International Student Teaching- Ecuador

Cuenca, Ecuador

Accommodation

CEDEI arranges for home stays with host families. Students are placed individually with a family in Ecuador. Being placed with a host family provides wonderful opportunities to build cross-cultural communication and Spanish conversation skills.

    
 

Student Life and Surroundings

Straddling the Equator on the northwest coast of South America, Ecuador is characterized by an incredible cultural and geographic diversity that takes in the Galápagos Islands, the coastal areas of the Pacific, the Andean Mountains, and the headwaters of the Amazon River.

Ecuador has been named as one of the world's few “Mega-Diverse” countries by the United Nations' World Conservation Monitoring Center. This diversity goes well beyond the natural world, however: Ecuador is home to at least 20 distinct ethnic groups, and an estimated 23 languages are spoken in the country.

From Guayaquil you can reach all parts of the country, including the Galápagos Islands, the Amazon, and the Andes, in a fairly short time by bus or via the international airport.
 

Estimated Cost of Program

Program Fee	$4,000*
Airfare and Bus fare	$1,250
CISI Insurance	$100
Travel Documents	$150
Personal Expenses	$500
Total Cost	$6,000

*The program fee includes courses taken at CEDEI, accommodation, daily meals, laundry, and travel within Ecuador (weekend and cultural excursions).

Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Grants

Eligible students are able to receive financial aid. Students will need to bring a budget sheet to an appointment with Financial Aid in order to determine financial need. Students can pick up a budget sheet for this program in The Office of Global Experiences
To make an appointment with Financial Aid, call 262-472-1130.

For information about study abroad scholarships, the Wisconsin State Grant for Study Abroad, and for deadlines and application procedures click here.
 

Key Dates

Term	Application Date	Term Dates
Fall Semester	March 1*	Early October to Mid December
Spring Semester	October 1*	Mid March to Early May

*Students who intend to participate in this program must notify Jill Gerber prior to applying.

Travel Arrangements

We suggest that students travel to Cuenca as a group. They need to make their own travel arrangements. The round trip airfare from Chicago to Guayaquil is between $800 and $900. Travel from Guayaquil to Cuenca is included in the overall program costs. Transportation to Chicago is not included in the overall costs (Van Galder Coach USA provides a bus service to O’Hare).
 

Student Teaching Placement and Supervision

Students will student teach at CEDEI School in classrooms for children ages 2 years through 9th grade (15 years old). Student teachers will develop unit plans that span across ages and abilities to address the curriculum needs of CEDEI as a bi-lingual and inclusive school. The director of International Programming at CEDEI School will be the leading cooperating teacher along with classroom-based team-teachers. Additionally, a UWW faculty member will travel to Cuenca during one week to observe students and consult with the cooperating teachers.
 

Application Requirements and Recommended Steps for Prospective Program Participants

This program is open to students who are pursuing licensure in Early Childhood Education (dual licensure), Special Education, Middle Childhood/Early Adolescence, Art Education, Music Education, and Bilingual Education. Student Teaching in Ecuador takes place in the fall and spring semesters.

Please follow the requirements and due dates carefully as outlined in the following steps.

1. Fill and print out the Permission Form to ST Abroad 2-2023.docx (paper version also available from the Office of Field Experiences, Winther Hall, Room 2036). Follow the instructions exactly as noted on the form! Due date for submission to the Office of Field Experiences (Winther Hall 2036 or 2040) is February 15th and October 1st*.
2. Apply for a U.S. passport. A valid U.S. passport is required in order to participate in this student teaching program. A visa is not required. U.S. Passport Application Information: click here
3. A criminal background check from Office of Field Experiences (WH 2038; 472-1123) may be required.
4. Purchase airline ticket. Students are encouraged to purchase tickets as a group. With ten students traveling together group discounts may apply.
5. Apply for scholarships and seek funding (eligible for financial aid).
6. Prepare your resume and letter of introduction for CEDEI School.
7. Assure proper registration for student teaching courses and workshop. Contact CEDEI School if you wish to register for courses towards a Spanish minor at UW-Whitewater. As needed, seek a transfer credit agreement from your program advisor to have the courses apply to your baccalaureate degree.
8. Schedule a study abroad advising appointment with the program advisor and Dan Colleran in the Office of Global Experiences, Tel. 262-472-5757, Email: collerad@uww.edu. Dan will direct students to the Office of Global Experiences online application where they will fill out insurance and authorization forms. Once students are registered for the program, they will receive an email for a group meeting about their orientation. They will be learning about health and safety, as well as behavioral expectations abroad in the orientation meeting. At this time the office will be making sure students have in all their paperwork: Copy of their passport and their flight itinerary (best if submitted to the office before the orientation).

 

Readings and Information about Ecuador Culture and Education

Some good books about Ecuador: The Panama Hat Canal
Links to UNESCO heritage site: UNESCO Heritage Sites Our Place
UNESCO Heritage Site Cuenca
Links to Centros de Estudios Interamericanos

Contacts

UW-W Program Faculty Advisor
Anne Tillett
Early Childhood Education
Office: 4042 Winther Hall
Tel: 262-472-1833
Email: TillettA@uww.edu


Global Experiences Coordinator
Dan Colleran
Office: 205 McCutchan Hall
Tel: 262-472-5757 (direct)
262-472-5759 (appointments)
Email: collerad@uww.edu
 




262-472-5759 studyabroad@uww.edu