Ecuador
Partner University
Universidad San Francisco de Quito
Founded in 1988, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) is the first private liberal arts university in Ecuador and the Andes region. Its main campus is in Ecuador's capital city, Quito. As a research-centered university, USFQ supports freedom as a fundamental human characteristic and trains students to become well-rounded world citizens, leaders, and entrepreneurs.
USFQ opened with three academic units: the College of Administration for Development, the College of Communication and Culture, and the College of Applied Sciences. Today, USFQ is organized into 10 academic colleges and a postgraduate college, covering a comprehensive range of fields. In 2002, USFQ inaugurated USFQ Galápagos, an educational extension institution that develops academic research, conservation, and development programs in the Galápagos Islands.
International students at USFQ
Enrollment: 9,000
- Undergraduate students: 8,700
- Graduate students: 300
About the Location
Quito, Ecuador
Ecuador is a small country in South America that boasts remarkable ethnic, cultural, geographic, and bioecological diversity, ranging from the Galápagos Islands to the Pacific coastal region, Andean highlands, and Amazon region. Located in the Andes Mountains, Quito is 2,850 miles above sea level—the second-highest capital city in the world. The colonial-era architecture in Quito’s center is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Ecuador’s altitudes make for a variable climate, with equatorial daylight consistent year-round. Ecuador's biodiversity stemming from its four distinct regions supports rich flora and fauna, and the world-famous Galápagos Islands are just one of its natural attractions.