What is the Exchange Student Cost?

What is the cost of going to Ecuador as an exchange student?

• I'd like to become an exchange student in Ecuador but before I can make any kind of decision about it I need to get a general idea of the cost. I'm thinking of doing the exchange through Rotary, since I've heard that its one of the cheapest and best. Does anyone have any idea how much it could cost if I leave from the United States? Thanks in advance!

• Answer:

  Hi Emily! Costs for exchange programs vary widely, based on where you're coming from, where you're going, and what organization you're traveling with. The approximate cost is a whopping $10,000, or sometimes as much as $15,000, which includes program fees, visa costs and flights, but not month-to-month spending money. Your host family provides your basic meals. This is without any grants or scholarships. You're right -- Rotary is definitely the least expensive. If you can get a Rotary scholarship, it cuts the cost in half, or by two-thirds! Even then, the cost of the Rotary program varies by where you are studying abroad. However, from what I've heard, the average cost is between $4,000-$6,000. Rotary's a great deal! The one catch: you can't choose which country you go to. You can list preferences, but you can't guarantee that you'll go to Ecuador (but I'm pretty sure you can specify what language you want to study). That's how a lot of the full-cost programs get you -- they guarantee your country choice. I would inquire with your local Rotary to see what countries are options, and when their application deadline is. The only full scholarship program I know of goes to Germany - the Congress Bundestag Youth Exchange. It's a far cry from Ecuador (and Spanish), but just thought I'd put it out there :) Other than that, Rotary is the next best thing, in terms of cost! Also look at AFS -- they do partial scholarships sometimes, I believe. (http://www.afs.org) Good luck! If you can do, I highly recommend it! It changed my life :)