Study in Ecuador
Choosing one of the best universities in Ecuador to study abroad for a degree program is one of the best decisions you’ll ever make. Not only that but applying with RocApply will widen your chances of realizing an education here.
These schools will serve as a great beginning for your career path and also give you the best path you need to excel in your line of study.
Universities, colleges, medical schools, engineering schools, and law schools in the country have met the set standards of formal education with high-standards and well-known in the academic circles.
The country may also be a great choice for the student of Latin American literature, with a number of famous writers and novelists, writing in genres ranging from realism to romanticism to the magical realism that the broader Latin American literary culture is known for.
Ecuador is a great location for a student musician. With its various colorful regional cultural traditions, the music in Ecuador is as exciting and diverse as its people.
From indigenous traditions like Pasillo to the Afro-influenced Bomba, the country’s rich musical heritage has a lot to offer not only the formal student of music but also anyone interested in feeling that aspect of Ecuadorian culture outside of the classroom.
Ecuador’s small size means it is easy to get around. Its diversity of wildlife is amazing. The country makes up only 1.6 percent of South America in land size, but boasts more than 50 percent of the continent’s bird species.
The country’s capital, Quito, is nestled in the Andes under the watch of the towering volcano Pichincha. Its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is easily walkable.
The city has several buses (USD 0.25 per ride) and taxis (USD 3 for a trip across town). Must-visit attractions for students who decide to study abroad in Quito include:
• The Basilica: where the rickety wooden stairs up the clock tower are still open to travelers
• Plaza Independencia: a charming central square that symbolizes the country’s independence from Spanish conquerors
• The museum of Oswaldo Guaysamin: the famed painter and social justice champion
Spanish is the language of the land, but many Ecuadorians speak English, and many indigenous languages are spoken also. If one of your goals is to improve your Spanish language proficiency while studying abroad, Ecuador is just the best destination for you!
Studying in Ecuador is truly a great opportunity for students to learn Spanish and practice speaking with native speakers. The country’s currency is the USD, making currency conversion a no-brainer for Americans studying in Ecuador.
About Ecuador
“We are a country full of colors,” proclaimed Freddy Ehlers, Ecuador’s Minister of Tourism, as he unveiled the new pre-Columbian logo and slogan in 2010. “Ecuador ama la vida,” which translates to “Ecuador loves life.” An ample summary of the wonders in this exuberant nation, Ecuador is rich in culture and natural diversity.
From snow-capped volcanoes and cloud forests in the high Andes to the coasts and the Galapagos, the country is full of things to see and do.
Only in the country can tourists stand at the center of the earth and experience simple science experiments such as watching water drain in different directions on either end of the equator.
Nature’s wonders are complemented by interesting history, with World Heritage city centers in both Quito and Cuenca. Panama hats are another special aspect of Ecuador’s living heritage, with master weavers still crafting by hand in Montecristi.
The country has an excellent educational community and has more Spanish study abroad courses than any other country in South America.
Nestled in the northwest corner of South America, Ecuador (Spanish for equator), is nestled on the middle of the earth and offers a geographically unique environment.
Foreigners can choose from a wide variety of disciplines from Ecuador’s prestigious universities, as well as experience the countries specialties. Ecuador is known for salsa (the dance, not the condiment), trekking into the rainforest, tasting the local guinea pig, and hiking beautiful volcanoes.
Though the country is a relatively small country, it is home to an incredible string of biodiversity. This, together with a unique culture (a wonderful mix of indigenous, European, and African elements), results into an unforgettable experience.
Foreign students are exposed to the spirited community of Ecuador as well as the enriching experience of life abroad. Many visitors base themselves in the capital of Quito, which not only has an interesting old town and full of art and culture, but a number of nearby sites accessible by day-trip.
The cloud forests at Mindo, the hot springs and spas at Papallacta, and the volcanoes of Cotopaxi National Park make up the package for places to be visited on a four-wheel drive excursion from the city.
Accommodation here can vary greatly in quality, with many options falling into the cheap and cheerful category. However, there are several high-end resorts and the major towns have international resorts. Food in Ecuador tends to be healthy and hearty, with lots of meat, grains and vegetables.
Seafood and tropical fruit are plentiful on the coast, while fast tantalizing food and international cuisine are common in large towns and in tourist spots.
About Ecuador's Economy
We value your itinerary! This is evidenced by the services we offer students who intend to study abroad right onto our website!
We have transitioned from traditional agents that will only focus on the application process (which we do offer for free) to help the student appreciate more about their desired study abroad country.
To this aid, we have made this guide to share with you the economic performance of Ecuador to strengthen your research for the study abroad decision you made!
The plan, supported by a US$4.2 billion Extended Fund Facility from the IMF, along with additional financial support from the international community, will give the country the boost needed to resuscitate sustainable growth that benefits all Ecuadorians.
The country has enjoyed a healthy economy supported by the dollarization governance the country uses the USD for its currency and high oil prices. However, oil wealth and dollarization are double-edged swords.
Over the past decade, Ecuador’s policies were inconsistent with the dollarization regime. Wage increases outpaced productivity growth and hurt the country’s competitiveness.
The oil price plunge of 2014 and the subsequent USD appreciation exposed the underlying weaknesses of the economy. To finance growing fiscal imbalances, the previous regime resorted to central bank financing.
Public debt tripled over the past ten years and international reserves fell to very low levels. The current government of Ecuador decided to proactively come to the IMF for support to tackle underlying economic vulnerabilities, restore growth, and improve social outcomes.
What does the new economic plan seek to achieve?
The country has committed to a new economic program that seeks to put public debt firmly on a downward path and supports policies that will help lift development and boost productivity.
The program strongly supports the government’s prosperity plan and is based on four key pillars:
• fortify the institutional foundations of Ecuador’s dollarization;
• boost competitiveness and create jobs
• promote shared prosperity and protect the poor and most vulnerable; and
• improve transparency and strengthen the fight against corruption.
This is an ambitious reform agenda, but these reforms are necessary to strengthen the economy and institutions in Ecuador. As the country is a dollarized economy, a strong US dollar can raise the price of Ecuador’s goods, thereby hurting the country’s competitiveness in the global market.
How does the plan address this challenge? Raising Ecuador’s competitiveness and lifting productivity will require a concerted effort. Since Ecuador uses the US dollar as its currency, it is not able to use exchange rates as a tool to make its exports much competitive in the global market.
Therefore, the country will have to rely on policies that allow for internal devaluation instead.
First and foremost, reigning in government spending, particularly through the optimization of the wage bill, will be important to make the country’s exports more attractive.
Moreover, allowing for less rigidity in wages and prices could help support external adjustment. This can be achieved through policies that remove rigidities in the labor and product markets and in the financial sector.
DISCLAIMER: This update is as of 2020! Due to the sensitivity of economic information and data privacy, RocApply publishes only authentic information as gathered from relevant and trusted sources.
Why Study in Ecuador
Improve Your Spanish
The country boasts diverse learning opportunities for the interested foreign student. Whether you want to practice your Spanish skills in a fun and unique South American country, deep yourself in local music and art traditions, or take advantage of a different opportunity to put your history classes in real-world context, the country may have something for you.
Broaden Your Research Skills
: If you are looking for an opportunity to take your education of biology, ecology, environmental science, or conservation outside of the classroom, the country might be the place for you. Named for its equatorial positioning in the northernmost part of South America, Ecuador boasts a diverse natural landscape ranging from the Andes to the rainforest and the Galapagos Islands, locally referred to as the Archipielago de Colon.
Immerse yourself in the Arts in Ecuador
Whether you are a student of visual art, music, literature, or even the culinary arts, the country might be a great place for you to study and pursue your dream. Ecuador’s lively and diverse culture boasts a number of regionally unique artistic culture including both fine art and local crafts. The people here are especially known for their use of light color and pastoral landscapes, as well as crafting things like masks and drums.
Find Great study abroad programs
Whether you want to spend a semester, the summer, paymaster, or a full year abroad, a ton of awesome study abroad in Ecuador programs are listed on our website for you to consider.
Whether you want to study at sea, practice your Spanish, or put your science, environmental, and conservation education into practice in one of the most diverse ecosystems, the country may be a great place to enrich your studies and travels.
Scholarships in Ecuador
Students from ecuador looking for PhD scholarship, Masters Scholarships, or Undergraduate scholarships to fund their education abroad can check here latest international Scholarships for local and international students announced by foreign universities and governments.
The list of scholarship range from fully funded to limited support or tuition fee waiver and suggested as the leading Scholarships for Ecuadorian Students.
Students interested in studying in here have scholarship opportunities ranging from the federally funded to those at private college and university initiatives.
While some of these programs are stiffly competitive as the field of study here is specific to one country, they make up for it by generously offering significant scholarships or even full tuition to students especially the underprivileged. Let's explore the scholarships!
Ecuador Student Visa
To study in Ecuador you need the Ecuadorian Student visa or permit depending on where you are coming from.
RocApply is glad to assist you in figuring the best way to obtain your student visa without much hassling! It is important to know however whether your country of origin is under exemption for VISA here.
Not only that but Rocapply is also committed to help you get through your nearby consulate for making your application as seamless as it can get!