Master your Medical Spanish with Language Classes and Clinical Placements in Quito
The Project
If your conversational Medical Spanish isn’t good enough to impress your cadaver, we’ve got the perfect program for medical professionals who want hands on healthcare experience in a clinical setting coupled with four hours of focused medical Spanish classes daily. This total immersion program will give you insight into issues in global health, traditional medicine, medical practice in resource poor communities, and thorough, targeted medical language study so you will be able to communicate effectively with patients and staff in your particular field of medicine.
Why the project needs you
While you bolster your resume and met requisite levels of Spanish proficiency f or medical practitioners, you’ll be helping to fill a major gap in the number of Ecuadorian medical professionals and consequent lack of access and availability to health services for the nearly 30% of the population in largely poorer and rural communities. Additionally, your practicum includes a donation, either in cash or in-kind (preferred), of at least $200 in medical supplies for the clinic you’ll be serving that is an invaluable contribution to resource strapped facilities.
Role of Volunteer
Volunteers will assist with admitting patients, administer basic first aid, shadow doctors, assist in deliveries, et al. tasks in a busy clinic, largely pending on intern’s level of previous experience and area of expertise/needs of the institution. Depending on your interest, placements have various focus areas, from general emergency medical to reproductive health.
Skills Required
Intermediate to Advanced Spanish. Students should have completed pre-medical courses or nursing program. Strongly prefer students with at least 2-3 years of medical school completed.
Project Location
Quito, Ecuador, with other opportunities in traditional medicine or maternal/reproductive health outside of Quito in Sierra or Amazon. Program could easily be extended to a practicum after completing the first month of classes/health service.
Project Location
Quito, Ecuador, with other opportunities in traditional medicine or maternal/reproductive health outside of Quito in Sierra or Amazon. Program could easily be extended to a practicum after completing the first month of classes/health service.
Project facts
- Duration: minimum one month
- Cost: $1500/ month, plus $200 donation to clinic (either in cash or donated medical supplies.)
- Requirements: age 18+, medical background
- Location: Quito, Ecuador, with possible placements in Amazon or rural Andean communities
- Project activities:Shadow doctors, admit patients, general medical assistance
- Working hours: ½ day Spanish classes, ½ at Medical Internship Site
- Project Availability: Year-round
What’s included
- Accommodation: Housing with homestay family in Quito
- Food: 2 meals per day – Breakfast and Light Dinner
- Training: Pre-departure pack, on-site Orientation and project introduction included
- Language: 20 hours/week, with Cds, texts, anatomical guides, and a certificate of Medical Spanish program at completion
- Support: 24 hour support
- Excursion planning: Staff will help plan activities and excursions (some activities may cost extra)
Excursions
Quito’s central Andean location allows for weekend excursions to explore the colorful indigenous market in Otavalo, the Cloud Forest of Mindo, the Crater Lake along the Quilota Loop or hike the Cotopaxi volcano. Or just explore the old city of Quito, a World Heritage Site, and the capital’s diverse programming of exciting theater, music, art, and culture.
What’s not included
- Flights
- Insurance
- Visas
- Transport to site