Overview

Components

Working with teachers from the Equinoccial Spanish language school, participants have the following daily sessions:

• Spanish Grammar and Conversation – small group instruction (no more than four participants) with a professional native teacher
  
  
• A group class on Ecuadorian history and culture with a professional native speaker

During the stay in Quito, participants are housed with middle-class Ecuadorian families. Participants generally receive private room and board, including hot water and three meals a day. Accommodations are clean, comfortable and welcoming. Participants talk with their family after meals, and learn about daily life issues in Quito.

Institute Instructors María Gillman, coordinator of third year Spanish at the UW, has more than 20 years teaching experience at the elementary, secondary and university levels, both in Mexico and the United States. She has been involved in all previous Institute programs, has worked regularly with secondary teachers. Gillman is familiar with the needs of varied professionals interested in expanding their understanding of the Spanish language and culture, and she knows Quito well. Mexico is her native country. The Equinoccial Spanish School is the oldest and one of the most experienced Spanish Schools in Quito. They have more than 21 years of experience teaching Spanish language to students from all over the world. Quito, Ecuador is well known for its more than 200 Spanish schools, but only a very few - about 15 in total - have the official Quality Certificate of the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education. Only with this certificate is a school officially recognized and allowed to provide Spanish language education. The Equinoccial Spanish School works closely with the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation, a non-profit organization that offers volunteer work opportunities abroad in social, environmental, educational, and community areas around Ecuador.

In 2006, we offered an immersion in Guatemala. Here's what 2006 participants had to say about The Guatemala Experience: "The overall experience was incredible. I think it was a well rounded introduction to a beautiful country and culture." — Sunni Gee "Maria was the BEST! Very clear, helpful and on top of everything." — Mari Knowles, Edmonds School District "I am glad to have had the opportunity to join this program. It has enriched and advanced my conversational skills. The one-on-one lessons with my tutor were very helpful." — Minda Wilson, Aki Kurose Middle School "Our host family was lovely. They were so pleasant and tried to help us so much. They talked to us at every meal." — Evelyn Velchoff

Prerequisites

Spanish Language Proficiency: The program aims to serve those who need to improve their Spanish and gain a knowledge of Ecuadorian culture. We are able to adapt it to participants' needs. Those with questions about language eligibility should contact Shannon Matson at smatson@u.washington.edu or Maria Gillman at mgill@u.washington.edu.

Health Requirement: It is also a requirement of this program that all participants be in good health upon arrival to Quito. Participants should be prepared and able to walk long distances in a high altitude. Please note that the high altitude of Quito (2,800 meters) can significantly aggravate health problems. Anyone with a serious health condition should consult their doctor prior to signing up for this program.

Credit and Fees

The Institute fee is $2,300 (subject to change), plus a $35 nonrefundable Registration fee. Housing, planned excursions and almost all meals in Quito are included in the Institute fee.

Upon successful completion of the Institute's academic requirements, participants receive six credits of Spanish 494 from the University of Washington.

Note: If you are a UW undergraduate student and have not taken SPAN 303 or 316 plus an additional 300 level course, you must sign up for Span 394 by checking that box on the registration form.

Travel and Associated Fees

Participants are individually responsible for the following arrangements and all associated costs: airfare, transportation to/from airports in the United States, transport and insurance of personal property/luggage, local travel arrangements and associated costs in Quito (except for excursions as may be specified by UW), travel documents (passport, visa, etc.), medical insurance, travel insurance and necessary vaccinations.

Registration Deadline and Refunds

Immersion courses fill up fast so register now.

Registration will close May 16, 2008, or when the institute is full. A $500 deposit plus a $35 nonrefundable registration fee is due at the time of registration. A transaction summary and a University of Washington Extension Foreign Travel Waiver will be mailed. Registration is complete when full payment and the signed Travel Waiver are received by UW Extension. Final payment deadline is May 16, 2008.

If you should need to withdraw from the Institute, send a written request to the UW Extension Registration Services at 4311 11th Ave. NE, Seattle, WA 98105 or email us at uweoreg@extn.washington.edu. Requests received by the close of business on May 16, 2008, will receive a full refund less the $35 registration fee. Requests received after May 16, 2008, will be processed without refund.

UW Educational Outreach reserves the right to cancel the Institute if minimum enrollment standards are not met.

Passports, Health Concerns and Insurance, Responsibility and Risk Information

Note: The following information is very important. Please read it carefully.

Passports
Participants need a current passport to participate in this program. If you need a new or renewed passport, please apply for one immediately. For detailed passport information, call the U.S. Department of State Passport Agency in Seattle, 206-808-5700, 900-225-5674, or 900-225-7778 (TDD).

Health Concerns
Before registering, prospective participants should consider the following to determine if the Institute is appropriate:

• foods vary and special diets often cannot be accommodated;
• you will be living at a high altitude that could aggravate certain health conditions
• participants may need to carry their own luggage; and
• medical facilities may not be comparable to those in the United States.

Participants with health concerns should consult their physician regarding the suitability of the trip.

Insurance, Responsibility and Risk
The University of Washington cannot be held responsible for personal illness or injury, nor does the University make any representation as to the availability or level of medical facilities abroad. Participants are responsible for their own health, travel, luggage and personal property insurance. You must have foreign travel medical accident/sickness insurance, including emergency medical evacuation coverage, to participate in this program.

As with any foreign travel experience, participants may encounter unexpected risks. These include (but are not limited to) sickness, exposure to disease, political upheaval, accident, the forces of nature, travel dangers on the ground or in the air, and property loss and damage. Apart from the academic content of the Institute, the University of Washington acts only as an agent for suppliers and contractors providing services for the Institute. The University is not responsible for the acts of third parties which cause injury, death or property loss or damage, nor is it responsible for travel or accommodations disruptions beyond its control. Participants assume all the risks involved and agree to hold harmless the University of Washington for all liability that may arise in connection with participation in this program.

The University further reserves the right to deny participation in this program to any person who fails to make payments or comply with requirements within the specified time, or whose presence could constitute a hazard, and prohibits the use or trade of illicit substances; participants who are found under the influence or in possession of illegal substances will not be allowed to continue with the group.

Questions

For updated information about the institute, including travel information, please call 206-221-6223 or e-mail Shannon Matson at smatson@extn.washington.edu. There will be an orientation meeting for all registered participants in early July.

Accommodations for Disabilities

To request disability accommodation, contact the UW Disability Services Office as early as possible at 206-543-6450 (voice), 206-543-6452 (TTY), 206-685-7264 (fax) or dso@u.washington.edu (e-mail).

(Photos courtesy of María Gillman)