Learn Spanish in Ecuador

Learn Spanish at the beginner level or perfect your intermediate or advanced Spanish language skills while you discover the natural beauty of Ecuador exploring the beaches, snowcapped mountains, and jungles.

Guayaquil, the largest city in Ecuador with nearly three million inhabitants, is the commercial, industrial, and import export hub of the country. Situated on the Guayas River and the Pacific coast, Guayaquil is known for its contagious informality, lively social life, and year-round tropical weather. Guayaquil, known as the Pacific Pearl, is the main port of Ecuador. Malécon 2000, the largest architectural development in the last century of Guayaquil's history, is a waterfront boardwalk that runs from Cuenca Street in the south of the city, all the way to Barrio las Peñas on the north.

Spanish Language and Culture at Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil in Ecuador

The Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil is a private, non-profit institution of higher learning that achieved high prestige in the community. Católica has an attractive campus and a very active student life, including numerous social and recreational facilities as well as computer labs. The campus is served by public transportation. More than 5,500 students are enrolled in degree programs such as Architecture, Law, Business, Sociology, Education, Literature, Communications, Psychology, Economics and Engineering.

Course Offerings

The Semester Program in Guayaquil combines intensive language instruction (at all levels) with the study of Ecuadorian history and culture. Students earn 12 to 15 credits. All courses are subject to minimum enrollment. Students must complete a course pre-registration form, provided to them prior to departure.

Spanish Language 

Taught in six levels, Spanish instruction places heavy emphasis upon oral communication and uses an interactive methodology. Students receive personalized attention in the small classes ranging from two to eight students. The Spanish courses are taught in one-month intensive sessions. This enables students to take more than one level in one semester.

• Elementary Spanish Communication I

• Elementary Spanish Communication II

• Intermediate Spanish Communication I

• Intermediate Spanish Communication II

• Advanced Spanish Communication I

• Advanced Spanish Communication and Composition II

• Contemporary Latin American Literature (for students with advanced Spanish fluency)

• Special Topics in Spanish (Spanish Conversation)

• Social Science Contemporary Ecuadorian Issues*

• Modern Latin American History*

*These two courses can be taught either in English or in Spanish, but not both, depending on the level of language knowledge in the class.

Living

All programs participants live with Ecuadorian host families. The arrangement gives each participant the opportunity to learn about Ecuadorian culture first-hand. Students gain support in the new country from interaction with the family while following the host family's customs including: eating meals, respecting host norms, and being sensitive to Ecuadorian culture. Ecuadorian food consists mainly of soup and stews, corn pancakes, rice, eggs, and vegetables. Seafood is particularly good, even in the highlands.

Exploring

If you’re into wildlife and nature, don’t miss visiting the Parque Histórico, a combination of living museum and zoological park where history and nature meet and you can observe the traditions of a centuries-old culture. Malecon 2000, the place where you can sit and enjoy an Ecuadorian sunny day on the Guayas River, has helped revitalize the city.  Here you can shop for handcrafts and taste some delicious traditional Ecuadorian fare.  If you’d like to cool off on the weekends, some of Ecuador’s most spectacular beaches lie just a short bus ride away to the west of the city.  To the east you can escape to the picturesque colonial city of Cuenca, located high in the Andes mountains, where you can enjoy the perpetual spring-like climate.

If Guayaquil is not your destination in mind in Ecuador, you can also explore our programs in Quito and Galápagos Island: https://www.csi.cuny.edu/campus-life/student-services/center-global-engagement/study-abroad/programs-country/ecuador. 

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Ready to have the best academic experience abroad?

The College of Staten Island (CSI) offers a wide range of study abroad and exchange programs. All of our study abroad programs enable you to explore both the traditions and the modern realities of the world from another perspective.

CSI's programs are open to all students at CSI, CUNY, and at other colleges and universities in the U.S. CSI is also a proud founding member of the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS) offering programs throughout the world.

If you have a general question, please email studyab@csi.cuny.edu. For program specific inquiries, contact the advisor listed in each program page.

 

Programs Administered by CSI

CSI's programs are open to all students at CSI, CUNY, and at other colleges and universities in the US. CSI is also a proud founding member of the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS) offering programs throughout the world.

 

For more information on CSI study abroad programs per country, visit our website:

https://www.csi.cuny.edu/campus-life/student-services/center-global-engagement/study-abroad