Ecuadorian Amazon and the Andes: Sustaining Indigenous Livelihoods

May 10-26 and June 14-16 (Class Dates held on Zoom)

May 27-June 5 (9 full days in Ecuador)

In this program, students will learn about the struggles of Indigenous peoples in many different locations across the globe, with a focus on two Indigenous groups who live in the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Kichwa and the Waorani. We will also examine several ways in which Indigenous peoples are organizing themselves to improve their own lives and to maintain the aspects of their cultures that are most important to them. This typically means both finding ways to earn money while living in relatively remote locations, and building relationships with international allies who can help them when their territories are threatened by mining, petroleum extraction, or industrial agriculture.

Class meetings will take place on Zoom both before and after the trip to Ecuador, allowing us to take full advantage of the 9 days we spend in Ecuador to engage in hands-on activities and excursions. We will observe and participate in many culturally distinct, small businesses that Indigenous people have developed to earn income while maintaining their way of life, such as different forms of educational tourism (which can cover topics such as Indigenous health practices, Indigenous ecological knowledge, and Indigenous music), and the production of local products for sale (such as unique chocolate flavors, a local tea called wayusa, and traditional pottery). During the final day and a half of the trip, we will visit an Andean city with an extremely successful Indigenous market where they sell weavings, leather products, locally produced clothing, and a wide range of souvenirs. We will then compare the experiences of these small Andean businesses and craftspeople with the ones we visited in the Amazon.

LOCATION DESCRIPTION

The Ecuadorian Amazon (known as the “Upper Amazon”) is one of the most biodiverse regions in the world, as its location between the Andes and lower Amazon provides unique habitats for many endemic species. It is also home to many Indigenous groups, and we will be staying with two of them: the Amazonian Kichwa and the Waorani. This part of the Amazon has an excellent climate, not unlike Miami in October during the day, with cooler evenings.

Ecuador is also a compact country – it is possible to travel from the capital, Quito, up over the Andean paramo region, down through the cloud forest, and to the Iyarina Field School (our home base for most of the trip) in less than 5 hours. On Day 4, we will travel by motorized canoe to Comunidad Geyepare, in Waorani territory, far from roads, which will enable us to see a greater variety of birds and wildlife than one typically sees in the more densely populated parts of the country. Our final destination, Otavalo, is located in a beautiful valley, with views of the snow-capped mountains that surround it.

Ecuador is a convenient place to visit because it is only a 4-hour flight from Miami. They use US dollars as their only national currency. Finally, they use the same electrical outlets and voltages as we do in the United States, so you do not need to bring converters or worry about the safety of your electronic devices.

HOUSING

Both Iyarina and Geyepare are field schools, where ecologists, anthropologists, and other scholars from North America and Europe go to conduct a variety of research projects. Both also host multiple student groups from the United States each year. They are very safe; students commonly leave laptops and tablets lying around in common areas with no fear of theft. Meals are served “family style,” and include a variety of Latin American and US fare. Food allergies and other diet restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice. Shared rooms include comfortable beds and private bathrooms, with hot running water in the showers.

We will spend the final night (Friday, June 4) in an upscale hostel in Otavalo.

SEMESTER

Summer A

DATES

May 10-June 16 for the two classes, with May 27-June 5 spent in Ecuador

COURSES & CREDITS (Students register for a total of 6 credits):

• ANT 4476 - Indigenous People Today in Global Perspective (3 undergraduate credits), cross-listed with GEO 5415 Topics in Social Geography (3 graduate credits)
• ANT 4930 - Topics in Anthropology (The Amazon) (3 undergraduate credits), cross listed with SYD 6901 Special Topics in Sociology (3 graduate credits) 

PROGRAM COST

The cost of the 9-day program in Ecuador is $999 and includes housing, three meals a day, cultural activities, private transportation for all excursions, and health insurance for the duration of the program. This cost does not include the cost of meals on the first day of travel (Thursday, May 27) or dinner on the final day (Saturday, June 5); a non-refundable Study Abroad Fee ($195); FIU tuition for 6 academic credits; or international airfare (which typically costs about $450).

Payment Dates

Salamanca, Spain Program fee - $999.00 (see table for deadlines)

Cancellation and/or Refund Policy

$300 deposit is non-refundable

$195 OEA fee is non-refundable

For cancellation policy of FIU tuition and fees, please click here.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Moderate. Our time in Ecuador will involve some moderate hiking in the forest. Swimming is optional.

APPLICATION THROUGH THE OFFICE OF STUDY ABROAD

Office of Study Abroad Online Application

Apply here ->

Deadline March 1, 2027

Non-FIU students must apply to FIU as a Non-Degree seeking student as well.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• OEA Scholarship
• Destiny Lawson Study Abroad Endowment Scholarship
• Gilman Scholarship Program
• Fund for Education Abroad
• Rupert L. Lyn Capstone Scholarship - Open to Global Learning Medallion students only

There are additional scholarships available to students, such as National Prestigious Scholarships, and country and discipline-specific national scholarships. We highly encourage students to apply to as many scholarships as they qualify for. Learn about additional scholarships at Funding - Scholarships.

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Juliet S. Erazo  
Faculty Co-Director, Ecuadorian Amazon and the Andes: Sustaining Indigenous Livelihoods
jerazo@fiu.edu

Andrea Sanchez-Castañeda  
Faculty Co-Director, Ecuadorian Amazon and the Andes: Sustaining Indigenous Livelihoods and Interim Director, Global Indigenous Forum
paosanch@fiu.edu

Scholarships available. Contact the FIU Office of Study Abroad for more information:
Email: edabroad@fiu.edu    Phone#: 305-348-1913

Note: FIU is not responsible for delays, changes in itinerary, changes in the content and cost of the program or other matters that are beyond their control.