Study Abroad | Purdue University

If you have questions about this program, email the program leader listed below.

Engineering Solutions for the Water–Energy–Food Nexus in Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

Program Details

The arrangements for the travel, housing, meals, excursions and course content of this program have been made by the leader. Questions about this program can only be answered by the program leader listed below.
Program Type	Departmental
Program Location	Quito and Galapagos Island , Ecuador
Course #	SA 10522
Duration	Summer
Upcoming Program Dates
Summer 2027	05/15/27 to 05/29/27

Program Leader

Name	Amy Marconnet
Email	marconnet@purdue.edu

Click here to enroll in this program!

Please Note: Programs may be altered or adapted with little notice

Program Description

This Maymester program centers on the Water–Energy–Food (WEF) Nexus in Ecuador and the Galápagos through an engineering lens, examining how natural systems, infrastructure, policy, and community practices intersect to shape sustainability and resilience. The program integrates engineering, environmental science, public health, and cultural perspectives to study water access, energy systems, food production, and ecosystem protection in highly diverse and climate-sensitive contexts. Students will engage with real engineering challenges related to infrastructure design, water treatment technologies, resource management, and systems integration in settings where constraints are real and solutions must be adaptive.

The program is structured across two distinct environments, with one week in Quito and one week in the Galápagos. In Quito, students will analyze urban water and energy infrastructure and the food system, as well as visits to food and beverage industries to understand sourcing, processing, water and energy use, waste streams, and sustainability practices from an engineering and systems perspective. In the Galápagos, the focus shifts to conservation-driven resource management, tourism and urban pressure, and the engineering of sustainable systems in a fragile island ecosystem.

Emphasis is placed on real-world challenges such as access to safe water, contamination, infrastructure limitations, tourism pressure, and climate change. The program combines field visits, laboratory demonstrations, and community engagement to connect engineering theory with practice.

Key areas of interest include:
• Engineering of water quality, treatment, and distribution in resource-constrained environments
• Renewable and decentralized energy systems
• Food systems engineering, agriculture, and food security
• Environmental protection and biodiversity
• Public health implications of engineered systems
• Climate resilience and sustainable development strategies

The program is designed to cultivate systems thinking and prepare students to address complex global challenges through interdisciplinary, field-based engineering learning.

Since you could be the first Purdue students to experience this amazing study abroad opportunity, here's a Gemini-created rendering imagining the adventures our study abroad students will have:

Gemini created cartoon showing students participating in activities throughout Equador and the Galapagos

Proposed itinerary: (Subject to change due to availability) Flight from Quito to Galapagos included in program price

May 15- Depart the USA for Ecuador

May 16-Arrive in Quito, transfer to hotel near the airport (You will be given a window of time for your flight to arrive)

May 17-Pick-up at the Hotel Cumbaya, USFQ orientation & campus tour, Historic City Center Tour with lunch, free evening

May 18-Middle of the World Intinan Museum + Pulalahua, Geobotanical Reserve with lunch, Dinner on own, free evening

May 19-Purdue lecture, lunch break, free afternoon and evening

May 20-Industry visit and boxed lunch provided, dinner on own and free evening

May 21-Visit to USFQ and lecture, free evening

May 22-Transfer to Quito airport, flight to Galapagos Islands, transfer to hotel in San Cristobal, USFQ Galapagos Orientation & Campus tour, Welcome Lunch in San Cristobal, Interpretation Center/Frigate Bird Hill/Darwin's Bay + snorkel, free afterno. S

May 23-Tour Kicker Rock + Snorkel

May 24-Lecture: Program Introduction USFQ Lecture

-Water in the Galapagos Islands, Energy in the Galapagos, Sustainability in the Galapagos

May 25-El Junco, Galapaguera, Lunch and afternoon Pto Chino Beach

May 26-Purdue lecture, Lunch on own, Farewell Dinner in San Cristobal

May 27-Transfer to San Cristobal Airport, flight to Quito, Transfer to Hotel Cumbaya, dinner on own

May 28-Closing lecture, lunch as USFQ, International coffee break, Farewell Marcus Restaurant

May 29-Transfer to Quito Airport, depart Ecuador

*Students must be able to swim to participate in the snorkeling activity on May 23. However, we can arrange alternative activities on that day for students who are unable to participate. Please reach out to the program leader before you commit to this program with a deposit if you have any questions about the snorkeling activity.*

Academic Credit

Earn 3 credits for ME 497 or ENGR 39697 (student to indicate which is preferred prior to departure)

All students must check with their academic advisor to see how this course will work in their plan of study and which course number works best for them.

Eligibility

This program is open to any Engineering student in good standing. No students on Academic Notice will be considered.

Students in mechanical engineering and all related majors/fields are also encouraged to apply.

If the applications exceed the number of slots in t$he program, preference will be given to those who have successfully completed thermodynamics (ME 200 or equivalent).

Program Cost

Students pursuing program participation accept financial responsibility. Purdue will take measures to mitigate financial risks, although will not be liable for loss.

Program cost is estimated at $4,900-$5,200. Program cost includes: All hotels, ground transportation in-country, round-trip airfare from Quito to the Galapagos, all activities on the itinerary, selected meals (breakfast daily, several lunches, and 2 dinners), Galapagos transit control card, guide services, 3 academic credits, and international health insurance.

Additional costs: Round-trip airfare from the US to Quito, travel documents, meals not provided, personal activities, and personal spending money.

Students may be eligible for the Giant Leaps Scholarship - see the Financial Resources tab for more details.

Application Deadline

Students will be accepted on a rolling basis until the program is full (20 spots available).

Financial Aid

Purdue University financial aid may be applied to the costs of studying abroad. Students interested in receiving financial aid should

direct financial aid inquiries to the Division of Financial Aid on the West Lafayette campus;
consult website Study Abroad Financial Aid Process ;
complete and submit the FAFSA by the appropriate deadline.

NOTE: Recipients of certain tuition remission and scholarship programs should pay careful attention to the regulations for using those benefits for study abroad. Ask your financial aid advisor about any limitations.

Click here for a list of scholarships and grants available to assist with the costs of studying overseas.