FAQ

Questions relating

• Language Course
• Internship - Work Experience
• Accommodation
• Quito
• Organisational matters
• Flight

Questions relating to language course

• When does the language course start?
• What kind of courses do you offer?
• How long is a language course?
• Can anyone do a language course? - Are there courses for beginners?
• Which course is "best"?
• How old are our students and where do they come from?
• Can I enrol on a language course, without booking any accommodation?
• What is the application procedure, and is there an application deadline?
• Do I receive a certificate on completion of my course?

Questions relating to Internship - work experience

• In which subject areas can you offer to apply for a placement for me?
• How high are my chances for a placement and when should I apply?
• In which parts of Ecuador do you organise work experience placements?
• Can I do a work experience without a language course?
• Can I earn money during my internship/work experience?

Questions concerning accommodation

• Where will I live?
• Can I live together with my boy-/girl-friend at one host family?
• Do I get the host family's address and phone number?

Questions concerning Quito

• How can I move around Quito?
• Does Quito have Internet Cafes?
• What sporting activities does Quito offer?

Questions to organisational matters

• Will I need a visa?
• Will I need any vaccinations?
• What is the best means of payment in Ecuador?
• Can I arrange to extend my language course once I have started?
• What is the best way to phone home?
• Will I be picked up from the airport?
• What is Ecuador's official currency?

Questions concerning the Flight

• What should I consider when booking a flight?

Questions and Answers relating to the Language Course

When does the language course start?

Our courses begin on every Monday of the year, so that you can start whenever it suits you! On request, we may also be able to make exceptions to our already very flexible starting dates.

What kind of courses do you offer?

We offer individual- and group-classes (2-5 students), which can both be taken "normally" (4 hours/day) or "intensively" (6 hours/day). In addition, we offer individual classes, concentrating on, for example, "Legal Spanish", "Science Spanish" or "Business Spanish". You can talk to your teacher about the content of this specialised course to suit your very personal needs.

How long is a language course?

The minimum duration of a course is two weeks. The typical length chosen by past students is between 3-8 weeks, although longer stays are not uncommon.

Can anyone do a language course? Are there courses for beginners?

Yes, absolutely, anyone can enrol, provided that they want to learn or perfect their Spanish skills. Past students have included "total" beginners and professional translators. No prior knowledge of Spanish is needed.

Which course is "best"?

All our courses are optimally tailored to your level of Spanish. At the start of your course you will be tested, so that the teacher can place you in a suitable group or determine the best level to start your individual lessons from. You will thus be studying with students who are at the same level as you. Should you "drift" ahead or behind of the other students in your group, you can ask to be transferred to a different group at any time. You can choose your preferred starting level and speed of instruction, depending on how much time and effort you are prepared to put into "your" Spanish. Remember that you don't just learn Spanish in our School, but also at home with your host family or during leisure activities, shopping, etc. Our School thus allows you to choose your style of learning.

How old are our students and where do they come from?

Most of our students are aged between 18 and 35, but there is no upper age limit!!! You can learn a language at any age, as some of our "older" students have shown. Participants come from all over the world.

Can I enrol on a language course, without booking any accommodation?

Of course. In that case we would recalculate the price for your trip.

What is the application procedure, and is there an application deadline?

There is no application deadline. You can complete an application form anytime and simply send it to us.

Do I receive a certificate on completion of my course?

After completion of your classes, you will receive a certificate.

Questions and Answers relating to internships - work Experience

In which subject areas can you offer to apply for a placement for me?

We can try to apply for work experiences for you in all subject areas.

How high are my chances for a placement and when should I apply?

We have good contacts to many firms and institutions in Ecuador. We have a high success rate at finding work experience placements. Ideally, you would apply 2-4 months before you would like to begin your work experience.

In which parts of Ecuador do you organise work experience placements?

In principle, we deal with the whole of Ecuador (Quito, coastal areas, rainforest, Galapagos,…).

Can I do a work experience without a language course?

Yes, provided you possess adequate knowledge of Spanish for the work experience you would like to do.

Can I earn money during my work experience?

Normally you will not earn money during your work experiences. Exceptions have occurred though.

Questions and Answers concerning accommodation

Where will I live?

Most our students stay with selected host families, where they have a single room with bathroom, laundry service and half- or full board. In addition, host families provide an excellent opportunity to practice and improve your Spanish. On request, we can also arrange a hotel-stay for you.

Can I live together with my boy-/girl-friend at one host family?

This too can be arranged. Just make sure that you put a note on your application form, indicating your wishes.

Do I get the host family's address and phone number?

Yes, shortly before your departure to Ecuador we will inform you of your address and phone number in Ecuador.

Questions and Answers concerning Quito

How can I move around Quito?

Quito's public transport is very cheap, a single ticket costing, irrespective of the distance travelled, 0.25US $. A taxi ride from your host family to the city centre won't cost you more than 1-3 US $.

Does Quito have Internet Cafes?

Quito has numerous and cheap Internet cafes, so that you easily can surf the Internet and keep in contact with your friends and family back home via e-mail.

What sporting activities does Quito offer?

In Quito you can play tennis, football, volleyball, basketball, golf, you can go ice scating, cycling, etc. In this respect, Quito is a typical large city.

Questions and Answers to organisational matters

Will I need a visa?

American and canadien nationals will not need visas for visits up to 90 days. Visit extensions for a further 90 days can be obtained through the local immigration authorities. The Embassy of Ecuador in Washington can be contacted for further information.

Will I need any vaccinations?

It is best to check with your doctor. Bear in mind that Ecuador is a very diverse country with high mountains, tropical rainforests, etc. An official yellow fever vaccination certificate may be required if you are coming from an infected area. Take this into account if you are including a stay at our language school as part of a round-the-world trip. Check with the Embassy of Ecuador well in advance of your departure.

What is the best means of payment in Ecuador?

It is most convenient to use cash (US $) in most shops. Debit and credit cards can be easily used to withdraw money from cash machines. Traveller's cheques are also useful, but check with your bank on the exact charges of the various methods of payment.

Can I arrange to extend my language course once I have started?

Of course, just inform your teacher for how much longer you would like to take lessons and the school will try to arrange it for you.

What is the best way to phone home?

Calling Europe from America is quite expensive (1US $ per minute). It is thus worthwhile to ask friends and family to call you, but note the large price difference between BT (usually well over £1) and low cost providers (< £0.20).
An alternative is to call from Ecuador over the Internet (0.25 US $ per minute), but note that the quality of the reception is a bit lower.

Will I be picked up from the airport?

The language school will arrange for you to be picked up from the airport and taken to your host family.

What is Ecuador's official currency?

It is the US $.

Questions and Answers Concerning the Flight

What should I consider when booking a flight?

Book early. High demand during the summer months means that most cheap seats may have been sold well in advance. In general, the earlier you book the cheaper your flight.

Disclaimer: Academia Kolumbus UK tries to make the information on this web site as accurate as possible, but it accepts no responsibility for any loss, injury or inconvenience sustained by anyone resulting from this information. You should verify critical information (like visas, health and safety, customs, and transportation) with the relevant authorities before you travel. .