Program
Ohio State works in cooperation with the
Pachaysana Institute and the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) to offer the opportunity to learn about and contribute to the educational process needed to assist local communities with the empowerment and preparation for being active participants in a discourse of development. In cooperation with rural communities outside of Quito, this program focuses on sustainable development, political ecology, cultural geography, storytelling, arts for social change, cultural and biological diversity, and leadership. Students will spend two weeks in the capital city of Quito for orientation before departing to the Upper Ecuadorian Amazon rural community.
Unlike other study abroad programs located in the city with classes taught at the universities and weekend excursions to rural communities, students in the Pachaysana program live and study in their host Amazonian communities. Professors from USFQ travel to the communities to deliver their classes. Furthermore, Pachaysana Institute promotes a model of fair trade study abroad which offers a spot to a local participant for every international student registered in the program.
Students will have excursions and cultural visits to the Tiputini Biodiversity Research Station and experience the "Toxic Tour," where students gain knowledge of ecological and social effects of resource extraction in the Amazon, the Ecuadorian Highlands, and the Ecuadorian Coast. Review the
Rehearsing Change Slide Show .pdf to learn more about this unique opportunity.
Locations
Few countries as small as Ecuador contain such remarkable geographic and biological diversity. Geographically it ranges from coastal deserts to temperate mountain valleys to Amazon rain forests. Culturally and racially, its population includes a mix of indigenous, Spanish and African influences.The program is based in Quito, an Andean city within sight of snowcapped volcanoes, home to a remarkable mix of colonial and modern architecture and vibrant cosmopolitan lifestyles, and in rural communities in the Upper Ecuadorian Amazon. Community sites are scatterd within a three hour radius of Quito.
Education Abroad Coordinator
Jenny Kraft
kraft.51@osu.edu
Courses and Credits
Each course a student takes abroad, regardless of the grade received or how course credit counts toward degree requirements, must:
- Transfer back to the student’s Ohio State record.
- Be completed for graded Ohio State credit. This grade will be factored into the student’s GPA.
Students will earn 12-15 credit hours as follows:
Storytelling: Language and Movement (OSU English 4577.03, 3cr)
Theatre for Social Action and Innovation (OSU Theater 5771.02, 3cr)
Identity and Place (OSU Geography 2100, 3cr)
Design and Evaluation of Sustainable Community Projects (OSU Comp Studies 5797, 3cr)
Independent Study (OSU Spanish 2193 / 4193, 1-3cr)
Admitted participants are required to register themselves in the temporary study abroad placeholder course, ARTSSCI 5797. Specific registration instructions will be provided in the letter of acceptance.
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to apply for this program, students need to have taken two English courses at the 2000-3000 level and completed Spanish 2202.01, 3401, or 3450. Students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA and a 3.0 Spanish GPA and meet
OIA's General Eligibility Requirements and
Conditions for Participation. All students will also be required to participate in on-campus pre-departure orientations organized by the Office of International Affairs. One academic recommendation is required.
Students may not graduate during the same term in which they are participating on a third party provider/direct enroll program.
Application instructions
Applicants are required to submit TWO applications:
1. OIA education abroad application (start at the "Apply Now" at the bottom or top of this page);
2.
Pachaysana Institute application.
IMPORTANT:
Both applications must be submitted by the Ohio State application deadline.
An academic reference is required in order for your OIA application to be considered complete.
Passports
Passports are required for every Ohio State study abroad program. For many study abroad destinations, passport information is required to apply for an entry visa (as early as 6 months prior to departure). For information about applying for a passport, go to
travel.state.gov.
Program Costs
Students will pay the Pachaysana Institute's program fee ($14,725
estimated) and International insurance fee. A waiver of tuition for Ohio State students that participate on university-approved third party provider or direct enroll programming is in effect until June 30, 2021. The Pachaysana Institute's program fee includes instruction, housing, meals, and an on-site orientation. Airfare, books/supplies, personal expenses and independent travel are not included in the program fee.
If students withdraw or become ineligible any time 11 days after the acceptance notification from Ohio State, they will be held responsible for a $200 cancellation fee. Please refer to
OIA's Cancellation Policy.
Scholarships
Students should begin researching
funding opportunities before they have been accepted into a study abroad program.
Grants and Scholarships deadlines may occur before the study abroad program application deadline.
Students who receive or are eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant are encouraged to apply for the
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program. This program is Gilman eligible. Interested students should first verify their existing award package and make an appointment with Student Financial Aid as needed. After researching the scholarship, students wishing to apply for the Gilman International Scholarship should be in touch with the listed education abroad coordinator to begin working on a competitive application.
Information Sessions
N/A
Notices
Please review this information about the
Zika Virus and other pre-travel health considerations.
U.S. Department of State:
travel.state.gov (travel advisories/country specific safety information)
Centers for Disease Control:
cdc.gov/travel (pre-travel health guidance)
Ohio State reserves the right to change without notice any statement contained herein, concerning but not limited to rules, policies, tuition, fees, curricula and courses. In the event of a change to an existing U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory, CDC Travel Health Notice or other
risk designated criteria, the Office of International Affairs reserves the right to cancel any program prior to departure or while in progress. Discrimination against any individual based upon protected status, which is defined as age, ancestry, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, military status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status, is prohibited.
