Ecuador Study Abroad Semester - Fall and Spring

My semester in Ecuador let me have adventure, fun, friendships, and spiritual growth all in four months. I would recommend Living and Learning to anyone considering studying abroad because they organize most events, guide you in culture, and support you fully while you adjust during your semester. I will never get an experience like I did in Ecuador. For me my semester came out cheaper than my traditional on campus tuition. My time in Ecuador was full of traveling and experience Ching the cultural the best I could. I would go back if I could!

I really loved going to this program because it was really taught me how to live in a community of people and share life together! The people were amazing with in depth conversations. The program pushed for students to get out of their comfort zone. It stretched you in a different way that you could not imagine. The people are so kind and caring and priorities their faith which was very refreshing. Living and going to school with the same group of people allow one to understand how to love and accept people were they are at and that was something I was not expecting that the program provided

This program gives you the unique experience of being able to travel to Ecuador, build community, and do so many fun activities while you're there. Places that I never thought I would go to like Machu Picchu and the Galapagos were a highlight but more than that was the community. Living and Learning does such a good job of fostering a rich Christian community so be prepared to be challenged spiritually and emotionally by those around you. But also prepare to be met by a super-loving community that will embrace you fully as you are.

My time studying abroad with Living & Learning changed my life in many ways! It has been a difficult time in college with the social issues of the day and living through a pandemic, so this time abroad in loving community where I grew academically, socially, and spiritually was so healing. Not only was this a deeply transformational experience, but it was also so fun! We had the opportunity to zipline, go to the jungle, hike on mountains, canyon down waterfalls, explore Quito via taxi and trolly, learn to salsa, try delicacies, live with an Ecuadorian family for a month, swim on the beautiful beaches of Esmeraldas and so much more! The people of this program and this country are marked by the virtue of hospitality, and I highly recommend you stop reading my review and just go see for yourself :)

I cannot recommend this program enough! I had such a great experience studying abroad in Quito! I was able to grow so much and was both challenged and supported by staff members who encouraged me in my faith and stood by my side as I experienced many new things. I was able to gain confidence in my Spanish-speaking ability through my classes and communicating with my home-stay family while learning a lot about Ecuadorian culture. One of the highlights for me was being able to intern at a nonprofit organization called End Slavery Ministries Ecuador (ESME). It was such a great way for me to get some practical job experience while experiencing culture in a very unique way. I got to see how nonprofits work in different countries, learn about what life is like as a missionary, and develop deep relationships with the staff members and residents at ESME. The weekend and week-long excursions were another highlight! You get to do once in a lifetime activities like repelling down waterfalls, scuba diving in the Galapagos Islands, going to the Amazon river, going to chocolate farms, and more!! I made memories and friendships that I will treasure forever!

I absolutely loved my time in Quito, Ecuador with Living and Learning International. The community building aspect was one of my favorite parts of the semester. The intentionality of staff to support students and help us grow during our time there was so important. Through this experience I grew more confident in my conversational and directional Spanish. The opportunities for exploring and adventure were amazing. Through this program I summitted my first mountain, a 15er located West of Quito overlooking the city. The trips to the Galapagos and Peru at the end of the semester were so well planned. Staff was experienced in planning and orchestrating our groups in seeing what was most interesting. The balance between structure and freedom was great, we were independent without needing to be entirely on our own. My time at my internship was so helpful in forming future career plans. Working cross culturally was such a beneficial experience and learning communication methods for effectively working cross culturally was one of the biggest skills I left Ecuador with.

I absolutely loved the whole experience. Getting to live in a different country and grow in my faith was such a blessing. The program was centered on experiential learning which was a beautiful way to soak in a different culture. I am a bilingual speaker and I enjoyed getting to have a home stay with people who only spoke Spanish. Also, going to Galapagos and Machu Pichu were both a dream. Not to mention, we summited Pichincha which was both beautiful and challenging. I think my favorite part was going on our retreat with spiritual formation and spending time in nature and resting.

Living & Learning Ecaudor was bar far the best college semester I had and I recommend it to YOU. L&LI plan nearly the whole semester for you (homestays, internship, weekend travels) which makes being a student much easier and safer. The staff is so caring and student to staff ratio is excellent ensuring that you are recognized by your professors! L&LI Ecuador is unashamedly Christian and encourage their students to look deeper into God’s beauty displayed in Quito. You are offered a 3-fold semester of city living (with 10ish roommates), homestay, and travel. L&LI also offers internship partnerships to build your resumé, even for nurses! The coffee shops and panderias are fabulous and fresh/wholesome produce is readily available (speaking as a Nutrition major). Quito is the ideal destination for adventurous free spirits.