SIT Study Abroad Ecuador: Comparative Ecology and Conservation

Explore tropical ecosystems, conduct biological fieldwork, and study conservation in one of the world’s most biodiverse countries.

WHY STUDY CONSERVATION IN ECUADOR?

You will live like a biologist as you explore the Amazon basin, the Andes, cloud forests, Pacific Ocean coastline, and the Galápagos Islands of Ecuador—unique climatic niches that harbor ecological treasures and a plethora of flora and fauna. Within these diverse and vulnerable settings, you will conduct biological fieldwork, studying plants and insects, taking soil samples, conducting species counts, using mist nets, and observing birds. You will also have the opportunity to live with two different homestay families: in capital city of Quito and the rural cloud forest.

See for yourself the importance of Ecuador’s biota as you learn from researchers during excursions to the Andean páramo highlands, the Amazon Region, and the Cloud Forest of North-Western Ecuador. You will also spend a week exploring the Galápagos Islands by land and sea.

Hone the Spanish language skills you will need to talk about environmental and conservation issues, conduct field research, and engage in institutional and community discussions related to ecology and biology.

Please visit the SIT Study Abroad website for details on the program highlights and details of coursework, educational excursions, and housing.

MONEY MATTERS

SIT is an all-inclusively priced study abroad program – including academics costs, excursions, accommodations and meals, airport transfers, and health insurance. Be sure to discuss how study abroad costs are handled at your school with your study abroad advisor and read the website for more specific information.  

SCHOLARSHIPS

SIT has awarded an average of over $1.3 million in scholarships and grants to SIT Study Abroad students in the past three years. All scholarships and grants are need-based. Awards generally range from $500 to $5,000.  

CONTACT SIT STUDY ABROAD

·       Visit our website: studyabroad.sit.edu

·       Request more information or email us: studyabroad@sit.edu

·       Call an admissions counselor: 888-272-7881

·       Contact a former student.

·       Apply to SIT

Program Details

Eligibility: 7.5 cumulative GPA; completion of Spanish 44 at Scripps; course work in environmental studies, ecology, biology or related fields.

Reviewed by: N. Neiman Auerbach

Advising Notes: One faculty reference is required for this program.

Visa Information: The visa for this program is approximately $300. All students must have a passport valid for at least six months after the program’s end date to study in another country. Students should apply for a passport as early as possible; in some cases, passport applications may need to be expedited. Students may need one or more visas, in addition to a valid passport. Visa application processes vary widely, and some visa processes are multi-step and complicated. SIT Study Abroad helps students to understand the visa process for each program. The SIT admissions counselor can answer passport and visa-related questions and concerns. Non-US citizens should consult with SIT early to determine the visa requirements based on their country of origin. SIT Study Abroad cannot guarantee visas for its participants, and it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to secure the appropriate visa in a timely manner.

Budget Planning: For budget planning purposes, click here to view the current cost of living comparison between Quito and Los Angeles.