Semester and Quarter Programs
El Nomad's academic-year programs will introduce you to a new culture and way of life. They will help solidify your Spanish language skills in real-life situations and allow you to immerse yourself in the culture of Ecuador.
Quarter Programs
The 8-week Language and Culture program is suited to students of all Spanish language abilities. Courses are available in Spanish grammar, composition, conversation, and Latin American Culture. Most courses are instructed in Spanish, however a select number of culture courses may be available in English.
Upon arrival, you will be given a placement exam to determine which language class you will be placed in to. Classes meet for 4.5 hours per day, 4 days per week. You will enroll in 3 courses per session and earn 144 credit hours (approximately 14.5 quarter credits or 10 semester credits).
The following quarter programs are available during the 2010-2011 academic year:
| Term | Arrival | Class Start | Class End | Departure | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Oct. 21 | Oct. 25 | Dec. 16 | Dec. 17 | Aug. 20, 2010 |
| Winter | Jan. 6 | Jan. 10 | Mar. 4 | Mar. 5 | Nov. 5, 2010 |
| Spring | Mar. 17 | Mar. 21 | May 13 | May 14 | Feb. 11, 2011 |
Semester Programs
The 15-week Language and Culture program caters to students of all Spanish language abilities. Courses are available in Spanish grammar, composition, conversation, and Latin American Culture. Most courses are instructed in Spanish, however a select number of culture courses may be available in English.
Upon arrival, you will be given a placement exam to determine which language class you will be placed in to. Classes meet for 4 hours per day, 4 days per week. You will enroll in 5 courses per session and earn between 240 credit hours (approximately 16 semester or 24 quarter credits).
The following semester programs are available during the 2010-2011 academic year:
| Term | Arrival | Class Start | Class End | Departure | Application Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Aug. 26 | Aug. 30 | Dec. 17 | Dec. 18 | June 25, 2010 |
| Spring | Jan. 6 | Jan. 10 | Apr. 29 | Apr. 30 | Nov. 5, 2010 |
Arrival
You should arrive the Thursday before your program start date (see dates in the charts above). You will spend your first few days becoming acquainted with Cuenca, your host family, and Ecuadorian life through an extensive on-site orientation, a city tour, and group excursions led by El Nomad staff.
All El Nomad Programs Include
- A homestay with a local family (single occupancy unless double is requested)
- Group Spanish language or culture courses at the Universidad de Cuenca
- A transcript from the Universidad de Cuenca
- Transfers to and from the airport in Cuenca
- Extensive on-site orientation by El Nomad staff (full day orientation)
- Orientation at the university (partial day only)
- A city tour of Cuenca
- Group lunch at a traditional Ecuadorian restaurant as part of the orientation
- An excursion to Cajas National Park
- An excursion to Ingapirca Ruins
- Free or low cost cultural activities several days per week coordinated by El Nomad (this could include such options as cultural activities held in the city center, cooking classes in the El Nomad center, language exchange between Ecuadorian and US students, Latin American movie night at the El Nomad center with snacks, etc.)
- Travel assistance and cultural tourism package options through the El Nomad office
- 24-hour emergency number in Ecuador
- Bi-lingual on-site staff who are available 24-hours a day
- Optional extra-curricular activities including volunteer and internship opportunities
- Cell phone rental with $10 of credit
- A bus pass with 14 rides per week for the duration of their program An El Nomad student identification card
- In country visa assistance (if needed)
Volunteering
El Nomad prides itself on offering opportunities to its program participants to actively engage with the community around them. This is done through volunteer positions that are available with any of our language and culture programs. Organization types range from orphanages and schools, to farms and animal rehabilitation centers, to social justice and human rights groups. We can place students from most areas of study with something in their field. We meet with all volunteers one day a week (as a group) to touch base and ensure that they are all doing well in their placements and learning from their experiences.
This program is in addition to normal coursework. The number of hours per week spent volunteering will vary depending on the organization that you are placed with, and your course schedules.
Note
We want to make sure that your experience in Ecuador is exactly what you would like it to be, so our entire selection of programs can be customized. We are happy to change the options included in your program or customize dates to fit your needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us and let us know what you’re looking for.
