Question 1

How is this program different from other medical missions or medical Spanish seminars abroad?

Accepted Answer

Common Ground’s medical Spanish immersion programs are unique in several ways from other travel programs available to healthcare professionals and students. Primarily, the differences relate to pre-trip preparation, including specialized medical Spanish classes designed to help healthcare professionals communicate effectively with Spanish-speaking patients. Secondly, the integration into the local communities and the type of medical outreach work we do is unique. Finally, out-of-class learning experiences and program supervision make this trip the best medical Spanish immersion program available. This program is suitable for a medical student from any reputable institution, emphasizing the educational background related to medical Spanish courses. For a more detailed explanation of how our programs are different, read our blog post here: (https://commongroundinternational.com/immersion-in-costa-rica/medical-spanish-immersion-trips/). Most importantly, if you’re not sure how to choose between the programs you’re considering, we’ll be happy to help. For example, we can give you a free comparison/contrast with any other program you’re considering. In short, it will be our pleasure to help you make a well-informed decision on which program will be best for you.

Question 2

What does "Off Program" mean?

Accepted Answer

You can travel with Common Ground at any time of the year. That said, there are approximately 10 - 12 weeks a year where we gather groups of adults, students and families and create larger programs that include: volunteer projects, planned weekend excursions and day to day interactions with our USA-based leadership team. We refer to these dates as "on-program". Off-Program refers to the dates during the rest of the year when there are no groups traveling with you. Off-Program travel is a more independent, can be more immersive, and doesn't usually include volunteer projects. If you choose to travel off-program, we'll work with you to customize an itinerary that fits you perfectly and balances your class time with cultural activities and a wonderful host family experience.

Question 3

*What about Continuing Medical Education (CME) for providers & Continuing Education (CE) for nurses?

Accepted Answer

This live activity, Medical Spanish Immersion in Ecuador & Costa Rica, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 20 Prescribed credit(s) by the American Academy of Family Physicians. As such, physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider #14584, for 20 Contact Hours per week of immersion. *CME & CE credits are optional and billed separately here.

Question 4

Who usually travels on these medical Spanish immersion programs?

Accepted Answer

We accept healthcare students and professionals from across the country on these medical Spanish Immersion programs. Therefore, while everyone has unique careers and varying professional aspirations, they all have something in common. Above all, the one thing that EVERYONE has in common is a sense that they need Spanish for their work with patients. For example, some students are participating in a formal International Rotation through Common Ground. Others are just trying to bolster their Spanish before they hit the job market.
There is usually a high number of RNs and Nurse Practitioners on our programs as well. However, regardless of your profession, our goal is to match your expertise with a need in the communities where we work to benefit the local population. We have a small team of physicians and PAs that help supervise our programs in Costa Rica and Ecuador, therefore we’re able to ensure that our outreach work remains ethical, accurate, and applicable to the local populations that we serve. Additionally, we offer private Spanish lessons that can be tailored to meet specific professional needs, such as medical Spanish, while combining them with additional hands-on experiences like clinical observations

Question 5

How can I prepare for the Medical Spanish Immersion?

Accepted Answer

You will also be joining a series of live webinar meetings online to help you prepare. For example, we’ll review logistics and plan the medical outreach work that you’ll be participating in. We typically have 4 meetings in the 2-4 months preceding a program that systematically help you prepare for your travel.
Preparation is one of the key elements of our Mission Statement for responsible international medical work. Therefore, you can and should be preparing as much as possible with your Spanish language before traveling. As mentioned elsewhere, beginners are accepted onto the programs without hesitation. However, you will never regret a single minute of Spanish preparation before you travel. There is a truism when it comes to language immersion programs: the more you know before you travel, the more you learn while abroad.
The stronger your foundation is in Spanish before participating in a program, the more you have to build on when you are in-country. So if you can make time for it, consider working on a few essential medical Spanish topics before you travel to make sure you’re ready to go.
You will also be joining a series of live webinar meetings online to help you prepare. For example, we’ll review logistics and plan the medical outreach work that you’ll be participating in. We typically have 4 meetings in the 2-4 months preceding a program that systematically help you prepare for your travel.

Question 6

Can I join if my Spanish is beginning level?

Accepted Answer

Yes, of course. Our Medical Spanish Immersion Programs are designed to improve your Spanish while you help communities with specific needs and learn about concepts of health and factors that affect healthy living in Latin America. We strongly believe that improving your Spanish proficiency is key to providing enhanced service to your Spanish-only patients in your home community, so we don’t turn people away at any level. However, remember that as a beginner, you face frustrations and challenges that intermediate and advanced level speakers don’t face. For example, it takes you longer to get comfortable with your host family, you strain harder to follow conversations and presentations that we receive. Additionally, you work harder to develop and facilitate your charlas. That said, it’s totally worth it. In fact, every trip beginners thank us for allowing them to participate because they can’t believe how much progress they’ve made with their Spanish. Spanish classes are a core component of the program, integratively combining language learning with various activities and experiences.

Question 7

How are the facilities chosen where we will be working?

Accepted Answer

We work with different non-profit groups with different missions. However, they all focus on bringing health education & healthcare to the poor and under-served in several different communities around Costa Rica and Ecuador. We spend significant time in schools or other public meeting places in these communities in order to deliver our preventive health education and respond to the identified needs of the community. For more information on our guiding principles for health work abroad, please see our mission statement.

Question 8

What medical issues do the target communities we’ll be working with suffer from?

Accepted Answer

Of course this is variable, but in general we see individuals with high blood sugar, high blood pressure, malnutrition, oral health needs, STIs, anxiety, depression, and a handful of other common conditions. In general you can expect a large amount of preventative health education to women and children. Therefore, we focus heavily on educating our patient populations so that they can make informed health decisions when we’re not present. You will receive much more detailed information about the specifics of the medical outreach work and the communities in which you’ll be working during pre-departure orientation.

Question 9

What about donations?

Accepted Answer

During your pre-departure course, we may ask you to collect both physical and financial donations for your work on immersion. Your donations will relate directly to any charlas that you will be giving in select communities. For example, if you’re giving a talk on oral hygiene, we will suggest that your charla group try and secure toothbrush and travel toothpaste donations to accompany your charla. Other situations may lend themselves more to health education materials as donations. So, no rush at the moment, you will receive more details on the talks you will be delivering and have the opportunity to define your own donation items during your pre-departure preparation.

Question 10

What sort of liability insurance do I need for this immersion trip?

Accepted Answer

Medical liability insurance is not required for the work we do since we do not provide medical care as a general rule. If, however, we have the opportunity provide primary care to patients, we take special caution. For example, it will always be underneath the supervision of a local healthcare worker and his/her organization. Because we want to always provide sustainable medical outreach services, we spend a lot of time educating patients about healthy lifestyle options in resource poor settings. This is great for you as a participant as well because you get to practice explaining the very same educational topics that you need to explain to your patients back home as well. For more information on our guiding principles for health work abroad, please see our mission statement.

Question 11

Should I bring medical equipment?

Accepted Answer

Since our work is primarily educational, nothing is REQUIRED. However, you may have opportunities to use some basic equipment during a health education piece. For example, portable items like: stethoscope, otoscope, ophthalmoscope, bp cuffs, thermometers, glucometers, etc. Contact us any time for more info on the specific medical Spanish immersion program you’re considering.

Question 12

Can I bring my family with me?

Accepted Answer

Of course!
We’re a family business and we have experienced the joys of sharing this experience with our own 3 children. So, we’re happy to have your family join you on your immersion program.
This does require some additional planning. Therefore, we will want to know that you’re thinking about bringing a spouse and/or children sooner rather than later.

Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
Morning excursion	Volunteer orientation	Volunteer prep	Volunteer work	Morning cultural activity	Optional Excursion	Optional Excursion
Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch	Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm	Spanish classes 1-5 pm

ECUADOR MEDICAL SPANISH IMMERSION

Become more fluent in Spanish

A life-changing experience

A deeper understanding of the culture

Establish a positive rapport when you use Medical Spanish with your patients

Insight into the healthcare system and culture in Latin America

Engage in more confident and insightful conversations with your Spanish speaking patients in the US

Ecuador

Ecuador Medical Spanish Immersion

Highlights

Location

Dates

Registration deadline: April 6th

24/7 Support

Price

Possible to combine with Costa Rica programs

Combo Program

Ecuador & Costa Rica Medical Spanish Immersion

Highlights

Location

2026 Start Dates

24/7 Support

Price

3-6 Week COMBO IMMERSION PROGRAMS IN ECUADOR & COSTA RICA

2025 Dates

Ecuador

Costa Rica

3-Week Programs

4-Week Programs

5-Week Programs

6-Week Programs

3-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

4-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

5-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

6-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

2026 Dates

Ecuador

Costa Rica

3-Week Programs

4-Week Programs

5-Week Programs

6-Week Programs

3-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

4-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

5-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

6-Week Programs

Ecuador

Costa Rica

ECUADOR IMMERSION PROGRAM DETAILS

MEDICAL SPANISH IMMERSION IN ECUADOR

2025 Dates

1-Week Programs

2-Week Programs

3-Week Programs

4-Week Programs

5-Week Programs

6-Week Programs

2026 Dates

1-Week Programs

2-Week Programs

3-Week Programs

4-Week Programs

5-Week Programs

6-Week Programs

General Program Itinerary:

Next steps