Universidad San Francisco de Quito

Location: Cumbaya, Ecuador

Size: 2,500 students

Semester Dates:
Fall Semester: Late August through mid-December
Spring Semester: Early January through mid-May

Description:
Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) is tucked peacefully into the valley of Cumbaya, which is located 30 minutes outside of Quito. The university was founded in 1985 and international students make up 10 percent of the student body. Located at the foot of Mount Pichincha in the Andes, the valley of Cumbaya is considered one of the most beautiful regions in Latin America. The city of Quito is 9,200 feet above sea level and only 13 miles south of the equator, a perfect combination for the creation of a marvelous climate of spring-like weather all year round. The city has a gorgeous mix of wonderfully preserved colonial churches, convents, and palaces that contrast strikingly with the contemporary architecture of modern Quito. Today it is a cosmopolitan city with great cultural diversity.

Accommodation Type: Homestay with an Ecuadorian host family

Language of Instruction: Spanish

Special Considerations:
USFQ requires a 2.75 GPA and intermediate Spanish language knowledge; this language program is approved for Spanish majors as the SP 350 course; this is a “great value” program, meaning students pay the same tuition, fees, room and board as a semester at KSC.