July 2005 Newsletter
1. CEDEI
This month an exciting new program of courses begins in our Community Arts School. The list of offerings includes: both tropical and classical dance, hand-made jewelry, guitar, painting and black-and-white photography. All of these courses are available to our students at a discounted rate, and are free to our English language teachers. Talking of which, a new cycle of English classes has begun, with a mix of regular and intensive classes offered to our Ecuadorian students. And our Technical College begins new classes in International Business and Marketing this month.
2. Medical Spanish in Ecuador
Following the success of our inaugural program in May, we are now seeking enrolments for the Fall. During the program our students took intensive Spanish classes, participated in a mobile surgery unit, had a demonstration of the ancient practice of shamanism, and were immersed in local culture and healthcare while living in the houses of medical professionals. The next program is due to commence on October, but we also have dates right through to March 2006 posted on our web page at http://www.cedei.org/cuenca/programs/spanish/medical.php. When the program ends, participants are presented with a number of competitively priced academic and travel options, including the unforgettable Galápagos Islands, or an adventure in the Ecuadorian rain forest.
3. Fall Semester in Ecuador
Calling all future Foreign Correspondents! Our brand-new Fall Semester Program ? co-sponsored by the University of Wisconsin Whitewater ? is ready to go, offering a unique combination of International News Reporting and intensive Spanish instruction, cultural and language immersion, and extensive travel in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. This is an opportunity not to be missed. Along with 6-8 Spanish credits, students can choose from a number of electives including Travel Study, Cross-Cultural Communication, TV News Production and Mass Communication. All of this while high in the Andes Mountains, in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Cuenca, or traveling to northern Ecuador and the Amazon rainforest. For information on how to apply, go to: http://www.cedei.org/cuenca/programs/fall/.
4. Augustana College Summer Spanish Program
Our Summer Spanish Program, co-sponsored by Augustana College, is one of the longest-standing programs of its kind in South America and is always a big success. This year promises to be no different, with our 28 students already finding their feet in Ecuador. The program began on June 8th in Quito, and continued with a 4-day Cultural Tour taking the group through the historic center of the capital city and to the gallery of Ecuador?s best-known artist, Oswaldo Guayasamín. Students soothed their culture-shocked souls with some retail therapy at the Otavalo market, emerging with tapestries, sweaters and smiles. The trip also included a visit to the house of traditional instrument makers in the village of Peguche, a hike to the spectacular Mundug Waterfalls near Patate, and some great views of the imposing Tungurahua Volcano. Since arriving in Cuenca and nervously taking up residence with their host families, the students have adapted fast to life here. Their packed schedule has taken in the indigenous festival of Inti Raymi held at the Inca ruins of Ingapirca, the rural villages of Principal and Jima, and cultural classes such as ceramics, art and cooking. This weekend the adventure continues with an optional overnight trip to the stunning Cajas National Park, and on July 13th the mid-term trip offers the options of relaxation in the tranquil village of Vilcabamba or roughing it in the jungle near Macas.
5. Summer TEFL
The month begins with the arrival of our latest group of would-be English language teachers on July 1st, ready (we hope) for an intense learning and cultural experience. The academic side of the program is challenging, with students taking classes from our respected instructors in the morning, studying and preparing in the afternoons, and practice-teaching to classes of Ecuadorian students in the evenings. Somehow, though, they always seem to find the energy to dance some salsa at night? The program travel also takes them to Ecuador?s largest Inca ruins at Ingapirca, hiking in Cajas National Park and volunteer-teaching in the village of Jima. After the program our graduates are given preference when it comes time for hiring teachers in our English school that handles up to 800 students each term.
6. Race and Ethnicity in the Andes
Last-minute enrollments will still be accepted for this great anthropological program, but don?t wait! Apply now at http://www.cedei.org/cuenca/programs/race_ethnicity/ or call us at +1-877-2-CUENCA (toll free in the US and Canada). This program promises to be the most exciting we have offered in some time, taking in not only the three main geographical regions of Ecuador (coast, mountains and rainforest), - with all the biodiversity that implies - but also a significant percentage of the variety of ethnic groups that makes this country so interesting, including Cañaris, Saraguros, Otavaleños and Shuar. Don?t wait any longer ? sign up now!
7. Individual Students
Students of our individually oriented programs ? Full Immersion Spanish, Spanish Immersion Volunteer, and Internships ? continue to add a different flavor to the atmosphere here at CEDEI, coming as they do from all walks of life (from university administrators to design engineers) and all age groups. Enjoying the flexibility and independence these programs allow them, recent students have involved themselves in a number of different activities. Two volunteer program students completed a stint at the CEDEI Bilingual School, teaching English to children of pre-school age, while another student used her time with us to sharpen up her Spanish before heading to the jungle near Tena to work on a research project. On a slightly less worthy note, a group of students made their way to the local soccer stadium to cheer on current Ecuadorian champions Deportivo Cuenca as they trounced rivals Liga de Quito 4-0. Viva el campeón!
