Study Sociology in Cuenca, Ecuador

Sociology is the study of the development, structure and functioning of human society–what makes a society and its people. Every country has its own particular societies that coexist within its borders. Ecuador, a young country that only gained its independence from the Spanish in 1830 as a country, although the first independence victories took place in 1822, is a country that is still crafting its identity. To study sociology in Ecuador is to understand the distinctions between the European, mestizo (European-Latino mixed heritage) and indigenous communities that make up the 13 million people living in the country. It is a study in the division between the conquered and the conqueror. To this day, there are many remnants of colonialism in Ecuador. These are the themes that are discussed in courses at CEDEI, courses like Race and Ethnicity in the Andes, Health Issues in Developing Countries, and Cultural Anthropology. 

How can I do a sociology internship in Cuenca?

One of the defining factors of CEDEI is its emphasis on internships. CEDEI’s original mission was to bridge cultures using education, and that mission has been deepened and developed over 25 years of relationship building and partnerships. CEDEI has two courses specifically devoted to understanding service learning abroad, as well as the potential for an internship. Those courses are International Service Learning: Theory and Practice and Micro-Internship: Analysis and Placement.  Sociology majors often have lots of theoretical opportunities in their coursework, but CEDEI has the opportunity for students to actually experience parts of the Cuencana society. Some of the internships of previous students have included working with nonprofits, schools, orphanages and arts communities.

Why study sociology in Cuenca, Ecuador?

Cuenca is known as one of the more conservative cities in Ecuador. What that means for students studying abroad, in particular studying Sociology, is that there are a lot of traditional practices that can be observed. Machismo, the societal acceptance of patriarchal tendencies, is very much part of daily life, although more women are stepping forward into claiming and defining the rights they want. Though young Ecuadorians typically live with their parents until they are married, more and more of the younger generations are choosing to go to university abroad or to invest in an apartment with friends. With the tourism that has arrived in the last decade and the influx of capitalistic tendencies of the past two decades, Ecuadorians in Cuenca and other large cities are fully immersed in the social media web of the world. Cuenca is also a city that was traditionally “ruled” by wealthy families, but that old wealth is being replaced with the new, and that tension is a theme of exploration that courses at CEDEI explore. Though there is no one way to define a city, it can be said taht Cuenca is a city of conflict, of immense beauty, of natural power (the city itself rests in the shadows of the Andes Mountains), and of potential. It’s a fascinating city to learn about from a sociological perspective.

Courses in Sociology

Also look at the Anthropology, Art, Health Education, Business, and Music Tabs