Program Description | Host Family & Community | Host School | Travel | Orientations & Activities | Eligibility
Program Description
Ecuador is one of the most fascinating destinations in South America with its array of vibrant cultures, historical colonial architecture, volcanic landscapes, and dense rainforest – all in a nation no bigger than Nevada! Ecuador’s traditional arts, textiles, and ceramics are based in a culture that dates from around 3200 B.C. The country is comprised of four distinct regions – the highlands, coastal areas, rainforest, and the famous Galapagos Islands – all making Ecuador an exciting country for you to discover.
As an AFSer in Ecuador, you’ll live with a host family while perfecting your Spanish and attending a local high school. You’ll probably attend a single-gender school where you may study up to 13 subjects from a standard curriculum. Ecuadorian society values family and friendship, so your host family will welcome your participation in daily activities. Hanging out with friends and family is also a great way to further perfect your Spanish language skills. You’ll meet other AFS participants at orientations, and possibly take part in an optional trip to the Galápagos Islands at an additional cost.
Language
Spanish is spoken as the first language by more than 90% of the population, and as a first or second language by more than 98%. Part of Ecuador's population can speak Amerindian languages, but only around two percent.
While the ability to speak Spanish is not a pre-requisite for the program, we do suggest that you learn as much as possible prior to departure.
Host Family & Community
Most placements (approx. 60%) are in sub-urban areas. Students are often placed in the mountain city of Quito, while others may be placed in coastal areas or in small towns throughout the country. (All Trimester Program students are placed in Guayaquil).
Host families in Ecuador, like all AFS host families worldwide, are volunteers and not paid. They open their homes to students in order to share their community and culture as well as to enrich their own family lives.
Ecuadorians
The Ecuadorian people of the cities are elegant, intelligent, and amicable. Rural Ecuadorians are hospitable even when they live very modestly. People of the coastal region are more free and easy going, while in the Sierra they are somewhat ceremonious but hearty at the same time. As is only natural, Ecuadorians love their country, but they do so without showing off as patriots. They are also mainly Catholics, but with a healthy amount of liberalism and tolerance.
Teens
Ecuadorian teenagers and young adults tend to be much more dependent than in other parts of the world. Independence is not valued as it goes against the concept of family unity, togetherness, etc. Most teenagers don't have jobs and their priority is to finish high school with good grades. This economic dependence continues into university and a son/daughter will very rarely leave home until they get married.
Meals
A typical Ecuadorian diet calls for some kind of meat (beef, pork, poultry, fish or other seafood, cold cuts) twice a day, at lunch and dinner. Meat portions are not necessarily large, and are always accompanied by rice and some cooked vegetable or salad. Many times, meat is cooked as a stew, which will also be accompanied of rice. Besides rice, other main staples are potatoes, noodles, and on the coast, beans, yucca and plantains. Carbohydrates constitute a major intake, and it’s not unusual to have two or three (rice, potatoes, and noodles) on a same meal. In any case, vegetables are never at the center of a meal.
Strict vegetarians are difficult to place, but they will be accepted by AFS Ecuador. It is their responsibility to insure they have enough protein and nutrition in their diet, as the Ecuadorian diet is not plentiful in vegetables.
Host School
The school year differs between the coastal area and the highlands. On the coast (Esmeraldas, Manabí Los Ríos, El Oro, Guayas), the academic year runs from April to January. In the mountains and the Eastern provinces, school runs from September to June.
School begins around 7am and ends at 2pm. Unlike in the US, most classes are given in the same room so students stay in the same classroom all day and teachers move from class to class. Students will have about seven classes per day plus a 30 minute lunch break. Each class will last about 45 minutes.
Students are responsible for buying uniforms and all other school supplies. The total estimated cost of uniforms will be approximately US$200.
Check out the Host School FAQ (.pdf) Check out the Host School FAQ (.pdf).
Travel
You will receive a Travel Notification email about 6 weeks prior to international departure with your international flight itinerary and detailed instructions for when to arrive at the Gateway Orientation site in Miami. At that point, you may arrange your domestic travel. In Miami, you will join other AFS-USA participants for an overnight Gateway Orientation before you travel together to Quito or Guayaquil for Trimester students.
International airfare is included as part of the tuition, but it is your responsibility to arrange your travel from your hometown to the Gateway City.
Your Arrival
After the Gateway Orientation in Miami, you and other fellow AFSers will travel together to Quito (Trimester program students arrive in Guayaquil), where AFS staff and volunteers will be waiting for you at the airport. Your group will then be taken to a two day welcome orientation, where you will get a chance to meet other international AFSers and learn important safety tips and cultural etiquette. After the orientation, you will travel to your host community. If your host family lives far away, you will travel by bus or train to your host community.
Your Return
Before your departure, there will be a final AFS orientation to prepare you for the return home. This will be a great opportunity to reflect on your time in Ecuador and share your experience with your AFS friends.
Orientations & Activities
In addition to the orientations that you will participate in domestically (the locally held Pre-Departure Orientation, the Culture Trek online orientation, and the national Gateway Orientation), you and your fellow AFSers will have several orientations while abroad.
These required orientations are intended to help you maximize your AFS experience, prevent culture shock and to gain knowledge, skills and a global understanding.
Arrival Orientation
The first orientation will take place upon your arrival in Ecuador. This will be a two day orientation that is intended to prepare you for your first weeks abroad. This will be an international orientation and your opportunity to meet participants from around the world. In addition to covering the rules and safety tips, there will be an emphasis on approaching your experience from an intercultural learning perspective.
Mid-Stay Orientation
About 2.5 months into your stay, you will have a mid-stay orientation at the local level. This will last for two days and will focus on cultural adjustment. You will also meet with AFS staff and volunteers to evaluate the first half of the program and be offered guidance to make the remaining months as productive as possible.
End-of-Stay Orientation
Finally, there will be an evaluation camp in the weeks prior to departure. This is your chance to reflect on your experience and to share with other AFSers. You will also prepare for the cultural readjustment that is a part of returning home.
Optional Activities
In addition to the orientations, many local chapters organize activities for students and host families throughout the year. These will vary from chapter to chapter but may include parties or excursions to other cities or regions in Ecuador. Unlike the orientations, these activities are optional and are at the student’s expense.
Eligibility
To participate in this program, you must:
- Be within the age range upon departure (located in the ‘read more’ drop-down)
- Have a minimum 2.8 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Be mentally, physically, and emotionally healthy in accordance with AFS Medical Evaluation Policies
- Have a U.S. passport at the time of application. Passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the program end date
- Have an open mind, willingness to be flexible, and the ability to adapt to new a culture, school, and environment
Participation Notes
AFS Ecuador can accept vegetarians who understand that they will have to assume responsibility for their own dietary needs.
High School graduates will be accepted.
There is no language requirementbut it is always recommended to learn as much Spanish as possible before your program.
Most Ecuadorian families have at least one member who smokes and it is difficult to find a non-smoking placement.
