Health Care Volunteering in Quito, Ecuador

In addition to global health exposure, my experience in Ecuador also involved a Spanish language component with Latino Schools, which offers one of the most effective ways to learn Spanish through a combination of classroom instruction and full cultural immersion. The teachers made the classroom experience enjoyable through fun and interactive activities. Students are placed with welcoming host families who invite them into their homes and make them feel like part of the family while encouraging them to practice speaking Spanish in everyday situations. By the end of the program, I was able to understand much more Spanish than before, and I plan to continue practicing with my friends and utilize my new language skills. Thank you, CFHI and Latino schools

Choosing to participate the CFHI global health program was one of the best decisions I made. Shadowing physicians in Ecuador gave me a deeper appreciation for their universal healthcare system, which utilizes three different models to deliver healthcare to its citizens. Seeing these intertwined systems helped me appreciate the strengths and challenges of each model and their role in creating accessible and sustainable healthcare for all communities. I learned from dedicated preceptors who emphasized compassion, patient education, and, in my case, great mentorship. They made sure to communicate effectively despite the language barrier and to explain their thought processes during patient encounters. I am grateful for CFHI, and I hope to collaborate with you all again in the future.

Visiting Quito changed me in ways I did not expect. As a new Spanish speaker, I experienced immense kindness, patience, and generosity from those around me as I navigated a new language and culture. Being in that vulnerable position helped me better understand what it feels like to acclimate to a foreign society and rely on the compassion of others. Through this experience, I truly learned what it means to let the world change you. The hospitality and grace I was shown opened my eyes to the importance of extending the same empathy and support to others who find themselves in unfamiliar environments. I am deeply grateful for the people who welcomed me so warmly, and I will carry those lessons with me and share that kindness with others for the rest of my life. Ecuador is a beautiful country and a paradise for nature lovers. During my visit, I had the incredible opportunity to hike my first active volcano. It was an unforgettable experience and just one example of the many adventures available for those who are open to trying new things. Ecuador offers endless opportunities to explore and step outside your comfort zone. Keep an open mind and you may discover something truly amazing. Thank you CFHI for this wonderful experience!

Definitely the Mobile Clinics have been a very nice experience, extremely rewarding. We have learned a lot together with other doctors in all stations. This has been a truly rewarding and beautiful experience. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C0Uptc5tlaD/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=91c71cdd-e0bb-4f79-b3fc-32e9af8f7de3

Here we’ve learned a lot about different medical systems in Peru and how patients have different needs than the ones we were used to. I think gaining some more cultural competency is huge for our future career in medicine. https://www.instagram.com/reel/CzwyWehhFa8/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=497e53fe-6189-46ca-a590-bfc1996988b6

The way of life of individuals is different in every country, so I already had some background knowledge of what an SLT is like, but every SLT is unique and special in its own way, offering new experiences and learning opportunities each time. https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5RCpMvMN2V/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=0095e7cf-600a-46b5-9ecf-222ce6488c26

Going on a MEDLIFE SLT is more than just like a talking point in an interview. I think it’s something that shows your true passion because you’ll find that here you’ll learn more than just how to do medical work and dental work, you’re also going to learn about the problems in a community and what true mission work is. https://youtu.be/3RMNIGO30so?si=W54Fy-ErQmjnJ5Kl

If you’re thinking that you want to go just do it! It’s easy to get caught in book work, textbooks and you’ll not get the same experience as you will just reading about the things that you can do than actually going out and doing them. Go out! Get those referrals, fundraise and then come and do the work. It’s an amazing experience. https://youtu.be/BHHzVKCcTC0?si=8hB7q1ZwPNMztlaT

I found it really incredible attending this Service Learning Trip. I really recommend it because it is a very eye opening experience. If you’re thinking of joining MEDLIFE and you’re afraid of coming here alone don’t worry, I made new friends and I’m sure we’ll stay great friends after the program. https://youtu.be/_CQsNngRmQc?si=hbsDOwuKOTCnEAuu

I think that being involved with MEDLIFE has given me so many amazing opportunities that I wouldn’t otherwise have had as a pre-health student. It has definitely confirmed my passion for medicine and strengthened my commitment to pursue a career in healthcare. https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cy6WCteLZXH/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=630afaa2-8769-4715-b8b5-e46ad23b6264

I will be heading off to Med School in a couple years so not only will this provide job shadowing and volunteer hours but also better me as a person and prepare me for what’s ahead in my medical career to be the best person I can be for my patients and the people around me. https://youtu.be/ySXhbM48-TE?si=Fwe9w6Hjpd0wwPsO

I’m aspiring to be a PA and being on an SLT has allowed me to gain a lot of experience. The MEDLIFE movement aligns with a lot of my goals in healthcare caring for people especially in low-income communities and I think that just being a part of MEDLIFE really helps you to aspire to achieve all those goals and help people in an impactful and achievable way. https://youtu.be/4tU_H4nUrRI?si=E6AUJrST-KLfsFCF

Besides the really neat aspect of touching people’s lives and helping others, coming to an SLT is also really good for a president like myself in a leadership role. Med Schools love seeing that leadership or even just being a part of MEDLIFE shows leadership. It shows initiative and Med Schools really like that. https://youtu.be/h15_J-pGU00?si=RJt-QmwEuOiSnWgN

As an incoming medical student, I applied to CFHI because of its commitment to ethical, community-based global health experiences—and I can honestly say the month I spent in Quito exceeded every expectation. From day one, CFHI set the tone for a supportive, meaningful experience. The team connected us with a CFHI alum even before we arrived, who graciously met with us over Zoom and offered her number for any questions we might have. It created a sense of comfort and camaraderie early on, laying the foundation for friendships I now can’t imagine my experience without. Our clinical rotations offered a dynamic mix of settings: public hospitals, private hospitals, community clinics, and even a space where we could observe traditional Ecuadorian healing practices. We rotated through various departments, such as family medicine, OBGYN, internal medicine, pediatrics, and general surgery, with some flexibility to tailor the experience based on our interests. Each day offered something new, and I learned not just by observing medicine, but by witnessing how care is shaped by culture, tradition, and resourcefulness. The local CFHI team was outstanding: true educators and even better human beings. They led thoughtful orientations, checked in regularly, and eagerly organized weekend trips to help us explore more of Ecuador. When I fell sick, they personally reached out to make sure I had everything I might need. I was pushed out of my comfort zone more than once, yet I never felt alone. I knew I had a team, both local and international, looking out for me every step of the way. One of the most grounding parts of my experience was my host family. My host mother welcomed not only me but also three other students into her home. Every evening, after a full day at the hospital or clinic, I came home to the comfort of a warm, traditional Ecuadorian meal, shared laughter, and a sense of belonging that made Quito feel like a second home. I am deeply grateful to have received a scholarship from CFHI. This gift allowed me, and other recipients, to say yes to something that would’ve otherwise been out of reach. I carried that gratitude with me every day I was in Quito, and I will continue to let that sense of gratitude shape the way I hope to serve others. Thank you to CFHI, the local team, my host family, and everyone who played a role in this journey. Importantly, I want to thank the patients, families, and community members who welcomed me into their homeland and lives. It was an incredible privilege to learn from each and every one of their stories. I have left Ecuador with a fuller heart, new friends, and a deeper sense of the kind of physician—and person—I want to become.

My experience with the global health program in Quito, Ecuador, was wonderful. Exploring maternal health and gender disparities in a foreign country was both challenging and rewarding. The program provided me with the unique opportunity to observe numerous births and C-sections, which significantly deepened my understanding of clinical practices and public health in a different cultural context. One of the highlights was the chance to explore these critical issues independently while having a small, supportive team to lean on (asking my homestay, cfhi team, and spanish teacher questions). This balance allowed me to gain valuable insights into the local health landscape while also feeling supported in my journey. My Spanish improved tremendously throughout the program (from knowing just a few greetings to knowing how to function alone in a market), which enhanced my ability to connect with patients and local healthcare professionals. However, there were a few challenges. The weekend excursions werent built into the program and time was limited, also leaving little time for personal exploration during the week due to clinic and spanish class. Additionally, while the CFHI team did an excellent job vetting the homestay, my actual living situation was somewhat chaotic (randomly chaotic though it isn't common in CFHI), and the unreliable WiFi made it difficult to stay connected. Despite these challenges, I am incredibly thankful for the experience. For anyone seeking serious clinical experience in a supportive and affordable setting, I highly recommend the CFHI program. It offers an invaluable opportunity for hands-on learning at a better price point than many other study abroad programs.

I decided to study abroad during my 4th year of medical school in order to practice my medical Spanish and learn about healthcare in a developing country. My medical school advisor suggested CFHI. While reading the description of each program, I was particularly drawn to the Quito, Ecuador program because they offered rotations in Obstetrics and Gynecology (my future specialty) as well as Indigenous, ancestral medicine (which has contributed significantly to modern medicine). I was also granted the CFHI Loeliger 4th year International Elective Scholarship, without which, this incredible experience would not have been possible. Throughout the program, I was impressed by the thoroughness and organization. The program organized drivers to pick us up from the airport when we arrived and the same drivers also picked us up from the school to take us to the hospital each day. The drivers themselves were incredible! They spoke slowly, clearly, and were incredibly patient, so they functioned as great impromptu teachers. They taught us about the local culture (plata y placa driving system based on license plates, education system, growing pains of the Metro, etc) and gave us great suggestions for where to go on our weekend trips. CFHI did a great job choosing a host family. I also really appreciated that I was placed with two other American medical students who were also participating in the program. Because there were three of us, it made it feel safer to walk around and explore the city and it was easier to make plans for the afternoons and weekends. They were built-in travel buddies, and it was perfect! Our host mom was incredibly welcoming and experienced in hosting students. She spoke slowly enough so that we could converse and understand her Spanish. She had previously worked in the tourism business, so she knew all of the good places to go and gave us recommendations for what to do and how to get there, etc. Her food was also absolutely amazing! She introduced us to so many Ecuadorian dishes. When we left for weekend trips, she also packed us breakfasts for the road which was super sweet of her. CFHI also did an impeccable job choosing hospitals and doctors to work with. I learned so much from all the doctors, medical students, and medical staff. Dr. Cadena in the ER was very patient and helped us practice taking patient histories in Spanish. Working with Dr. Jacome in Family Medicine was an incredible experience even though I'm not going into family medicine; she's a great teacher and the patients love her. Dr. Carrera, in the ObGyn clinic, was also very patient and an excellent teacher. It was great to learn more Obstetric and Gynecology vocabulary in Spanish and learn about some of the cultural differences in the field. We discussed the similarities and differences in our healthcare systems. She told me about the frustrations regarding medication shortages and the months-long wait to get an appointment (similar to the US). At the Jambi Huasi clinic in Otavalo, we observed the interactions between Western and Indigenous medicine practices. Jambi Huasi means Health House in Quichua, the native language. We had the privilege of watching one of the indigenous parteras (mid-wives), Mama Michi, perform "La limpia con cuy" (direct translation: the cleaning with a guinea pig). It was a unique opportunity to witness this centuries old tradition (the earliest references are around the 1500s) and how the indigenous use guinea pigs as both a diagnostic tool and treatment. We also did some house calls for the people who couldn’t make it to the clinic, During the first two weeks of the program, we had class in the afternoon, in addition to the morning hospital observation. Our teacher, Monica, was very receptive to reviewing vocabulary and grammar topics that we wanted to practice. I also really enjoyed the class excursions. The first week we went to the market where we tried a variety of fruit (taxo, granadilla, granada, mango, zapote, pitahaya, piel de serpiente (salak), guanabana, caqui, orito, chirimoya, uvilla, gulupa, achotillo, pepino dulce). The next week we went to el Museo de Guayasamin and the professors got us a half off discount! In addition to the market and Museo de Guayasamin, there’s an endless list of activities to do in Quito! The first weekend we explored Parque Carolina and Metropolitana. We also visited La mitad del mundo (middle of the world) and made sure to check out the two museums. Fun fact: the larger, more well known, monument is actually not the true middle; the true middle is actually at El Museo Intinan where you can do fun scientific tests like the Coriolis effect and balance an egg on a nail. We rode the teleférico (cable car) up the mountain side to get an incredible view of Quito- just make sure to go on a sunny day without clouds and bring a jacket because it’s surprisingly cold up there. Centro Histórico was also full of history and we found out that the hostel, Secret Garden, did free tours- I would highly recommend it! We also happened to be in Quito during Semana Santa (Holy Week) so we saw the parade (La Procession de Jesus de Gran Poder). On the weekends, we ventured outside of Quito to Baños and Quilotoa. After the program, we went to the Galapagos and the Amazon. Ecuador has so much to offer in terms of culture and dramatically different environments. It was a privilege to be welcomed into so many communities; I learned so much from the medical staff, the patients, CFHI staff, and my host mom. I'm so glad I found CFHI and that they helped make this trip possible with the scholarship. I'm looking forward to starting residency soon and incorporating the language skills, cultural competencies, and medical knowledge that I have learned in Quito, Ecuador to benefit future patients.

I previously participated in a trip abroad to represent my country abroad in the field of art and music, and we got third place in singing. I am a girl who loves to travel and help others, especially since I am a doctor. I am used to caring about the health of others. I strive to volunteer in many fields

It was the best time of my life. The entire trip was a highlight. There wasn't a single moment where I wished I wasn't there. My host company was a flat out awesome place to work. I absolutely loved it. They were very helpful and understanding, they became my family away from home. The language instructor was such a great help. She's awesome. Seeing such rampant poverty, this trip really opened my sheltered eyes.

I had a time of my life i just want live the real life, compartir my time in this moment with real people. See other culture, expand my mind, compartir saberes, be a friend and connect with people a través the universal awareness.

Love Volunteers responded to this reviewMarch 24, 2019

Hi Rebeca,<br/>Thank-you so much for this enthusiastic review of our programs. We completely agree that volunteering is a fantastic way to connect with people and travel around the world doing humanitarian work.<br/>Thanks again for being a part of what we do here at Love Volunteers.<br/>The Team @ Love Volunteers

I learned how to handle traveling better, especially in South America. I would recommend World Endeavors as it is cheaper than most and I was able to pick the dates I wanted to go