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"The people of Galapagos are among the most welcoming I have ever known. They are more than happy to bring you into their homes, meet with their families, and share their stories with you. For me, living with a host family was the greatest cultural learning experience I have ever been involved with, and is an unmatched way to learn the Spanish language."
-- Matthew
The program begins in Quito, the capital of Ecuador. You will stay in a hotel, begin your coursework at Universidad San Francisco de Quito, and also travel to Riobamba in the Ecuadorian highlands and to the Amazon jungle.
In the Galápagos, you will live in Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, Isla San Cristobal, the capital of the Galápagos and the oldest settlement of the Archipelago. This small bayside village is home to the Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts & Sciences (GAIAS), the Galápagos National Park Interpretation Center, a small museum, souvenir shops, and local townspeople. The people of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno make their living principally by artisanal fishing and tourism.
Two important challenges facing the town include increased migration and efforts to stop it, and conflicts between the fishing and conservation sectors. One key issue is the illegal fishing of sharks, lobsters and sea cucumbers outside of their permitted seasons. Despite these problems the Galapagos Islands are considered to be a good example of the way in which environmental conflicts can be resolved in a peaceful manner. During the last decade, various institutions have been created in order to allow different stakeholders a participatory role in the decision-making process. GAIAS was created as part of an effort to generate sustainable development in the Islands. In order for conservation efforts to be effective, alternatives must be given to the local population which depends so heavily upon fisheries and bureaucratic jobs. The only way for people to look at other alternatives is for them to become involved in sustainable tourism and other non-extractive activities.
You will live with a local host family, giving you the opportunity to make life-long friends, reinforce language skills, and experience the culture from "the inside." In your free time, you may participate in outdoor activities such as swimming, snorkeling, diving, hiking and surfing.
