Bags of spices at an Ecuadorean market

Ecuador - Spanish language and local culture

SPAN 201, SPAN 202 | 6 credits

About the program

About the course 

This course is led by UBC faculty member Stephanie Spacciante 

Ecuador - Spanish Language program is a total immersion language program taught in Quito during the months of May and June 2021.  You will earn 6 credits of SPAN 201 and SPAN 202 from UBC and classes will be taught at the Universidad de las Américas (UDLA) by Prof. Stephanie Spacciante. You will also take part in 10 exciting cultural excursions.

You will practice all five language skills:

SPEAK when required to ask or to respond to questions in class or present dialogs

LISTEN to and comprehend the main idea of classroom, films, and audio exercises

READ and comprehend the main idea of authentic texts and other readings

WRITE when doing homework, compositions or in-class activities

UNDERSTAND cultural interaction in basic social and survival situations and gain an awareness of the diversity of Hispanic cultures

The 202 course proceeds with the introduction of language structures of increased complexity while requiring you to engage in interactive communication.  You will demonstrate competence in advanced notions, within the context of topical tasks and situations. This course includes group interaction and the discussion (oral and written) of a film and/or a short story.  Evaluation is based on demonstrated proficiency in the use of pertinent vocabulary and language structures by means of self-expression, both oral and written. This course also attempts to promote cultural awareness.

About the experience

Undergraduate student Bowen Wright shares about the unique advantages of studying abroad, the importance of cultural immersion, and creating a home away from home in Quito, Ecuador for the Go Global seminar.

A typical day might include:

  • Classes on University campus from 10:30 - 1:30
  • Afternoon cultural visits to places such as:
  • Otavalo Indigenous Market
  • Hiking Quilota Crater
  • Soccer games
  • Ecuadorian gastronomy class
  • Visit local museums & historical sites
  • Guayasamín Home & Museum
  • La Mitad del Mundo
  • Hike Volcano Pinchincha
  • la Asociación de Productores Audiovisuales Kichwa
  • Ecuadorian Cooking Class   

Students are able to join UDLA Club Classes with local Ecuadorian students from la UDLA.

Students will have the opportunity to join small conversion groups with ULDA students.

Notable environmental conditions:

Some days in Quito are very warm and the nights are very cool.  It may rain in the afternoons in the capital.

Optional Trips to Baños (jungle); Mindo (cloud forest), Galapagos (hot/sunny)
 

Accommodation

You will live with warm, friendly Ecuadorian homestays who only speak 100% in Spanish with each of their guests.

Eligibility requirements

General Global Seminar requirements

  • You must have at least a 70% average in your most recent Winter Session of full-time studies prior to application
  • You need to be a UBC student in good standing (e.g., not be under academic or non-academic discipline) to participate in a Global Seminar
  • You should have full-time student status (as defined by your faculty) in the year prior to your Global Seminar
  • You must maintain 70% average prior to your Global Seminar departure
  • You must have completed or intend to complete the necessary (or equivalent) pre-requisite courses prior to Global Seminar start date
  • Unclassified students will be considered on a case-by-case basis
  • You will need to be accepted by the Program Director leading the Global Seminar

Program-specific requirements 

To be accepted for this Global Seminar, you have to meet both program-specific requirements as well as Go Global’s general eligibility.  Commerce students need to be in third-year as of 2020W, or obtain special permission from their Faculty, in order to take this course.

  • Spanish 102, Spanish 11or 12 in high school or permission from Stephanie Spacciante.

General timelines

The program is scheduled to run for two months in Summer 2021. 

Application deadline

Monday, February 22, 2021

How to apply

Log in to the Gateway online application program

Select “Search Experiences” and type "GSP" to explore Global Seminars programs

Upload the application form for your selected Global Seminar – see Application documents below

Please note that you can apply for up to a maximum of 2 Global Seminars.

Students are encouraged to meet with the Program Director at an orientation session or one-on-one to learn more about the program.

Program fees and costs

Between CAD $3,800 - 4,000 + tuition and flight

The program fee includes accommodation, 3 meals per day, program-related travel and excursions (Upon arrival in Ecuador) 

Students are responsible for tuition, flights to/from Ecuador, insurance, visa, vaccines, medications (e.g. malarial pills) plus additional incidentals.

The final fee depends on the number of students in the program. Students do not pay the Go Global fee when applying to a Global Seminar. The Go Global fee is built into the Program Fee and is payable after acceptance into the program.  Students will not be charged any fees until programs have been confirmed. 

All qualifying students will receive a $1,000 Go Global Award.

UBC understands the value and impact, that international programs can have on a students’ academic experience. The university also acknowledges the unpredictable nature of planning international programs during a global pandemic.  To learn more about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Go Global Programs, please visit the Go Global student FAQ during COVID-19. 

Accessibility

If you are considering applying for a Go Global program and identify with having a disability or pre-existing health condition (mental or physical) which could impact your participation, or if you require academic accommodations, you can contact the following offices and meet with an Accessibility Advisor before the start of the program:

Pre-departure policy

Safety abroad

UBC is committed to preparing students for safe and successful international experiences. In order to achieve this, any student participating in a Go Global Program must complete the following:

  • All UBC Student Safety Abroad requirements
  • Go Global Program-specific pre-departure requirements (includes both online and in-person components)

Failure to successfully complete these and any other requirements may result in withdrawal from the Go Global Program.

Contact

Global Seminars Advisor

Student Advising

Drop in advising - Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 1:00-3:00pm

Please email go.global@ubc.ca with your student number in the subject line.

Global Seminars Advisor

go.global@ubc.ca

Telephone: 604 822 0942

Fax: 604 822 9885

UBC Life Building
6138 Student Union Blvd
Vancouver, BC V6T 1Z1
Canada

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Hours

Mon
9:00 am - 4:15 pm
Tue
9:00 am - 4:15 pm
Wed
9:00 am - 4:15 pm
Thu
9:00 am - 4:15 pm
Fri
9:00 am - 4:15 pm
Sat
Closed
Sun
Closed
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