East Tennessee State University
Summer 2016 Ecuador Study Abroad Courses
Tropical Botany in Ecuador: BIOL 4377/5377
Dr. Tim McDowell, Instructor
Department of Biological Sciences
Language & Culture in Ecuador: SPAN 4377/5377
Dr. Jerome Mwinyelle, Instructor
Department of Literature & Language
Study Abroad in Ecuador Information
General Information:
Tropical Botany and Language & Culture in Ecuador are ETSU Summer Session I Study Abroad courses. They are
each three credit hour courses and run from June 6-July 8, 2016. These courses are open to ETSU Undergraduates
and Graduate students and to students at other Tennessee Board of Regents Colleges. Students from other
universities and colleges are also welcome to apply and can receive in-state tuition rates for these summer courses.
Enrollment in these courses is limited to fifteen students per course, and a maximum of twenty students in total.
Priority for permits will be given to students enrolling in both Botany and Spanish courses, but students taking a single
course will be admitted as space is available.
A slide show presenting course information is (or will soon be) available on-line at:
http://www.etsu.edu/honors/international/abroad/summer/facultyled.aspx
Course Format:
These courses will spend thirty days in Ecuador, with orientation and follow up classes at ETSU before our departure
and after our return. The courses will be conducted with faculty and students at four universities across Ecuador. Field
study will be conducted at botanical sites through a broad range of habitats - rain forest, high Andean "paramo",
deserts, mangroves, cloud forests, coastal lowlands and the central highlands. The courses will also include visits to
cities and towns including Quito, Cuenca, Guayaquil, Guaranda, Octavalo, Tena and Machala. Lodging will generally
be in hotel rooms, double occupancy, and meals will normally be taken in restaurants. Transportation will be by
chartered tour bus. Course syllabi with the trip itinerary and additional information are available from Dr. McDowell
(Tropical Botany - mcdowelt@etsu.edu) and Dr. Mwinyelle (Language & Culture in Ecuador - mwinyell@etsu.edu).
Course Expenses:
Students taking these courses must register for the summer semester 2014 and pay ETSU tuition and fees for the
appropriate number of credit hours (3 hours per course). In addition, they must pay a special fee for Travel Expenses.
The Travel Expenses Fee will be $2,400 plus round-trip airfare from Johnson City to Quito Ecuador. (The roundtrip
airfare is currently $1000). The Travel Expenses Fee covers all travel, lodging and meals in Ecuador, and entrance
fees for course activities. Course materials will also be provided. A deposit of $1000 will be due March 15 to cover the
purchase of the airline tickets, which will be done for the entire group by the instructors. Full payment is required at
least two weeks prior to the start of the course.
Financial Aid Information:
ETSU Undergraduate students may receive scholarships of up to $2,500 each to support their participation in these
courses if they apply before the deadline. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of demonstrated interest,
course relevance to student’s program of study, and students’ academic record. Applicants should have a minimum
2.75 GPA. Students are encouraged to meet with the course instructors prior to preparing their scholarship
applications. Students with a GPA of at least 3.25 (undergraduate) or 3.5 (graduate) may compete for a full
scholarship that covers the entire cost of the trip. Scholarship details are posted on the ETSU International
Programs web site: http://www.etsu.edu/honors/international/abroad/scholarships/education.aspx
These Study Abroad scholarships are administered by the ETSU Office of Financial Aid (contact Amy Collins, 105
Dossett Hall; 439-4300; collinsa@etsu.edu). Scholarships will be made available to students before course departs for
Ecuador. Additional information on ETSU Study Abroad courses is available from International Programs and
Services, 122 Yoakley Hall (interntl@etsu.edu or 439-7737)
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Ecuador Summer Courses 2016 Application
I am applying for (select one or both):
Tropical Botany in Ecuador
Language & Culture in Ecuador
I. General Information (to be completed by all applicants)
Name:
SS#:
Date of Birth:
Present Street Address:
.
City:
State:
Zip:
Telephone Number with Area Code:
cell phone:
E-Mail:
Permanent Street Address:
.
City:
State:
Current Status: Freshman
Sophomore
Major:
Zip:
Junior
Minor (if declared) ________________
Credits Completed to Date:
Credits in Progress:
Grade Point Average:
Activities, positions, honors while in college:
If you are presently receiving financial aid, complete the following:
Source-Amount/Year
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Senior
II. Background and Interest in Biology and Spanish
A. (Biology) Complete if applying for Tropical Botany course
College level Biology courses taken:
Course Name
Year
Grade
College-Univ.
Describe briefly your present knowledge of basic botany (such as plant morphology and
reproduction).
Describe your interest in taking "Tropical Botany in Ecuador".
This course will involve extended periods in the field in natural areas. Classes will involve
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walking or standing for hours daily. Some field sites are at high elevations (8,000-15,000
feet) and terrain may be hilly and uneven. Do you anticipate that you will be comfortable
with these sorts of physical conditions? Note if you have special needs with regard to
these field activities.
B. All students must complete this section:
Spanish Language courses taken (including High School):
Course Name
Year
Grade
School-College-Univ.
Please describe your skill level in Spanish:
Reading:
Speaking:
Listening Comprehension:
Describe how this/these course(s) will benefit you in terms of your education and career
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opportunities.
Have you traveled outside the United States? If yes, where?
Do you have a valid Passport? If yes, what is your passport number and date of expiration?
(This is required for travel to Ecuador. Allow several months for getting a new passport.)
Are you a U.S. citizen? If not, what is your nationality?
III. Signature of Applicant (you may email now and sign later)
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Date