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

Info

Pricing

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

Info

Pricing

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

Info

Pricing

Medical Spanish Immersion Trip

Rating

4.93 out of 5 based on 88 customer ratings

COVID-19 Policies

Safe travel policies reduce COVID-19 risks to Common Ground travelers and to the communities that host us.

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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.

Limited space available, reserve your spot today!

More Details (Dates, Components, etc)

Mission Statement

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

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

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Public Health Practicum

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

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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.

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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.