Did you know Northwestern has two campuses?

One is located in a Midwest suburb with an elevation of less than 1,000 ft. The other is nestled in a valley of the Andes mountains at 9,300 ft.

One is nestled among trees and a quiet lake while the other is surrounded by 20,000-ft. mountains and seven active volcanoes.

One experiences a range of extreme temperatures of -40 to 100 degrees. The other, 55 to 75 degrees year round.

They may be on opposite sides of the equator and speak different languages, but students at the Northwestern College Christian Center for Communications (CCC) in Quito, Ecuador, share a common bond and goal with their counterparts in St. Paul.

Both are Northwestern College. But aside from the aesthetics, weather and language, the students at both locations have the same spiritual identity and drive for excellence, according to Ken Faffler, director of admissions, and Richard Blatchley, director of financial aid, who visit the Quito campus every year.

Faffler noted the similarities between the students. "They all love the Lord and want to be great at their chosen field." Blatchley stated, "Even though [the campus is] Spanish-speaking, it is definitely a compatible school. The Holy Spirit is strong and alive there as well. They have a strong spiritual aspect, and are fun-loving people, too."

Established in 2001, in association with HCJBGlobal, the CCC enrolls about 40 students each year, primarily from Latin America. The Center offers students a three-year program integrating English-language study, communication studies and Bible training. After three years, students have the option of either earning an associate degree or completing one more year of classes either through Northwestern’s distance education program or at the Minnesota campus to receive a bachelor’s degree in communication.

Since 2003, 10 students have traveled from Ecuador to Minnesota to graduate from Northwestern in St. Paul.