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Ceiba Water for Life: Sustainability and Community Health in Ecuador

View of the rainforest with a small body of water in the middle. The water is surrounded by lush greenery.

This program is now offered during Winter Intersession!

Ecuador, Multiple

The Ceiba Foundation partners with UW-Madison to offer this 3-credit hybrid (one week online followed by two weeks in Ecuador) program that highlights the interconnections between human use of water resources and health. Water quality is rapidly emerging as one the most pressing environmental and health concerns facing humanity in the 21st century. This course explores the importance of access to clean fresh water supplies using real world applications and is perfect for those interested in global health or for biological science majors interested in water quality issues.

You will participate in an assessment of the health risks in local water supplies followed by discussing water-related health concerns with community members and conducting participatory planning of strategies that will increase sustainability and reduce the risk of water-borne diseases. The program provides the opportunity to engage directly with the community on an issue of real importance, and provides field training in concepts and approaches for managing water-related human health risks. Through this program, you will gain knowledge and skills directly applicable to solving the emerging global water quality crisis while aiding under-served rural communities in Ecuador.

This program is offered in partnership with the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation, a non-profit organization offering field courses taught by highly experienced and knowledgeable staff with over 25 years of experience in conservation and research. Ceiba field courses provide quality education while taking you to some of the most remote and pristine ecosystems left on earth.

Learning Objectives

We have overall Goals and Expectations for Study Abroad Participants, covering the personal, academic and professional aspects of study abroad. Additionally on this program, you can:

  • Deepen cross-cultural understanding through the study of community health within the context of the host community
  • Learn field research techniques for assessing health risks from water, and enhance your awareness of the social and environmental realities that underlie the global water quality crisis
  • Engage with fellow UW students and faculty
  • Achieve personal development and the ability to adapt to a new culture

Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. We also recognize the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.

Sustainability

We recognize that the future of study abroad, domestic study away, and international internship programming requires a Commitment to Sustainability. We are devoted to examining, developing, and improving sustainability in all our endeavors, aligning with campus priorities and following through with UW-Madison's climate action and Resilience Commitment. Join our efforts and learn more about how to study abroad sustainably.

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Eligibility

  • The course is open to students from a variety of majors, but is especially suited for students in the Global Health and Environmental Studies programs.
  • 2.75 cumulative GPA
  • Some Spanish language ability preferred but not required.

  • Sophomore, Junior, Senior
  • Open to UW-Madison degree seeking students and degree-seeking undergraduate students at a US college or university
  • Good academic and disciplinary standing
  • At the time of application and the semester prior to participation, UW-Madison students must be currently enrolled. Transfer Students to UW-Madison need to be currently enrolled at their home institution

Advising Location

Program Structure

Provider

Subjects

Agriculture, biological science, environmental studies, humanities, social science

Classroom Language

English

Housing

Field Research Station, Guesthouse

Program Duration

Winter Intersession: Late Dec - Mid-Jan

2026-27 Tentative Dates:
Online: Dec 21-23, 28-30
In Ecuador: Jan 3-17

Application Deadline(s)

Summer 2026 - [Cancelled] 3/6/2026 Cost Details
Winter Intersession 2026-27 8/21/2026 Cost Details

Future durations will be posted at a later date.

APPLY NOW

 

This program is an eye-opening experience with hands-on fieldwork and incorporation of current research. Anyone going into a global field or research/science field would definitely benefit from this experience. -Rachel A.

This program begins with several days of online learning followed by two weeks of hands-on field work and service-learning in the community, combined with lectures, training in field and laboratory water analyses, and discussions in local context. Ecuador's diverse water sources provide an ideal location for studying the linkages between land use, water quality and human health. You will earn three credits of Nutritional Sciences 421 at UW-Madison for this course.

The course will focus on understanding the global water supply and human impacts on it. In the field, we'll compare urban and rural access to potable water and sanitation, explore the natural ecosystems that provide freshwater, and talk with community members about local land use practices from a water quality and sustainability standpoint.

Another focus will be on water-related health risks. You will collaborate with community "citizen scientists" to test local water supplies for disease-causing micro-organisms and discuss strategies for keeping water supplies safe. You will visit a local hospital and speak to health care professionals about their perspectives on managing water-related health problems. Finally, you will carry out your own field research on a topic related to water quality.

Frequent group discussions and journaling will provide ample opportunity for continuous reflection on the experience.

Affiliate Institution(s)

Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation

Course Equivalents

Use the links below to see a list of courses that past students have taken on this program and the UW equivalents. Note: This list only includes pre-approved courses for your program and may not be an exhaustive list of courses, departments or equivalents. Courses may not be available the semester you are abroad. You will receive instructions on the course equivalent process after acceptance. View Course Equivalents