Ecuador’s rich biodiverse Amazon Rainforest, stunning Andes Mountains, sun-drenched-beaches, volcanic islands, breathtaking colonial and historic centers, and indigenous villages and markets packed full of culture, will trigger your travel bug and leave you planning your next visit even before your departure. Ecuador’s small size (approximately the size of Colorado, USA), allows visitors to visit several of the country’s dazzling array of wonders. The multitude of universities throughout the country will allow you to learn from nation’s greatest treasure, the local people, who are generous, friendly, kind-hearted, and proud of their nation’s accomplishments and ability to overcome challenges in the last decade. Ecuador is also a great place to strengthen and develop your Spanish language skills, as it is known for a soft and clear accent that is easy for visitors to understand and has earned Ecuador the title of “the best country in Latin American to learn Spanish.”
This program is best for a student that is independent. A student must be comfortable with advocating for themselves on campus and comfortable with the local language to thrive in this location. Please be aware that there may not be the same access to internet or amenities to which you may be accustomed. Student services and especially class registration may not be at all similar to what is done at the College and may be difficult for some students to adjust.
Learn more about Universidad Casa Grande here! Read the ISEP Country Handbook to learn more about visa requirements, educational system, and culture.
Eligibility | ||||||||||||||||||||||
To be eligible to participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:
Students applying to ISEP must apply for an Exchange option (in any country) as a first choice but may apply to a Direct option as a back-up. Direct options may have an additional cost (see a financial section for more information). |
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Location | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Founded in the 1530s, Guayaquil is a vibrant sprawling city that continues growing in today’s society. The city’s high-rises, multiple hillsides engulfed by barrios, and the Río Guayas’ malecón define Guayaquil’s identity. The bustling downtown metropolis of residents, workers, and shoppers is balanced with urban renewal projects and revitalized squares and parks along the Rio Guayas. The picturesque barrio of Las Peñas, declared a National Cultural Heritage site in 1982, anchors the city both geographically and historically. The continued growth brings exciting theater, film, and arts to the city as well as lively bars and nightlife frequented by the large university student population. |
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Academics | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Universidad Casa Grande is a small university that prioritizes personalized learning through small class sizes and strives to implement innovative teaching methods and generate reflective learning. UCG is composed of 1,400 undergraduate students and teams of managers, educators, professionals, and researchers committed to academic excellence and constructive changes in different areas of knowledge. The educational proposal of UCG aims to meet the needs of society in the new paradigms of education for change and to respond to national priorities and attend to the needs of the market and prepare socially responsible, efficient, ethical, creative, and caring professionals. UCG graduates have a high rate of employability and their prestigious Communication programs are nationally recognized.
ACADEMIC NOTES
Particularly strong or unique academic fields most recommended for ISEP students: Communication, Graphic Design, Broadcasting, International Business, Marketing, Political Science, Early Intervention, and Human Resources.
LANGUAGE NOTES
Semi-Intensive Spanish language courses are offered in addition to regular classes during the academic year and/or semester for an additional fee for Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, Superior levels. Contact hours per week: 10 hours. The approximate cost of this course is $340USD.
HINTS FOR RESEARCHING COURSES
1. From the main website (http://www.casagrande.edu.ec/) in the lower part, all the degrees offered are listed.
COURSES TAUGHT IN ENGLISH
Included in ISEP Benefits for no additional charge: Academic Environment and Teaching Style Please understand that the academic system is quite different. Classes are usually lecture-based, instead of discussion or group work. Classes are often much larger than those found at Lake Forest College. Grades are based heavily, at times almost entirely, on one end-of-term exam, though some courses will also offer a midterm. Professors are often more formal than those in the United States. All courses/modules may have prerequisites. Some departments may have limitations on numbers of courses that can be taken within or outside it. Be aware of these limitations. Please review the ISEP country handbook for more information on the education system, grades, class hours, and classroom etiquette. |
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Student Life | ||||||||||||||||||||||
International students have the chance to participate in trips that the department will arrange and in several university activities, like pedagogical simulations. University activities are included in ISEP Benefits. Extracurricular activities, like trips, have an extra fee that has to be covered by the student. |
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Volunteer Opportunities | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The exchange program includes a general volunteering activity for all the international students, however, students that want to do regular volunteering activities while they are in Ecuador can ask the coordinator and the department can arrange them. The same applies for internships. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Housing and Meals | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Students have the option of doing a homestay, where they stay with an Ecuadorian Family. Or, they may choose to live in an apartment with other roommates, but have their own room. Students will get an equivalnce of 19 meals per week. If staying with host families, most meals are covered by the family. |
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Financial Information | ||||||||||||||||||||||
For all approved programs for guaranteed financial aid transferability, students pay their Lake Forest College tuition plus a program fee. The program fee for a semester with the ISEP Exchange includes orientation, on-site director, college fees, housing, and the equivalent of 19/meals per week. These meals include are provided as a stipend to purchase food on your own or in the dining hall. ISEP costs for Exchange are usually the most cost-effective, as it is intended to promote mobility of students around the world. Direct options are available for those students that prefer to attend a school with limited availability for Exchange, though costs may be different as they are set by the host school. For students that participate in ISEP Direct, the program fee includes all of the above plus insurance. However, the program fee may be different than that of Exchange. Here is an estimated budget for the Fall 2018/Spring 2019 programs:
Tuition rates and program fees are subject to change each year, but this information was up-to-date as of February 2018. We will notify applicants, and update this page if the program fee or other estimates change. You can discuss with Financial Aid your specific aid package and your expected family contribution. Keep in mind that you may spend more or less in certain areas like personal expenses, travel, meals, or airfare, depending on exchange rates and your own spending habits. Classroom or lab fees are not included in this estimate and will depend on your course registration choices. Don’t forget to apply for scholarships! A great listing can be found here. |