PHSRC in Ecuador
Students in AHS 3004: Health in Ecuador - History, Environment, and Culture traveled in and around Quito, Ecuador, this past Spring Break. In this blog post, course instructors Tricia Todd and Scott Simpson share some of the experiences they had while abroad.
Earlier this spring, staff from the Pre-Health Student Resource Center led students from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and Rochester campuses on the global portion of the AHS 3004: Health in Ecuador course. We had so many impactful experiences, from the places we saw to the people we met. We spent the first seven weeks of the spring semester in class on-campus, then traveled to Quito, Ecuador to spend eight full days learning about the intersections between culture, health, and the environment, and how Indigenous world views and medical practices are important for creating high-quality healthcare systems around the world.
Throughout the trip, students had a home base “classroom” established at Fundación Cimas Del Ecuador (CIMAS), a learning abroad center where we were introduced to our kind hosts Jose Suarez, MD, MPH, PhD and Dolores Lopez, BA, MSC, PhD, as well as our driver Marcello and our guides Raul, Danilo, and Dario. Our amazing guest speakers at CIMAS provided a backdrop of the geography and people of Ecuador, and the influences of the Andean culture. One of our first outings in Quito was on a guided double-decker bus ride to learn more about the city and its history. Along the way we toured the Quito city museum, which was housed on the grounds of the 400-hundred-year-old original city hospital. We then enjoyed lunch overlooking the amazing Church of La Compania, the Gold Church in old town Quito, and listening to the festive sounds of Indigenous dancers entertaining us as we dined.
We also went on a physician-led tour of a hospital, providing students with the opportunity to ask questions about medicine and the physicians’ first-hand experiences. After the first few days, we felt more settled in, and set out on a variety of different group adventures over the course of the rest of the week. On one of our outings, we found ourselves high up in the mountains learning about Andean history and culture and enjoying a Pambamesa, a traditional Andean outdoor lunch as the Alpacas looked on.
"This entire experience, so rich in sensory impressions and emotional depth, and a genuine connection felt by everyone involved, was incredibly touching. It highlighted the incredible power of ancient traditions to unite us, nurturing a deep sense of community and spiritual rebirth. This moment, so full of cultural richness and sensory beauty is something I will deeply cherish." - Amina, AHS 3004 student
The following day, students had the opportunity to contrast their earlier hospital visit in Quito with “San Luis de Otavalo,” a regional hospital in Otavalo. Students met with the director of the hospital, an Indigenous practicing midwife who uses traditional birthing practices, as well as an OB/GYN physician working at the same practice. We ended the day sitting around a fire as a Shaman conducted a traditional indigenous healing ceremony.
Students even had a chance to immerse themselves in the colorful arts and crafts within a traditional Indigenous market, which also provided them with the opportunity to use their bargaining skills! We then made an excursion to a family-owned flower plantation, where we saw what felt like miles and miles of roses. Here, we learned about the impact the flower industry has on sustainability and healthcare in Ecuador.
When in Ecuador, you have to stop by the equator–and we did! Our adventure to the equator was a fascinating history and physics lesson, as we witnessed some amazing tricks that can only be observed when one straddles the equator.
The accommodations during our travels outside Quito were stunning. Students had a chance to stay overnight at the Intiyaya Mountain Home Lodge, which features an amazing collection of Indigenous art and colorful rooms. We also had fun connecting with Eslina, our amazing and always-smiling cook and server extraordinaire, and the unforgettable resident dog “Compadre, who was definitely a student favorite!
On one of the final days, after a morning of hiking amongst the amazing flowers and waterfalls of the foothills of what is the beginning of the Amazon, we retired to the Thermas Papallacta, which were cabins surrounded by natural hot springs.
Our entire experience in Ecuador was incredibly impactful. Our trip was rich in sensory impressions, wonderful people, and amazing opportunities for students. We took away lessons of history and culture that have far-reaching connections to healthcare and public health anywhere in the world.
Thank you Scott, Tricia, and AHS 3004 students for sharing your experiences and reflections!