WHY THIS PROGRAM?
QUITO WOW FACTORS
• Volunteer Immersion: Many opportunities to give back
• Galapagos Islands: Semester students may participate
• UNESCO World Heritage City!
THE ATHENA TOUCH
What makes this Athena?
• Staff makes you part of the 'family'
• Quality education with small teacher-to-student ratio
• Low cost gives great value
ACADEMICS
ACADEMICS @ ACADEMIA
WHY WE PARTNER WITH ACADEMIA LATINOAMERICANA de ESPANOL
The Academia is a top-quality, private, non-profit institution recognized by the Ecuadorian government. The school’s founder and staff share the same vision as Athena that personalizing study abroad is the key to the best outcomes and experiences.
HISTORY:
Founded in 1989, the school is one of the language school pioneers in South America.
EXPERIENCE:
You will be in the heart of Quito, in a beautiful colonial building with an interior patio, 21 classrooms, video room and more. Athena offers Academic-based Scholarships!
COURSES
Courses have the following % breakdown:
| COURSES | General % Offered |
|---|---|
HUMANITIES | 80% |
SOCIAL SCIENCES | 20% |
PATTY & SANDRA DEL CORRAL
On-Site Advisors
Patty and Sandra are sisters and have been servicing students since 1989. They both studied in the U.S. and are aware of the specific needs that study abroad students have. Patty is a collaborative, motivational and inspirational leader; she instills confidence in others. Sandra is a consensus builder, and acts with integrity and fairness when dealing with students.
STUDENT LIFE
FIELD TRIPS & EXCURSIONS
We’re going to enhance your time on the equator! Athena includes a field trip/excursion pack into your program package, in addition to the many optional evening and weekend activities that are offered to elevate your study abroad experience. These may include:
• City Tour
• Middle of the world
• Cloud Forest
• Quilotoa lake & Cotopaxi volcano
FIELD TRIP HIGHLIGHT: Galapagos Islands
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: semester students may choose to participate in an optional trip to the Galapagos Islands. Big tortoises, finches, other weird animals - watch out!
HOUSING
Housing is conveniently located, and in close proximity to the school and the city center, within a short walk or bus ride.
HOUSING OPTIONS:
You’ll have the option to choose a) Homestay; or b) Residence Halls
• In the homestay, you’ll stay with a host family and receive two daily meals.
• In the residence hall, you will stay in double-occupancy rooms.
FAQS
Can I stay with a local family?
Yes! In fact, students who are looking to acquire the Spanish language, or improve their current skills, are strongly encouraged to do a homestay.
Can I request to room with my friend?
Yes! You can certainly request who you would like to have as your roommate. This is done after you are accepted into the program; you will note this in your housing request forms.
Do you provide flights?
We have partnered with STA Travel, an incredible student-focused travel agency. The good people there will be able to help all Athena students arrange flights overseas.
VOLUNTEER OPTIONS
Here’s a great opportunity to share some love in the world. If you’re staying for more than 4 weeks, you are encouraged to volunteer. Options include orphanages, animal shelters, schools and more.
When I began looking at study abroad programs...only one organization returned my email with a phone call & that was Athena! ...That kind of customer service only continued.
CHRISTOPHER MAGGIO
Capital University
THE CITY
CITY HIGHLIGHTS
What’s Quito Like?
Quito is one of the world’s most overlooked gems. The city infuses South American, European and indigenous elements. This is why UNESCO – a primary authority on recognizing locations of significance – declared Quito as the very first World Heritage site. The Old City is rich with history, charming winding streets, and excellent shopping and eating. Quito is a marvelous contemporary city with all the modern amenities you would expect in the U.S.
But the main reason Quito is so great: the people. Ecuadorians are warm, honest and service-oriented people who truly enjoy welcoming foreign visitors to their country.
CITY PERKS
Enjoy the incredible parks and restaurants … Quito is the capital of Ecuador, a special country that features not only the equator line, which you can visit, but also the Amazon basin and the Galapagos Islands
WEATHER
- OVERALL WEATHER: The general temperature each day is mild, regardless of month, sitting in the 48-67 degree range.
- THINGS TO NOTE: Sitting at an elevation of 9,350 feet up in the Andes Mountains, and being near the equator, Quito maintains a consistently cool temperature year-round.
- TWO SEASONS: Rather than having temperatures dictate which season it’s in, Quito measures seasons by precipitation. The two seasons are “dry” (summer) and “wet” (winter).
MAP
MORE INFO
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