Utica University Study Abroad

Interprofessional Health in Ecuador

May 18-25, 2024

Faculty Leaders:

Colleen Sunderlin, PhD, OTR/L, Physical Therapy csunder@utica.edu
Molly Hickey, D.P.T., Physical Therapy mahickey@utica.edu
Janice Ceccucci, DNP, Nursing jlceccuc@utica.edu

International Education Contact:

Dr. Brittany J. Simpson
bjsimpso@utica.edu


Program Summary

This 8-day-long itinerary is designed to complement a curriculum that explores the many facets of interprofessional healthcare in Ecuador. To provide proper care and improve patient outcomes, today’s health professionals must collaborate effectively with professionals from other disciplines. Students will visit urban public and private working health facilities and spend time with rural health practitioners to begin to appreciate the level of interprofessional communication in Ecuador. From conversations with university medical students and faculty, health professionals and traditional healers to patient interaction in health clinics and medical brigades, students will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the diversity of factors that affect the health of Ecuadorians and their access to appropriate and effective healthcare. 

Itinerary

Day 1 - May 18. Quito
Lodging: Hotel Vieja Cuba or similar
Meals: Snack

  • Late evening arrival

  • Transfer to lodging in Quito

  • Snack at hotel

Day 2 - May 19. Quito
Lodging: Hotel Vieja Cuba or similar
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

  • Breakfast at lodging

  • Program Orientation on safety, culture and logistics

  • Head to Quito’s Old Town for a tour of important landmarks including Plaza San Francisco and Plaza del Teatro, and climb the steps of the Basílica del Voto Nacional, the tallest church in Ecuador

    • Group lunch during tour

  • Welcome dinner at Ecuadorian restaurant

Day 3 - May 20. Quito
Lodging: Hotel Vieja Cuba or similar
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

  • Breakfast at lodging

  • Visit the University of the Americas (UDLA)

    • Take a tour of their state of the art simulation hospital.

    • Lunch at the university food court where students can practice their Spanish

  • Visit a small private health clinic

    • Small group shadowing as doctors make their rounds to different patients.

  • Group dinner

Day 4 - May 21. Quito
Lodging: Hotel Vieja Cuba or similar
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

  • Breakfast at lodging

  • Visit the large public health center, Hospital del Sur, to contrast its operation to that of the private clinic.

    • Students will break up into small groups and spend the morning shadowing several different types of medical practitioners.

  • Group lunch

  • Visit to physical therapy clinic Fundacion Hermano Miguel

    • Students will shadow physical and occupational therapists as they treat patients

  • Independent dinner in small groups

Day 5 - May 22. Otavalo
Lodging: Hotel El Indio Inn or similar
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner

  • Breakfast at lodging

  • 2 hour transfer to Otavalo, a small town famous for its indigenous culture and world-class artisanship

  • Group lunch

  • Visit Jambi Huasi community health clinic

    • Learn the organization’s services in both modern and traditional medicine

    • Students will be split into small groups and paired with Jambi Huasi doctors, who will introduce them to patients in the clinic

  • Group dinner

Day 6  - May 23. Otavalo
Lodging: Hotel El Indio Inn or similar
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

  • Breakfast at lodging

  • Participate in a medical brigade and nutritional campaign

    • Students will support local physicians and healthcare workers as they provide health care services in a rural community outside Otavalo.

    • Students will assist doctors with taking measurements such as height and weight, as well as provide a health workshop.

  • Group lunch during brigade

  • Return to lodging for reflection and free time

  • Independent dinner in small groups

Day 7 - May 24. Otavalo
Lodging: Hotel El Indio Inn or similar
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch

  • Breakfast at lodging

  • Jambi Huasi patient and doctor shadowing (3 hours)

  • Group lunch

  • Visit with a local traditional healer who will demonstrate healing techniques and native herbs used in the process

  • Independent dinner in small groups

Day 8 - May 25. Otavalo
Lodging: None
Meals: Breakfast | Dinner

  • Breakfast at lodging

  • Visit the Otavalo market, one of the largest artisan markets in South America.

    • Saturday is Otavalo’s main market day. Students can visit stalls selling everything from souvenirs to livestock

  • Independent lunch at the market

  • Transfer to Hosteria Papallacta

  • Soak in hot mineral springs and farewell dinner

    • Optional massage (not included in fee)

  • Short transfer to airport for late evening departure

Registration deadline:

Cost:

Student fee (depending on number of students): $2,690 - $1,890

Includes:

  • All lodging in multiple occupancy

  • All ground transportation in private van or minibus

  • Meals as listed in the itinerary, including one free non-alcoholic drink per student

  • All activities described in itinerary, including entrance fees when applicable

  • Carbon offset for air travel 

  • Guide/translator with the group the entire trip from airport pickup to drop-off

  • 24-hour emergency support 

Excludes: 

  • Tuition

  • Travel interruption and medical insurance

  • Airfare

  • Activities or meals not described in itinerary

    We recommend all participants to purchase travel insurance with cancellation coverage.

Complete the form below to pre-register and stay updated on program announcements and registration deadlines:

Do you have questions?