“Bienestar: Medical Students against Health Disparities”, a New York based not-for-profit organization, began as a group dedicated to exposing students to the disparities of medical care access accross the globe and committed to the idea of equal access to quality medical care for the impoverished people of Ecuador. We hope to increase knowledge of the problem of health disparities in developing countries, increase fluency in the Spanish language, and educate about the growing threats to rainforest ecosystems. This is done by offering organized cultural-language immersion programs IN ALL FIELDS OF STUDY in rural Ecuador with medical, social, and environmental projects.
Ecuador is one of the smallest countries in Latin America (approximately the size of Colorado) and yet has the biggest biodiversity per area in the world. The Ecuadorian Amazon contains one-third of all bird species in the entire Amazon region and 10% of all tree species on earth. It is home to the highest active volcano (Cotopaxi) in the world as well as the renowned Galapagos Islands! At the same time it is estimated that almost 40% of citizens fall behind the poverty line and that 45% of all children under 5 yrs are medically malnourished.
Baños is a small town in the province of Tungurahua located between the Andes mountain ranges and the Amazon, which gives the city a very lush and unique personality. It is considered “The Gateway of the Rainforest”, being roughly 30 miles away from most travelers’s entry point into the Amazon. It enjoys a year round comfortable climate of 65 - 75 degrees at an altitude of 1820 m (5970 ft). Visitors will discover more than 60 waterfalls, the active volcano Tungurahua, 2 protected national parks (Sangay and Llangantes), and more than 160 endemic species. In addition one can find almost any adventure sport one craves, including white water rafting, kayaking, waterfall repelling, horse riding, cycling, hiking, mountain climbing, bungee jumping, bird watching, and much much more. And after a long hard day of extreme sports, Baños greets you with a wide variety of spa treatments and nightlife! As the local economy is dependent on tourist activities, almost all residents work either directly or indirectly with tourism.
Baños is easily accessible by bus from nearby cities, and a 3 ½ hour bus ride from Quito. The closest airport is Quito Mariscal Sucre International Airport in northern Quito. The official currency is the US Dollar. All of Ecuador, but especially Baños, is very economical and one can comfortably stay on any traveler’s budget. There are restaurants for every taste: local Ecuadorian cuisine, pizzerias, sandwich delis, vegetarian, steakhouses, French, Italian, and international cafes. Full meals can be purchased for as little as $1.50 with average full meals costs of $5. There is an abundance of living accommodations for all budgets.
Comments from past participants:
“I would have spent all the time in the world there if I could have. I loved Ecuador and the program.”….Jeniann Yi
“Developed a ‘hometown’ feel. Beautiful town, beautiful people”….David Kim
“I loved the (Spanish) classes. I wish I could’ve taken more”….Sarah Hylwa
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