Galápagos Islands Direct Enrollment - GAIAS

Program Overview

There's a reason why some of the world's most famous scientists have visited the Galápagos Islands—now it's your turn to discover one of the world's most beautiful and biologically-diverse island locations. It's here that you will get hands-on experience studying topics such as Biology, Ecology, Environmental Studies, Marine Ecology, and Sociology.

This direct enrollment program is organized through the Galápagos Academic Institute for the Arts and Sciences (GAIAS), a remote campus of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) located on the island of San Cristobal. Before you head to the Galápagos, the program will begin with a month in Quito, where you participate in an orientation, classes at USFQ, and field study excursions. The remaining months are spent on San Cristobal in the Galápagos Islands, although additional field study excursions allow you to spend time in other locations, as determined by your chosen track: Evolution, Ecology and Conservation; Marine Ecology; or People, Politics, and the Environment.

The Galápagos Islands and Quito will be your classroom. Witness the famous land iguanas and giant tortoises as you study the evolution of these unique species. Visit indigenous and traditional Andean communities to better understand the relationship between humans and their environment. Dive into the Pacific to get close to the marine life you will be learning about. Welcome to study abroad!

Visit www.IESabroad.org for complete program details.

Why the Galápagos Islands?

The Galápagos Islands hold endless wonders of natural beauty. Imagine stepping foot onto this mysterious dark land knowing it's an estimated 3.5 million years old. Yes, million. This environmental haven awaits you 600 miles off the coast of Ecuador—complete with sea lions, iguanas, and tortoises galore waiting to welcome you.

Student Life

We strive to make sure you feel safe, cared for, and at home while you’re away from home. Whether it’s the orientation program that makes you feel prepared, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, the cultural events that make it easy and fun to meet other international and local students, or the field trips and walking tours that take you to places tourists don’t usually see—we’re all about our student service. Learn more about the day-to-day studying abroad on this program. From field trips to housing, it’s all on IES Abroad’s website.

Scholarships & Aid

IES Abroad firmly believes that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from participating in an IES Abroad program. That's why we commit $5 million in study abroad scholarships and aid, all offered through one quick and easy application. Check out all of our scholarship options at www.IESabroad.org/aid.

Aid Application Deadlines:
Summer – April 1
Fall/Academic Year – May 1
Spring/Calendar Year – November 1

The IES Abroad Difference

We can say that our academic standards are completely unmatched, our partnerships with more than 500 global universities and colleges speak to the quality of our programs, and our health and safety practices have set the standards for the entire field of study abroad. And all of that would be true…. But what really sets us apart is our commitment to you. As a not-for-profit study abroad and internship provider, you are our bottom line. Your success is our success. And in today’s world, that’s a pretty extraordinary thing.

• 135+ Award-Winning Study Abroad and Internship Programs
• 33 Global Locations
• Advising & Student Support from predeparture to after you return home
• Strong Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
• $5+ Million in Aid and Scholarships
• Passionate, Mission-Focused Staff and Faculty from our headquarters in Chicago to our Centers around the world
• 70 Years of Experience

About IES Abroad

Founded in 1950, IES Abroad is a not-for-profit academic consortium of more than 260 top-tier American colleges and universities, with more than 240 additional partner universities worldwide. IES Abroad provides premier study abroad and internship programs around the world through IES Abroad, IES Internships, IES Abroad Customized & Faculty-Led Programs, and The Study Abroad Foundation. With more than 400 study abroad programs in 85 locations worldwide, the organization creates authentic global education opportunities for thousands of students annually. IES Abroad has nearly 140,000 alumni who have benefited from studying in IES Abroad programs since its inception. Discover more about what we offer with all of our programs.