Study Abroad in the Galapagos Islands

  Ecuador

• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands

Term: Fall, Spring, Winter 

Description: IOI offers a rare opportunity to study abroad in the Galapagos. Our undergraduate program is designed in two ways: we offer short programs for winter intersession, Spring Break and Summer and full exchange semesters in the Fall and Spring.

The classes are taught by a rotating group of internationally renowned professors coming from the best universities in marine and environmental sciences worldwide (USA, Europe, Ecuador). The curriculum concentrates on the specific uniqueness of Isabela and the Galapagos Islands. It is a hands-on, field course-based experience with emphasis on cultural exchange and immersion. We take the classroom to the field. From penguins to iguanas, from sharks to tortoises, from salt marshes and beaches to volcano peeks all hands on in areas no tourist ever gets to see!

The cap on students each semester is 15 in order to provide for a size group with an effective Professor Student interaction.

Our short programs are 2- 3 weeks long, worth 3 credits. During the full semester abroad experience students earn 15 credits (+3 optional internship credits) and live in host families for full cultural immersion. Accreditation and academic stewardship is provided via a transcript through one of the leading universities in South America, the Escuela Politecnica Superior de Litoral (a polytechnic university headquartered in Guayaquil, Ecuador).

The program is designed in 5 course blocks and each course is 3 weeks long the professors rotate, the students stay. Upon arrival in Galapagos students get an important cultural orientation to prepare for living with families in Galapagos with respect and understanding for the people and the environment. The homestay is a basic principle of IOI that gives each student and host family intensive intercultural and Spanish/English language exchange. * IOI will continue awareness training throughout the semester.

A regular day at IOI looks like this: a seminar/lecture in the morning including theoretical background material and then time for individual projects; fieldwork during the afternoon; and an overview discussion of the day's work before dinner.

Highlights: Monique G. (19) says IOI "makes this trip a life experience that all should have. The two weeks I spent on Isabela was definitely the most fun I've had anywhere in my life and I can't wait to go back!"

Christine Q. (20) says her experience at IOI "was truly amazing, different, beautiful, informational, fun, peaceful, funny, surprising, volcanic, oceanic, and Galapagonian all at the same time. I would go back in a second!"

Cost in US$: 3,500

* Tuition (credits)
* Full R&B in Galapagos
* Program related trips and excursions in Galapagos
* Accommodation and coordination in Guayaquil for layover days
* Airport transfers
* Inter island transport
* Pre-departure information

Discounts:
* Early Bird Super Saver (15% off; down payment 3 months before application deadline)
* Early bird special (7.5% off; down payment 6 weeks before application deadline)
* Referral bonus (5% for the first and an additional 10% for every additional referral; up to 50% off)
* Return bonus (10% off for returning students)

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently Or in Groups

Scholarships are Available. - Our tuition fees are more economic than most US universities AND we offer an experience of a lifetime. However, we realize that studying abroad can be financially demanding through ongoing bills at home, international insurance, additional gear, etc. To promote international awareness and to promote stewardship in Galapagos we give out scholarships for students outstanding through their extra curricular involvement in community work and conservation. To apply for these scholarships please submit a short (1 page) essay on your dedication in community work and conservation to us. * Complete Care Package (CCP) Scholarship For the fall and spring semester we offer two take care of everything scholarships. The semester is 4 months long and worth 15 transferable upper division credits (300-500 level). Each credit costs the student $500. The CCP scholarships cover ALL incidental costs outside of tuition. That includes and is not limited to national airfares, inter island transfers, park and entrance fees, FULL R&B, scientific excursions, etc.) * Full Tuition (FT) scholarship For our short study abroad experiences during the Christmas, Spring and Fall intersession as well as the full summer abroad program, each 2-3 weeks long and worth 3 transferable credits, we offer FT scholarships. IOI offers one full tuition scholarship for each class offered. The selected exceptional student only has to cover incidental costs such as flights, entrance fees, etc...

Application Process Involves:

• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript
• Written Application

Isabela Oceanographic Institute's Mission Statement: Is to provide an academic platform for study abroad and to help sustainable development and conservation in the Isabela community through participatory and educational approaches and scientific research.

Year Founded: 06