Relevant Information of our Quito Spanish School

LOCATION - QUITO SPANISH SCHOOL

Academia Latinoamericana is located in the North of Quito, right next to La Carolina Park, a large recreational area where Quito goes to relax outdoors. On weekends the park is buzzing with soccer matches, volleyball games, skateboarders, 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 Park, including 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 Ecovia bus line, which crosses the whole city of Quito, is set within half a block of the school. Buses cost 25 cents and taxis around $ 1 or 2.

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 takes you to the Amazon Basin, a two-and-a-half hour flight 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 south, the former Royal Road of the Incas, and you get straight to Cotopaxi National Park, site of the world's highest active volcano.

DAILY SCHEDULE

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 5 students), 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, Academia Latinoamericana has hosted students from the United States, Canada, Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Holland, Austria, Denmark, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Italy, Poland, Russia, China, Japan, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, Morocco, Brazil...

• 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.

ACTIVITIES - QUITO SPANISH SCHOOL

As part of the program you have the opportunity to learn about the country, its history and 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. Participate in as many activities as you like during your program at Academia Latinoamericana. Organized trips or group activities are offered two to four 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 Academia Latinoamericana, and we always take into account and act upon any feedback from students who have participate the excursions.
At Academia Latinoamericana you can find a well-equipped library with updated maps and travel guides, which you are free to use at any time in order to organize your individual travels.
Activities vary from week to week. Just a few examples are:

• Teleférico (Cable car) up Pichincha Volcano
• Mitad del Mundo (Equator)
• Guayasamín Museum
• Handicrafts Market
• Soccer games, movie nights

… and many, many more!

AIRPORT TRANSFER AND FIRST DAY AT QUITO SPANISH SCHOOL

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

ACCOMMODATION QUITO

Host family accommodation with a private room is 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!

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 a heater 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 all major expenses are included in the total cost of the program, you are responsible for your 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. You are responsible for your 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 $ 0.25. Ecological and electric buses running from the airport to all across the city along the 6 de Diciembre Avenue or 10 de Agosto Avenue cost $ 0.25. All tickets are bought on the bus and we recommend not carrying valuables. For taxis, the standard fare in the city is $ 1 to 3 and not more than double at 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 agree on the fare beforehand.

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

IMPORTANT ADVICE

You can get a cash advance on a credit card......but you must know your PIN. Most people don't know their credit card PIN. You may also 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. Make sure you know your bank terms and conditions.

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!

One of the most fun days will be going to Otavalo Indian market where you 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 if you hate to shop with a passion, a trip to Otavalo will drive you nuts......don't say you weren't warned