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“My family was so wonderful. They treated me as their own child, and by living as part of their lives for a time, I not only learned about the culture and spoke constant Spanish, but more importantly I learned to love them. Being able to interact in various aspects of the culture taught me a great deal about the society as a whole. ”
– Christine, Eastern College
Located in the heart of the Andes mountains, at the base of the Volcano Pichincha, Quito sits an altitude of 9,300 feet and enjoys a temperate climate year-round. It is home to people from a variety of ethnic and cultural communities, including the “indigenas” of the Andes. The Centro Historico is a magnificent example of Spanish colonial architecture, with beautiful plazas, government buildings, and a cathedral. Today, Quito is a modern, bustling, capital city with dozens of museums, beautiful parks, cafes, and restaurants. At the same time, it faces challenging urban issues, which you will have the opportunity to address in your service.
You will live in a homestay with a middle-class Ecuadorian family, who provide most of your meals and introduce you to Ecuadorian family life. An integral part of the program, the homestay offers you the opportunity to make life-long friends, reinforce language skills, and experience the culture from “the inside.” Host families are carefully selected and experienced with hosting students.
