The Experiment: Ecuador: The Galápagos Islands & The Andes
- Ecuador
- Quito
- Galapagos
About Program
Land in Ecuador’s capital, Quito, to begin your Experiment. There, you will explore the 16th-century gold-inlaid churches and colonial buildings of the Old Town. Your first excursion is to the equator, where you can stand on the spot where the Northern and Southern Hemispheres meet. Experience the diverse wildlife of the Mindo Nambillo cloud forest, then travel to the Andes (the world’s highest mountain range outside of Asia) for a weeklong homestay in the small city of Riobamba, where you will share daily activities such as sports, movies, and walks through town with your host family.
Video and Photos
Diversity & Inclusion
BIPOC Support
LGBTQIA+ Support
Impact
Sustainability
Ethical Impact
Our programs are developed in close consultation with local and international partners and with a critical understanding of the communities and regions we visit.
Program Highlights
- Develop your Spanish language skills through interactive lessons with local teachers and conversations with locals and try your hand at preparing a typical Ecuadorian dish (such as ceviche or empanadas).
- Participate in a community service project to support environmental efforts or the local community.
- Hike from the first base camp to the second shelter of Chimborazo, an inactive volcano that rises 20,548 feet above sea level, and bike back down through a beautiful Andean landscape.
- Become fully immersed in the daily life of an Ecuadorian family and community. Travel to Tena Puerto Ahuano and stay at Gaia Eco Lodge.
- At the conclusion of this program, each participant will earn a community service certificate noting the number of hours of community service completed.
Scholarships
The Experiment in International Living Scholarships
The Experiment in International Living offers a variety of need-based and merit-based scholarships to worthy high school students looking to participate in their program. The eligibility requirements vary depending on where you live and other demographics -- and your GPA is taken into account for some scholarships too.