP), (1.0 Pomona credit).
There is no P/NC option on this program.
Living Arrangements: Homestays with Ecuadorian
families for four weeks near Quito in Los Chillos Valley,
and four weeks in urban Quito. Other accommodations
during the program include hostels, private homes or small
hotels.
Faculty Liaison:
Grace Davila-Lopez
Internet Links:
http://worldlearning.org/ssa_ecr.htm
Weather and Time in Quito
Quito Ecology
Tucked high in the Andes, Quito is blessed with a
spring-like climate throughout the year and is one of
the most beautiful cities in South America. In 1978,
UNESCO designated Quito as a world heritage site.
Ecuador boasts a spectacular geography that encompasses
tropical Pacific beaches, Andean mountain villages, and
Amazonian rainforests. Home to over 1,500 species of
birds, 10 percent of the world’s known vascular plant
species, and animal species found nowhere else on earth,
Ecuador provides a dynamic setting for studying
conservation strategies and the many pressures faced by
a small, developing nation.
The School for International Training (SIT) program in
Quito focuses on the theme of “Comparative Ecology and
Conservation.” Students begin the program with intensive
Spanish language study. Following this class, students
begin the core seminar in Comparative Ecology and
Conservation, taught in Spanish and English, which deals
with the following sub-themes: Ecuadorian Life and
Culture; Comparative Ecology; and Conservation and
Policy. The core seminar is supplemented by excursions
to the Ecuadorian Amazon, a cloud forest reserve, the
highland Andes, and the Galapagos Islands, as well as a
rural homestay in the cloud forest. The other academic
components of this program include a required
environmental field study seminar and an independent
study project.
Dates: Fall semester: early
September to mid-December. Spring semester: late January to mid-May
Fields of Study:
Ecuadorian history, politics, economics, human rights and gender issues,
sustainable development, ecology and conservation.
Eligibility: Previous
college-level coursework and/or significant preparation in environmental
studies, ecology, biology, or related fields, as assessed by SIT. Four recent
semesters of college-level Spanish or equivalent and the ability to follow
coursework in Spanish.
Number of students:
Approximately 4 Pomona students; total program approximately 20-25 per
semester.
Academic Program: The program
begins with a week of orientation conducted by the program co-directors in
Quito. Following orientation, students are placed in an intermediate or advanced
Spanish course based on a placement exam. The academic program consists of:
Intensive Spanish; Comparative Ecology and Conservation Seminar; Environmental
Field Study Seminar; Independent Study Project (1 Pomona credit each).
There is no P/NC option on this program.
Living Arrangements:
Eight-week homestay in Quito. Brief rural homestay in cloud forest. Other
accommodations during the program include hostels, field camps, reserve lodges,
and boats.
Faculty Liaison: Gene Fowler
Internet Link:
http://worldlearning.org/ssa_ece.htm
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