Academic Study Abroad

Fundacion Centro de Estudios Interamericanos (CEDEI)

Ecuador was named for its position on the Equator and is bordered by Colombia, Peru and the Pacific Ocean. Not many countries as small as Ecuador have such diverse climate regions. This country has the tallest active volcano in the world, great white sand beaches, tropical rainforests, deep crevasses, colorful Indian markets and is well known for its social and political stability.

The Fundacion CEDEI was founded in 1992 and since 1999 has operated in the United States as the Centers for Interamerican Studies. The Center for Interamerican Studies (CEDEI) is a not-for-profit institution of higher learning, dedicated to the study of languages and cultures of the Americas. To foster understanding among the people of the Americas, CEDEI sponsors a variety of academic activities independently and in conjunction with universities in North and South America. CEDEI is accredited by Ecuador's Ministry of Education and Culture.

School Facilities: Located in the city center, several blocks from the city's main square, the main campus offers a library, computer lab, and several fully equipped classrooms.

Participants: Study abroad participants from a variety of U.S. universities as well as degree seeking (2-year degree) Ecuadorian students.

Requirements: Good academic standing, minimum 2.75 GPA

Transcript & Credit: Official U.S. transcript issued by St. Ambrose University

Course Listing:
CEDEI Course Description

Other Program Notes:

Program begins in Quito. Group meeting and city tour on next day. The third day (1/17) students visit the Otavalo Market (2 hrs north). On the fourth day students visit Salasaca. They travel to Cuenca the night before classes and meet the host families. Classes start during next Monday (1/21).

Excursions included in Trip

Field trips: Around Cuenca; trips to the mountains of Cajas National Park, the Inca ruins at Ingapirca, as well as other natural and cultural points of interest.

Mid term break(within semester): Trip to Ecuador's Amazon Jungle. Students will stay aboard a riverboat hotel and follow the route of Francisco de Orellana, who was the first European to travel through the Amazon river. Students will sleep and travel on the boat. Additional excursions arranged to sites during day and night (included).

Study-Tour to Peru: At the end of the program, students have the unique opportunity to travel to Peru for 11 days. This trip will introduce students to the desert coast, the bustling capital of Lima, the ancient capital of the Inca, Cuzco, and the Lost City of the Inca, Machu Picchu.

Closed Dates:
1/1, 4/12, 5/1, 5/24