Quito, Otangachi and Otonga, Ecuador

March 23-April 1, 2024

In Ecuador, you will work with Marianist biologist, Brother Giovanni Onore. Learn about the local history, culture, climate, government and topography. See both the city life of Quito and the rural life in the cloud forests in the Otonga Nature Preserve, learning with the local, indigenous community. Grow in understanding of the local culture and the joys and struggles of maintaining a viable natural environment for the planet and its inhabitants. This year’s Ecuador BreakOut occurs during Holy Week and the Easter Triduum. Students will participate in some of the religious ceremonies of this most holy season. Some knowledge of Spanish is helpful for this BreakOut.

Applications are due by January 15, 2024. 

BreakOut trips from the Center for Social Concern provide a greater sense of global solidarity and understanding in the hearts, minds, and actions of all participants. Students grow individually and as a group in faith-sharing, reflection, service and learning. 

These trips are big commitment of time, energy and resources, but the reward is priceless. Please talk over the commitment with your family before applying. 

Important Details

This trip will fill on a first come-first serve basis. If it is full, you can still apply and be put on a waiting list.

Costs

• $1400 program fee (includes ground transportation, lodging and most food)
• flights (with costs changing constantly, we won't know how much this will be until closer to the trip)
• $100 fee from UD Global and International Affairs Center covers health and safety oversight including:
  
  • UD International Assessment Team
  • A top-rated medical and security support provider, available 24/7
  • Access to country intelligence through a risk management firm for all travelers
  • Mandatory pre-departure orientations
  • Emergency Response protocols
  • Emergency contact numbers, answered 24/7
• med prep, including required and recommended vaccinations  ($50-$100)
• passport ($130-$195, if you need one)
• spending money

Some funds have been set aside for partial scholarships based on need (contact Mary Niebler for scholarship requests). 

There will be a $300 deposit due at time of acceptance and commitment to the program. Deposits will be charged through Studio Abroad. Full payment for BreakOut trip is due January 30. All final payments for the trip will be processed through your student account according to the billing cycles. If you receive a grant from the Center for Social Concern or another campus entity, that will show up as a credit on your account. If payment is not received by then or we haven’t discussed a payment plan, your space on the trip will be given to the next person on the waiting list. 

A student who cancels after committing to the trip/flight purchases will be responsible for the cost ensued. Students will receive a flight voucher for canceled flights in their name.  

Groups or individuals are encouraged to fundraise to reduce the cost. 

learning

Participants must attend weekly preparation meetings with the group. This is a major commitment. You must be willing to commit your time and energy to this effort or you will lose your place on the trip. The purposes of the meetings are to build group comradery, to grow together in faith sharing, and to become prepared to enter into your cross-cultural experience.

As part of your international immersion experience, you will be registered in an Experiential Learning Course (EXP). This is a free, non-credit bearing course which is the Breakout experience itself. It will show up on your official transcript that you participated in this immersion experience as a measure of your further involvement and learning at the University of Dayton.

If you would like more information about this or any other BreakOut trips or Summer Immersions, contact Mary Niebler. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Will a COVID-19 vaccine be required?

We follow the vaccination requirements of the University. Currently, there are no requirements, but it is strongly recommended. For more information, please contact Mary Niebler.

How do we travel?

International BreakOut groups will travel together to and from their destination, starting from UD. We ask that all students be back on campus the night before your departure (unless you are local and can meet in the morning or at the airport). We will arrange for housing for all students. Those who live in UD houses or Garden Apartments can generally get extended stay for that period and we will help the others have a place to stay. Students will receive instructions on this through their orientation.

It is important that our groups fly in together. There are occasional exceptions to this, which will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Campus Ministry will provide rides from campus to the airport and pick the group up upon their return.

Who is in charge?

All of our International BreakOut groups are led by at least one staff or faculty member, and oftentimes two. We incorporate student leadership as well. The staff or faculty person is trained in emergency protocol and is there to work through emotional, spiritual, and physical struggles with the students. They will also provide valuable reflection and processing of the experience with the group.

Our trips are also hosted by in-country organizations, who serve as transportation, guides, local experts and general hospitality. Over the years, we have built long-standing, trusted relationships with these organizations and individuals.

We do view all students over the age of 18 as adults. Therefore, they are responsible for signing release forms and waivers for these trips. We strongly encourage students to share all information they are learning with their families.

What if I cannot afford the whole cost of the trip?

It is our goal that these experiences are open to all students, regardless of financial circumstances. We will work with you in a variety of ways to make this trip a possibility. We greatly encourage students to fundraise. Also, there are few grants available for these experiences. Finally, we can set up a payment plan or a reduced price to make it work.

What happens if there is an emergency?

We partner closely with the University of Dayton's Global and Intercultural Affairs Center on our emergency protocol. We have an international emergency team, which assembles to determine the best course of action in the case of either an individual or group emergency.

Our group leaders are trained in our protocol and we receive great assistance from our local hosts.

Emergencies don't happen often, but we are prepared. We are members of International SOS, and all traveling with our group will received their services.

Our leaders and campus offices have students' emergency contact information and will notify those contacts if deemed necessary.

What is International SOS?

International SOS is a worldwide emergency medical and travel assistance company. The University of Dayton holds a membership and groups and individuals traveling with us are covered under their services. They are not an insurance company, but provide a variety of medical and travel advice, both prior to and during travel; they are a phone call away during emergencies, whether we need advice on where to seek medical attention, or we need to evacuate a group due to an environmental disaster.

Please visit their website at www.internationalsos.com for more information. The University of Dayton's member ID is 11BYSG000008.

Who should my parents or I contact if we have a question?

You or your parents may contact Mary Niebler, Coordinator of Cross-cultural Immersions in Campus Ministry's Center for Social Concerns with any questions.