Supervised Teen Study Program in Quito, Ecuador
For Ages: 14-18
Absolute Beginner to Advanced Spanish
Supervised Program
The Summer Teen Program in Quito is offered to students 14 to 18 years old. Teens spend two, three, or four weeks in Quito receiving Spanish lessons with homestay accommodation. Six levels of Spanish classes (from Complete Beginner to Advanced) are offered, and students will have 20 hours per week (55 minutes per class hour) of Spanish classes. Classes are held in small groups with a maximum of six students per class. Students receive verbal and written assessments on the first day of class, which determine the exact group students will be placed in.
Teen Program + Volunteer Overview
Students spend 2 weeks in the Summer Teen Program, then spend the remaining 3 or 4 weeks in the Spanish and Volunteer Program. Spanish lessons are taken in classes with students of similar age, and the homestay family will remain the same as during the Teen Program. In place of Teen activities and excursions, participants will be engaged in volunteer service. If during the Volunteer Program students would like to participate in an activity or excursion, an additional fee may be charged locally. For a more detailed description of the Volunteer portion of the program, please read 'Volunteer Work' under the 'Special Notes' header.
Volunteer work opportunities available include:
- Child and Infant General Care
- Environmental Protection and Work with Indigenous Peoples
- Work in Shelters and Homes for Street Children and Children of Prisoners
- Work in Orphanages
- Work with Physically and Mentally Disabled Children
Activities Some of the planned activities in Quito include:
- A Quito city tour
- Touring museums and cultural centres
- Chaperoned Parties
- Movies Nights
- Dance Lessons
2 Day Weekend Trips
- The 2 day weekend trip to the city of Otavalo and its famous indigenous market is included for all program participants. Students are housed in a hotel with all meals and transportation included. This trip will take place on June 26-27 & July 24-25.
- The 2 day weekend trip to Cotopaxi National Park includes the opportunity to partially climb the Cotopaxi Volcano and go horseback riding on the slopes of Cotopaxi. Those not interested in horseback riding can participate in mountain biking or a guided hike to the Rumiñahui volcano. Students are housed in a hotel with all meals and transportation included. This trip will take place on July 3-4 & July 31-Aug 1.
- During the 2 day weekend trip to the Cloud Forest Reserve, guided morning and afternoon nature hikes are offered. During this trip, students receive accommodation in a cabin style lodge located in the reserve. The reserve offers a medical clinic, entertainment areas double rooms. All meals and transportation are included. This trip will take place on July 10-11 & Aug 7-8.
Unescorted Galapagos Island Tour Packages
- We work with several tour operators that offer discounts to their students for Galapagos Island Tour Packages. These are unescorted, unsupervised trips of 4, 5 and 8 days, however, the operators do have experience working with young people. For more information on these tour packages, please contact NRCSA.
Accommodations - Homestay with a Ecuadorian Family
Students are housed with carefully selected middle to upper middle class host families. The family homes are within 10 to 30 minutes walking distance of the the NRCSA Center. Each participant will have a private bedroom and bathroom, but will have the ability to share a room on request. The host family provides breakfast and dinner Monday through Friday, and 3 meals per day on Saturday and Sunday. Families also provide laundry service. All students must abide by the house rules as set by the host family, and must comply with a 10:00 P.M. curfew.
The students host family is a wonderful support network. When the details of daily living are out of the way it frees the mind to learn Spanish.
Tea, coffee and pure water are provided at the school all day. Daily money exchange, mail service, safety box, storage room, travel and tour information are also provided.
Included in the Program
- Twenty Spanish lessons per week in small groups with no more than 6 individuals per class.
- Accommodation with a host family in a single or shared room, 2 meals daily Monday through Friday and 3 meals daily Saturday and Sunday.
- Laundry service once per week.
- Catered lunch at the school Monday through Friday
- Extensive verbal and written placement assessments.
- Assignment in one of six levels of Spanish.
- School and city orientation on the first Monday of classes.
- Textbooks and classroom materials.
- Daily afternoon cultural activities Monday through Friday DURING TEEN PROGRAM ONLY (see “Activities” for details).
- One to two evening activities per week DURING TEEN PROGRAM ONLY (see “Activities” for details).
- For two and three week programs: Otavalo City Tour & Indigenous Market. Includes hotel accommodation in shared room, all meals and transportation(see “2 Day Weekend Trips” for details).
- For four week programs: Otavalo City Tour & Indigenous Market, trip to the Cloud Forest, and trip to Cotopaxi Volcano. Includes accommodation in shared room, all meals and transportation (see "2 Day Weekend Trips" for details).
- Arrival and departure transfers from/to the Quito airport.
- NRCSA travel insurance during study dates:
• Accident insurance up to $10,000
• Emergency medical evacuation up to $25,000
• Emergency reunion up to $5,000
• Repatraition up to $7,500
• Life insurance up to $5,000
• 24 Hour emergency worldwide multi-lingual telephone assistance.
2009 Start Dates
- Teen Group Classes - Start June 29; July 6, 13, 20, 2009
- Teen Group Classes & Volunteer - Start June 29 and July 6, 2009 (Minium 5 weeks)
2009 Program Fees
- 2 weeks: $ 1,285
- 3 weeks: $ 1,730
- 4 weeks: $ 2,195
- 5 weeks: $ 2,195 (includes volunteering)
- 6 weeks: $ 2,513 (includes volunteering)
Quito, Ecuador - City Info
Located in the inter-Andean valley, Quito is surrounded by mountains, with three snowcapped volcanoes in view on a clear day. Its climate has been described by many as eternal spring, due to its location close to the equator at high altitude. It has a daily average temperature of about 65° F, with daytime highs around 75° F and early morning lows around 45° F. Absolute highs reach 85° F and lows about 40° F on rare occasions. Slightly over a million people live in Quito. As is typical of Latin American cities, the population density is high, relative to U.S. standards. Quito retains a small city atmosphere and most areas of interest are accessible on foot.
The NRCSA Center is housed in a beautiful mansion which is surrounded by lovely gardens. It is located in a quiet residential area of Quito known as "El Batan." The Center has significant experience in the teaching of Spanish as a Second Language, and employs instructors who possess university degrees, and that are well experienced in teaching Spanish to foreigners. As part of their studies students will also receive information on the Ecuadorian and Latin American cultures. This helps enhance the students cultural experience, as well as their understaning of the language.
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