Medical Spanish Immersion Program | Costa Rica & Ecuador | Earn CME & CE
Immersion is the best way to learn! In this Medical Spanish Immersion Program, healthcare workers and students gain the necessary Spanish language skills and cultural understanding to better serve their patient populations and break down language barriers in healthcare.
CHOOSE YOUR SPANISH IMMERSION LOCATION
Costa Rica
Costa Rica Medical Spanish Immersion
Highlights
- 1 – 6 week programs
- Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
- 20hrs/week Spanish Classes
- Optional 1:1 private lessons
- Tuesday – Thursday public health education outreach projects
- Explore amazing beaches, volcanoes, cloud forests, coffee tours, national parks & más!
- CME & CE Accredited
- A great place to include your family or significant other for a post-trip vacation
- Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers
Location
Based in Santo Domingo de Heredia
2024 Dates
Starts June 29, 2024
24/7 Support
24/7 leadership, coordination & support by engaging program leaders
Possible to combine with Ecuador programs
Ecuador
Ecuador Medical Spanish Immersion
Highlights
- 1 & 2 week programs (Consider 10 days to have a full weekend to explore)
- Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
- 20hrs/week Spanish Classes
- Optional 1:1 private lessons
- Tuesday – Thursday public health education outreach projects
- Explore local markets, Inca ruins, national parks, the Andes, soak in volcanic hot springs, straddle the equator & más!
- CME & CE Accredited
- Consider extending your trip to visit the Galapagos Islands!
- Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers
Location
Based in Cuenca, Ecuador
2024 Dates
Starts June 15, 2024
24/7 Support
24/7 leadership, coordination & support by engaging program leaders
Possible to combine with Costa Rica programs
Save your Spot!
This program fills on a first come, first served basis. Reserve a spot on the trip – no obligation – no credit card, just 30 days to help you coordinate your schedule!
Why does learning medical Spanish even matter?
Our Medical Immersion Program is hands down the BEST way to improve your Spanish over the summer!
Medical Spanish Immersion with Common Ground Int’l is The Best Way to Learn Medical Spanish and earn CME & CE credits! What are the primary components of our program?
Small Group Conversational Spanish classes
Communicative Spanish classes combined with relevant grammar, vocabulary and lot’s of practice are the key to actually speaking. It’s easy to be a passive learner and spend many hours studying Spanish – immersion classes focus on using Spanish immediately! Often we learn more but don’t move the needle on our speaking. Classes are taught by professionals and conversationally focused so that you build confidence speaking Spanish!
Lodging with a local host family
Host families on Spanish immersion are essential to improving your general conversation skills and everyday rapport-building conversations. You work hard all day long in your community projects, your Spanish classes, and then you go home to your loving host family for more practice speaking. It’s tiring, but it works!
Weekend Adventures
Work hard Monday through Friday on your Spanish and take a break on the weekends! We put together group travel options for you on the weekends that you can join, or you can venture off on your own. When we explore with the group, we commit to speaking Spanish on the weekend as well to keep the immersion alive.
Community Outreach Work
Our approach to “medical mission” work is community health / public health education topics. We don’t focus on clinical work, we focus on education. This is ethically less complicated for local communities and local health systems and it’s actually more effective for your Spanish communication skills.
Weekend Adventures
Work hard Monday through Friday on your Spanish and take a break on the weekends! We put together group travel options for you on the weekends that you can join, or you can venture off on your own. When we explore with the group, we commit to speaking Spanish on the weekend as well to keep the immersion alive.
Community Outreach Work
Our approach to “medical mission” work is community health / public health education topics. We don’t focus on clinical work, we focus on education. This is ethically less complicated for local communities and local health systems and it’s actually more effective for your Spanish communication skills.
This trip is custom designed for you!
This medical Spanish immersion program in Central & South America is specifically designed for healthcare professionals and healthcare students to maximize your learning every moment.
And if you have CME money to spend, this qualifies!
Every year we go through the process of accrediting our medical Spanish immersion trip for CME and nursing CE credits. If you have education funds available, this trip should qualify.
Most importantly, it’s effective…
You’ll never participate in a better medical Spanish immersion program. Read the reviews, you’ll be speaking better Spanish when you return home!
Why the Common Ground Medical Spanish Immersion Program?
This Medical Spanish immersion program is specifically designed for healthcare workers and students to drastically improve their Spanish communication skills. Program planning, host family coordination, language classes, and leadership are designed intentionally for YOU!
You know where we live
We’re a Colorado-based organization, and we have a clear track record of amazing Spanish immersion programs. You can call us up at any time (303) 684-5557, speak English (or Spanish), and get your questions answered immediately. That’s worth its weight in gold!
We prepare you before you travel
Preparation is essential for establishing clear expectations, staying safe, knowing the day to day plan, and positioning yourself and your Spanish for maximum success on your program. Our custom pre-departure course is an amazingly effective online course that connects you with your fellow travelers and prepares you for every single detail – including culture shock!
We offer the best language and cultural outcomes
The primary difference with our Medical Spanish immersion program is that we weave 4 Spanish language components into your everyday experience. In other words, you learn Spanish through everything you do Mon – Fri. Here is how we do it:
• Learning medical Spanish in daily immersion classes with native Spanish speakers.
• Staying with a local host family (one student per family) so that you’re immersed in speaking Spanish 24/7 and acquiring Spanish as you relate to your host family and experience daily culture in Latin America.
• We partner with local clinics and nonprofits to deliver health education workshops and serve communities with identified health needs.
• We attend health lectures in Spanish by local healthcare providers and tour local hospitals / clinics in order to see healthcare in action.
You’re not alone
We understand that traveling alone isn’t for everyone. We are in country to support you! There is safety and peace of mind when you have others checking in with you every day. You’re surrounded by a group of like-minded professionals and you’ll work closely with one of our medical supervisors
during a portion of your trip. Additionally you’ll have our lead medical Spanish instructor
with you as well.
COSTA RICA & ECUADOR MEDICAL SPANISH IMMERSION
A perfect blend of Spanish immersion, professional growth and adventure
If I participate – What are the expected outcomes?
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
Medical Spanish Immersion is specifically designed for healthcare workers and students to drastically improve their Spanish communication skills. Participating in this program results in more effective and successful communication with your Spanish-speaking patients. We intentionally integrate the four components below so you walk away with practical Spanish skills to use.
SPANISH
CLASSES
Volunteer
work
Host family
living
Exploring the hot spots
COSTA RICA IMMERSION PROGRAM DETAILS
MEDICAL SPANISH IMMERSION PROGRAMS IN COSTA RICA
Highlights
- 1 – 6 weeks in length
- Consider 10 days to have a full weekend to explore
- Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
- 20hrs/week of Spanish classes
- Optional 1:1 private lessons
- Tuesday – Thursday outreach projects
- Explore amazing beaches, volcanoes , cloud forests, coffee tours, national parks & más!
- A great place to include your family or significant other for a post-trip vacation
- Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers
- Approved for CME and CE credits
- Learn about access to healthcare and standards of care for the mainstream society and those who live in poverty so that you gain perspective
- Provide preventative health care education in conjunction with existing local efforts in these communities in order to help without hurting
- Fly in and out of San Jose (SJO)
Location
Based in Santo Domingo de Heredia
2024 Dates
1-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 7/6/24
• 7/6/24 – 7/13/24
2-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 7/13/24
• 7/6/24 – 7/20/24
3-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 7/20/24
• 7/6/24 – 7/27/24
4-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 7/27/24
• 7/6/24 – 8/3/24
5-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 8/3/24
• 7/6/24 – 8/10/24
6-Week Programs
• 6/29/24 – 8/10/24
General Program Itinerary:
Return from Optional Excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer orientation
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer work
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer work -or- 1/2 day excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Optional Excursion
First Saturday & Sunday
Saturday: arrive in country, get settled with your host family
Sunday: town tour, orientation, meet trip leaders and participants
Mon – Fri Afternoons
Small group Spanish classes from 1-5pm
Tue – Thurs. Mornings
These are the days we dedicate to community outreach work.
Weekends
Explore the country! We put together a weekend trip every weekend. You are free to join us, stay with your host family, or DIY a weekend excursion!
ECUADOR IMMERSION PROGRAM DETAILS
MEDICAL SPANISH IMMERSION IN ECUADOR
Highlights
- 1 – 2 weeks in length
- Consider 10 days to have a full weekend to explore
- Live like a local with a host family ( hotel / hostel options too)
- 20hrs/week of Spanish classes
- Optional 1:1 private lessons
- Tuesday – Thursday outreach projects
- Explore local markets, Inca ruins, national parks, the Andes, soak in volcanic hot springs, mitad del mundo & más
- Include your family or significant other on a post-trip vacation to the Galapagos Islands
- Interprofessional mix of fellow travelers
- Approved for CME and CE credits
- Learn about access to healthcare and standards of care for the mainstream society and those who live in poverty so that you gain perspective
- Provide preventative health care education in conjunction with existing local efforts in these communities in order to help without hurting
- Fly in to Quito (UIO) with domestic flight to Cuenca or overland travel with us on optional weekend excursion
Location
Based in Cuenca, Ecuador
2024 Dates
1-Week Programs
• 6/15/24 – 6/22/24
• 6/22/24 – 6/29/24
2-Week Programs
• 6/15/24 – 6/29/24
General Program Itinerary:
Return from Optional Excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer orientation
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer work
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Volunteer work -or- 1/2 day excursion
Lunch
Spanish classes 1-5p
Optional Excursion
First Saturday & Sunday
Saturday: arrive in country, get settled with your host family
Sunday: town tour, orientation, meet trip leaders and participants
Optional: Weekend excursion before programs begins (Quito city tour, Mitad del Mundo, Avenida de los volcanes, Baños y más)
Mon – Fri Mornings
Small group Spanish classes from 1-5pm
Tue – Thurs. Afternoons
Community outreach work.
Weekends
Explore the country! We put together a weekend trip every weekend. You are free to join us, stay with your host family, or DIY a weekend excursion!
3-6 Week COMBO IMMERSION PROGRAMS IN ECUADOR & COSTA RICA
Combine both countries
2024 Dates
Ecuador
Costa Rica
2-Week Programs
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk CR:
06/29/24 – 07/06/24
3-Week Programs
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk CR:
06/29/24 – 07/06/24
2 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/13/24
4-Week Programs
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
2 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/13/24
3 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/20/24
5-Week Programs
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
3 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/20/24
4 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/27/24
6-Week Programs
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
4 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/27/24
5 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 08/03/24
*Check out the Costa Rica or Ecuador programs
2-Week Programs
Ecuador
Costa Rica
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk CR:
06/29/24 – 07/06/24
3-Week Programs
Ecuador
Costa Rica
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk CR:
06/29/24 – 07/06/24
2 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/06/24
4-Week Programs
Ecuador
Costa Rica
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
2 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/13/24
3 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/20/24
5-Week Programs
Ecuador
Costa Rica
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
3 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 7/20/24
4 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/27/24
6-Week Programs
Ecuador
Costa Rica
2 wks EC:
06/15/24 – 06/29/24
1 wk EC:
06/22/24 – 06/29/24
4 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 07/27/24
5 wks CR:
06/29/24 – 08/03/24
*Check out the Costa Rica or Ecuador programs
Save your Spot!
This program fills on a first come, first served basis. Reserve a spot on the trip – no obligation – no credit card, just 30 days to help you coordinate your schedule!
All of our programs include basic travel medical insurance with trip interruption, delays, lost bags, etc. Here is the standard description of coverage for your included travel insurance plan. If you have any uncertainties about your upcoming adventure, it might be a good idea to consider a Cancel for Any Reason insurance policy. We suggest you shop for it here:
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.
What about volunteer work on Immersion?
How do you make sure that the community work you do is actually relevant, helpful, ethical & sustainable?
Great question! Our guiding principles for Outreach Work on Spanish Immersion are extremely important. Watch the video to learn more about our guiding principles that are our framework for vetting volunteer opportunities on our immersion programs.