Go to Ecuador!!
I completed a 2 month internship with Adelante Abroad in Ecuador. My first 2 weeks were spent in Quito completing daily, one-on-one Spanish courses. My teacher was extremely welcoming, encouraging and knowledgeable. We focused on increasing my Spanish vocabulary, grammar and common interactions I may encounter in a foreign country such as shopping, taking public transportation etc. The combination of daily classes and living with a host family helped me improve my language skills A LOT before starting my internship. After my two weeks in Quito I moved to Ambato to work in a hospital. I rotated through the General Medicine floor, Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine. I had the opportunity to observe many surgeries, births and Caesarean sections (C-section). I assisted with minor procedures and saw many disease states I may not encounter in the United States. Overall, the internship was an invaluable experience. Additionally, every weekend I was able to travel to a new area in Ecuador. Over 8 weeks I was able to see many beautiful regions of the country including the Amazon Rainforest, the Pacific Ocean and Andean mountain ranges. I summited mountains, swam in the ocean, camped in a refugio, ate amazing Ecuadorian food and made life-long friends. I would highly encourage traveling to Ecuador and Adelante Abroad!
