Quick Facts
Program code
EC-VOL116
Category
Volunteer Work, Health
Country
Ecuador
Location
Quito, Region Pichincha
Program start
Flexible start and end dates year round
Minimum duration
2 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Project details
This volunteer project is also suitable for high school graduates who have to complete a nursing internship or a medical shadowing program.
The health system in Ecuador is divided into private clinics and public hospitals. While most private clinics and medical practices are well staffed and equipped, public hospitals often lack the necessary free beds, enough specialist staff and financial resources to provide sufficient medical aids. The result is long waiting times and poor quality care for the large sections of the population who depend on public hospitals.
In our volunteer project, volunteers, medical students, nurses or interns (nursing internship) are placed in public hospitals in Quito. Above all, people who cannot afford private health care are treated here. Even people who have no health insurance at all receive free medical care there.
The volunteer placements are among the public hospitals in Quito that have the best technological equipment and cover almost all specialist areas. For this reason, they are also the most important teaching hospitals in the country. Medical students from Quito's universities do their internships here. And that's exactly what you can do as well. During a medical volunteer work or a medical shadowing in Ecuador, you have the chance to first look over the shoulder of experienced nurses at work and then help out with simple procedures yourself.
In addition to the emergency department, there are, among others, the following departments:
- Pediatrics
- Gynecology
- Internal Medicine
- Dentistry
- Traumatology
- General surgery
- Neonatology
- Dermatology
- Endocrinology
- Gastroenterology
- Cardiology
- Neurology
- Psychology
- Psychiatry
- Orthopedics
- ENT
- Ophthalmology
- Urology
There are also in-house laboratories, a pathology department, as well as physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Tasks
Before you do your volunteer work or the nursing internship, you should ideally complete a Spanish course in Quito in order to get fit for medical terminology. If you are interested, you can also learn more about the history of Ecuadorian medicine or the health system.
The first days of volunteer work or the nursing internship serve as orientation. You take a tour of the hospital to get to know different areas and the medical staff. You can then decide on an area in which you want to do your volunteer work, or you can change areas every week if you want to get to know different medical areas (subject to availability).
The working hours are 5 to 7 hours a day from Monday to Friday.
Note on nursing internship or Medical Shadowing: You will start looking over the shoulder of a nurse. This will give you an insight into the various areas of responsibility. Later you can do simple tasks and assist with treatments and examinations. These tasks include e.g. measuring blood pressure, weighing patients, recording data, entering data into the system, etc.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as the number of volunteers, time of year, current needs of the project and self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
It is very important to us that you feel comfortable during your stay in Ecuador. That is why we offer rooms in carefully selected homestays.
In a homestay you immerse yourself in the Ecuadorian culture, you can apply your Spanish skills in everyday situations and get to know traditions, everyday life and the cuisine of the country.
Volunteers will have a private bedroom or share it with another volunteer. The bathroom is also private or shared. If you want to secure a single room for your own, there is a surcharge.
The volunteer program includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Special diatry requirements can be taken care of
Note: In Latin America, especially in remote areas where many of our volunteer projects take place, the cellular or internet connection is not always reliable and fast.
Location
Quito is located in the Andean highlands at an altitude of around 2850 meters. Therefore, despite its proximity to the equator, it is moderately warm all year round with an average temperature of around 13 °C. During the day, temperatures reach between 20 and 25 °C. There are rainy seasons from September to November and from January to April. It then usually rains around noon and then the sun is shining again.
Quito not only has a great location, right under the Pichincha volcano and a pleasant climate, but also cultural treasures: Built in the 16th century on the ruins of an ancient Inca city, Quito has the best preserved historical center in all of Latin America.
For this reason, Quito was the first city in the world to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Quito also offers a lively nightlife, pretty markets, interesting museums and theaters as well as various kinds of festivals at certain times.
Outdoor fans will also get their money's worth on day trips to the surrounding Andean landscapes!
Language skills
In order for both you and the people in the project to benefit from your volunteer work in Ecuador, it is important to have a good level of Spanish. We recommend it to be at communication level. You should be able to make yourself understood in Spanish.
In order to optimally prepare for your volunteer work in Ecuador, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the start of the program. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the national language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Ecuador directly with us!
Requirements
- Intermediate Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Ecuador!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by our volunteer coordinators located in Quito.
The nursing internship / medical shadowing / volunteer work always starts on Mondays. The first day serves as an orientation day. New participants take a tour of Quito to get to know the city. You will learn how to use public transport, you will be explained important topics such as safety, do's and don'ts in Quito, touristic information and all your questions will be clarified. Your nursing internship / volunteer work will start on the following day.
Costs & Services
The volunteer program in a hospital in Ecuador includes:
- Single or shared room in homestay*
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- Orientation upon arrival
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 760 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 170
*surcharge for single room US$ 35/week.
A donation of 180 USD is required to be paid directly to the project
Additionally, you can book:
- Airport pick-up US$ 40
- Spanish course in Ecuador
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
Our tips (experience more + see more = save $$)
Is it difficult for you to decide between the many great projects? You want to see and experience as much as possible during your stay in Latin America? Then build your own itinerary - experience more & see more! Our program combination makes it possible!
All our stay abroad programs can be combined with each other: So, you can combine different volunteer projects in the same country or in different countries, or you mix Working Holiday with volunteer work or Farm Stay with Working Holiday ...and so on …
Your creativity knows no limits. The longer your stay abroad in Latin America, the greater the discount you get from South America Inside. Below you can see how much you can save:
If you need assistance in putting together your personal experience abroad, then please contact us. Our experienced staff will help you to set up your tailor-made stay abroad.
Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!