UNIVERSIDAD DE CUENCA
University with 150 years of history, one of the bests in the country
About the University
On October 21, 1992, the International University of Ecuador opens its doors to students from the country and the world.
The main campus is located 20 minutes from the city, in the outskirts of Quito. It has 36 hectares that provides an unsurpassed landscape that, far from the stress and smog of the city, creates an ideal study environment.
Its facilities are equipped with first level infrastructure, it has a library, cafeteria, research laboratories, university residence, administrative buildings, faculties and private parking. For the practice of conventional and extreme sports (football, basketball, volleyball, golf, horse riding, paintball and downhill), gymnasium, coliseum, stadium and closed circuits are available.
Dates/Length
Fall/Spring Semester: Approx 20 weeks
Dates will coincide with US universities and vary by year.
Costs
1 participant: 16 400 usd
2-3 participants: 14 400 usd
4 or more: 13 700 usd
Location details
City of Cuenca, south of the country.
Courses
USFQ offers excellent courses for students studying Spanish as a second language, though it’s recommended to have at least two years of college level Spanish before coming. There is an online Spanish placement exam to help you register for courses in the College of Liberal Arts, the Spanish Department, or Instituto de Lenguas Extranjeras. USFQ also has strong programs in biology and environmental science, liberal arts, arts and communication, marketing, international relations, business, and hospitality and tourism. Courses include anthropology, cultural studies, Spanish, volcanology, culinary arts, and studio arts.
Credit and grading system
USFQ’s credit system is the same as the North American/United States system. 1 credit is equal to 15 hours. Normal courses are 3 credits, and classes meet for three hours a week in a 15-week semester. A full undergraduate course load is 16 credits.
USFQ’s grading scale is based on the standard U.S. 4.0 A, B, C, D, F scale. USFQ does not use pluses or minuses.
Number of Credits Required / Allowable
International students must take at least 12 credits “presencial” (courses where you are “present”, that meet on a regular basis in a classroom) and usually take no more than 16; however, students may request exceptions in very special circumstances. During the Summer Session students can take from 3 to 9 credits.
College credits
Students participating in a study program through EcuaExplora will receive an official transcript from the Ecuadorian institution showing classes taken while abroad. U.S. universities often accept transfer credit from foreign institutions, but ultimately it is up to individual schools to determine credit transfer on any study abroad program.
To ease the process of transferring overseas credit, students should consult the Registrar at their home university to determine the transferability of credit from foreign schools.
Tuition
For students studying in Ecuador, tuition at the Ecuadorian university is included in the program cost. The U.S. equivalent of 12-18 semester credit hours is considered a normal course load for students studying in Ecuador, and this amount of tuition is included in the cost.
For interns and volunteers taking Spanish language courses (up to five hours/week), tuition is also included. Additional language hours and certifications are not included in the program cost. If students request or require additional hours or certifications, all costs incurred are the students’ responsibility.
What’s Included?
Not Included
University Tuition
based on 5 classes of 48 hours each
Aiport pick-up/ drop-off
from the international flight in Quito, and internal flight (UIO-CUE-UIO)
First weekend accomodation
In a hostal in Quito with breakfast
Accomodation
Available during the length of the project (Either at the project or local homestay families with 2 meals included)
Orientation
(includes city tour and lunch)
Transfer to project
Insert a short description or more info here
Cellphone
Local cell phone is included with a refundable deposit of $50
Transfer to University
plane ticket from Quito to Cuenca
Three full day excursions
Three full day excursions
lunch included
Three full day excursions
lunch included
Three full day excursions
Galapagos program 4 days / 3 nights
Includes: air ticket, Galapagos National Park entrance fee, Ingala Transit card, meals as described in the itinerary
Support 24 hours
On the ground Ecua Explora staff available
Meals not specified
International flights, governmental taxes, and others
Ecuadorian visa fees, and other related expenses derived from the visa
Approximate price of the extension of the tourist visa: 130usd.
Transportation to/from the homestay to the project each day
Health insurance for the entire program in Ecuador
Optional extras
Add $50 per week for 6h Spanish classes if in Quito.