Fall 2024: Ecuador: Development, Politics, and Languages

Cost & Scholarships

SIT Study Abroad is committed to ensuring that international education is within reach for all students. We believe in the transformative power of immersive, intercultural experiences and are dedicated to supporting students in their educational journey.

Our scholarship awards, ranging from $500 to $5,000 for semester programs and $500 to $3,000 for summer programs, reflect our dedication. This year, SIT will award nearly one million dollars in scholarships to SIT Study Abroad students. Applying for a scholarship is easy: simply express your interest in a scholarship when completing your admissions application and follow the provided instructions.

Tuition

The tuition fee covers the following program components:

Thematic seminar lectures and instruction Research Methods and Ethics course in preparation for the Independent Study Project
Intensive language instruction
All educational excursions
Independent study project advisement and placement
Emergency accident and illness insurance coverage while outside of the U.S. during the program period

Room & Board

The room and board fee covers the following program components:

All accommodations during the entire program period. This includes orientation, homestays or other accommodations while at the program base, on all excursions, during the independent study project, and during the final evaluation period. Accommodation is covered either by SIT Study Abroad directly, through a fixed stipend provided to each student, or through the homestay.
All meals for the entire program period. Meals are covered either by SIT Study Abroad directly, through a stipend, or through the homestay.

Additional Costs

Airfare to Program Site

Airline pricing can vary greatly due to the volatility of airline industry pricing, flight availability, and specific flexibility/restrictions on the type of ticket purchased. Students may choose to take advantage of frequent flyer or other airline awards available to them, which could significantly lower their travel costs.

Visas

Visa requirements are different for each country. You may be required to present paper documents directly to a foreign consulate in person prior to arrival.

Immunizations

You may be asked to show proof of certain vaccinations before traveling to regions with a high prevalence of some diseases. You can usually obtain this documentation from your primary healthcare provider.

Passports

SIT requires you to carry a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the end of your intended stay. For U.S. citizens, passport processing time may take up to six weeks.

Books & Supplies

The cost of books varies on each program and special supplies may be required. Please see your pre-departure document for details.

International Phone Service

As part of SIT’s commitment to student safety and security, all students are required to have a working cell phone capable of making and receiving both local and international calls, including a data plan so that your phone is operational when you are away from wi-fi. See the full policy.

Discretionary Expenses

Personal expenses during the program vary based on individual spending habits and budgets. While all meals and accommodations are covered in the room and board fee, incidentals, dietary habits, and personal transportation costs differ depending on the non-program-related interests, attributes, and pursuits of each student. While your tuition and room and board fees cover basic costs associated with the Independent Study Project, spending during this time is also highly dependent on student research topics and locations of interest. To learn more about personal budgeting, we recommend speaking with alumni who participated in a program in your region. See a full list of our alumni contacts. Free time to pursue non-program-related activities is limited.

Please Note: Fees and additional expenses are based on all known circumstances at the time of calculation. Due to the unique nature of our programs and the economics of host countries, SIT reserves the right to change its fees or additional expenses without notice.

In order to make study abroad more accessible, SIT’s partner colleges and universities may charge home school tuition fees for their students participating on an SIT Study Abroad program. If your institution has an agreement with SIT and charges fees different from those assessed by SIT, please contact your study abroad advisor for more details. The SIT published price is the cost to direct enroll in the SIT program. Tuition fees may vary for students based on your home college’s or university’s billing policies with SIT.