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Ecuador

Dates

May 23 – June 7, 2024

Cost

Approx. $3,450 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid

Subjects

Biology, Environmental & Sustainability Studies, Honors

Deadlines

Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline 

Program Overview

UPDATE: The KIIS (Ecuador) Biology/Environmental Studies program has been moved to run in Costa Rica on the same program dates, May 23 – June 7, 2024, with the same course offerings and professors. A tentative itinerary is available above.

The KIIS Ecuador program embraces the natural beauty of this South American country: snowcapped volcanic peaks, volcanic caldera, cloud forests, and rainforests. This program will focus on the biological sciences, visiting three diverse eco-systems. As we travel around the country, we will examine the country’s economic and conservation activities as they have been shaped by human and environmental elements.

Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.

Language Requirement: None. All courses are taught in English. 

Accommodations: Hostels/Lodges, 2-6 people per room.

OrientationMandatory orientation on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Kentucky-Ecuador Partners $750 Scholarship: Download Instructions and Application

Director: Dr. Luis Sierra

Courses

All courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1 course.

BIOL 475 / HON 300 Topics: Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation

Dr. Sherry Harrel

This course introduces students to the extraordinary diversity of plants and animals, and their habitats of Costa Rica. Mainland habitats to be visited primarily include cloud and rain forests. We will explore the Arenal Volcano area of La Fortuna, tour the largest butterfly garden in the world in La Paz and hike in some of the most famous Costa Rican cloud forest. Emphasis of this course is on understanding biodiversity issues in the tropics and on conservation strategies needed to protect these dwindling resources.

IDST 350 / HON 300 Topics: Human & Environmental Change in Costa Rica

Dr. Luis Sierra

This interdisciplinary course uses three Costa Rica economic activities designed to generate foreign income: tourism, coffee and banana production, local agricultural activities, and ecotourism to examine how internal and external historical and social factors have shaped Costa Rican society. As we explore Costa Rica from a biological science-focused perspective, we encounter human and environmental elements that bring to life the consequences of being a small nation in Latin America.

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Program Excursions

Quito

The colonial center of Quito became the second UNESCO World Heritage site ever chosen. We will visit colonial churches and plazas on a walking tour of the Old City.

Mitad del Mundo & Pululahua Crater

If you’ve ever wanted to be in two hemispheres at the same time, here’s your chance! We will visit the park astride the Equator before heading off to see the volcanic caldera at Pululahua

Yanayacu

Our excursion into the eastern cloud forests will enable us to see hummingbirds and perhaps catch a glimpse of a masked trogon, one of the most colorful birds in all South America. Don’t forget your raincoat… Yanayacu ca be quite wet!!

Shiripuno

Our Amazon field camp is an amazing place, some five hours by canoe downriver from civilization. We will spend multiple days with native guides exploring the tropical rainforest.

Tungurahua

Your chance to climb an active volcano (contingent upon local conditions).  We hike up the flank of the Tungurahua to see recent lava flows before returning to the spa town of Baños for a dip in a volcanic heated steam bath to sooth aching muscles

Cotopaxi National Park

Cotopaxi is the second-highest volcano in all of Ecuador and arguably the most picturesque.  We will take a guided tour around the base of the volcano, taking us through windswept alpine tundra and lava flows past and present.

Quilotoa Crater

An opportunity to see a volcanic caldera up close and personal.  The Quilotoa Crater at 3,800 meters also bears the honor of being the highest caldera anywhere in the world.

What's Included

Program Cost: $3,450 + airfare

Earn 3 Credit Hours

Group Flight (Required)

Airport Tax & Transfers in Ecuador

Accommodations

2 Meals per Day

Groups Excursions & Transport

Security Evacuation Protection

Medical Insurance

Program Director & Faculty
on-site 24/7

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of obtaining a passport ($165), one meal per day + personal expenses (approx. $200-$500 depending on your food tastes/spending habits), Vaccinations (approx. $250), any class readings/materials, and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Required Group Flight

Estimated Cost:  $1,200 – $1,300

The group flight is required for KIIS Ecuador participants (any exceptions must be pre-approved by the KIIS Ecuador program director, Dr. Luis Sierra, sierral@thomasmore.edu). KIIS will purchase a roundtrip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.

Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.

Student Voices

Take Your Education Further

Category:

Description

Dates

May 23 – June 7, 2024

Cost

Approx. $3,450 + airfare
Scholarships & Financial Aid

Subjects

Biology, Environmental & Sustainability Studies, Honors

Deadlines

Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100
Feb. 5: Regular Deadline 

Program Overview

UPDATE: The KIIS (Ecuador) Biology/Environmental Studies program has been moved to run in Costa Rica on the same program dates, May 23 – June 7, 2024, with the same course offerings and professors. A tentative itinerary is available above.

The KIIS Ecuador program embraces the natural beauty of this South American country: snowcapped volcanic peaks, volcanic caldera, cloud forests, and rainforests. This program will focus on the biological sciences, visiting three diverse eco-systems. As we travel around the country, we will examine the country’s economic and conservation activities as they have been shaped by human and environmental elements.

Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.

Language Requirement: None. All courses are taught in English. 

Accommodations: Hostels/Lodges, 2-6 people per room.

OrientationMandatory orientation on Saturday, April 13, 2024 in Bowling Green, KY. See Orientation for more information.

Kentucky-Ecuador Partners $750 Scholarship: Download Instructions and Application

Director: Dr. Luis Sierra

Courses

All courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1 course.

BIOL 475 / HON 300 Topics: Tropical Biodiversity and Conservation

Dr. Sherry Harrel

This course introduces students to the extraordinary diversity of plants and animals, and their habitats of Costa Rica. Mainland habitats to be visited primarily include cloud and rain forests. We will explore the Arenal Volcano area of La Fortuna, tour the largest butterfly garden in the world in La Paz and hike in some of the most famous Costa Rican cloud forest. Emphasis of this course is on understanding biodiversity issues in the tropics and on conservation strategies needed to protect these dwindling resources.

IDST 350 / HON 300 Topics: Human & Environmental Change in Costa Rica

Dr. Luis Sierra

This interdisciplinary course uses three Costa Rica economic activities designed to generate foreign income: tourism, coffee and banana production, local agricultural activities, and ecotourism to examine how internal and external historical and social factors have shaped Costa Rican society. As we explore Costa Rica from a biological science-focused perspective, we encounter human and environmental elements that bring to life the consequences of being a small nation in Latin America.

All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.

Program Excursions

Quito

The colonial center of Quito became the second UNESCO World Heritage site ever chosen. We will visit colonial churches and plazas on a walking tour of the Old City.

Mitad del Mundo & Pululahua Crater

If you’ve ever wanted to be in two hemispheres at the same time, here’s your chance! We will visit the park astride the Equator before heading off to see the volcanic caldera at Pululahua

Yanayacu

Our excursion into the eastern cloud forests will enable us to see hummingbirds and perhaps catch a glimpse of a masked trogon, one of the most colorful birds in all South America. Don’t forget your raincoat… Yanayacu ca be quite wet!!

Shiripuno

Our Amazon field camp is an amazing place, some five hours by canoe downriver from civilization. We will spend multiple days with native guides exploring the tropical rainforest.

Tungurahua

Your chance to climb an active volcano (contingent upon local conditions).  We hike up the flank of the Tungurahua to see recent lava flows before returning to the spa town of Baños for a dip in a volcanic heated steam bath to sooth aching muscles

Cotopaxi National Park

Cotopaxi is the second-highest volcano in all of Ecuador and arguably the most picturesque.  We will take a guided tour around the base of the volcano, taking us through windswept alpine tundra and lava flows past and present.

Quilotoa Crater

An opportunity to see a volcanic caldera up close and personal.  The Quilotoa Crater at 3,800 meters also bears the honor of being the highest caldera anywhere in the world.

What's Included

Program Cost: $3,450 + airfare

Earn 3 Credit Hours

Group Flight (Required)

Airport Tax & Transfers in Ecuador

Accommodations

2 Meals per Day

Groups Excursions & Transport

Security Evacuation Protection

Medical Insurance

Program Director & Faculty
on-site 24/7

To help you budget, keep in mind that you are responsible for the cost of obtaining a passport ($165), one meal per day + personal expenses (approx. $200-$500 depending on your food tastes/spending habits), Vaccinations (approx. $250), any class readings/materials, and any fees from your college/university.

Although KIIS tries to foresee all possible expenses in formulating program fees, please note that dramatic fluctuations in foreign currency valuations and/or airline surcharges may affect the total cost of the program.

Required Group Flight

Estimated Cost:  $1,200 – $1,300

The group flight is required for KIIS Ecuador participants (any exceptions must be pre-approved by the KIIS Ecuador program director, Dr. Luis Sierra, sierral@thomasmore.edu). KIIS will purchase a roundtrip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville.

Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.

Student Voices

Take Your Education Further

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