"I enjoyed living with a family and one-on-one spanish instruction the most. The weekends were a wonderful time to travel, and left me with many highlights."
Student at University of Michigan
NRCSA Medical Program in Ecuador
Ecuador
is a beautiful country in the Andean mountain range which has a large indigenous population.
Quito is the capital of Ecuador and has a population of approximately one and half million people. The city rises 2,850 meters (9,350 feet) above sea level, with an annual average temperature of 13C/55F. The dry season in Quito is May to October, and brief daily showers occur November through April. Nights are crisply cold, requiring a sweater or jacket, but the daytime temperatures, year round, rarely vary from the upper 60s to the low 70s F.
Medical Spanish Tutorial & Medical Volunteer
PROGRAM
This program consists of individual instruction with well-qualified teachers for 20 hrs/week. These are tutorial, one-on-one classes and they are ideal for those who want to be totally immersed and to learn faster in less time. The classes will focus on speaking, listening, reading and writing skills, along with medical vocabulary.
The Medical Volunteer portion of this program provides a chance to interact with local medical professionals and patients (depending on your experience level). These positions are available at a hospital, a doctor's office, a center for paliative care (hemodialysis), an elderly care facility, and a social medical center in Quito and the surrounding area.
Both medical students and professionals can participate in these programs, where they will observe procedures and discuss with their colleagues. The degree of responsibility invested in volunteers will be proportional to their expertise and commitment, although in all cases they will be supervised by an Ecuadorian doctor.
The minimum required volunteer hours is 15 per week; however this number may increase according to the status and field of the volunteer, as well as the different institutions' availability at the time of the partnership. There is a minimum 2 week commitment for Intermediate Level students and a minimum 4 week commitment for Beginner & Post-Beginner Level students.
Along with the NRCSA Registration Form, the student must submit an introduction letter and resume in order to arrange a position according to their needs.
Generally, language classes would be held in the morning and volunteer program would occur in the afternoon. Some Spanish preparatory work may be required before beginning the volunteer position, depending on student's level and area of interest.
LODGING
Another important component of this program is the opportunity to enjoy all the comforts and advantages of living with an Ecuadorian host family in one of South America's most beautiful cities. These "Homestay" families are carefully chosen by the school. The student gets a private bedroom, 2 meals daily and laundry service.
Some of the families are located close to the school in the central part of Quito. Others are located a little further away, but public transportation is available and convenient. Students may request a family with special characteristics if they wish and should include this in their registration form.
Only one student will be placed per host family. This helps to guarantee each student an unlimited opportunity to practice Spanish. This allows a total immersion and enables students to participate in the dynamics of family life.
Hotels - Optional hotel lodging is available but must be coordinated in advance.
ACTIVITIES
To reinforce the lessons learned in the classroom, and to help expand the student's Spanish Vocabulary in a natural environment, all programs include frequent "external activities". These activities include cultural events: visit to museums, art galleries, churches in colonial Quito, Indian markets and video films.
ARRIVAL TRANSFER
An arrival transfer from the Quito airport to the lodging address is included in the price of the program. Arrival details need to be communicated to NRCSA in advance.
Cost includes:
- 20 hrs/week Tutorial one-on-one classes. - 15 hrs/week Volunteer program. - Homestay lodging in single room. - Two meals daily. (Breakfast & Dinner) - Orientation (covering attractions, how to, health safety, entertainment) - Academic Assessment (placement-exit tests, achievement certificate) - International Emergency & Medical Insurance - Emergency Hotline Staffed 24/hrs day (call collect anywhere in the world) - Arrival transfer from airport to lodging address. - Laundry once per week. - Mail and Email services.
Spanish & Medical Volunteer Tutor 20 hours per week of private tutorial lessons. The Tutor Program is held for 4 hours daily and consists of individual instruction with well-qualified teachers. It is ideal for those who want to be totally immersed and to learn faster in less time.
MORE DETAILS ...
Facilities
The NRCSA school in Quito specializes in teaching Spanish as a second language in a private tutorial environment to foreign students, and is located in the commercial section of modern Quito. The area has many tourist attractions, and is surrounded by first class hotels, restaurants, cafes, banks, travel agencies, airline offices, libraries, universities, museums, craft shops, shopping centers and embassies.
The NRCSA Center was established and registered in the Ecuadorian Ministry of Education and Culture in 1982. In addition, its courses are recognized as a Bildungsurlaub program in the region of Hamburg, Germany.
All instructors have advanced university degrees in Spanish Grammar and Literature or a related field. All have received special training and have a great deal of experience teaching Spanish to foreign students.
General
• No maximum age. Minimum age is 18 (often waived if accompanied by an adult). • Location: Downtown • Size: varies considerably by season. The 'average' is 26-80 foreign students. • Medical: school refers students if needed (medical costs additional). See below for information regarding insurance. • Arrival airport transfers are included if flights advised 30 days prior arrival. • Vacations: no class make-up on National, Regional, or local holidays.
Classes
• Foreign language classes are taught entirely in the foreign language (immersion method). • All levels are welcome (beginner to advanced) unless otherwise specified above. • Levels: placement tests are used. If there is no full group at your level, smaller group or tutor may be given with fewer hours per week. • Tutor means one-on-one class (private teacher). Shared tutor means two-on-one. • Students/class is maximum people per class ... which may be exceeded by 1-2 persons due to level placement. • School is popular with business and medical professionals seeking accelerated and special vocabulary classes. • Texts and materials are over $15 per level. • Class-hour is 45 to 60 minutes (Most universities use a 50 minute hour).
Lodging & Meals
• Accommodation address sent 7-14 days prior to start of session. • Lodging ends day after last day of class. Begins the day prior to start of class. • Meals: See 'cost includes' above for which meals included. (2 meals means breakfast and • In homestays, meal times and content will vary.
Cultural Program & Activities
• Excursions average 1-2 weekly. • Weekly cultural lectures or activities (included). • Theater/enrichment activities (at additional cost). • Weekly cultural lectures or activities (included). • Weekly art, craft, or cooking (materials extra). • Some entrance fees/bus fares may be additional.
Children
• Lodging, daycare and tutor classes available. • School favored by families traveling with children.
Insurance --- for study dates prepaid through NRCSA
• 24 Hour Emergency Multilingual Hotline (call collect from anywhere in the world) • $25,000 Emergency Medical Evacuation • $10,000 Accident or Sickness ($100 deductible per claim) • $5,000 Emergency Reunion • See policy for definitions and exclusions • Increased insurance coverages available on request and at additional cost. Please inquire with NRCSA at least 3 weeks prior to departure.
Ecuador
PROGRAM 
LODGING 