Orientation

Attend the orientation organized by International Programs prior to your departure. During this orientation, you will sign a commitment letter related to your academic performance, behavior, and waiver of responsibilities for UDLA.

Contact

Contact other students who have participated in the Exchange Program to clarify any specific doubts that you may have about your host university and the processes related to the exchange.

Insurance

Taking out medical and international travel insurance is mandatory. The insurance must have a coverage for accidents, hospitalization, emergencies, and repatriations. Important: Check what are the requirements of the government of the destination country regarding this issue.

Visa

Applying for the student visa of the destination country is a personal and non-transferable process, therefore, we recommend you review the processes and times to apply for the visa directly with the embassy or consulate at the respective country.

Some countries do not have representatives or offices in Ecuador, but rather they operate in other Latin American countries, as such the student must travel or apply for a visa abroad. The response time varies between two to four weeks which is the time it takes to receive your passport with an issued visa.

Review the list of Ecuadorian embassies / consulates here

See list

Accommodation

Finding accommodation for your stay in the country of destination during your exchange period is an important task. We recommend that you check the accommodation options offered by the host university.

Accommodation options include:

  • Host families
  • Student accommodation at the host university
  • External student accommodation
  • Individual / shared apartments
  • Hostel / Hotel

Review this information with International Programs according to the options available at the university you were selected for.

Airfare

We recommend you purchase your airplane ticket once you have the acceptance letter from your host university and your student visa.

Luggage

Review the maximum permitted weight per luggage in the airline you are traveling with and find out the cost for excess luggage if you require it.

Travel

Enjoy this experience and take full advantage of every moment.

When you arrive at your host university

We recommend that you arrive at least a week before the academic activities begin (orientation, classes, etc.) and report your arrival to International Programs and the International office of your host university. It is compulsory to participate in the orientation meeting that may be offered.

Once you arrive at the destination country, it is important that you carry out the consular registration at the closest Ecuadorian embassy or consulate. This gives you certain advantages such as giving you the opportunity to vote in electoral processes and maintain a registration in case of natural disasters, political and social unrest, among others.

Review the list of Ecuadorian embassies / consulates here

Once you arrive at the destination country you will be entering a different culture There are various new elements, climate, food, among other things that can give you culture shock. If a situation arises where you are not feeling well emotionally or psychologically, you can contact us so we can help you and get in touch with the host university.

You must send a copy of the invoice or proof of payment of the enrollment and tuition corresponding to UDLA exchange semester. This process can be done through email, or a family member or proxy can directly do it at our offices.

You will be promptly informed about the academic load of the host university by the international office of that institution. In some cases, the academic load and schedule is chosen before departure; however, it generally happens during the week before classes begin. We recommend that you have some extra subjects as reserve just in case there is a scheduling conflict or a lack of opening in one or more subjects that you originally wanted to course.

UDLA does not require you to take a specific number of credits abroad; however, there are host universities that have a minimum or maximum subjects or credits that can be taken.

If you modify your academic load at the host university, you must inquire about the new validations with the Directorate / Coordination of your program via email where International Programs must be copied into.

By participating in the Exchange Program, it is important that represent UDLA and become an ambassador of our university and of Ecuador abroad. When you promote UDLA and Ecuador you generate interest in other students to come and visit our country and participate in a program at our university, whether this is a short course, a full university career or a postgraduate degree.

If you need more information about Ecuador and UDLA, you can request it at International Programs.

The exchange program has a maximum duration of one year If you applied to only participate in one semester at the host university and wish to extend your stay while abroad, you may do it in order to complete the academic year abroad.

To carry out this extension procedure get in touch with International Programs.

We will reply with the necessary documentation to complete your request before the deadline for each period. International Programs will not accept applications outside of the following deadlines:

  • June 15 for students coursing the exchange during the first semester of every year.
  • November 30 for students coursing the exchange during the second semester of every year.