Relevant Information of our Quito Spanish School

LOCATION - QUITO SPANISH SCHOOL

The Academia Latinoamericana in Quito, is set in the residential area of La Carolina. Carolina Park, located at Amazonas and Republica Avenues, is a large recreational park where Quito goes to relax outdoors. On weekends the park is buzzing with soccer matches, volleyball games, skateboarding, outdoor aerobic classes, paddleboats, family games and picnics. A botanical garden and dinosaur museum have also been recently added to the park.

Several of Quito's major shopping centers surround La Carolina including the Megamaxi, Plaza de Las Americas, Quicentro, El Caracol, CCI and El Jardin. These shopping malls offer a variety of both local and imported goods as well as supermarkets.

The Academia is housed in a beautiful colonial building, with interior patio, 21 classrooms, video room with amplification equipment, library, teachers room, auditorium, solarium, cafeteria, a multipurpose indoor court (racquetball, volleyball, speed soccer and basketball field), internet service, access and bathroom for wheelchair use, elevator, nine classrooms with digital connection for interactive participation between the schools in Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia.

It is conveniently located next to the Ecovia bus line that crosses the whole city of Quito, within half a block of the school. Buses cost 25 cents and taxis around 1 or 2 US$ for a typical fare.

Quito is the capital of Ecuador and thus offers the best travel connections to anywhere within the country. A half-hour flight to the East will take you to the Amazon Basin. A two-and-a-half hour flight will take you to the Galapagos Islands, the site of Darwin's inspiration. Less than two hours to the north is Otavalo, South America's largest and most famous Indian market. Follow the Pan American Highway to the south, the former Royal Road of the Incas, and you will come to Cotopaxi National Park, site of the world's highest active volcano.

ACADEMIA LATINOAMERICANA DE ESPAÑOL
Address: Calle Noruega 156 y 6 de Diciembre
P.O. BOX. 17-17-593
Tel (593 2) 2250 946 - 2267 904 - 2267 905 - 2278 991
Fax (593 2) 2267 906
E-mail: info@latinoschools.com

DAILY SCHEDULE

The morning schedule is as follows:

8:30 / 10:30 am: classes and lectures
10:30 / 11:00 am: coffee break
11:00 am / 1:00 pm: classes and lectures

The afternoon schedule is as follows:

2:00 / 4:00 pm: classes and lectures
4:00 / 4:30 pm: coffee break
4:30 / 6:30 pm: classes and lectures

STUDY ENVIRONMENT

Classes are held in small groups (maximum of 5), in classrooms, lounges, or outside in the garden - based on individual preference. Clothing is casual and comfortable amongst the students and a bit more formal for the professors.

INTERNATIONAL ATMOSPHERE - QUITO SPANISH SCHOOL

A particular pleasure for many of our students is the opportunity to meet others from all over the world. To date, the Academia has hosted students from the United States (39%), Holland (15%), England (14%), Switzerland (9%), Germany (7%), Canada (5%), Denmark (5%), Brazil (2%), France (2%), and other countries (2%).

• Airline of preference: 1) Delta Airlines, 2) American Airlines, 3) Iberia, 4) KLM, 5) Taca, 6) Continental Airlines, 7) Lacsa, 8) Copa.
• Student profile: Business people, university students, airline employees, teachers, retirees, ecologists, engineers, doctors, secretaries, travel agents, bankers, lawyers and others

AIRPORT TRANSFER AND FIRST DAY AT QUITO SPANISH SCHOOL

If students wish, they are picked up from the airport by their host family for an extra fee of $ 20. Every Monday at the school students are welcomed by the administration staff (Patty, Gaby & Santiago) who provide general information about our program, the country, etc. Students receive a map of Quito and class materials. All students then take the placement test and oral proficiency interview with the Director of Studies of the school before meeting their teacher for the week.

ACCOMMODATION QUITO

Host family accommodations with private room are included with all weekly rates, providing a loving and attentive home network. Breakfast, dinner and laundry service are provided by your family. Only very few host families live more than a 10-20 minute walk or bus ride from the school. Singles, married couples and parents with children can all be accommodated. Hotel accommodation can also be arranged if desired.

It is a very nice gesture if you bring your host family a little gift from your home. This may be anything typical from your country or city, such as chocolates, candies, postcards, calendars, etc. .any little souvenir!

ACTIVITIES - QUITO SPANISH SCHOOL

As part of the program, you will have an opportunity to learn about the country, its history, and the people. In addition to lectures, we offer trips to places of interest such as museums, fruit markets, professional soccer games, and a night at the folkloric ballet. You can participate in as many activities as you like during your program at the Academia Latinoamericana. Organized trips or group activities are offered 2 - 4 times per week. These provide a great opportunity to find out about the country and its culture.

We also organize trips to exciting destinations such as the Galapagos Islands, Cotopaxi and the rainforest. Every trip we offer has been tried and tested by the staff at the Academia and we always take into account and act upon any feedback from students who have participated in the past.

Here at the Academia we have a well-equipped library with updated maps and travel guides, which students are free to use at any time in order to organize their individual travels.

Activities vary from week to week. Some examples are:

• Teleférico (Cable car) up Pichincha Volcano
• Mitad del Mundo (Equator)
• Museums, churches, local markets
• Soccer games, movie nights
• etc.

CLIMATE IN QUITO

The weather in Quito is surprisingly moderate year-round. Quito's weather is most famous for its unpredictability. It is important to bring layers of clothing, such as a turtleneck, sweater and jacket as none of the buildings have heat or air-conditioning. The climate in Ecuador is dictated by the altitude. Remember, you are on the equator. From tropical beaches to snow-capped volcanoes, Ecuador features every climatic zone known on earth.

EXTRA MONEY

Although a student's major expenses are included in the total cost of the program, each student is responsible for his or her own personal expenses. Some basic costs to keep in mind are items such as textbooks, papers and pens, postage stamps, envelopes, telephone calls (expensive if international), birthday gifts (or other special occasions), snacks, entertainment, personal items (toiletries), clothing, souvenirs, and personal travel. Students are responsible for their own public transportation costs.

ESSENTIAL MONEY ADVICE

As you are all probably aware, the official currency of Ecuador is now the US dollar. Consequently we recommend that students do not bring travelers' checks as these can only be changed at Casas de Cambio. Instead it is much more convenient to bring dollars in cash and debit or credit cards from your bank at home. All the major banks in Ecuador are connected to the various different international financial networks such as, Cirrus, Maestro and ATM.

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN QUITO

Standard fare for public transportation is U$0.25 cents. Ecological and electric buses running from the airport to the other side of the city by the 6 de Diciembre Avenue or 10 de Agosto Avenue cost U$0.25 cents. All tickets are bought on the bus and we recommend not carrying valuables. With taxis, the standard fare in the city is U$ 1 to U$ 3 and not more than double by night. There is no extra charge for extra passengers. Taxis have meters and are required by law to use them. Drivers sometimes say the meters are out of order, but insist on the meter being used. If a taxi has no meter, it is imperative to ask the fare beforehand.

Airport pickup: Upon request your host family will pick you up from the airport. Extra fee: $ 20.

IMPORTANT ADVICE

1. Participants are not required to get any kind of immunizations to enter Ecuador.
2. Students can get a cash advance on a credit card......but they must know their PIN. Most people don't know their credit card PIN. Students also can get cash out of ATMs, but many banks have limits on the amount that can be withdrawn daily and that limit can be different than in your home country. Each student should know their bank terms and conditions.
3. Check, double check, triple check luggage limitations with your chosen airline. Excess baggage fees now are exorbitant....sometimes $ 80 a bag.....and you don't want any surprises at the airport when you go home!
4. One of the most fun days will be going to Otavalo Indian market where students can buy fabulous hand-knit sweaters...perfect for a cold winter. They are gorgeous and bulky. There is leather, jewelry, paintings, ceramics, blankets, scarves, jackets, weavings, etc., so plan suitcase space appropriately. Even students that hate to shop with a passion go to Otavalo and go nuts......don't say you weren't warned!