| | | Medical Spanish in EcuadorSpecialized Spanish Instruction for Health care Professionals and Medical StudentsThe Medical Spanish in Ecuador program carries as its focus not only the acquisition of language, but also the opportunity to see and explore health and disease in Ecuador - a land full of contrasts. From its geography, which goes from the coastal plain to the snowcapped volcanoes of the Andes before dropping away just as quickly to the Amazon Basin, to its people who represent European, African and Indigenous descent, Ecuador offers an enormous array of diversity in a small country. During the program, students will experience much of this diversity in a short time, with field trips and afternoon visits designed not only to show the beauty of the land and the people, but also to get a first hand look at how health care is approached in such a country. We will investigate both health services and the socio-economic determinants of ill-health such as recent economic crises and inequality, privatization of public services, and foreign debt. (read more about health and economics in Ecuador) | | | | Study in Cuenca, Ecuador, one of the world's most beautiful cities and a UNESCO World Heritage site. | |
| The city of Cuenca has roots that go back long before Columbus sailed for the New World, roots that still show on the surface of daily life in Cuenca. The first known inhabitants of what is now Cuenca were the Caņaris, who resisted the Inca expansion for over ten years before being conquered. Some might say that they have fared better than their conquerors, as the Caņaris as a people still exist today, while only ruins and stories survive the Incas. Ecuador's most famous Inca ruins are located north of Cuenca in the province of Caņar are visited between the first and second week. With the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century things changed drastically, and the systems put into place during the colonial period still exist to some extent today. This has profoundly influenced the differing levels of health care in the country and who has access to them. During the program, we'll look at the big picture of Ecuadorian health, how it got to where it is, and most importantly, where it is going. Despite its long and interesting history, Cuenca is a modern city with most of the services and goods that one might expect in the US. This includes supermarkets, fast food, internet access and inexpensive phone calls home. | | |
| The program includes 2 field trips, one to the Inca Ruins at Ingapirca and the other to the market/artisan towns of Gualaceo and Chordeleg. Rural health will be discussed during both trips and students will have a chance to see what rural life in Ecuador is like, in addition to stocking up on gifts for those back home. For those who prefer a bit more adventure, there will be an optional trip to Cajas National Park, located in the mountains outside of Cuenca. | | |