Student Life
Quito is a vibrant setting for BCA students. The university offers a balance of strong academics and social activities. You will live with a host family and interact with professors and Ecuadorian students at the university. Many BCA students also participate in internships and/or volunteer at a local organization. The BCA Quito director helps arrange these experiences for students.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- orphanages
- day care centers
- schools for disabled children
- teaching English as a second language in local schools
- working in a variety of non-profit organizations
Your Home at the “Middle of the World”
Whether it is life with your Ecua-family, the great cultural opportunities all around you, your volunteer work, local youth groups or just hanging out with Ecuadorian classmates or fellow BCAers, Quito quickly becomes “home.” And just as you felt after leaving your United States home for the first time, you will feel homesick after leaving Ecuador.
Student Video from Quito, Spring 09
Housing and Meals
On the third day of your stay in Quito, you will move into the home of your host family. Host families range from middle to upper-middle class, with different resources available. While all families provide breakfast and dinner, a private room and laundry services, some also have Internet in the house or even a maid who does the cooking and cleaning. You will receive a lunch allowance each month, since you will not normally be home at that time. Some students perfer to make their own box lunch or purchase food at the many eateries in or near the university.
Computer Access
Although Internet access is not guaranteed in host families' homes, many of the families do have personal computers. BCA students have access to all of the university's computer labs. There are also many inexpensive cyber cafes located throughout the city.
Local Transportation
In Quito, public transportation is inexpensive and reliable. Passes are not available, so you'll pay the fare with coins each time you ride the bus. At night, students are advised to take taxis and travel in groups whenever possible. A taxi allowance is provided to each student.
Sports Facilities
Students have access to the numerous sports activities at the university, including soccer, fencing, mountain climbing, hiking, aerobics, yoga, tae kwon do, basketball, volleyball, track, and tai chi. You may also take advantage of the public parks that are open for jogging and playing basketball, soccer and Ultimate Frisbee. There are many gyms throughout the city and students can easily become members.
BCA Educational Excursions
- Each semester, students go to the Galapagos Islands for four days. This trip to one of our world’s natural wonders has consistently been a favorite among students. See the amazing wildlife of the islands, including sea-lions, iguanas, tortoises, penguins, sharks, and more. Learn about the islands' natural and cultural history and
meet the people who live there. - Full year students travel to Cusco and Machu Picchu in Peru during their second semester.
- Each semester the resident director plans special day trips, which in the past have included a night tour of the historical center, a day in the cloud forest, and a hike around a volcanic lake. At the end of each semester, there is a dinner in Papallacta Hot Springs, which is located high in the Andes.