Yale Summer Session in Quito: Advanced Spanish Language and Andean Culture

Description

This course is a language program that explores the cultures and history of the Andean peoples through Ecuadorian and Latin American literature and films. The objective is for the students to understand, from a personal point of view, the complex relationships of the region within the context of today's modernity and rapid globalization of society. The students will practice expressing those ideas in written and oral forms.

Quito is at the center of the planet Earth. The equator ("ecuador") is where North, South, East, and West meet.

Ecuador is the embodiment of both cultural and ecological diversity with a great mix of peoples, and natural environments. From the Andes Mountains, to the Pacific Coast, to the Amazon Region and the Galapagos, Ecuador is particularly gifted with an abundance of natural beauty.

Learn about study abroad in Spanish and hear more details about this YSS Program Abroad. This session also covers details on the Spanish major and Spanish certificate. 

Courses & Credits

SPAN S240 or LAST S240: Advanced Spanish Language and Andean Culture (2 credits)

Participants choose to receive credit in either LAST or SPAN at the time of application.

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs led by Yale instructors. 

Instructors

Margherita Tortora, Senior Lector II in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese

Margherita focuses her language instruction on perfecting students’ command of the Spanish language and increasing their cultural awareness through films and literature. She also served as the Director of the New England Festival of Ibero-American Films (NEFIAC) from 2010-2014, and is the Founder (2015) and Executive Director of The Latino and Iberian Film Festival at Yale (LIFFY), sponsored by the Council for Latin American and Iberian Studies at Yale (MacMillan Center). LIFFY  brings a variety of new films and filmmakers to New Haven from all over Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain and Portugal each year. Margherita received her M.A. from the University of Texas at Austin.

Language Pledge

While in Ecuador, participants are required to speak Spanish both in and out of the classroom, including while at home with their host family and during all program activities and excursions. (Exceptions are permitted for emergencies or situations that affect the health or safety of participants.) 

Class Times 

• Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 10am-1pm.

Classes will consist of language study, readings, film viewings, and discussions on a wide range of topics such as the environment, indigenous cultures, history, and politics.

Participants should expect about 5-8 hours of work outside the classroom each week, as well excursions and other program activities.

Class times may be subject to change with notice from the instructor.

Classroom Location in Ecuador

Classes generally will be held at INCINE, the only film school in the country. The classrooms at INCINE are large and were designed to comfortably seat 35 people. Each classroom has internet connection and projection facilities.

Money & Budgeting

Many participants find a combination of credit and debit cards to be the most convenient way of accessing money while abroad. It’s important to have a backup option as well in case of emergency.

Participants should bring a moderate amount (equivalent to $100 or so) of the host country currency in cash when leaving the U.S. to cover initial expenses like bus/taxi fares, snacks, and phone calls for the first couple of days. Please note that participants likely will need more than $100 for out-of-pocket expenses throughout the entire duration of the program.

In 2000, Ecuador began using the U.S. dollar, so there will be no need to exchange money. It is important to have small bills ($1, $5, $10) available, as any bills over $20 will be difficult to use and receive change.

When eating at restaurants, leaving a 10% tip is considered customary.

Participants should expect out-of-pocket costs not billed by Yale, including but not limited to class materials, coffee, snacks, and transportation to and from the classroom.

Program Cost & Funding

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad costs are updated annually and include the administrative fee and program deposit, program fee, tuition, and international housing charge.  

Budget

Yale Summer Session Programs Abroad updates program budgets in late January. Please note the year listed on the button below.

Summer 2025 Budget

Trips and Activities

On every Yale Summer Session Program Abroad, learning extends outside of the classroom. Participants can expect a variety of integrated activities and excursions that enhance the academic goals of the program. Trips and activities listed below are included as examples only and are subject to change. 

All required activities and excursion include transportation (when outside of the host city), entrance fees, and most meals. 

Ecuador has great geographic and cultural diversity in a relatively small area. This program will explore the Andean and Amazon regions, and some of their cultures. There will be numerous short trips around Quito to various museums and places of interest, and well as longer trips each week to explore the Cloud Forest, various Indigenous communities (such as Otavalo and the Amazon region), and the Afro-Ecuadorian community of El Chota. A filmmaker will create a video documentary of participant experiences.

Guidebooks from most retail bookstores can be invaluable resources for Ecuador. Places to go/things to do during free time:

• Baños
• El Teleférico
• Parque la Carolina
• Mindo
• Museums: Quito has many fascinating museums, including the Casa del Alabado (pre-Columbian artifacts), the National Museum of Ecuador, San Francisco Museum, and the Museo de la Ciudad.

Helpful resources:

• Viva Travel Guides Ecuador 
• Lonely Planet Ecuador 

Housing

All participants are required to live in program-provided housing while abroad and are not permitted to arrange housing independently. International housing is guaranteed from the first day of the program until the official end date.

In Quito, students will be housed with carefully-selected Ecuadorian host families. Homestays are an integral part of the program. This living arrangement provides participants with the opportunity to learn more about the host culture, increase language proficiency, and form meaningful connections in the community. Participants are expected to spend time getting to know their homestay family and be mindful of the need to balance time spent at home with time spent traveling or going out with friends.

Participants are expected to contribute to the cleanliness of the home. Participants also are advised to discuss any personal conditions or considerations (including allergies, preferred foods, and the like) with their host family at the beginning of the program and at any point such issues emerge. It is important to make an effort to fit into the patterns and assumptions of the host family. This might include expectations regarding mealtime, laundry, returning home late, travel, etc. 

The distance and commute time between where host families reside and where classes are held will vary amongst housing assignments. Host families will share the best transportation route(s) available.

While living conditions will vary amongst the housing assignments, each participant will be provided their own room. Participants may share the bathroom with other family members. 

Participants must depart housing on the last day of the program.

Meals  

The host family provides breakfast and dinner each day. Lunch is provided at INCINE or on program excursions.

Participants are responsible for their own meals on the few free days, unless they are with their host family for breakfast and/or dinner. 

Gift Custom

A small gift makes a good impression on arrival. An inexpensive token from the participant's university or hometown, such as a magnet or a mug, is a nice gesture for the hosts.
 

Notes

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and are expected to arrive in Quito on the first day of the program, and depart no earlier than the last day of the program (see 'Dates' above); additional information will be provided upon admission.

Altitude

Quito has an elevation of 9,350 feet. It may take several days to become accustomed to the elevation, so participants are advised to take it easy the first few days (avoid jogging, fast walking). Throughout the program, some activities may include prolonged periods of walking.

Some conditions may be exacerbated by this high altitude. Participants for whom this is a concern should speak with their doctor in advance about their physical ability to live and move about comfortably in Quito. 

Altitude sickness may include shortness of breath, fatigue, headache, nausea, and feeling dehydrated. The best way to deal with the symptoms is to drink plenty of water and rest as needed.

Climate

The weather in Quito is pretty stable all year round with temperatures usually between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Generally, the weather is sunny and pleasant, with warm weather during the middle of the day and cooler temperatures in the morning and evening.

Quito basically has two seasons: the wet season (October-May) and the dry season (June-Sept.). The program will be in Quito during the dry season. The program also travels outside of Quito to higher altitudes, which are cooler, and the Amazon region, which is subtropical.

Packing Considerations

1. Pack light! Participants will be able to do laundry and will likely return home with new items from the host country. Participants should expect the possibility of carrying their bags on several modes of transportation and up several flights of stairs alone.

2. Keep all essential items in a carry-on bag (e.g., passport and medications). 

Clothing

In general, it is not common to wear shorts in Quito, except for exercise, so bring jeans or long pants. Be sure to bring a bathing suit, a jacket, and one semiformal outfit as well.

Useful Items to Bring

Please pack sunscreen, insect repellent, comfortable walking shoes suitable for hiking, an umbrella/raincoat, and a hat. Makeup also tends to be more expensive in Ecuador, so you may wish to bring makeup from home, if applicable. Other personal care items (such as deodorant, shampoo, toothpaste) are usually around the same price in Ecuador as in the United States.

Social Interactions

People in Ecuador are generally interested in sharing time with the program participants. People in Quito often greet others with a handshake on a first meeting. Friends, family, and close acquaintances may greet each other with a kiss.

Plumbing

Plumbing in Latin America is different than in the U.S., so it is not usually possible to flush toilet paper or hygiene products in the toilet. Waste baskets are placed next to the toilet for disposal of toilet paper after use. 

Carry toilet paper or tissues, as some public restrooms will not have toilet paper.

Questions

For general program questions, contact studyabroad@yale.edu.

Important Information Before Applying

• All YSS Programs Abroad are intensive, highly structured academic programs for Yale credit and grades.
• Students may only apply to one YSS Program Abroad per summer.
• Admission is not guaranteed. Applicants should anticipate that more students will apply than there are spots available, and Yale College students should apply to a backup Non-Yale Summer Abroad opportunity.
• Ensure that your transcript reflects how you have met the pre-requisite, if applicable, prior to applying.
• Participants must commit to the full program dates. Late arrivals and early departures are not permitted.
• Participants are required to be enrolled in all program courses.
• Participants should expect evening and weekend requirements. Students who have questions about religious observance during a YSS Program Abroad are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.
• Program-arranged housing is required for all YSS Programs Abroad. Students are not permitted to secure independent housing. Students who have housing-related questions about placements, allergies, religious observance, or disability-related access are encouraged to Meet with an Adviser.

Apply to a YSS Program Abroad