CIMAS Program, Quito

History

The Fundación Cimas del Ecuador (CIMAS) is a private, non-profit organization committed to the study of Ecuador’s environment, health and development issues. The mission of CIMAS is to provide opportunities for individuals, groups and communities to explore their potential, address challenges and design alternative models of local development in Latin America.

Through academic programs, research and community service, CIMAS works to formulate responses to problems confronting Ecuador’s society and, in particular, to some of its poorest citizens. Students live with Ecuadorian host families and courses are taught in Spanish and English by Ecuadorian professors.

Academic Overview

You can participate in a single program (one quarter) or multiple programs (up to four consecutive quarters). All programs are ten weeks in length (except the summer language program– eight weeks) and closely correspond with the term dates at UW. All pre-requisites must be satisfied prior to the program start. UW credits have been pre-approved (as listed below). Alternative credits, however, can be awarded with the approval of your academic advisor.

Spanish Language & Culture: Offered summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters. Through this program, students study Spanish language intensively through class work, lectures, siminars, workshops, field trips, cultural events, and homestay family living. The study of Latin American culture is integrated into language instruction and incorporates historical, anthropological, political and economic dimensions.

Ecology & Conservation: Offered fall quarter only. CIMAS offers a unique opportunity to study the main geographical regions in Ecuador. Ecuador is one of four countries with "mega-biodiversity". The CIMAS Ecology and Conservation program takes you to three different ecological regions to explore their wonders and introduce you to the work needed to preserve them. Three week-long field research trips include visits to: Galapagos Archipelago, the Amazon, and the Andean Highlands. Study through rigorous theoretical and practical training, biodiversity and ecology. The program is taught primarily in English, with a combination of Spanish and English activities during the field work. The program comprises 120 contact hours of Ecology and Conservation and 40 contact hours of Spanish language.

Public Health: Offered winter quarter only. This program allows students to understand the complexity of environmental, social, cultural and economic factors associated with the health conditions of different population groups in urban and rural locations, through a rigorous training with theoretical components and field observations. Three week-long field trips include: Study of tropical diseases in Guayaquil, study of diseases and conditions caused by poverty in Andean Highlands, study of the intersection of traditional and western medicine in Riobamba. The program is taught primarily in English, with a combination of Spanish and English activities during the field work. The program comprises 120 contact hours of Public Health and 40 contact hours of Spanish Language.

Local Development & Social Change: Offered spring quarter only. CIMAS offers students this opportunity to explore and explain the dynamics of today's dilemmas accociated with local development. The program will challenge students to critically reflect on notions of modernity and development, in relations to local world views and culture. Theoretical background is augmented with experential work involving practical community-based efforts to provide alternatives that address issues and values of social justic, human rights, individual and community empowerment, sustainability and environmental stewardship. Three week-long field trips include: Pedro Moncayo, Muisne, and Cotacachi. Neighborhood initiatives in Quito, and those by national or regional organizations such as the indigenous rights movement, will also be explored. The program comprises 120 contact hours of Development and 40 contact hours of Spanish language.

Community Internship: Offered summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters following successful completion of one or more of the previously listed program options. The internships allow a wide-range of activities in rural or urban areas within a 3 hour radius of Quito. CIMAS develops internships based on individual student interest with activities in non-profit agencies or organizations.

Program Housing

Students stay with host families which is arranged by CIMAS.

Program Cost

IPE fee of $200 per quarter and CIMAS program fees:

Conservation and Ecology: $5875

Public Health: $5600

Alternative Development and Social Change: $5600

Spanish Language and Culture: $4600 ($4450 in summer)

Internship: $3750

Cost includes tuition, housing, most meals, excursions, orientation, and airport pick-up.

Program Dates

Fall 2008: September 26 - December 5, 2007

Winter 2009: January 2 - March 13, 2009

Spring 2009: March 27 - June 5, 2008

Summer 2008: June 19 - August 14, 2008

Courses and Credits

Spanish Language & Culture: Offered summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters. Pre-approved credits: 15 credits Spanish.

Ecology & Conservation: Offered fall quarter only. Pre-approved credits: 4 credits Spanish; 11 credits Biology 493.

Public Health: Offered winter quarter only. Pre-approved credits: 4 credits Spanish; 12 credits Public Health (6 of HSERV 490 and 6 of HSERV 499)

Local Development & Social Change: Offered spring quarter only. Pre-approved credits: 5 credits Geography 430; 6 credits Latin American Studies SISLA 399; 4 credits Spanish.

Community Internship: Offered summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters following successful completion of one or more of the previously listed program options. Pre-approved credits: 12 credits General Studies GEN ST 350F.

Terms and Eligibility

Spanish Language & Culture: Offered summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters. Requirements: minimum 2.75 GPA, sophomore standing or above, completion of SPAN 103 or equivalent by program start.

Ecology & Conservation: Offered fall quarter only. Requirements: minimum 3.0 GPA; sophomore standing or above; completion of SPAN 103 or equivalent; previous college coursework and/or other significant preparation in biology, ecology, environmental studies or related fields.

Public Health: Offered winter quarter only. Requirements: minimum 3.0 GPA, sophomore standing or above; completion of SPAN 103 or equivalent; previous college coursework and/or other significant preparation in biology, public health, development studies or related fields.

Local Development & Social Change: Offered spring quarter only. Requirements: minimum 3.0 GPA, sophomore standing or above, completion of SPAN 103 or equivalent, previous college coursework and/or other significant preparation in international studies, geography, political science, development studies or economics as assessed by IPE.

Community Internship: Offered summer, fall, winter, and spring quarters following successful completion of one or more of the previously listed program options. Requirement: SPAN 203 or equivalent proficiency by internship start as assessed by IPE.

Medical Exam

Since study abroad often means that students live with medical services and general health conditions that are different from those in their home country, you will be required to have a medical screening and to submit a Medical Report Form with your Concurrent Enrollment Form.

Application Instructions and Deadlines

By the appropriate deadline, please submit your complete application to the IPE office with all of the following: