Want to do something different for spring break this year? Consider taking off to Ecuador with other college students to earn U.S. credit while volunteering and experiencing what this South American country has to offer.  Straddling the equator and bordered by Colombia to the north and Peru to the east and south, Ecuador is a country abundant with rich culture and natural beauty. Tropical coasts, temperate highlands and rain forests provide plenty of scope for any traveler, while carnivals and festivals provide visitors with colorful entertainment.

Students will spend part of 3 days of this trip volunteering at local orphanages in the city of Guayaquil. Each day will be filled with service projects such as painting, gardening, cleaning, building maintenance, etc. Students will also have plenty of opportunity to interact with the children at each location through games, crafts or other on-site activities. This is a fantastic way to make an impact on this community as well as the lives of children in this region. (The children are sure to impact the students as well!)

After morning service projects and activities with children, students will return to the hotel late afternoon. Students will meet up again at the hotel in the early evening to hear a guest lecture or brush up on their Spanish. Evening lectures generally last 1-2 hours, after which, students are free to explore the bustling city of Guayaquil. Participants will also enjoy shopping at the local markets, strolling the Malecón river walk, exploring the colorful neighborhoods, and sampling some of the local dishes.

Students will be housed at a local hotel in downtown Guayaquil. Students will stay in shared rooms (with the same gender). Each room has an en suite bathroom as well as refrigerator, safe for valuables, TV and air conditioning. Internet is available for use in the hotel computer lab for a small fee. (Students can also use internet at local internet cafes). A complimentary breakfast is provided each morning in the hotel restaurant and lunch will be served daily at the volunteer sites.

Earn 3 credits in Geography or International Studies. This course will provide a topical overview of the diverse population and culture of Ecuador as well as the political system, economy and geography of the country.

Course Descriptions/Requirements:
IS 387 or GEO 387- 1 Credit Hour

• Participate in all pre-trip meetings


• Participate in all group activities (community service & educational) in Ecuador


• Write 2-page reflection on community service activities


• Keep a journal while in Ecuador (daily entries on people, places, activities; special
  entries on directed journal activities- visit a grocery store, church, food stand)

IS 305 or GEO 300- 3 Credit Hours

• Participate in all pre-trip meetings


• Participate in all group activities (community service & educational) in Ecuador


• Write 2-page reflection on community service activities


• Keep a journal while in Ecuador (daily entries on people, places, activities; special
  entries on directed journal activities- visit a grocery store, church, food stand)


• Take 4 open-book quizzes on Ecuador: In Focus before departing for Ecuador


• Write a 10 page paper on a topic relevant to Ecuador: health care, economy, social
  problems based on research/experiences in Ecuador or write a 10 page paper (excluding
  pictures) on landscape analysis of Guayaquil. (a background article will be provided by
  the professor.)

IS 305 or GEO 300- 3 Credit Hours (for students who have participated previously)

• Participate in all pre-trip meetings


• Participate in all group activities (community service & educational) in Ecuador


• Write 2-page reflection on community service activities


• Keep a journal while in Ecuador (daily entries on people, places, activities; special
  entries on directed journal activities- visit a grocery store, church, food stand)


• Read the book Tales of Two Cities before departing for Ecuador. Write a 5 page book
  review that compares and contrasts life in 19th Century Guayaquil and Baltimore. Also
  give your views on why the author wrote the book. After returning from Guayaquil,
  write a 5 page paper outlining how life in modern day Guayaquil was similar to and
  different from Guayaquil as described in the book.

March 12 - 20, 2010

$2,575

*cost may change at any time due to the currency exchange

• Roundtrip Airfare
• Airport Pick up/Drop off
• 3 Credits
• Housing
• Most Meals
• Health and Travel Insurance
• Excursions
• On-Site Support Services

• Fill out the IEP Application and review information on the Apply page.
• Pay a $200 deposit to International Education Programs.
• Send an official transcript from your home institution to the address below.

Send the above materials to:

International Education Programs
Jacksonville University
2800 University Blvd North
Gooding 105
Jacksonville, Florida 32211