Virtual Global & Public Health Internship – Ecuador (Quito)

CFHI virtual internships are ideal for undergraduates, pre-health students, graduate students, and non-students who have a demonstrated interest in Global Health, Public Health, and related fields. This virtual internship is a good fit for students who have a foundation in Spanish, have an interest in health and medicine and would like to learn about health systems and challenges in Ecuador.

Language Required: Spanish

Minimum Spanish Required: Beginner 1 Spanish or Above

Leading this program on-site are our on-site partners (see Local Team tab), all of whom share Spanish as their native language, but may speak English as well. Most meetings led by the local team will be in Spanish, but CFHI’s local team is able to support and help you through your experience.

Not sure about your Spanish level? View a full list of CFHI’s language levels for all Latin America programs on our Spanish Level Guidelines page. 

The Virtual Global & Public Health Internship is an unpaid experience. Student fees will be used to compensate CFHI’s Global Partners– in line with our Fair Trade commitment.

• Robust competency-informed readings and content 
• Country-specific seminars and activities 
• Access to Pillars of Global Health: Building Competencies for Global Health Engagement modules
• Access to and training rooted in intercultural tools through CFHI partner Aperian
• Access to the CFHI Global Health Professional Development Hub events and materials
• Bi-weekly roundtables featuring global health experts from 3-5 countries
• 30 hours of Medical Spanish instruction
• Synchronous and asynchronous virtual sessions led by CFHI Global Partners, all experts in local health systems and culture
• Training module: Self Care & Wellness for your Virtual Program
• Facilitated group reflection sessions 
• Orientation and debrief sessions lead by CFHI Virtual Programs Coordinator
• Support from CFHI’s Virtual Programs Coordinator

The Virtual Global & Public Health Internship is an unpaid experience. Student fees will be used to compensate CFHI’s Global Partners– in line with our Fair Trade commitment.

The program requires participants to dedicate 8- 12 hours per week to live Zoom sessions. During this time, students participate in lectures, seminars, roundtables and Medical Spanish language classes. Additionally, students may be assigned independent tasks by the local Medical Director and the Spanish instructors team to successfully complete the program.

Can I get credit for this program? 

Yes, many participants do. To find out what is required at your school, talk to your advisor or global health faculty. CFHI assists with program enrollment, confirmation letters, evaluations, and other documentation you may need.

Are there scholarships available for virtual programs?

CFHI offers many scholarships for both place-based and virtual programs. Visit the scholarships page to find out more about requirements, deadlines, and more information on how to apply. New scholarships are posted every few months, so be sure to check the page frequently.

How do I access course materials and the schedule once I am enrolled?

Once you are enrolled in a CFHI virtual program and have completed the necessary application steps, you will be sent a welcome email with information on how to access course materials and the course schedule via Google Classroom. You will also be invited to a virtual orientation that will introduce you to CFHI and help you prepare for the start of the program.

When is the program fee due?

The program fee is due 3 weeks before the start date of the program.

Can I get a certificate of completion once I finish the program? 

Yes! All students who complete a CFHI virtual program may request a certificate of completion by emailing [email protected].