| | | Medical Spanish in EcuadorSpecialized Spanish Instruction for Health care Professionals and Medical StudentsSample Schedule for the standard 2-week courseFollowing is a brief guide of what to expect during the program. Please keep in mind that while the general program idea - to give an in-depth look at all areas of Ecuadorian health - does not change, we are always looking to take advantage of unique opportunities and for that reason the calendar may change slightly from program to program. In the morning you will meet with the program instructors for your first class. Students will return to their families for lunch, and in the afternoon we will talk about health, safety and life in Cuenca, before going on a city tour to point out the best shops, restaurants, etc. in town. Students will have class in the morning from 8-12:30, then return to their family’s house for lunch. In the afternoon, there will be visits to sites of medical and cultural importance in Cuenca. Possible visits will be to different levels of public health in Ecuador, private institutions (in order to compare and contrast the differing levels of care available), traditional or “shamanic” medicine (with a chance to participate if interested), local museums, and a talk with a local health official. Over the weekend, students will have several optional trips to choose from. For the adventure-lovers, there is a trip to Cajas National Park, located in the mountains outside of Cuenca. There is also an optional trip to Ecuador's best preserved Inca ruins at Ingapirca, and another to the small market villages of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. All of these trips are one-day excursions, which leaves time for students to spend with their host family as well. Today we will tour the market towns of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Gualaceo is known for its woven goods, which can be purchased in various stores around town. The town of Chordeleg is famous for its work in gold and silver, and all types of jewelry can be found in the shops that surround the main plaza. Sunday is the most important day of the week for both these towns, as the markets attract buyers and sellers from several surrounding villages. As we travel through these towns, we will also talk about rural health issues, and how they affect different communities. The towns we visit descend in size as we go, and are also further away from Cuenca, the area’s major urban center. This culminates in Principal, which, although it has a government health office, rarely sees a visit from a doctor. Community support and preventative medicine is very important in a town like this. This week will follow much the same schedule as the first week, with classes in the morning and activities and visits in the afternoon. The program ends on Saturday, although there are several options for those looking for an extended stay. For those with more time and a desire to see more of Ecuador, there are different options available. The first would be another week of the program, which would follow the same general lines as the first two weeks. Another option for those with an intermediate level Spanish or higher is to spend an extra 2 weeks volunteering in a local clinic or shadowing a health professional. Additionally, for students wishing to complete a foreign rotation in Cuenca or Ecuador, the Medical Spanish in Ecuador program can provide them with a good starting point for this, as we are happy to put students in contact with different health organizations in the city and country. An intermediate to advanced level of Spanish would be required in most cases. For those with more desire to travel and see the natural beauty of Ecuador, we also offer 2 unique travel options, a week in the Galapagos Islands or a trip the Ecuadorian Amazon Jungle. Both of these trips are much less expensive than if booked outside of Ecuador. Click here to learn more about these options... | | | | Study in Cuenca, Ecuador, one of the world's most beautiful cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. | |