Ecuador’s rich biodiverse Amazon Rainforest, stunning Andes Mountains, sun-drenched-beaches, volcanic islands, breathtaking colonial centers and indigenous villages are all packed full of culture. Ecuador’s small size allows you to visit several of the country’s dazzling array of wonders. Ecuador is also a great place to strengthen and develop your Spanish language skills, as it is known for a soft and clear accent that is easy for visitors to understand and has earned Ecuador the title of "the best country in Latin American to learn Spanish."
Languages Spoken:
Quechua, Spanish
Education System
HIGHER EDUCATION OVERVIEW
The higher education system in Ecuador has two types of institutions: public and private.
There are three levels of higher education: associate's degrees (awarded at technical schools much like U.S. community colleges), bachelor’s degrees and engineering degrees (from universities and polytechnic institutions), and graduate schools (universities and polytechnic institutions). Graduate schools offer three kinds of degrees: specialization, master's degrees and Ph.D.s. Due to new academic reforms, the academic period has two regular semesters and one intensive semester, starting in February and finishing in December.
The instructional strategies are also changing. Lectures are still a principal method of teaching at certain institutions, but in others, there are more active and significant ways for learning. In all cases, class attendance is mandatory. The grading system ranges from zero (lowest) to ten (highest).
STUDYING IN ECUADOR
Courses
Courses offered include subjects such as art, business, communications, education, environmental studies, health, political science, anthropology, sociology, Quechua (an indigenous language), Spanish and Portuguese. Courses are available in both English and Spanish, though there are language proficiency requirements for those who wish to enroll in Spanish-language courses.
Registration
You will register for courses in advance of arriving on campus; be sure to check in with your host institution coordinator for policies and procedures for enrollment.
Course Load
At Universidad Casa Grande, you will take 5 - 6 courses per term, spending around 20 hours per week in class. Terms typically last 14-15 weeks. Generally, 1 credit is equivalent to 16 hours in class and 16 hours of independent work. Courses may have a total of 2, 3 or 4 credits depending on their weekly schedule and hours necessary for individual work outside of class. It is common that courses have 3 credits.
Exams & Grading
Though there isn't a uniform method of assessment in Ecuadorian universities, many use a numbered grade system from zero to ten, where a six (aceptable/satisfactorio, or acceptable, satisfactory) of higher is a passing grade. A high mark of nine to ten (sobresaliente, or excellent) is rarely awarded.
Transcripts
UCG issues transcripts for fall semester students in February and for spring semester students in September, upon the settlement of all outstanding bills and completing the exchange survey.
Visa and Residency
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
- All students will need a passport vaild for 6 months beyond the end of their program in Ecuador.
- All students entering Ecuador will also be required to show proof of insurance coverage when entering the country. Students should download a copy of their Confirmation of Insurance Coverage letter from the "Insurance" section of their ISEP Dashboard and pack a hard copy of this letter in their carry-on luggage.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
- ISEP and host universities provide assistance regarding immigration procedures. However, students are ultimately responsible for following the guidance provided and ensuring that they maintain legal status in their host country for the full duration of their ISEP program. All visa fees and any visa related travel costs are the responsibility of the student.
Universidad Casa Grande - Guayaquil
Semester Students:
Students studying at Universiad Casa Grande in Guayaquil for one semester will enter as tourists and will not need to apply for a student visa. The tourist visa you will obtain upon entry into Ecuador is valid for 90 days. Since the semester is longer than 90 days, students will need to apply for an extension of the tourist visa before the end of the first 90-day period. This process will need to be done once in Guayaquil and your host coordinators will provide further details to the students upon their arrival. The visa extension fee is approximately $150 USD.
"Full Year" and "Academic Year" Students:
Students studying at Universidad Casa Grande in Guayaquil for more than one semester must apply for a Temporary Resident Student Visa (Residencia Temporal-Estudiante) at their local Ecuadorian consulate in advance of their arrival in Ecuador. Additional information about this process can be found below. Students should begin the process of contacting their local consulate to confirm specific requirements and begin collecting the required paperwork at least 4 months prior to their departure for Ecuador.
Guidelines for the Temporary Resident Student Visa (Residencia Temporal-Estudiante)
Students should start the visa process by contacting their local Ecuadorian Consulate to review application requirements and procedures. Your local Ecuadorian consulate is the official source of all visa information.
Students first register with the Virtual Consulate of Ecuador to upload visa documentation and have their application reviewed by Ecuadorian immigration authorities. Most students will be required to have an in-person interview at the Ecuadorian Consulate for their jurisdiction as the final step in the visa application process. If you have questions regarding the student visa application, you must contact your local Ecuadorian consulate. ISEP cannot contact consulates on behalf of students.
General Document Requirements:
NOTE: Each consulate has slightly different paperwork and application requirements, so you should follow the specific requirements given by your consulate exactly.
All documentation in a language other than Spanish must be duly translated into Spanish and, in turn, must have the respective signature of the translator's signature before a public notary.
Fill out ISEP's online Ecuador visa form if you will be applying for the student visa for Ecuador via your local consulate. ISEP will issue a visa letter in Spanish within two weeks of receiving this form. This letter will serve as original documentaion of your "proof of sufficient funds."
1) Application form (completed online via the Virtual Consulate of Ecuador)
2) Original and copy of passport vaild for 6 months beyond the end of their program in Ecuador.
3) Apostilled certificate of absence of criminal record of the country of origin or of the places where you have resided for the last 5 years. Please note that these background checks can often take a significant time to process. It is advisable to request them at the time you accept your ISEP program to avoid delays. Most consulates will accept only a National-level or State/Regional-level police checks, and some consulates may require applicants to submit both. Consult the specific requirements of your consulate, and follow them exactly. The background check(s) is your proof that you are not "considered a threat to Ecuador."
State or Regional-Level Background Check: If your consulate accepts this background check you will need to obtain the document from the appropriate state-wide/regional police body. Be sure to check with the sate or regional office that will issue the Apostille Seal of the Hague if any additional seals, signatures, etc., will be needed in order to authenticate the document.
National Background Check: If your consulate requires this background check you will need to obtain the document from the appropriate national police body. Be sure to check with the office that will issue the Apostille Seal of the Hague if any additional seals, signatures, etc., will be needed in order to authenticate the document.
NOTE: In the U.S. a National Background Check is obtained from the FBI. For a faster processing time ISEP highly recommends that students submit their request via Electronic Departmental Order. When requesting your FBI Background Check, you submit a request that the document include the FBI seal and the signature of a division official. You will need the signature and seal to obtain the Apostille Seal of the Hague from the US Department of State.
4) Proof of sufficient funds for the length of your stay in Ecuador (Letter of Certification in Spanish issued by ISEP)
5) Official Acceptance Letter from Universidad Casa Grande certifying your status as an attending student (provided directly by Universidad Casa Grande)
6) Proof of insurance coverage for the length of your stay in Ecuador (Confirmation of Insurance Coverage letter in Spanish issued by ISEP - downloadable as a PDF from the Insurance section of students' ISEP Dashboard once they you have enrolled in insurance)
Page Updated: October 20, 2024
Culture
COMMUNICATION STYLE
Ecuadorians like to get close to communicate. They use their hands a lot during conversations, and can tend to be louder than the North American and European cultures.
There are significant conversational differences between people from the Coast and from the Sierra (highlands). In cities at higher altitudes, people value tradition and formality. In the tropical and beachfront cities, voice inflection conveys more emotion and a fast-paced way of life.
GREETINGS
Ecuador is an affectionate society. In social settings, a kiss on the right cheek is appropriate between women, or between men and women. In a professional environment, a handshake with a greeting for the time of the day is customary: "buenos días" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon), or "buenas noches" (good evening).
FOOD
Ecuador is known for its exquisite exotic fruits, fish, seafood and countless varieties of Andean potatoes. The cuisine varies depending on the region; however, most meals include starch. It is possible to have several varieties of starch in one meal, such as green plantain, rice, corn, yucca, potato and pasta. Green plantains (a cousin to the sweet banana) are also popular throughout Ecuador and are prepared in a variety of ways. They tend to be firmer and lower in sugar than sweet bananas.
Since Guayaquil is on the coast, there is a great variety of seafood, especially shrimp. Beans and corn are staples in the Ecuadorian diet.
Lunch (almuerzo) is the main meal of the day. A typical almuerzo usually takes place between 1and 3 p.m. It consists of soup as a first course, followed by rice and beans with meat, chicken or fish. Most dishes in Ecuador are complemented by a traditional hot sauce known as ají. Similar to Tabasco sauce, you will find ají in almost all restaurants and in your family home. It’s a good idea to taste it before spreading it all over your meal as each will have its own intensity of spiciness.
FAMILY
The Ecuadorian family is the most important unit in the country. Ecuadorians have a large circle of relatives, who are extended through 'compadrazgo.' Relationships are generally strong in family life.
Daily Life
COMMUNICATION STYLEEcuadorians like to get close to communicate. They use their hands a lot during conversations, which tend to be louder than the North American and European cultures.
There are significant conversational differences between people from the Coast and from the Sierra (highlands). In cities at higher altitudes, people value tradition and formality. In the tropical and beachfront cities, voice inflection reveals more emotion and a fast-paced way of life.
GREETINGS
Ecuador is an affective society. In social scenery, a kiss in the right chick is appropriate between women, and also between men and women. In a professional ambiance, handshakes and greetings for the time of the day: "buenos días" (good morning), "buenas tardes" (good afternoon), or "buenas noches" (good evening).
FOOD
Ecuador is known for its exquisite exotic fruits, fish, seafood and countless varieties of Andean potatoes. The cuisine varies depending on the region; however, most meals include starch. It is possible to have several varieties of starch in one meal, such as green plantain, rice, corn, yucca, potato and pasta. Green plantains (a cousin to the sweet banana) are also popular throughout Ecuador and are prepared in a variety of ways. They tend to be firmer and lower in sugar than sweet bananas.
Since Guayaquil is on the coast, there is a great variety of seafood, especially shrimp. Beans and corn are staples in the Ecuadorian diet.
Lunch (almuerzo) is the main meal of the day. A typical almuerzo usually takes place between 1and 3 p.m. It consists of soup as a first course, followed by rice and beans with meat, chicken or fish. Most dishes in Ecuador are complemented by a traditional hot sauce known as ají. Similar to Tabasco sauce, you will find ají in almost all restaurants and in your family home. It’s a good idea to taste it before spreading it all over your meal as each will have its own intensity of spiciness.
FAMILY
The Ecuadorian family is the most important unit in the country. Ecuadorians have a large circle of relatives, who are extended through 'compadrazgo.' Relationships are generally strong in family life.
Health and Safety
Your health and safety is our number one priority. Please read and reference the Health and Safety section of the ISEP website for general information regarding health and safety abroad.
- Detailed information about Ecuador can be found here. Please pay special attention to the Safety and Security, Local Laws and Special Circumstances and Health sections. Non-U.S nationals should disregard the Embassies and Consulates and Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements sections regarding travel to Ecuador.
- Please review the CDC's Health Information for Travelers to Ecuador.
-If you’re planning to bring your prescription or over-the-counter medicine on your trip, you need to make sure your medicine is travel-ready. More information can be found here, and please contact your Student Services Coordinator and Host Coordinator with any additional questions.
Note: Information sourced on this page is provided by the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Currency
MONEY MATTERS
Since September 2000, the U.S. dollar is the official currency of Ecuador. While every U.S. dollar can be used in Ecuador, the contrary is not necessarily true. Local coins stamped in Ecuador (1, 5, 10, 25 and 50 cents) are not accepted abroad.
While credit cards are not as common throughout the country as might be in other places, they are becoming more common. Credit cards will normally be accepted in hotels, shopping malls, restaurants and other establishments in large cities. Be sure to travel with cash if you are going to smaller towns.
The most common cards are Visa and MasterCard. Be aware of your ATM or credit card company’s policy for use in a foreign country as they might charge an extra fee for charges or withdrawals made in foreign currency. Also, if you are going to use your credit or debit card, be sure to inform your local bank before leaving in order to not be locked out of your account. Almost all major banks in the country will have an ATM which will accept cards issued from banks outside Ecuador.