Students selecting the Integrated Liberal Arts Program at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) may complete a Spanish language course in combination with 1-2 electives with local students. Students can choose courses from a number of departments at USFQ, including Business and Economics; Hospitality, Culinary Art and Tourism; Biological and Environmental Sciences; Social Sciences and Humanities; Science and Engineering and Communication and Contemporary Art.
Open to students who have completed a minimum of four semesters of college-level Spanish or the equivalent
Completed API application
One letter of recommendation
One official transcript
University contact information form
Entry requirement: valid passport
Program Details
What You’ll Study
TOTAL CREDITS - 3-9 semester credits
Students selecting the Integrated Liberal Arts Program at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) may complete a Spanish language course in combination with 1-2 electives with local students. Students can choose courses from a number of departments at USFQ, including Business and Economics; Hospitality, Culinary Art, and Tourism; Biological and Environmental Sciences; Social Sciences and Humanities; Science and Engineering and Communication and Contemporary Art. All courses are the equivalent of 3 U.S. semester credits.
Students who do not wish to complete language study may select an additional elective course in lieu of Spanish. The majority of electives taught in the summer are available only in Spanish; coursework in English is very limited during the summer. To be eligible to complete literature courses in Spanish, API students must reach a minimum score on the online language placement test prior to departure. Course registration will take place online prior to arrival on-site.
TRANSCRIPTS
API students receive an official transcript issued by the Universidad San Francisco de Quito upon completion of their program.
Courses
COURSE OFFERINGS
Students selecting the Integrated Liberal Arts Program at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) may complete a Spanish language course in combination with 1-2 electives with local students. Students can choose courses from a number of departments at USFQ, including Business and Economics; Hospitality, Culinary Art, and Tourism; Biological and Environmental Sciences; Social Sciences and Humanities; Science and Engineering and Communication and Contemporary Art. All courses are the equivalent of 3 U.S. semester credits. Students who do not wish to complete language study may select an additional elective course in lieu of Spanish. The majority of electives taught in the summer are available only in Spanish; coursework in English is very limited during the summer. To be eligible to complete literature courses in Spanish, API students must reach a minimum score on the online language placement test prior to departure. Course registration will take place online prior to arrival on-site.
CREDIT INFORMATION
The Universidad San Francisco de Quito operates on the contact hour system; the number of credits earned depends on the time spent in class with a professor. To determine the conversion of contact hours to U.S. credits, divide the contact hours for each course by 15.
USFQ Courses
First, select the session in question. For example, in the “Periodo” field, “Primer Semestre 2018/2019″ corresponds to the Spring 2019 session, and "Segundo Semestre 2019/2020" corresponds to the Fall 2019 session.
For “Lugar”, select “Campus Cumbayá.” For “Sesión”, select “Presencial Diurno Cumb”.
Next, click on the button labeled “BUSCAR.” Courses are uploaded on a rolling basis.
Select “Mostrar sólo cursos en Inglés” for courses in English.
API students participate in several excursions per session designed to help familiarize them with areas of their host city, country, and surrounding region. The following is a listing of all excursions for API Quito programs. All excursions are subject to change.
Summer students will participate in one overnight excursion and one day trip.
Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is an active volcano in the Andes Mountains, located about 50 kilometers south of Quito. Students will visit the nature that surrounds this beautiful, active volcano, including hiking around trails to better view the volcano’s lake and the forested areas. Students will enjoy seeing goats, foxes or even wild horses along the way.
Mindo
Mindo is known for its high concentration of bird species, making birdwatching a must for any visitor! Students will visit the Cascadas del Nambillo (waterfalls), tour a chocolate factory, and experience a butterfly garden, as well as enjoying a hike through the reserve.
Housing
Students in Quito will live with local host families. Host families serve as a unique introduction to Ecuadorian culture. Students will have a private bedroom and receive two meals per day, as well as laundry service once a week and access to WIFI.
