What do I do now?

So you have decided to study with CEDEI and have filled out all of the necessary forms and sent in the necessary materials. What is your next step? There will be many things to think about while preparing for your upcoming time in Ecuador and it is important to start taking care of the small tasks well in advance so that you do not feel rushed. If you have not completed all of the application requirements, or you are not sure, please go to our application page or send an email to one of the CEDEI coordinators.

First, it is crucial that you have a passport which is valid for at least 6 months from the start of your program. If you need to apply for a passport, or renew your current passport, please do this as soon as possible. For American citizens, you will find further instructions on this process here  at the US Department of State website. Depending on the length of the program that you will be participating in, you will need to apply for a specific type of visa. You can expect to receive the necessary materials in the mail approximately 1 month before the start of the program. Please see our visa section for more information. 

Secondly, if you are participating in a group program, it is important that you determine whether there is a group flight included in the program or not. For our Fall and Spring semester in the Andes, each student must purchase their own flights arriving in Ecuador and leaving from Peru. When you are sure of the program dates and have purchased your flights, please send your flight itinerary to one of the CEDEI program coordinators. It is important to take note of the baggage and weight restrictions that your airline has. Remember, you might be bringing back lots of gifts so leave some room!

Spring students enjoying Machu Picchu

We ask that all CEDEI students read the documents found on our Orientation page before arriving. This information will help you with everything from packing to health concerns. There is no need to do this all at once, but a few weeks before your departure, we recommend that you refresh your memory and review the important information. 

If you would like help with travel arrangements within Ecuador, we will be more than happy to help you. For more information, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .