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Ecuador: Medical Assistance 11 Days
Learn what it takes to run a mobile clinic in the Andean Highlands of Ecuador on this medical Career Experience program for high school students. Under the guidance of MEDLIFE doctors and other medical professionals, you will help provide free healthcare to indigenous locals near Cebadas. This combination Community Service/Career Experience summer program in Ecuador is led by our amazing staff, who are there to support, guide and provide reflection on the impact of the work we do throughout the program and promote the value of empathy and cultural sensitivity. Teens will walk away with hands-on medical support experience and a greater understanding of the complexities and challenges of public health in remote communities. In addition to your volunteer service, this teen program explores Quito, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Then you will settle in the city of Riobamba, which offers stunning views of the Chimborazo Mountain, while performing your service. Cap off your stay with a canopy zip-line in the Mindo Cloud Forest and sightseeing to end your South American experience with memories of a lifetime!
The perfect balance of meaningful service projects, cultural immersion and unforgettable adventures.
This program requires an open mind to experience a different culture, new foods and new surroundings.
A certificate of completion detailing the program's service hours and projects will be issued after the trip.
Your service hours are eligible toward the President's Volunteer Service Award.
A professional guide accompanies the group to assist, educate and immerse the students into the local culture.
Chartered, air conditioned motor coach with a professional driver.
Basic hotels.
Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner daily.
Includes all recreation & activities listed.
Up to 24 participants.
On this program, all airfare is arranged by Westcoast Connection.
We can accommodate most dietary preferences and allergies.
You will shadow medical professionals, work directly with mostly indigenous locals, and help implement health care programs to provide you with a greater understanding of public health initiatives. You will assist with the following tasks:
*Should a patient not feel comfortable with a student in the room, they may be asked to wait outside until the next patient’s turn.
About MEDLIFE
Founded in 2004, MEDLIFE works in undeveloped communities in Latin American and Africa to provide medicine, education and other community needs. MEDLIFE establishes mobile clinics to bring free healthcare directly to communities in need. The clinics are staffed by local medical professionals and offer basic treatment and long-term preventative screenings.
Our partners at MEDLIFE have made changes to their mobile clinic offerings and have implemented protocols to promote the safety of volunteers and local communities.
The mobile clinic will operate outside with masking, social distancing and hand sanitization protocols in place. The number of participants at each station will be reduced. MEDLIFE staff are fully vaccinated and sanitization protocols of all equipment and spaces will be amplified.
Take part in a development project that will directly benefit the community. Past MEDLIFE projects include installing modernized bathrooms, basic kitchen upgrades, and putting in fencing to separate farm animals from living quarters.
From your hotel in the lively Mariscal District, visit the beautiful colonial area and ascend to 12,150’ aboard the TelefériQo gondola lift offering unrivaled views of the city and Pichincha Volcano.
Sleep comfortably in this beautiful Andes town with the snow-peaked Chimborazo Mountain in the backdrop. At an altitude of 9,035 feet, enjoy a cool and comfortable climate in this gorgeous mountainous region of Ecuador.
Get set for the extreme adrenaline rush of zip-lining 11,975’ over 12 cables above the cloud forest canopy. Hold on to your tube while riding the rapids of the Mindo River.
Quito, Ecuador
The Hotel Embassy is strategically located in the lively Mariscal District, an exclusive area of the city near museums, galleries, theaters, historic city center and other tourist attractions. Each room features Wi-Fi, a phone and a safe.
Riobamba, Ecuador
For our stay in the Andes, we will be staying at this centrally located Spanish Colonial style Hotel Santa Isabella. Each room has wi-fi, phone and a safe.
Flights: On this program, all airfare is arranged by Westcoast Connection
Flight To Quito, Ecuador
We offer a chaperoned flight to Ecuador from South Florida. Based on enrollment, participants from the New York area may also have a chaperoned flight. Final flight details are determined in the spring.
Return Flight Home from Quito, Ecuador
We offer a chaperoned flight back to South Florida. Depending on the geographic group makeup, the chaperoned flight will potentially connect to New York as well. For our many travelers from outside these areas, you may choose to join the chaperoned flight and arrange transfers (if required) at suitable times after the group has cleared customs and immigration in the USA.
Where We Stay
We carefully select clean and comfortable accommodations with the needs of our students in mind. While our volunteer programs do not stay at luxury resorts, we do know that a good night’s rest, in your own bed, is key to performing your service hours well and having enough energy to enjoy the day’s activities. For this reason, and also to maintain the close group bond and to uphold the quality of this program, we do not offer any homestays.
Meals & New Cuisines
Eating well while away from home is an important part of a summer’s success. Part of your travel experience will be immersing yourself in the local cuisine and culture so please bring with you an open mind and a willingness to try new things. For example, in Ecuador the food will be a mix of “typical food” including chicken, beef, potatoes, and other great local options. They also have North American style options on the menu.
We have satisfied the choosiest of eaters and gladly accommodate most special dietary requests including vegetarian, food allergies, lactose intolerance, celiac disease, and kosher style. We welcome discussing your individual requirements with you and have extensive experience in this area.
Drinking Water
On this program we will have large containers of clean water for you to fill up your own water bottles as needed.
Vaccinations
We recommend you follow the advice of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), and consult with your physician for current immunizations and medication required for travelers to Ecuador. These recommendations may change from time to time. We will send you detailed information in March (or upon enrollment if later) regarding the current recommendations for this itinerary.
Altitude Adjustment
This program travels to high altitudes when in Quito (9,350’) and Riobamba (9,000’). Travel to high altitudes can pose a serious risk of illness, particularly if you have a condition that affects circulation or breathing. All travelers, even if very healthy, will feel symptoms of hypoxia (lack of oxygen) upon arrival at high-altitude. That is normal. Adjustments to high altitude may not even correlate with how great shape you are in – a marathoner may suffer while a “couch potato” is fine. Most participants will have increased respiration and increased heart rate and need time to adjust. Our schedule considers the change in altitude and allows participants to acclimate before beginning any strenuous activity. If concerned, please call us to review your circumstances and we strongly recommend that you discuss this with your doctor prior to departure as they may recommend the use of a medication that assists with altitude adjustment.
Laundry
You will only need one week’s worth of clothing as outlined in the packing list that will be sent to you prior to departure. You will have the opportunity to do laundry at your convenience by dropping off your laundry at a local wash and fold service and then pick it up clean, folded and ready to go.
What’s Included
Included in your program tuition is all lodging, breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, recreation & entertainment listed, airport transfers in designated times, gratuities & taxes.
Not included is transportation to and from the program and personal spending money for snacks, souvenirs, and laundry. We also make available optional travel insurance that is not included, but highly recommended.
Please contact us with any questions. We are happy to hear from you!
What if I need to contact my teen during the program?
Participants may bring their cell phones so parents may call and message their kids directly. You may also contact our Communication Centers which serve as the official link between programs on the road and parents. We are staffed every day during the summer and have somebody on call for after hours emergencies ready to assist you 24/7.
Who are the staff and what are their qualifications?
Our staff are educators, guidance counselors, coaches, college and university students, former camp counselors, residence life coordinators, community volunteers, world travelers, and other leaders with diverse backgrounds. Many are former participants themselves who couldn’t get enough of the Westcoast experience! Learn more about our summer leaders.
How are roommates assigned?
Giving everyone a chance to make new friends creates a cohesive group and the warmest and most welcoming social environments in our industry!
On our Active Teen Tours, Global Adventures and Community Service programs, rooming rotation is as follows:
To promote this we’ve found the best system is for the Program Director to assign the rooms for the first and second stops. For the first stop, independent travelers room with other independent travelers and any friends who enrolled can room together. All participants will be assigned a different roommate for the second stop. After the first two stops, choice of roommates is always up to you!
On our Pre-College Enrichment programs & Career Experiences, rooming is as follows:
We assign independent travelers with another independent traveler for the duration of your stay. Any friends who enrolled together can room together.
Important notes:
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