3.0 GPA, completion of at least one year of university-level studies, and good judicial standing

For students applying to the "Evolution, Ecology & Conservation in Galapagos" and “Marine Ecology” programs: Completion of at least one course each in general biology and ecology.

For students applying to the "Politics, the Environment and the Galapagos" program: An intermediate-level of Spanish is highly recommended for this program, but not required.

Spring: October 1st*
Fall : March 1st*

*GAIAS has a rolling admissions policy . This means that it is important to apply early , as programs may fill before their deadlines. A maximum number of 25 students (from all their partners abroad) will be admitted to each program.

The Galapagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (GAIAS) offers full-semester programs in English to international and national students of the biological and social sciences. Each program track consists of five intensive 3-credit courses taught in three-week modules. Students will first study at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito's (USFQ) main campus in Quito and then spend the remainder of the semester at the GAIAS campus on San Cristobal Island, Galapagos. While on the mainland, program participants will visit the Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon Basin and USFQ's highland campus in Riobamba, the Instituto Santiago de Quito. In the Galapagos, students will visit various sites and take a 4-day cruise throughout the archipelago. In addition to its core courses, GAIAS also offers optional basic Spanish and digital photography courses. GAIAS students are also able to participate in fieldwork, volunteer work or independent research projects for credit.

Program tracks include:

Evolution, Ecology, and Conservation

Evolutionary Biology
Native and Introduced Plants of the Galapagos
Population Ecology
Introduction to Marine Life of the Galapagos Islands
Human Ecology and Maritime Communities
Introduction to Digital Photography (optional 1-credit course)

People, Politics, and the Environment

Wildlife Conservation and Management
Human Ecology
Environmental Economics
Politics and the Environment
Introduction to Digital Photography (optional 1-credit course)

Marine Ecology

Human Ecology
Introduction to Oceanography
Biology of Fish
Introduction to Marine Ecosystems
Marine Conservation Biology

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Independent study and/or community service project

Field trips & fieldwork as an integral part of every GAIAS course

Small class size & individualized attention

Optional 1-credit course, “Introduction to Digital Photography”

Optional Basic Spanish course

Galapagos boat tour & extended visits to other islands of the Archipelago

Trip to Riobamba and Volcano Chimborazo (highlands Ecuador)

Trip to Tiputini Biodiversity Station in the Amazon jungle (http://tiputini.usfq.edu.ec/)

Quito City Tour & Mitad del Mundo (equatorial divide)

Excursion to the indigenous market of Otavalo and lagoon at Cuicocha volcano

Excursion to the snow-capped volcano Cotopaxi

Galapagos homestay family

Resident Coordinators in Quito and Galapagos

For an additional cost to the regular program fee, students studying at GAIAS will have the opportunity to enroll in a diving course through a PADI certified instructor.

While in Quito students stay at a local hotel (at the beginning and end of the program).

While in San Cristobal, Galapagos students live with a host family in order to improve their Spanish and integrate more fully into the local community. GAIAS has a network of trained families and is able to assist with family
placements in San Cristobal.

Students living with families and are provided with three meals per day. In San Cristobal , breakfasts are typically at the student's place of residence (host family), and group meals are arranged for lunches and dinners in local restaurants around town.

A pre-departure orientation will be provided and is required for all participants. This orientation will cover information on safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural, and religious conditions in the host country, as well as planning logistics.

Passport
To enter a foreign country, you must have a valid passport. If you are a U.S. citizen and do not currently have a valid passport, or if your passport will expire during the time you will be overseas, please go to the U.S. State Department web site for information on how to apply for/renew your passport.

YOUR PASSPORT MUST BE VALID FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER DATE OF DEPARTURE

Visa
The GAIAS program will assist you in getting all necessary documentation.

You are strongly encouraged to read the U.S. State Department's Consular Information Sheet on your host countries. It will provide you with a great deal of information to help you prepare for your trip.