Blair Academy is pleased to announce Blair Summer School in Ecuador. From June 18-July 19, Blair students will have the opportunity to study and live high in the Andes in the Republic of Ecuador. We begin the program with three nights in the capital city of Quito, a United Nations World Cultural Heritage site. From Quito, we will travel to the market town of Otavalo, stopping on the equator en route. We will then journey to the Amazon basin, where we will spend three nights in a remote jungle lodge. Following our stay in the rain forest, we will return to the Andes, spending two more days in the northern part of the country before driving to yet another United Nations World Cultural Heritage site, Cuenca. This will be our home for the next three weeks. While in this colonial gem, the students will reside with Ecuadorian families and attend Spanish language classes at the Centro de Estudios Interamericanos (CEDEI) in Cuenca.

Who May Apply?
All Blair Academy students whose academic and social records are in good standing may apply to participate in Blair Summer School in Ecuador. While we expect that advanced Spanish students will be attracted to this program, they are certainly not the only target group. A basic premise of the Blair Academy Foreign Language Department is that every one of our students can learn to speak a foreign language. Often the students who have difficulties in the traditional language classroom benefit the most from an immersion program such as this. Using the Spanish in context on a daily basis with a host family gives a relevancy that the classroom cannot match.

Program Goals
Blair Summer School in Ecuador has two major goals. The first is to improve the students’ proficiency in Spanish. The second is to increase their cross-cultural sensitivity regarding daily life in Latin America. Depending on a student’s focus, 1.5 credits may be awarded as either Andean Culture or Spanish Language Immersion. It is remarkable how much more interest in language and cross-cultural studies most alumni of programs such as this possess when they return from South America. They understand the value of foreign language acquisition.

Additional Location and Program Details
Cuenca, a city of 300,000 that was established by the Spaniards in 1557, is an ideal setting for our program. The city’s center retains much of its colonial architecture and resulting charm. It lies on the Pan American Highway at an altitude of 8,500 feet. Due to Cuenca's close proximity to the equator and high elevation, the region enjoys a temperate climate with average temperatures of 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

The students experience life in Ecuador on an intimate basis. During our time in Cuenca they attend three hours of Spanish language class and 45 minutes of Latin American studies every morning, returning to their families’ homes for the traditional midday meal. After lunch, they come back to CEDEI for an afternoon cultural program, including service work in local schools and orphanages. In the evenings, the students spend time with their families. We also will spend a weekend in the rural village of Principal, where the students will see another aspect of Ecuadorian life.

More About the Director - Donald Morley, head of blair foreign language department
It is a great pleasure for me to serve as the director of Blair Summer School in Ecuador. I chaired the Foreign Language Department for many years before stepping down from that position to enjoy a sabbatical year in 1993. At my previous school, I directed a very similar program for eight summers. In addition, I lived in Ecuador for two years as Peace Corps Volunteer. Please contact me at Blair (908) 362-2006 or via e-mail at blairinecuador@blair.edu, if you have any questions about this opportunity. I also encourage you to discuss this course with your child’s Spanish teacher as well.

Program Costs
The total cost of the language program, including tuition, all ground transportation, hotels, and room and board in Cuenca, is $3690. Please note: International airfare and the cost of the optional program are NOT included in this price. Built into this price is a 3% fee for a contribution to the service learning projects. If this extra hundred dollar fee presents a difficulty for you, please advise me and we will be able to subtract that charge from your total cost. In 2006, I obtained round-trip tickets from New York to Ecuador for $750. We should know what this summer’s air costs will be by February.

All interested students should turn in a deposit of $1000 by February 28. All deposits for land costs will be fully refundable before March 27. Preference will be given to the first 15 students who turn in deposits. The costs of the airfare (estimated at $800) will be due March 27. The balance of $2,690 will be due on May 15. Please make all checks payable to Blair Academy and mail them to me (Donald Morley)’s attention at the school’s address.