Quito the Franciscan capital of Ecuador, Luz de Amιrica, ancient capital of the northern realm of the Incan empire, Patrimonio de la Humanidad, lies at 2,800 meters above sea level in a high valley at the base of Mount Pichincha about 15 miles south of the equator. Its full and formal name is "San Francisco de Quito", reflecting both its Spanish and Incan origins. Franciscan monks accompanied the Spanish conquistadors and founded one of America's first Catholic churches (begun in 1584), in what is now called the Plaza de San Francisco, in the heart of colonial Quito. Furthermore, the word Franciscan as an adjective in the Spanish language denotes peacefulness, a quality for which Quito was known for many years. The name "Quito" is derived from the name of the indigenous group, the Quitus, which dominated that region of the Andes before their conquest by the Incas. In the early 1980s, Quito was designated by UNESCO of the United Nations as a World Heritage Site in recognition of the preservation of its colonial center, essentially expressed in the architecture of the old city.

Slightly over a million people live in present-day Quito. As is typical of Latin American cities, the population density is high, relative to U.S. standards. But, somehow, Quito retains a small city atmosphere -probably because you can still walk to many places you need to go. Ownership of a car is not a must. Distances are short and the bus system is quite extensive. It has a daily average temperature of about 65° F, with daytime highs around 75° F and early morning lows around 45° F. Absolute highs reach 85° F and lows about 40° F on rare occasions.

PROGRAM
This specially designed four week program includes 20 hours per week of Group Spanish classes that focus on language skills used in a medical setting. The Volunteer component includes observational learning and structured interaction in local hospitals and other health care facilities. This allows students a chance to practice the Spanish they have learned while viewing practices utilized by doctors and nurses everyday. All of this is woven into a cultural activities & excursions program that lets students experience the sights & sounds of the Quito area.
Weekly components:

1st week - Orientaion, Spanish classes & cultural activities.
2nd week - Morning volunteer service in hospital, afternoon Spanish classes.
3rd week - Morning volunteer service in hospital, afternoon Spanish classes.
4th week - Morning free time, afternoon Spanish classes.

LODGING
The students host family is a wonderful support network. When the details of daily living are out of the way it frees the mind to learn Spanish, which is an accessible language to learn. They provide breakfast and dinner, and do laundry.

Some families have more than one bedroom for couples and parents with children. All students have a private bath. Most families live within walking distance.

Tea, coffee and pure water are provided at the school all day. Daily money exchange, mail service, safety box, storage room, travel and tour information are also provided.