The capital of Ecuador is arguably the most beautiful city in South America. It is located at 2,800 meters above sea level in a high valley at the base of Mount Pichincha about 15 miles south of the equator, giving it a wonderful spring like climate year round.

Its full and formal name is "San Francisco de Quito", reflecting both its Spanish and Incan origins. Franciscan monks accompanied the Spanish conquistadors and founded one of America's first Catholic churches (begun in 1584), in what is now called the Plaza de San Francisco, in the heart of colonial Quito.

This city of nearly a million people is set in a valley flanked by mountains, several snowcapped volcanoes are visible from the city on a clear day. Quito has plenty of colonial architecture, and modern building has been strictly controlled in the old town since 1978, when it was declared a UNESCO cultural heritage site.

The old center is full of whitewashed houses, red tiled roofs and colonial churches, with no glaring neon lights to disrupt the ambiance of the past. The northern part of the city incorporates the new town, complete with modern offices, embassies and shopping centers. However, Quito retains a small city atmosphere - probably because everything is still in walking distance and the public bus system is quite extensive.

Quito offers the best travel connections to anywhere else within Ecuador and is only a half hour flight time from the Amazon Basin, 21/2 hours from the Galapagos Islands and less than two hours to the north is Otavalo, South America's largest and most famous Indian Market.

If you decide not to fly and travel by road, the "Royal Road of the Incas" now known as the Pan-American Highway will transport you to Cotopaxi National Park, site of the world's highest active volcano.

Although no vaccinations are required to enter Ecuador, some precautions should be taken in order to ensure a healthy visit. It is recommended that prior to arrival, all students should consult their physician about the necessary injections. Students should be protected against typhoid, polio, tetanus and hepatitis.

A yellow fever vaccination is only required if you are going to the jungle. Those students enrolling in the SierrAzul program must be aware that the jungle area is high risk for Yellow Fever and a vaccination for Yellow Fever is necessary.

Quito is almost twice as high as Denver, Colorado but because it sits only 25 kilometer's from the Equator, the city does not suffer through long winters. On the contrary, Ecuador's capital enjoys mild days and cool nights almost year-round. The climate in the Andes varies according to the altitude and the time of the year. In Quito the temperature ranges from 7 degrees C (55 F) at night to 26 C (78 F) at noon, and averages 15 C (64 F).

There are two seasons, wet and dry. The wet season is called winter and the dry is considered summer. Quito's summer lasts about 4 months, from the end of June to September.

Quito sees its fair share of rain from October through May, though even during this period the climate supports a multitude of diversions. There are enough sunny days during the rainy season to accommodate all but the most insatiable sun worshipers, and when the sun hides, Quito has plenty to offer indoors.

It is the participant's responsibility to have a valid passport and any necessary visas and permits to study abroad. Visit G3Visas for comprehensive information on visa, passport, permit and general country entry requirements.

Quito has an international airport with frequent direct connections to Miami, Los Angeles, Houston and Europe.
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Hot springs at nearby volcano
Good climate
Indian markets
Monastery of San Francisco
Arguably the most beautiful city in South America
UNESCO cultural heritage site Theaters and museums
Teatro Nacional Sucre
Gate way to the Galapagos Islands
Ballet Folklorico
Spectacular surrounding scenery
Out door activities and hiking
Academic credit available
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Our school is housed in a beautiful new colonial designed building, in a safe and nice residential part of the city called ed "El Batan". It is also very close to the new ECOVIA bus line (new ecological buses which are powered by natural gas) which is only about half a block away, ideal for getting around the city.

The local neighborhood offers everything a student needs, restaurants, cafes, cyber cafes, shopping center, local post office and the school is located only two blocks away from Carolina park.

Our school is simply charming and is decorated in colonial style incorporating materials from those times, stone, iron and wood. The inside of the school is designed around the auditorium with beautiful colonial arches and fountains, quite magnificent and the perfect setting to study Spanish.

The school offers excellent facilities which include, interior patio, 21 well equipped classrooms with video room, library, impressive auditorium and solarium. Students can grab snacks at our school cafeteria and play sports after class in the multipurpose indoor court (racquetball, volleyball, soccer and basketball). All students have internet access and this school also offers bathroom and access for wheelchair users including elevator.

The school also has another location in SierrAzul, which is located in the cloud forest by the Antisana Reserve. Students can choose to study here for one week during their program, however NOT the first week.

SIERRAZUL Campus:
Classes and accommodations take place at a Lodge on the eastern door step of the Artisana reserve, protecting one of the most unspoiled and beautiful tracts of cloud forest in the country. Ecuadorian teachers accompany the students, Leave Monday morning, back in Quito Sunday afternoon.

The program includes 4 hours per day group classes and one excursion per day, accommodations at the lodge (2 beds in each room) and 2 meals/day. Things to do include: hiking, rent mountain bikes, mules, tours with a naturalist, waterfalls, bird watching.

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Standard: 4 Lessons daily (20 lessons per week) Max. 4 students per class.

Standard Activa 4 Lessons daily (20 lessons per week) Max. 4 students per class, plus 3 hours of extra activities per day.

Standard Private: 6 Lessons daily (30 lessons per week) Private instruction

Alternative Classes, Courses & Tours

Our programs cater for all language levels from absolute beginners to the more advanced, include the use of course materials and provide a variety of options to enhance your program. For more information please see Prices and Start Dates.

Each student will be expected to take a short placement test on the first Monday morning of the course (unless a complete beginner), to determine the students language level and ensure placement in the correct class. Lessons are usually held in the mornings, starting at 9 am, which leave the afternoons free for social or cultural activities, trips, workshops, short excursions or free time to relax or explore on your own.

Teachers are native speakers and many are University educated with years of teaching experience. They will help enhance your speaking, listening, grammar and general comprehension skills. They will also use interactive techniques such as role-play, games and perhaps videos to support lesson content. Current political, social and cultural materials are integrated to add interest and increase knowledge of the host country and culture. Homework assignments are given and students will be tested. For more information please see Course Outline.

After classes are over for the day, our program allows you plenty of time to discover your new country, culture, traditions, customs and everyday life. Our optional cultural and social activities allow you to make new friends among your new international classmates, experience cultural and social activities together, and also practice your new language skills in real life situations. In some cases, a small additional fee will be charged to cover local transport and entrance costs.

Some of the typical cultural opportunities offered weekly could include visits to, Colonial churches and convents, the Presidential Palace, guided visit to the fruit market, Vivarium museum with its exhibition of Latin-American reptiles, a soccer game at the national stadium, Mountain biking outside of Quito, Salsa and Merengue dance classes, Cooking lessons (Ecuadorean dishes), Lectures on history and culture, Spanish movies, archeological museum of "Casa de la Cultura" and the museum of modern art "Oswaldo Guayasamin".

At the weekend many students can arrange to take optional excursions to local cities or local places of interest, Some examples could include day trips to the Cotopaxi volcano (19.000 feet high), Indian market at Saquisili, the extinct volcano of Pululahua, the thermal baths at Papallacta, White water rafting or a day of trekking in Pasochoa National Park.

Many students like to add a trip onto the the Galápagos Islands, you will need to add at least 5 days and budget around $1000 with air and boat stay. We can book this trip for you before departure.

NOTES: School is closed on all public holidays, private lessons and options can be added to any program, lessons normally last 50 minutes, you will be studying with students from around the world, lessons run from Monday - Friday , you will be expected to arrive early on the first Monday morning to take the placement test, a language proficiency certificate is available at the end of the program. Please see the program info and resource links, for additional information or please contact us.
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Host Family: (private room) 2 meals daily.

Living with a host family is probably the best and most effective way to become fully immersed into the language and culture of your chosen country. All families are chosen after a careful selection procedure and are visited regularly by the school to ensure that high living standards are maintained. As many of our host families live in the surrounding neighborhoods, the trip to school, is usually not more than 15 to 20 minutes away.

Students have access to all living areas in the house and in most cases, will be expected to share the bathroom. All bed linens and pillows will be provided, however we suggest you bring your own towels. If your family does not provide a laundry service, they may allow you to use the laundry facilities for a small additional charge.

Staying in a family is a truly wonderful experience and many students make lifetime friends with their host family. However, you should also have realistic expectations and recognize that an element of flexibility is required to adjust to the local customs and way of life. Your host family may not have the same comforts as your own home but you will always be treated as a guest and free to come and go as you wish.

NOTES: Airport transfers to the accommodation may be included or available (at an additional cost, please check price page), the Sunday night accommodation before your course begins on Monday, is included. All meals will be local custom and meal times may be different to what you are used to, however you are not obligated to eat all your meals with the family, just notify them when you will not be returning to eat at home. Our families are diverse with young couples without children, couples with children (of all age groups) and older couples with grown children who are no longer at home. Extra nights are available at extra cost. Please see the Accommodation link for additional information.
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"I have been with host families before, but Language Learning Abroad really picked out a good family, by far, the best. They were very open and really kind to me. They took me with them to a soccer game and really made me feel at home. Don't be afraid to get to know people while you are there. Make plans to go out and do fun things with either your family, or fellow students, and if you know some people who live where you are... DO NOT HESITATE to talk with them and go out on the town and really use your spanish (or whatever language). I really learned a lot of spanish when i went out by myself into the town and started talking to people."
Daniel Miller (Age: 18, Summer 2003) US student
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