"I will always view my time in Ecuador with a smile on my face. Great friendships, soul-searching experiences, and eye-opening sights are not easily forgotten. I continue to speak Spanish on a regular basis. It was wonderful to be able to take from my experiences and give back to the culture that accepted me."
- Jenna, Middlebury College
Ecuador’s main port and largest city, Guayaquil is a bustling coastal urban center, known for its friendly people, tropical climate, and vibrant nightlife. You will enjoy the refurbished riverside “Malecon,” the colonial Barrio Las Peñas, the colorful houses and view from Cerro Santa Ana, the Mercado Artesenal (artisan’s market), beautiful parks and plazas, and an abundance of cafes and restaurants. Guayaquil is also gateway to the Galápagos Islands and some of Ecuador’s most beautiful beaches.
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.
