The Trent-in-Ecuador (TIE) program enables undergraduates to deepen their understanding of international development by living, studying, and working in a developing country. Students spend a full academic year in Ecuador, from September until the end of April. TIE selects approximately 15-20 students from Universities across North America.The program is operated on the ground by an academic coordinator and an administrative coordinator, both of whom are based in Ecuador for the full academic year.
Organization
The Trent program is based at the Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar, a postgraduate institute in Quito. Courses are taught by Ecuadorian-based, university affiliated academics, and draw on participation from local development experts and other practitioners/professionals. During the first term, students take two courses IDST 3880 (Ecuador Seminar) and IDST-ANTH 3890 (Andean Society), as well as one of two language courses (Spanish or Kichwa). During the second term students also participate in a 10-12 week placement with a development organization in diverse settings across Ecuador.
Click here for more detailed information on the Academic Program for Trent-in Eucador.
Experiential Learning
TIE provides students with the opportunity for intense personal growth, enriched by interactions with many generous and wonderful people of Ecuador. It also offers opportunities for students to develop the skills necessary to live, study, and work in the unfamiliar context of a developing country where they are privileged to be guests. In meeting these challenges, they can rely on excellent support structures provided by program staff, Ecuadorian hosts, and fellow students.
Orientation & Living Arrangements
All successful applicants participate in an orientation program in Peterborough in March/April and Quito in September. Details on visa applications, travel arrangements, money arrangements, health requirements and precautions, etc. are contained in the Handbook for Participants issued to all students and reviewed in detail at orientation. Each student will live with a family in the Quito area for the fall term, and then may choose to remain or make other arrangements for the winter term.
All aforementioned information is for educational purposes as going forward International Development Studies will only be offering the Trent in Ghana program as the sole Year Abroad Program for 2018-2019.