Pre-departure Information:
Quito, Ecuador Summer Study Abroad
June 1 - July 31, 2005
Passport:
ENTRY AND EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and depart Ecuador. Tourists must also provide evidence of return or onward travel. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a stay of 90 days or less. Those planning a longer visit must obtain a visa in advance. An exit tax must be paid at the airport when departing Ecuador.
Vaccinations:
One of the excursions is to the biodiversity station in Tiputini, Ecuador. It is mandatory that you get a Yellow Fever vaccination at least 6 weeks prior to departure. Click on the following link for other recommended vaccinations from the National Center for Infectious Diseases regarding traveler's health in Ecuador. http://www.cdc.gov/travel/tropsam.htm
You can get your Yellow Fever vaccination, which is the
only mandatory one, at the following places in Wilmington:
(You will need to call for an appointment at either place.)
Wilmington Health Associates 341-3300
Ask for the Travel Clinic $80
New Hanover Medical Group 343-9991
The Travel Nurse is there only on Tuesdays and Thursdays. $84
+ $28 sitting fee.
Quito:
Quito's temperatures vary from 72°F (22°C) to 45°F (8°C) year round. The altitude is nearly 10,000 feet, almost twice as high as Denver, Colorado. This means you may experience altitude sickness, which can include dizziness, insomnia, windedness and even headaches. These symptoms usually wear off within the first week. It is important to keep yourself hydrated and not overexert yourself especially in the first few days of your arrival.
Getting around Quito is pretty inexpensive. You can take city buses, the trolley or taxis. The cheapest route is the city bus, which you can take across town for less than a dollar. If you take a taxi be sure to ask the driver to turn on the taximetro so that you get a fair rate. The taxi drivers are not obligated to to use the taximetro at night, which means you need to negotiate a price before you enter the taxi. Be sure to hail taxis that have a numbered code located the windshield. It means the taxi and the driver are registered with the Ecuadorian government.
Safety:
It's important to remember that Quito is no different than any other capital city in the United States regarding crime. Don't walk with your wallet in your back pocket or leave your purse wide-open while walking the city streets. Be aware of your surroundings and avoid being alone, especially at night. In short, use your common sense and don't make yourself an easy target for pick-pocketers.
The legal age for drinking is 18. Don't treat your time in Ecuador like a two-month 21st birthday party celebration. It's easy for anyone to be robbed or taken advantage of when under the influence. Use caution and don't allow yourself to be put in a situation where you can't defend yourself.
I hope this won't be an issue, but illegal drugs is another important topic to be discussed. The Ecuadorian prisons are full of people who have been caught with illegal substances. You should never use illegal drugs, but especially not while in a third-world country. You do not have the same rights there (right to an attorney, right to a phone call, etc.) as you do here. Rent the movie "Broken Down Palace" before your trip to see what I mean. For a more detailed look at crime and safety in Ecuador, please visit the U.S. Department of State website.
What to pack?
Other than clothes, be sure to pack your camera, film, umbrella, alarm clock, Spanish-English dictionary, toiletries, prescriptions and other meds, first-aid kit (w/ Ibuprofen, anti-diarrhea medication, band-aids, cough drops, etc.), address book and photos of your friends and family back home. You will also want to buy a gift for your host family. It's a good idea to take them something typical of your region, perhaps artwork or crafts from local artists. In other words, something they can't pick up at the local mall.
A few suggestions for clothing:
Both men and women should pack a bathing suit and towel since you will be taking a trip to the beach. You will want to take easy-dry shorts and shirts for Tiputini since it's a very humid environment. In the city, the locals are more formal in dress than we Americans are. I'd avoid packing any ripped up clothes to wear downtown or to school. Your family may want to take you out to dinner to a fine restaurant at some point, therefore be sure to have a tie and nice slacks (guys) and a skirt or dress (girls). The nights get pretty chilly in Quito, so I'd suggest packing some flannels and slippers. Don't forget your tennis shoes and comfy clothes for the park or the gym!
Spending Money
How much spending money to take is a personal issue. Even so, here are a few pointers. The program cost includes room and board (two meals a day), tuition and fees, health insurance, and three excursions. You will have to pay for your lunch at school (around $5-$6 a day). Plan to spend money on the weekends if you decide to take mini-trips around Ecuador or even to go out to eat and see a movie. You'll probably want to buy some souvenirs for your family, too, such as colorful tapestries or leather products. Figure out how many days you will be in Quito and come up with a daily budget. You can always use your credit card (at nicer restaurants and shops) or the ATM. Since the Ecuadorians use the American dollar, you don't have to worry with exchange rates or converting your money. I do suggest that you take plenty of smaller bills (ones and fives) since finding change can prove to be a hassle.
Travel Arrangements
All travel arrangements will be made through the university-approved travel agency. Our travel agent for the university is Birgit Allen. Her company is Travel Divas located at The Traveler Store in Landfall Center (1319 Military Cutoff Road #FF Wilmington NC 28405, (tel.) 910-256-5788/ (fax) 910-256-9131 fax/ birgit@traveldivas.com).
You will pay Travel Divas directly for your ticket at the above location by April 5, 2005. If you do not want to fly from Wilmington or Raleigh or if you have other travel plans upon your return, contact Birgit. Everyone will fly out the same day and arrive to Quito at the same time.
USFQ Classes
By our next meeting on March 16, 2005 I need for you to give me your top five classes that you would like to take at USFQ. If you would like to peruse the list again, click on this link Classes. This is to better ensure that you will get the classes you want. UNCW students should turn in their completed transient study form no later than April 2, 2005.