Summer in Otavalo, Ecuador

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Otavalo

Term: Summer 
Dates: Late May-Early July (Five to six weeks)

Description: The UW-Madison Summer Field School for the Study of Language, Culture and Community Health in Ecuador is unique in its emphasis on the cultural context as a prism through which to understand health and healing. Some clinical experiences help fill out this context, but the foundation for the program is built upon medical anthropology and community health in the broad sense, which includes the relationships between people and their animals. The cultural context is woven through field and classroom study of languages, culture and community-based health care in the Andean and Coastal regions of Ecuador for an interdisciplinary group of UW-Madison health science students.

The course offers a five-week immersion opportunity to study Spanish and cross-cultural issues relating to health care in a developing country. An optional sixth week, focused on sustainable development and health issues in the Amazon, can be added to the regular program. Students will learn valuable language skills and will examine the complex cultural, ecological, socioeconomic, political and biomedical factors influencing human and animal health in the Andean and Coastal regions of Ecuador. Students will be exposed to the interface between Western medicine and indigenous health care practices in Ecuador and will learn about global public health issues through classroom and experiential field activities.

Housing is included for the duration of the program. Students live with host families in Otavalo. During orientation in Quito, students will stay in a local hotel. There will also be a week-long trip to a rural health care project in the Coastal region of Ecuador. Most meals are provided. Dietary preferences of students usually can be accommodated.

Highlights: The majority of instruction will occur in Otavalo, a community in the Andean highlands. Students will visit clinics and health centers and will participate in community assessments and other community activities. Field trips will include cultural events and visits to scenic natural areas. Past site visits have included an animal market, local healers, clinics, the indigenous communities of Yambiro and La Calera, and river rafting.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Experience Required: yes

Must be registered for a Certificate in Global Health

This Program is open to American Participants.

Scholarships are Available. Contact us for more information.

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Transcript

Post-Program Services Include:

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home