Founded in 1987, Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) was the first private university in Ecuador. This elective allows students to experience the Ecuadorian health care system through clinical rotations.
Website: https://www.usfq.edu.ec/programas_academicos/colegios/cocsa/escuelas/medicina/Paginas/default.aspx
Location: Quito, Ecuador
Focus Areas: Maternal and Perinatal Healthcare, Sexual Violence in Conflict zones, Medical Spanish Program, Healthcare Treatment and Management comparisons
MS1 Summer Internship: Students can participate in summer internships that allow them to delve into the Ecuadorian healthcare system in many areas of medicine. There is a special ongoing project as it relates to autism that students can be involved in as well.
MSIV Clinical Elective: Students at USFQ will participate in clinical rotations Monday-Friday at Subcentro de Salud Tumbaco. The clinical rotations available are: Pediatrics and subspecialties; Anesthesiology; Emergency medicine; Internal medicine; Infectology; Cardiology; Obstetrics and Gynecology and Surgery.
Application Process: IMP will contact the site on behalf of the student. Once IMP has site confirmation, student will need to complete GW Passport online application. All students will be required to complete the USFQ paper application.
Estimated Costs: The site recommends that students stay with host families because that can be organized near their working centers. Staying with a host family will cost $17 per day which includes: WiFi, a private bedroom, bathroom, transportation from the airport, breakfast and dinner, and laundry. Families will be paid directly in cash at the end of the stay. This option will give students an opportunity take part in social dynamic in Ecuadorian society. Also, if we get a host family closer to the student’s center, then the public transportation fares will be quite lower (around a dollar per day).
Estimated Roundtrip Airfare: $700
NOTE: All students interested in the University of San Francisco, Quito site for a summer internship or clinical rotation must have advanced knowledge of the Spanish language to participate in the program. This program will be capped at 3 students per AY. Student applications will be accepted on a first come, first serve basis. (Students over this 3 person cap will be charged an administrative fee by Quito in the amount of $450 a month, which will cover hospital, administrative and tutor expenditures).