Service Learning in Ecuador

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The Service Learning in Ecuador study abroad program is sponsored by the Department of Counseling and Higher Education, and the Patton College of Education.

Learn about grass roots strategies for development during this two-week program in Cariamanga, Ecuador. Students will gain experience in a high-poverty area of the world, where they will provide services such as construction and education to a local community. Participants will be introduced to the practice and pedagogy of service-learning as a strategy for economic development. In addition to education students, this program will appeal to graduate students who are interested in Latin American culture, as well as international and community development.

Students will also be exposed to the role the higher education system plays in dealing with poverty issues in a developing country. Students may find practices that are useful for work with people from high poverty communities in the United States, and will find ways to systemically deal with developing-world poverty in their educational practice.

This program was previously offered in Honduras.
Click here to view a short video promo by student participants of the summer 2009 program.

Click here to view a short video journal by student participants of the summer 2011 program.

Program dates
May 12 - 26, 2013

Eligibility and selection process
This program is open to all OHIO and NON-OHIO graduate students in good academic standing. Preference will be given to students in the host program: Higher Education and Student Affairs.

Applications will be reviewed as they are submitted and admissions decisions will be made on a rolling basis. Therefore early application is encouraged as all places may have been filled before the final application deadline.

This program accepts non-OHIO students.

Students who have a judicial record and will be on probation for a judicial offense at any point during the program may petition to study abroad. Click here to read the entire judicial policy.

Application deadline

Living arrangements
Program participants will stay in a hotel where breakfast and dinner will be provided. Lunch will be brought to the site by Catholic University staff. While in Quito, breakfast will be provided by the hotel and lunch and dinner will be provided by the program in area restaurants.

Courses and credits
Students will enroll for nine hours of graduate credit including:

EDHE 7915: Service Learning in Ecuador (3 cr)
EDHE 6900: Issues in Higher Education (3 cr)
EDHE 8930: Reading and Research (3 cr)
EDHE 6920: Practicum in Student Affairs (3 cr)

Cost

Additional Information on Ecuador

To learn more about this study abroad destination, please visit the CIA World Factbook.

Health and safety
Ohio University Office of Education Abroad suggests you follow the recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control for healthy travel to your destination. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.

Refer to the State Department site for information related to safety and security at this destination.

Requesting accommodation for disabilities
If you plan to participate in an Ohio University-sponsored study abroad program and wish to request accommodation, you should contact the Office of Disability Services (ODS) to schedule an appointment to complete an Education Abroad Disability Accommodation Request Form. We recommend you do this as early as possible to allow sufficient time to determine what accommodations may be made for this program.

Entry and exit requirements
U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year, apply for your passport now.

US citizens will not need a visa or other special documents to enter Ecuador for the length of this program. However, please note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries during or after the program. Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.

Information for Non-US citizens can be found here.

For more information, contact:

Pete Mather
Program Director
McCracken Hall 313C
Tel: 740-593-4454

Laurence Tuccori
Program Coordinator
Tel: 740-593-4583

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