Study in El Salvador

El Salvador is a small densely populated country located in Central America. It is home to 25 volcanoes and 14 lakes, surf spots, black-sand beaches, and beautiful national parks.

El Salvador as a country is lined with a variety of museums, lakes, volcanoes, and plenty of other unique sites. The rest of the country is a must-see for nature lovers and adventure addicts, with some of the best surf sites located at La Libertad, El Sunzal, El Zonte, and El Cuco.

Foreigners will enjoy exploring the ancient Mayan ruins at Tazumal and San Andres, as well as the preserved Mayan village of Joyas de Ceren.

Studying in el Salvador provides all this and more. It is the best place for study abroad students to learn about the various historic sites and museums and at the same time get capped with some recognized degree programs.

Education in EL SALVADOR

Education in El Salvador is free through the ninth grade (up to age 14). Education in El Salvador is regulated by the country’s ministry of education. The University of El Salvador is the largest and only public university in the country. Several private universities offer higher education as well.

The University of El Salvador has one main campus in San Salvador and three other campuses in Santa Ana, San Miguel, and San Vicente.

These universities offer programs leading to internationally recognized degrees in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Graphic Design, Craft Design, Communication Sciences, Psychology, Performing Arts, Music, Law, International Relations, Business Administration, Business Economics, Business Finance, Marketing, Accounting, Information Technology, and Tourism, to mention but a few.

The government entered into a partnership with the United States Agency for International Development to improve institutions of higher learning within the country with updated curricula and faculty training in 2014. The literacy rate of el Salvador is 89.01%. While the male literacy rate is 91.1% and is 87.23% for females.

Important things to note

Here are a few things to take note of before you go out and about in El Salvador.

Money- El Salvador's official currency is the US dollar. in January 2001, El Salvador adopted the US dollar as its official currency, replacing the colon.

Bank/ Credit Cards- Credit cards are widely accepted, though many establishments add a surcharge. Visa and MasterCard and American Express are used.

<>ATMs- are available in most cities and towns. Banks like Banco Agricola, Scotiabank, and Banco Cuscatlan have the largest networks of ATMs. Visa and MasterCard cards generally work well. when withdrawing, look for safer locking cabins when withdrawing money, and avoid taking out cash at night.

About El Salvador

El Salvador is a country in Central America that is bordered by Honduras in the northeast, Guatemala in the northwest, and by the Pacific Ocean in the south. El Salvador's capital city and largest city is San Salvador.

As of 2018, the country had an estimated population of 6 420 746 million, with a population density of 303.1 people per square kilometer, making it the smallest and second-least populated country in Central America.

The country has a total area of 21 041 km2. It was once a Spanish colony then later administrated by the Federal Republic of Central America from which it gained independence on the 18th of February in 1841.

Ethnic groups

El Salvador's population is made up of 86.3% of Salvadorans are Mestizos (mixed Native Salvadoran and European, mostly of Spanish) origin), 12.7% is of pure European descent, 1% are of pure indigenous descent, 0.16% are black and other groups from other nations make up 0.64%.

Languages

Spanish is the official language of El Salvador, spoken by virtually everyone, although some indigenous people speak also their native languages such as Nawat and Poqomam. A language known as Q'eqchi' is spoken by immigrants of Guatemalan and Belizean indigenous people living in El Salvador.

Did you know? Facts about EL SALVADOR

• El Salvador is the smallest country in Central America.

• El Salvador is the most densely populated country in the Americas

• 64% of the population live in urban areas.

• Coffee cultivated in the western part of the country is famous all over the world.

• The country is a popular surfing destination.

• It is known as the “Land of Volcanoes” because there are more than twenty volcanoes in the region of which two of which are active.

• The country’s cell phone density is one of the largest in the world – 125 per 100 people!

Must see places in EL SALVADOR

Joya de Ceren

It is a well-preserved Mayan village. it was abandoned in a hurry when residents fled the eruption of Laguna de Caldera in 640 A.D. The town was buried in volcanic ash, leaving it hidden, but intact until it was discovered in 1976

Tazumal

Tazumal is a cluster of unusual step pyramids, Founded around 400 A.D. Its autonomous status lasted until Spanish forces moved into the country in the 1520s, after which the local people were conquered and exploited.

The Stanley H. Boggs Museum

It is an on-site museum displaying artifacts uncovered during the excavation. these include incense burners, pottery, and statues, which are a small glimpse into Tazumal’s past. The complex was excavated and restored during the 1940s and ’50s but many of the ruins remain unexcavated.

Lago de Coatepeque or Caldera Coatepeque

This is a lake located in the heart of a volcanic crater. It is 10 miles in diameter and is one of the largest lakes in El Salvador. It was formed nearly 72,000 years ago by a series of violent eruptions and volcanic collapses, leaving behind the country’s most beautiful natural sites. It has amazing waters that create an ideal place for swimming, and a range of water sports are available from jet skiing and scuba diving to fishing and aquatic bicycling.

Cerro Verde National Park

This park is home to three magnificent volcanoes namely Izalco, Santa Ana, and Cerro Verde, Boasting one of the country’s few cloud forests and offers a great hiking trail. The hike brings visitors through the oldest forests in the park, going directly through the crater and passing century-old trees along the way. It is home to some brilliant flora and fauna, and guest can also enjoy guided bird watching, horseback riding tours, and great views of the other two volcanoes, a visit to this park is unforgettable. Cerro Verde hasn’t erupted in over 2 500 years.

About El Salvador's Economy

El Salvador has a mixed economic system that combines a variety of private freedoms, and centralized economic planning and government regulation. El Salvador uses the United States Dollar as its currency.

It is a developing, lower-middle-income country. Nominal GDP as of 2018 was estimated at $26.057 billion with a per capita of $3 922. GDP (PPP) for 2018 was estimated at $53.420 billion with a per capita of $8 041. GDP declined by 5.4% as of 2020 but is expected to grow by 3.8% in 2021. GDP contribution by sector is as follows:

Agriculture- 10.5%

ndustry- 30.0%

Services- 59.4%.

Inflation was estimated at 1.088% as of 2018. El Salvador is the 91st on the ease of doing business index for the year 2020.

Industry

Main Industries in El Salvador include food processing, beverages, petroleum, chemicals, fertilizer, textiles, furniture, and light metals. Trade

Exports in El Salvador were estimated at $508.63 Million as of 2020 and major exports included offshore assembly exports, coffee, sugar, textiles and apparel, gold, ethanol, chemicals, electricity, iron, and steel manufactures, to mention but a few. Main export partners include United States, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, to mention but a few.

Why Study in El Salvador

Internationally recognized degrees

El Salvador universities offer a variety of programs leading to internationally recognized degrees that enable employment anywhere in the world.

Unique Cuisines

El Salvador offers some of the world’s tastiest cuisines, native to the country. Besides eating, you get a chance to learn how to prepare some of the dishes.

Diversity of programs

El Salvador universities offer many study programs including, Engineering, Architecture, Interior Architecture, Graphic Design, Craft Design, Communication Sciences, Psychology, Information Technology, and Tourism, to mention but a few.

Unique Traditions

the country has an interesting mix of indigenous Native American traditions and European influences particularly Spanish. The country offers a unique cultural experience that will have you lost among the architectural wonders of the cities.

Scholarships in El Salvador

There are plenty of scholarships are available for students studying in el Salvador.

Students can apply for any scholarship ranging from merit-based scholarships, sports scholarships, engineering scholarships, law scholarships, medical scholarships, medicine scholarships, athletic scholarships, art scholarships, and grants, to mention but a few.

El Salvador Student Visa

To study in any one of the universities in El Salvador, international students must get a Salvadorian student visa depending on their country of origin. RocApply has made it easy for you to follow what documentation may be needed upon visa application on this guide!

all visitors to El Salvador must hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their stay and documents required for the next destination except for nationals from Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama