Ecuador (J-Term)
ECUADOR: A BIO-CULTURAL JOURNEY ON THE EQUATOR
Program Dates: Program will run approximately 5-26 January 2027.
Click here to follow along through their current blog and read about past trips!
Academic Focus: On this 17-day January-term trip, we will explore the biological and cultural diversity of Ecuador, from the heights of the Andes to the complex richness of the rainforest. With 14 different indigenous cultures and more than 23,000 identified species, ECUADOR is delightfully overwhelming. This trip allows you the chance:
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to experience the high elevation systems of the Andes with explorations in Cotapaxi National Park,
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to explore the upper Amazon with a three-day stay at a remote ecological field station and the lower Amazon with a three-day stay at a river lodge,
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to culturally connect in a homestay with an indigenous community,
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to conduct a research project examining the human impact on biodiversity or human perspectives on climate change,
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to give back by working on a two-day volunteer project benefiting an environmental organization,
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to see many new species including hundreds of birds, moths, primates, frogs, reptiles, pink river dolphins, trees, flowering plants, fish and others,
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to practice nature journaling to enhance observation skills, reduce stress, and strengthen connections to the natural world, to step outside your comfort zone and gain a deeper sense of who you are and what it means to be human in this complex and rich planet we inhabit
Faculty Leader: Renee Godard (rgodard@hollins.edu)
Application Information
Trip Application deadline: March 15, 2026
Notification of application status: April 1, 2026
Trip Fee: Approximately $3,000 (Does not include international flight cost to/from Ecuador).
Funding Opportunities: Hollins provides the opportunity for experiential learning scholarships for students with demonstrated financial need. These scholarships are not guaranteed and require a student be admitted into a program and complete the scholarship application process. Click here to visit the Hollins Experiential Learning Funding Opportunities landing page on Hollins' SharePoint site, where you'll find detailed information about eligibility, application timelines, and more. Still have questions about scholarships? Reach out directly to elapps@hollins.edu.
Eligibility: Open to all students. Student must be in good academic standing and have a minimum 2.5 GPA at time of application (and maintain that GPA minimum semester before program). Limited slots available.
*Because of the location and the nature of our activities, it is critical that the students that participate in this J-term course are prepared physically, emotionally, and mentally for the experience. You will need to be:
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Able to walk at least 5 miles under challenging (mud & rain) conditions (speed is less important than endurance and adaptability;
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Able to live in close quarters with fewer amenities (the field station lacks electricity, several locations lack hot water, indigenous community stays offer few amenities – we live with the community – can you deal with this);
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Open to different cultures and foods – the people in Ecuador are among the most generous and kind I have ever met – but your diet will not offer the choices Americans are accustomed to and the language of Ecuador is Spanish;
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Able to put the needs of the group above your own personal needs (a team player) – we function as a team in Ecuador spending 24/7 as a family (in 2023 we called ourselves Family Colibri), are you a team player or do you get super self focused?;
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Adaptable – Ecuador is a developing country and things don’t always go as planned – are you someone that can go with the flow?;
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Curious – there is so so much to learn on this trip – are you excited about expanding your understanding of the world and of yourself?