| | | Spring Semester in the AndesA unique study abroad program in Ecuador and Peru, offered by Saint Ambrose University and the Centers for Interamerican StudiesLive and study in Ecuador. Visit the Amazon Jungle. Explore the heights of Peru.15 January - 8 May 2008When one considers the vastness that is South America, two places often stand apart from the rest - the Amazon Jungle and the "Lost City of the Incas", Machu Picchu. The Semester in the Andes program is unique in that it visits both of these South American jewels, not to mention indigenous villages, sandy beaches and snowcapped mountain ranges. These trips are designed to augment classroom study where there are opportunities to study a range of topics in Latin America. The semester is divided into two academic terms, allowing students to begin with intensive Spanish courses and then choose from several options: further language courses, an internship or service learning project, or courses from several academic disciplines taught in either English or Spanish by an international faculty. From the moment I stepped off the plane, I felt welcome. The staff went out of the way to make sure that all of us were healthy and safe at all times, and they made themselves readily available to answer all our questions and concerns. During the Semester, they arranged several extracurricular activities, including a visit to a men's prison, where we got to speak to the director about crime and punishment. By the end of the term, not only had my Spanish improved significantly, but I was able to play the zampoņa, dance salsa, and discuss Ecuadorian politics and culture. Stacey Russo, 2003 Semester in the Andes Follow the links below or to the right to find out more: | | | | Study in Cuenca, Ecuador, one of the world's most beautiful cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ecuador Photo Gallery | |