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    Carpe Diem Education | South America Semester: Spanish Immersion & Conservation

    Carpe Diem Education | South America Semester: Spanish Immersion & Conservation

    Details

    • Listing Type: Gap Year Programs
    • Destinations: Ecuador, Peru
    • Credit Awarded: College
    • Program Length: Semester
    • Start Month: February, September
    • Category: Travel/Cultural Immersion
    • Selective: No
    • Gender: Coed
    • Ages: 17, 18, 19+, 19
    • Housing: Homestay, Other, Tents
    • Application Fee: $100
    • Accreditation: Gap Year Association - Program
    • Affiliation: Gap Year Association
    • Financial Aid: Grants/Scholarships, Other, Payment Terms
    • Minimum Cost: $10,000 - $20,000
    • Call: (877) 285-1808
    • Meeting: Schedule a Meeting
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    Overview

    Spend a gap semester in Peru and Ecuador, nations characterized by awe-inspiring landscapes, diverse cultures, and a deep sense of shared history. From your vantage point, you’ll get a fascinating view into the complexities of indigenous communities, colonialism, and the increasing pressures of globalization. From the arid beaches to the soaring Andes Mountains; from the Amazon jungle to the capital cities, this is the adventure of a lifetime.

    Study, practice, and expand your Spanish as you live alongside host communities and immerse yourself in unique cultures and traditions. Lend a hand in agricultural and conservation efforts, establish a connection to people and place, and explore questions related to globalization and social justice. From your perch in the cloud forests of Ecuador, participate in reforestation efforts. As is the Carpe Diem way, you’ll discover just as much about yourself as you do this rich, vibrant, complex region of the world.

    • Improve your Spanish: Through immersive experiential learning courses and homestays, put your new Spanish skills to the test
    • Machu Picchu trek: Grab your hiking boots and prepare for the journey of a lifetime as you hike to this historic and cultural site
    • Lend a hand: Learn from your host community and lend a hand in reforestation, sustainable farming, and environmental protection efforts
    • Explore the Amazon: From the Amazon basin, you'll participate in forest and river conservation efforts in one of the most biodiverse areas of the world
    • Experience traditional life: While staying with families in the cloud forest of Ecuador, learn about the impacts of large scale resource extraction on communities

    Cost and Session Information

    Price Details
    Program tuition includes all food, accommodations, scheduled program activities, and international travel insurance for the duration of the program. Keep in mind, while budgeting, international airfare and spending money are extra. International airfare estimated at $1500 - $1700.

    What's Included
    Accommodation 
    Activities 
    Airport Transfers 
    Meals 
    Travel Insurance

    What's Not Included
    Airfare 
    Visa

    Testimonials(1)

    • My experience in this South America Carpe Diem program was incredible. My Spanish language skills improved drastically, and so did the skills of everyone in the group. We had students who had never spoken Spanish before and by the end of the trip they were conversational! Some themes continue throughout the program such as permaculture, coffee production, and the government, so it's easy to learn about the subjects from many different perspectives. Our contacts were amazing and I still keep in touch with a few of them. Although this was not the case for everyone in my group, my homestay experiences were not very personal, and at times felt more like a bed and breakfast. I was hoping to build strong connections with my homestay families as I have done in the past, but unfortunately that wasn't the case. Again, other members of my group had different experiences with host families. I am a Latitudes student, and am so excited to begin my volunteer placement soon! I believe that my experiences on this group semester have definitely prepared me to travel more independently.

      - Ava - December 12, 2019