International Rotations in Ecuador & Costa Rica

International Elective Rotations for Healthcare

Elective Rotations for healthcare students. International Rotations in Costa Rica & Ecuador. A medical Spanish immersion rotation in your healthcare context.

Summer volcano and Spanish immersion for teens

Ecuador Medical Spanish Immersion Rotation

Newest Program
Based in Cuenca, Ecuador

1-2 weeks in length

  • 2nd half of June

  • Open to: APN, DO, DPT, MD, MPH, PA, PharmD, RN students

  • Host family lodging included

  • 20 hrs/week language school

  • Tuesday – Thursday medical outreach projects

  • CME & CE Accredited

  • Interprofessional mix of fellow students and professionals

  • 24/7 leadership, coordination & support by Common Ground program leaders

Ecuador & Costa Rica Spanish Immersion

Medical Spanish Immersion Rotation in Ecuador & Costa Rica

Medical Spanish immersion trip guiding principles
Based in Cuenca & Santo Domingo de Heredia

2 – 6 weeks in length

  • June start dates

  • Two countries in 1 trip

  • Open to: APN, DO, DPT, MD, MPH, PA, PharmD, RN students

  • Host family lodging included

  • 20hrs/week Spanish Classes

  • Tuesday – Thursday medical outreach projects

  • Collaborative community health projects

  • CME & CE Accredited

  • Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers

  • 24/7 leadership, coordination & support by Common Ground program leaders

Pura Vida Spanish Immersion Programs are immersions in Costa Rica

Costa Rica Medical Spanish Immersion Rotation

Easiest Flights
Adventure Spanish Immersion Program for high school students
Based in Santo Domingo de Heredia

1 – 6 weeks in length

  • Every Jan/Feb & July

  • Open to: APN, DO, DPT, MD, MPH, PA, PharmD, RN students

  • Host family lodging included

  • 20hrs/week Spanish Classes

  • Tuesday – Thursday medical outreach projects

  • Collaborative community health projects

  • CME & CE Accredited

  • Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers

  • 24/7 leadership, coordination & support by Common Ground program leaders

The best international medical Spanish rotation for healthcare students because…

Spanish is the focus, but there is no Spanish language minimum for you to participate. Additionally:

  • It’s interprofessional. Students from various healthcare specialties rotate with us

  • You build comfort and confidence speaking Spanish

  • It’s a combination of both community health and global health in the same rotation

  • You experience Latin American health beliefs, norms and practices

  • We partner with local organizations to support their community health projects

  • You’re not alone – we’re with you every day making sure you’re well and meeting your rotation goals

  • You build an appreciation for the complexities of providing medical care to marginalized populations in resource poor settings

  • You gain a better understanding of cultural norms and values that your Latino patients regard highly. These values may or may not be shared by the sub-culture you grew up in.

  • You develop an ethical framework for approaching international medical work that is sustainable and which fosters continuity of care for the patient even while you’re not present.

Learn more about the specific international rotation available to you!

MD, DO, PA, NP Elective International Rotation

MD, DO, PA, NP, RN Rotations

When: February & July
Length: 3 & 4 week programs in 4 week block

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PharmD APPE International Rotation

PharmD APPE

When: June – July/August
Length: 5 & 6 week programs in 6 week block

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Public health practicum in Ecuador and Costa Rica

Public Health Practicum

When: February & July
Length: 3 & 4 week programs in 4 week block,

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Our location in Ecuador

Our location in Ecuador

Our programs in Ecuador run in Cuenca. Cuenca is a beautiful colonial city that was known as the northern capital of the Inca empire before the Spanish arrived.

Our location in Costa Rica

Our programs in Costa Rica are based in Santo Domingo de Heredia. Santo Domingo is a suburb to the north of San José. It’s not a tourist community, it’s perfect for immersion. It also gives us great access to hotspots around Costa Rica

Medical Spanish Immersion & International Rotation Informational Webinar.

This video is 12 minutes, so grab some paper to make notes, and dive in to the details of the best medical Spanish immersion trip for healthcare. In this info webinar you will learn all about:

  • The purpose and mission of our programs

  • The towns we’re based in

  • How the 4 unique components work for you

  • How to be certain if this trip is right for you

  • Our goals for you

  • Schedule and budget requirements

  • 3 ways we help you make a difference with your Spanish-only patients

  • Program inclusions

  • The day to day schedule on immersion

  • Additional budgeting items to consider

Diversity and Inclusivity on Spanish Immersion

Our mission of Impacting Communities Through Language extends to ALL travelers and learners regardless of age, gender identity, physical ability, race, religion, sexual orientation and socioeconomic status.

Diversity and inclusivity on Spanish Immersion

Elective International Rotations & Spanish Immersion FAQs:

What if I don’t match for residency while I’m on international rotation with Common Ground?

Great question! Most students that are on international rotation with us during their match day take the morning off and make sure that everything goes smoothly.
If there is any problem with your match, you have as much time as you need to scramble and figure out your residency plans.

Can I modify the length and/or start dates of my elective rotation with Common Ground?

Of course! Most start dates and rotation lengths are very flexible. You’ll want to make sure that you’re still meeting minimum requirements for your home university, but we’ll do all we can to make the rotation accessible for you.

Is this program approved with my school?

Maybe. Maybe not. Either way we’re happy to do the paperwork for you to make sure you get the credit you need with your program.

What are the clinical placements like on this rotation?

Clinical placements are an option in Costa Rica provided you register with enough advance timing in order for us to complete the paperwork and formal submission process on your behalf.
However, most students do not complete a clinical rotation with Common Ground abroad. Most students work with the rest of the immersion team on public health education topics in Spanish.
These public & community health education topics allow you to integrate into local underserved communities and really improve your oral Spanish proficiency.

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