Darcy Dubuc, Class of 2016

Summer 2013

Quito, Ecuador • Capital city of Ecuador

– 2.24 million people – 2nd largest city

• At an elevation of 9,350 feet – surrounded by mountains and live

volcanos.

• Dolarization in 2000 from the Ecuadorian sucre to stabilize economy. – Stores and malls – Markets and street vendors

• Health Care System: – All citizens have access to care – Public system, military hospitals, private

hospitals – Some EMR, some paper systems

CFHI Program

– 4 weeks or longer in Quito.

– Live in a homestay (walking distance of school) with up to 4 other students from multiple CFHI programs.

– All breakfasts and dinners provided, except for on Saturdays. Laundry washed once a week.

– 50 hours of Spanish classes provided.

– Weekly clinical lectures from medical director.

– 2 weeks of clinical experience with local doctors. • Exposure to healthcare system

• Intensive medical Spanish (few/no English speakers in clinic)

– Nights and weekends free for traveling and exploring.

Pre-Trip

• Reviewed Spanish grammar and vocabulary – Madrigal’s Magic Key to Spanish

• CFHI materials and packing list – CFHI agreements/paperwork and Fees – Passport (no Visa needed) – Traveler’s Insurance

• Travel Vaccinations – Typhoid! – Yellow Fever (not required) – Malaria prophylaxis (not required)

• Flight booking: Birmingham to Quito

Spanish Classes

• Amazing Andes Language School

• 50 hours of classes in 2 weeks

• Take placement exam to determine appropriate skill level (beginner, intermediate, advanced)

• Extra classes available for ~$8/hour

Daycare

• Hour bus trip to low-income area of the city

• 5 mornings assisting in classrooms of 20-30 children, ages 3-5.

• Children were provided 3 meals per day (from 8am-4:30pm)

• Regular activities: Singing, finger painting, object recognition, letters (4-5 year olds), playing at the “park” (fenced/walled concrete yard)

Hospital/Clinic

• Family Practice Clinic: Carcelen Bajo – For public servants – Opportunity to perform physical

exam – Parasitic infections common – Simple cases, lots of repetition

which made the Spanish easier to follow

• Specialty Hospital: Eugenio Espejo – Public hospital – Shadowed on a

hematology/oncology service – Rounds and outpatient clinic – Rapid pace, more complex

language to follow

Free time in Quito

Traveling out of Quito

• Large bus stations have options to take you anywhere in the country for under $5.

• Weekend excursions were usually Friday afternoon until Sunday night.

• Most popular trips: Baños, Mindo, Tena, Cotopaxi, Canoa.

The Unexpected

• Leaving the airport – Miscommunication about flight arrivals and host families

• City buses – Hour or longer rides to get to work – Crowding – Getting lost – Getting robbed

• Crime – Pickpocketing and bag slashing – Don’t carry an iPhone in the city

• Hesitancy to speak Spanish • Not enough time!

– About 6 weeks would have been ideal.

Budget

• Vaccinations = $300 (not covered on insurance)

• Flight (to/from Birmingham)= $980

• Program Fees/Insurance = $2495

• Weekly Expenses (Bus/cab fare, lunch, night out) = $25 x4 weeks = $100

• Weekend Trips = $450 (total for 3 trips)

• Souvenirs = $80

• Miscellaneous = $50

Total = $4455

Interested?

• CFHI (cfhi.org) has multiple programs based out of Quito: – Sexual Health as a Human Right – Andean Health – Intensive Beginner Spanish and Healthcare – Amazon Community and Indigenous Health – Reproductive Health – Urban & Rural Comparative Health

• Tips – Book flight and vaccination appointments early. – Apply for the MSEP grant!