International Student Teaching Opportunities: Cuenca, Ecuador

Location:

Centros de Estudios Interamericanos (CEDEI) and CEDEI Elementary School Cuenca, Ecuador

Program Information:

Student teaching in Ecuador is an opportunity for students in Early Childhood Education to complete six weeks of directed teaching at CEDEI School in the Andes Mountains. A program agreement between Centros de Estudios Interamericanos (CEDEI) and the College of Education is set up so that ECE students can teach at the bi-lingual CEDEI Elementary School during six weeks, complete the workshop "An overview of the people and culture of Ecuador" (EDUINDP 490), and other courses at CEDEI as they choose.

Program Faculty Advisor:

Dr. Simone DeVore
Winther Hall, Room 3048
Tel. 262-472-5808
Email: devores@uww.edu

General Program Information

The Student Teaching in Ecuador program takes place during six weeks as part of the final fall semester for Early Childhood Education (ECE) majors. In the fall of 2009, students will travel to Cuenca on Saturday, October 10, and return on Sunday, November 22. Cohort members who are not travelling to Ecuador will participate in fund raising and service learning to support preschool programs in Ecuador.

Travel Arrangements:

We suggest that students travel to Cuenca as a group with other cohort members. They need to make their own travel arrangements. The roundtrip airfare from Chicago to Quito is between $700 and $800. Roundtrip airfare from Quito to Cuenca is around $100. Van Galder provides bus service to O’Hare.

Housing:

CEDEI arranges for home stays with host families. Two students will typically be placed together with a family. A student may choose to be placed alone if s/he wishes to improve Spanish conversation skills.

Cost and Payment Schedule:

• CEDEI Program cost (providing housing, meals, weekend excursions, CEDEI course fees): approximately $3000 dollars
• Cost of UWW course – this will be part of your registration load for fall of 2009 Travel (airfare and bus fare): approximately $900
• Mandatory health insurance: CISI Insurance $37 per month and 6 weeks is two months ($74). Students are billed for the CISI insurance on their student accounts.
• Passport application fee (a visa to Ecuador is not required since travel is under 90 days): $100
• Personal expenses (will vary depending on student)
• Obtaining a U.S. passport and the optional International Student ID card are the responsibility of the student teacher. The Office of International Education and Programs can assist student teachers with many of these items.

Information about Scholarships and Grant:

Participants in the Student Teaching in Ecuador program are financial-aid eligible. Students can pick up the application forms in the International Education & Programs Office. Then an appointment will need to take place with Financial Aid 262-472-1130 about the financial need.

For information about study abroad scholarships, the Wisconsin State Grant for Study Abroad, and for deadlines and applications procedures, please use the link below: http://www.uww.edu/international/studyabroad/funding/uww_schol.html

Student Teaching Placement and Supervision:

Students will student teach at CEDEI School in classrooms for ages 2 through 5th grades. As a group student teachers will develop unit plans that span across ages and abilities to address the curriculum needs of CEDEI as a bi-lingual and inclusive school. The director of CEDEI School will be the leading cooperating teacher along with classroom-based cooperating teachers. Additionally, a faculty member will travel to Cuenca during one week to observe students and consult with the cooperating teachers.

Readings and Information about Ecuador Culture and Education:

Some good books about Ecuador: The Panama Hat Canal
Links to UNESCO heritage site: UNESCO Heritage Sites Our Place
UNESCO Heritage Site Cuenca

Links to Centros de Estudios Interamericanos and CEDEI School

Forthcoming: Facebook group with information about Apprendamos Juntos Project with links to YouTube videos from Bill Johnson

Application Requirements and Recommended Steps for Prospective Program Participants

This program is open to students who are pursuing licensure in Early Childhood Education (dual licensure). Student Teaching in Ecuador takes place in the fall semester.

Please follow the requirements and due dates carefully as outlined in the following steps.

First step: Obtain a Student Teaching abroad Permission Form from the Office of Field Experiences, Winther Hall, Room 2036. Follow the instructions exactly as noted on the form! Due date for submission to the Office of Field Experiences (Winther Hall 2036 or 2038) is March 1*.
*Note: By February 15, students must notify the Office of Field Experiences (Tel. 472-1935 or Email: wegnerc@uww.edu) of their intent to student teach in Ecuador.

Second step: Apply for a U.S. Passport. A valid U.S. Passport is required in order to participate in this student teaching program. A visa is not required. U.S. Passport Application Information: http://www.uww.edu/international/studyabroad/passport.html

Third step: A criminal background check from Office of Field Experiences (WH 2038; 472-1123) may be required.

Fourth step: Purchase airline ticket.

Fifth step: Apply for scholarships and seek funding (eligible for financial aid).

Sixth step: Prepare your resume and letter of introduction for CEDEI School.

Seventh step: Assure proper registration for student teaching courses and workshop. Contact CEDEI School if you wish to register for courses such as Spanish. As needed, seek a transfer credit agreement from the College of Education Advising Center to have the courses apply to your baccalaureate degree.

Eighth step: Schedule a study abroad advising appointment with the program advisor and Kevin Spears, Assistant Director for Education Abroad, Office of International Education & Programs, Tel. 262-472-5759, Email: spearsk@uww.edu. Once students are registered for the program, they will receive an email for a group meeting about their orientation. They will be filling out a CISI insurance form and some authorization forms in the orientation meeting. At this time the office will be making sure students have in all their paperwork: Copy of their passport and their flight itinerary (best if submitted to the office before the orientation).

For more information about the application process, contact: Simone DeVore at devores@uww.edu or Cheryl Wegner at wegnerc@uww.edu.