Ecuador: Student Leadership and Nutrition

Guided activities and reflections focused on mindfulness, leadership, community, and personal well-being will encourage students to consider how lessons learned in Ecuador could be applied to their own lives and to communities in the Charlotte area. Students will gather observations and information during these visits and present their findings at the conclusion of the program. 

Students will travel through Quito, the Quilotoa region, Mindo, and Otavalo while learning about Ecuador’s geographic, ecological, and cultural diversity. Experiences in the Andes and Cloud Forest will allow students to examine how altitude, climate, agriculture, local traditions, and access to natural resources influence food systems and daily life. A culinary learning experience with a 2026 Michelin-recognized culinary professional will introduce students to efforts to preserve, develop, and promote nutritious Indigenous cuisine.

Program Highlights

• Explore nutrition and healthy-lifestyle principles commonly associated with Blue Zones around the world.
• Examine the relationships among food, physical movement, nature, community, mindfulness, and overall well-being.
• Explore Quito and learn about life, culture, food access, and community health in Ecuador’s capital city.
• Visit Cotopaxi National Park and consider the relationship between physical activity, nature, and personal well-being.
• Experience the Quilotoa lake and lagoon region.
• Explore the biodiversity and natural environment of the Mindo Cloud Forest.
• Visit Otavalo and communities throughout Imbabura Province.
• Compare food quality, availability, cost, and access in urban and rural communities.
• Visit local markets and learn about traditional ingredients, regional produce, and community food systems.
• Visit farms and examine Indigenous agricultural practices.
• Learn about medicinal plants and their cultural significance.
• Explore traditional Ecuadorian cooking methods and nutritious Indigenous ingredients.
• Participate in a culinary learning experience with a 2026 Michelin-recognized culinary professional.
• Examine how Indigenous knowledge and culinary traditions contribute to nutrition, cultural preservation, and community identity.
• Complete guided mindfulness and leadership activities.
• Reflect on how lessons learned in Ecuador could be applied within the Charlotte community.
• Prepare and deliver a final presentation comparing observations from the markets, farms, and communities visited during the program.
• Experience Ecuadorian history, food, landscapes, traditions, and daily life. 

Travel Dates

• Spring Break: March 5–18, 2027 
• Program length: 14 days

Program Locations

• Quito, Ecuador
• Quilotoa region, Ecuador
• Mindo, Ecuador
• Otavalo and Imbabura Province, Ecuador
• Cotopaxi National Park

Additional rural and community-based site visits may be included in the final itinerary. 

Program Eligibility

• Central Piedmont curriculum students with a minimum 2.0 GPA.
• This program requires in-person interviews after completed applications are reviewed.  
• Participants should be prepared for walking, outdoor activities, changes in elevation, and travel between urban and rural locations. 

Academics

All participating students must enroll in:

• TVL 7880: Cultural Immersion (Continuing Education course)
• Specific section TBD 

Program Leaders

• Alisson Garcia – Assistant Director, Center for Global Engagement  
• Second leader TBD 

Money Matters

Billable Costs

Estimated billable program costs: $3800 per student. Billable costs are paid to the Center for Global Engagement at the college’s cashier’s office. Billable program costs include:

• Application fee
• Airfare and local transportation
• Lodging
• Some meals
• Academic and professional site visits
• Cultural excursions and program activities
• Provider and program-related costs
• Travel insurance 

Non-billable Costs

Students are responsible to pay for the following expenses directly:

• Passport and visa fees, if applicable
• Meals not included in the itinerary
• Personal expenses and souvenirs
• Optional activities outside the official itinerary
• Transportation or expenses not associated with scheduled program activities
• TVL 7880 tuition and course registration fees.  

Scholarships

Scholarships toward billable program costs are available through the Center for Global Engagement and several external organizations. Please visit the “Scholarships” page for information about these scholarships. Note the following scholarship deadlines:

• Gilman International Scholarship (external) & Gilman Stem Supplemental Award (external) - application open:
  • Mid-August 2026 – October 1, 2026
  • Mid-January 2027 – February 25, 2027
• Gilman-McCain Scholarship (external) - application open:
  • Mid-August 2026 – October 1, 2026
  • Mid-November 2026 – January 7, 2027
• Central Piedmont Study Abroad Scholarships (internal) - application opens mid-August:
  • October 1, 2026: Priority Deadline
  • December 4, 2026: Final Deadline 

How to Apply

Apply to the study abroad program by clicking the Apply Now button below.  

• Choose which study abroad program you will apply for.
• Log in using your Central Piedmont username and password.
• Complete the Study Abroad application thoughtfully and in its entirety, including the video submission and essay questions. Studying abroad is an educational opportunity; your application should demonstrate your commitment to and interest in this program.  
• Pay the $100 nonrefundable application fee and follow the instructions to submit proof of this payment on the Campus Community website. This step is required, and your application will not be considered until this application fee is paid. 

Apply Now

Note:

• You must complete all steps for your application to be considered.
• Some programs will require a personal interview. You will be contacted to schedule an interview after completing the steps above. 

Questions?

Direct questions to the Center for Global Engagement:  

• Email
• Phone: 704-330-6167
• Office: Overcash 303 (Central Campus)