March 6–13, 2020

Program Description

Get ready to experience the full breadth of Ecuador! Students will stroll through untouched national parks and experience adventures in the country’s biggest cities. The experience is an eight-day program during which students will spend time in ancient ruins and among modern locals. Students will travel in a train that cuts through the mountains and on vibrantly colored buses to discover four major cities, two provinces, and one Incan ruin. Students will have the opportunity to meet locals during an immersive salsa lesson and family dinner.

Information Session

  • Thursday, September 12, 2019, at 12:15 in room 132 of the Hawthorn Building

If you cannot attend this meeting, we have two other opportunities for you to find out more:

  • Gail Good will be available Wednesday, September 11, 2019, from 1:00–3:00 p.m. in room C128F of the Building.
  • Kitty Mussett will be available Monday, September 16, 2019, from 10:00 a.m.–noon in room 126 of the Hawthorn Building.

Academic Requirements

Students will be responsible for the following:

  • GPA of 2.5 or greater
  • Enrolling in AG 297 or SPAN 297

Satisfactory completion of study abroad orientation, preparatory meetings, and travel in Ecuador

Program Costs: $3064

Costs include the following:

  • Airfare to/from University Park airport and Ecuador
  • In-country transportation
  • Tour of the following sites:
    • Quito
    • Equatorial Line
    • Intiñan Museum
    • Riobamba
    • Alausi
    • Nariz del Diablo railway
    • Cuenca
    • Guayaquil
    • Cocoa plantation

Other Expenses

  • $135—Passport
  • $150—Immunizations
  • $150—Personal expenses

Program costs vary depending on the time of enrollment. Visit the Education First website for details.

Registration Process and Deadlines

November 15

  • Apply for the program online.
    • A limited number of participants will be accepted.
    • Your judicial and academic records will be checked as a part of the registration process.
  • Register for spring 2020 AG 297 or SPAN 297

December 2
Register with Education First (EF) College Study Tours.

February 1

  • Complete Global Programs Canvas Pre-Departure requirement
  • Complete Travel Safety Network online requirements

Program Leaders

Kitty Mussett

Assistant Teaching Professor of Spanish
[email protected] | 814-949-5211

Kitty Mussett received her AB in Spanish from Davidson College (1991) and her MA in Hispanic Language and Literature from Penn State in 1994. She serves as the Coordinator for World Languages at Penn State Altoona as well as the Liberal Arts College contact representative. She is the 2013 recipient of the Grace D. Long Award for Academic Excellence.

Gail Good

Assistant Teaching Professor of Agriculture
[email protected] | 814-949-5506

Gail Good holds a BS in agriculture and MPS in adult education from Cornell University. She teaches agriculture courses, serves as the College of Agricultural Sciences contact representative, provides academic advising for agriculture students and serves as a co-adviser for the Penn State Altoona Ag Club and Collegiate FFA. Prof Good has accompanied students on numerous occasions traveling to Costa Rica, Germany, France, Greece, and Mexico.