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Global Health in Ecuador (Quito & Otavalo)
Program overview
Located in the Andes mountain range, Quito is the most populated city in the country. Ecuador’s vibrant capital is known for its beautiful colonial center and was the first city to be declared World Cultural Heritage Site by UNESCO. Quito is one of CFHI’s longest-running programs. It offers participants the opportunity to immerse in a range of health services and experience a comprehensive view of the local healthcare system.
Since 2008, Ecuador has recognized healthcare access as a fundamental constitutional right and has made significant advances in the pursuit of universal health coverage. In this program, learn how Ecuadorians access health at primary, secondary, and tertiary care sites and shadow local professionals in one of the country’s busiest hospitals at the public maternity hospital. In the Quito & Otavalo program, participants will spend 1-week living in Otavalo and visiting a clinic focused on providing care to the indigenous population.
Further your language skills through conversational and medical Spanish classes and become immersed in Ecuadorian culture while living with local families in Quito. CFHI participants may also organize weekend trips to destinations such as the town of Mindo, Cotopaxi volcano, and the Otavalo market.
General information
Ecuador
Hospital & Inpatient Medicine
Maternal & Reproductive Health
Pediatrics & Child Health
Primary health care
Public Health
Traditional & Indigenous Medicine
Urban/Rural Comparative
Advanced Spanish
Beginner Spanish
Intermediate Spanish
2 Weeks - $2235
4 Weeks - $3320
5 Weeks - $3980
6 Weeks - $4635
7 Weeks - $5290
8 Weeks - $6270
9 Weeks - $6870
10 Weeks - $7665
January 4th, 2025
February 1st, 2025
March 1st, 2025
April 5th, 2025
May 3rd, 2025
June 7th, 2025
July 5th, 2025
August 2nd, 2025
September 6th, 2025
October 4th, 2025
November 1st, 2025
About this program
- Location
- Accommodations
- Arrival Information
- What's Included
- Things to Do
- A day in the life
- Alumni Advisor
Quito is the capital of Ecuador, one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world. Founded in the 16th century atop the ruins of an Incan city, today this modern metropolis boasts a diverse population of about two million people. As the capital and economic hub of the country, it attracts migrants from rural areas – mostly indigenous groups, as well as immigrants from neighboring countries.
Quito is nestled in a valley within the Andes Mountain Range, surrounded by volcanoes and impressive peaks. At an elevation of 9,000 feet above sea level, it is considered one of the highest capital cities in the world. Due to its close proximity to the equator, the climate is spring-like all year long, with warm days and cool nights. Quito’s historic center is one of the largest and least altered in the Americas and one of the first world cultural heritage sites declared by UNESCO in the 1970’s. As the nation’s capital, it is a lively urban center with dancing, dining, historical sites, shopping and museums.
Otavalo, a small picturesque town, is celebrated for its indigenous culture and bustling markets. Home to the renowned Otavalo Market, visitors flock here to immerse themselves in a kaleidoscope of colors and textures, with locals adorned in traditional attire selling vibrant textiles, jewelry, and artisanal goods. Beyond the market’s charm, Otavalo offers stunning natural landscapes, including the Peguche Waterfall and San Pablo Lake, attracting outdoor enthusiasts. Otavalo encapsulates the essence of Ecuador’s vibrant culture and natural beauty, making it a captivating destination for travelers seeking an authentic experience.
Program participants will find their home away from home in carefully selected homestays, screened by CFHI Local Coordinators in Quito and following CFHI’s health and safety guidelines. Nestled within Northern Quito, these homestays offer the perfect blend of comfort and authenticity, situated in middle-class neighborhoods with excellent access to the language school, public transportation, shops, restaurants, and cafes. In some cases, CFHI scholars share a house or a room in the same homestay with fellow program participants.
Going beyond mere lodging, these homestays provide a unique opportunity to learn about the local culture and practice Spanish skills on a daily basis in an informal setting. Accommodations include two meals per day. At the welcome orientation, participants will be instructed on culture and work etiquette to have the best experience in both homestay and the health setting.
Participants should arrive in Quito, Ecuador on the program start date (a Saturday) and will be met and picked up from the airport by a CFHI representative and taken to their homestay. The medical orientation usually takes place on Sunday and the language school orientation on Monday. If you arrive on an alternate date, please consult with the local coordinator for your orientation schedule.
Visas are not required for U.S. citizens staying less than 3 months in Ecuador. More information on travel and logistics will be provided by CFHI after acceptance into the program.
What’s Included
CFHI Program fees include the majority of your on the ground costs. As a nonprofit, CFHI strives to keep fees low and offers fundraising opportunities, scholarships and discounts.
Pre-Departure Support
- Program advising and support via email, phone, and web meeting from CFHI’s Central Leadership team
- Detailed online Pre-Departure Training that includes modules on program logistics (flights, visas, immunizations, and more), intercultural learning, introduction to health realities at your program site, and much more
On-Site Services
- Airport pick-up upon arrival and transportation with a local CFHI representative to your program lodging
- Welcome orientation 1-2 days after arrival covering safety, transportation, and other logistics
- Spanish Classes: 20 hours/month of Spanish classes, including medical Spanish instruction and cultural activities
- CFHI Local Team that provides instruction, logistical support, and 24/7 emergency response
- Meetings and lectures on local healthcare system, socio-economic determinants of health and current cultural/historical topics.
- Placement and coordination of clinical and any public health activities (if relevant)
- Accommodation and two meals per day
- Local cell phone or support obtaining a local SIM card
- International emergency medical and evacuation insurance (unless waived by your university or institution)
Post-Return Resources
- Opportunities to engage as a CFHI Alumni Ambassador, reviewing scholarship applications, speaking on CFHI panels, and more
- Access to CFHI alumni-only social media group/s featuring news and career opportunities related to Global Health
- CFHI alumni newsletter highlighting events, professional development opportunities, resources, and ways to stay involved
Uniquely, 60% or more of CFHI student program fees go directly to the communities they will be visiting, benefiting the local economy at large.
CFHI participants have free time during most evenings and weekends and may choose to organize weekend trips to nearby destinations and take part in cultural activities offered within Quito itself.
Within Quito, popular activities include visiting the “middle of the world” or the equatorial line, the famous Guayasamin art museum and home, and the historic city center. Quito is also served by various bus lines and is an ideal jumping off point to see the rest of the country. Travel to the Amazon to hike, nature watch, and visit jungle communities. Closer to Quito and ideal for a day or weekend trip is Otavalo, a primarily indigenous town that has maintained its traditional way of life and is renown for its weekly market.
A typical day in a CFHI program is a blend of immersive learning, cultural exploration, and personal reflection. Participants begin their mornings with breakfast at their homestay, followed by 4-6 hours of health-related activities. The health site assignments and schedule are shared by the local team upon arrival. In the afternoon, participants attend Spanish classes at the language school, with the hours and regularity varying based on the program. Weekends are free of program-planned activities.
Neev Gamble
Neev is a junior at the University of Notre Dame majoring in Neuroscience, originally from Wellesley, Massachusetts. At school she is on the pre-dental track and is on the rowing team. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking and baking. Her favorite hike was the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru, which she completed after her month in Ecuador with CFHI. Her experience with the Global Health in Ecuador (Quito) program solidified her interest in dentistry. She was exposed to dental healthcare in a country outside of the U.S. by shadowing dentists and researching rural versus urban access to dental healthcare in Ecuador.
Clinic rotations & Public Health placements
Meet the Local Team
Dr. Susana Alvear
CFHI Medical Director in Quito
Dr. Susana Alvear - CFHI Medical Director in Quito
The local Medical Director oversees and arranges all clinical and public health-related activities and is also responsible for coordinating healthcare and emergency services for participants as needed. They coordinate a cadre of preceptors who mentor and supervise program participants at both clinical and public/community health sites. Dr. Alvear is the expert on socioeconomic determinants of health in the region and healthcare delivery strategies in low-resource settings.
Dr. Alvear has served CFHI since 1996. She is an accomplished family physician who obtained her MD and specialty certificates in Ecuador. She then completed clinical education courses at the University of New Mexico and workshops at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Dr. Alvear teaches at Pontificia Universidad Catolica del Peru, where she manages their residency program. Dr. Alvear has participated in several international trips providing healthcare services to countries after natural disasters stricken areas such as Pakistan and Ghana.
Elvira Hinojosa
Assistant to the Medical Director
Elvira Hinojosa - Assistant to the Medical Director
Elvira schedules your medical rotations, introduces you to your preceptors and is always happy to help you with any questions or challenges you may face in your medical program.
Patty Ribadaneira
Local Coordinator
Patty Ribadaneira - Local Coordinator
The CFHI Local Coordinators manage the logistics of housing, transportation, and cultural immersion throughout the program. They are a valuable resource for any questions related to navigating the program locale, cultural norms, and tips on planning weekend travel.
The Local Coordinator in Quito is a leader of the Academia Latinoamericana de Español, Quito, the language school where students take Spanish classes. Patty Ribadaneira has been supporting visiting students in Quito since 1989. She studied in the U.S. and is aware of the specific needs that students have. Patty is a collaborative, motivational and inspirational leader; she instills confidence in others.
Eligibility
This CFHI program is ideal for participants who are 19 years of age or older with a Beginner 1 Spanish level or above, who have an interest in fields related to maternal & reproductive health, pediatrics & child health, hospital & inpatient medicine, primary health care, urban/rural comparison, and/or public health. You do not need to be a student to be eligible for this program; mid-career professionals, GAP year learners, and others are also welcome. This program will provide an in-depth overview of maternal & reproductive health, pediatrics & child health, hospital & inpatient medicine, primary health care, urban/rural comparison, and/or public health in Latin America through visits and experiences within hospitals and clinics in Quito. To confirm your eligibility, please read CFHI’s general eligibility requirements.
The Sustainable Development Goals are a global roadmap set forth by the United Nations General Assembly to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure the well-being of all individuals by the year 2030. This program highlights the following SDGs:
How to Apply
Create profile
Submit application
Hear back from CFHI team
Complete pre-departure training and requirements
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