Ecuador: Sustainable Communities and Backpacking Expedition

Clayton Walton
Clayton WaltonInstructor
Clayton L. Walton has spent the last 19 years designing student development initiatives that challenge participants to intentionally engage their college experience. As the Executive Director of Globally Engaged Experiential Learning and Assistant Professor in the School of Public Affairs and Administration, Clayton promotes a holistic student development philosophy that informs the design and implementation of his coursework, study away programs and co-curricular initiatives.

The Ecuador program immerses students in sustainable living practices through engagement with the Quechua community, where they will be learning about traditional farming methods and environmental stewardship. The program participants will embark on a camping and backpacking expedition hiking a beautiful trail on a mountain in Imbabura.

Location

Pifo, Ecuador

Program Dates

July 29 – August 8, 2026

Who Can Participate

  • Rutgers undergraduate students who have:
    • completed 12+ credits
    • related coursework
    • approval from the faculty director as well as their advisor
  • Rutgers graduate students

Related Areas of Study

  • Climate Change and Resilience
  • Sustainable Living
  • Outdoor Expedition

Important Note: This is not a complete list. We value diverse perspectives in our programs and encourage students from all majors and professions for participate. All program applicants are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to determine if and how this course may be applied towards their program requirements and degree completion.

Course Code

Students self-register in Webreg and choose the following courses:

  • TBD (3 credits)
    • This course is being offered through Rutgers Global.

Travel and Visa Information

Passport: All program participants are required to have a valid passport, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the program’s end date.

Visa: US Citizens do not need a visa for visits to Ecuador that are shorter than 90 days.

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