Eligibility

GPA	3.0 for Nursing majors, 2.5 for all others
Hours completed	12
Student Conduct	Good status
Grad credit	Yes  NURS 679--Contact Professor White for more details
Non-WIU	Yes
Pre-requisite	NURS courses: Restricted to Nursing and related medical majors (Pre-nursing, Pre-med, etc.)
Student Year	Sophomore, Junior, Senior, Graduate

Entry Requirements

Passport required - Must be valid until at least September 30, 2023.  For information on how to apply for or renew a passport, see Passports 101 .
Current passport processing times are 8-11 weeks.  Plan accordingly to avoid issues obtaining your visa, airline tickets and other necessary items for travel.  Failure to receive your passport in time can lead to postponement of your program.

Visa required if not a US citizen. It is your responsibility to check the Consulate of Ecuador in Chicago website for more information.  Visa cost not included in program cost. 

 

Health Insurance

You must have health insurance for the time you are on your program.  One option is approved for this program: a supplemental policy (Patriot Travel Medical) from International Medical Group (IMG)

 

Health Precautions

COVID-19 - You are REQUIRED to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 (original shot series and at least one booster) to participate in this program.  Proof of vaccination required prior to acceptance of your deposit.

Walking/mobility/travel - Expect to walk up to 5 miles per day.  It is not consecutive but scheduled throughout the day, sometimes over uneven, hilly terrain and up/down flights of stairs.  You will also be responsible for moving your own luggage.

Environmental - Highs in the mid- to upper 60s in Quito; other locations may be warmer.  Time in/near Quito at high altitude (9,400) feet above sea level).  Excursions and some portions of the Course will be conducted outside, rain or shine.  Sun protection is strongly recommended.

Dietary - Some meals are included in the program cost. Contact Kim McDaniel  if you have food allergies or other dietary restrictions.

Vaccinations - No vaccinations are required for entry into Ecuador.  Up to date vaccination recommendations are available on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website .

Accessability - Accessibility and accommodation are very different than that found in the United States.  Please contact the Disability Resource Center for questions on the availability of accommodations for your specific situation.

PLEASE NOTE   It is your responsibility to request accommodation from the DRC; faculty and staff are not legally permitted to inquire about such needs.  Requests should be made as early as possible so there's sufficient time to arrange accommodations in your location.

Costs & Dates

Estimated Cost*	$3,500-$3,800  based on minimum of 10 students
Included in the program	Round trip airfare from Chicago, in-country transportation, lodging (double/triple occupancy), entry fees to scheduled sites, some meals
Application Deadline	October 31, 2022
Payments
Commitment fee	$75 due December 6, 2022
Non-refundable deposit	$1,000 due December 7, 2022
Estimated final payment*	Balance due January 31, 2023

* Costs subject to change based on student enrollment and flight costs.

WIU reserves the right to adjust the cost or arrangements of this program due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond the University's control.  For details about this or individual withdrawals, see Cancellations and Withdrawals .

 

Important Dates

Passport copy deadline: January 15, 2023  Failure to meet this deadline will result in removal from the group flight and increased costs.

Mandatory Pre-departure meeting: TBA, Spring 2023

Academics

Credit offered

NURS 379 - Fulfills the FLGI requirement for Nursing majors.  Can be used as a substitute for NURS 316 Transcultural Nursing or as a Nursing elective

NURS 679 - Can be applied to graduate school credit or continuing education for current medical professionals, including licensed medical professionals, nurses with BSN, and allied health services

HS 379 - Counts as an upper-division elective for Public Health majors

HSM 379 -Counts as an upper-division elective for Health Services Management majors

SW 379 - Counts as an upper-division elective for Social Work majors

HS 679 - Counts towards completion of a MS in Health Sciences 

Please check with your academic advisor for more information on how this Course fits your specific academic needs.

 

Objectives/Activities

• Discover the differences in healthcare systems between Ecuador and the United States
• Develop critical thinking skills through problem solving in real life scenarios
• Examine the sociocultural, economic and political influences on health in Ecuador
• Identify major health problems in Ecuador and their impact on health care/prevention/education

 

Class sessions

Active class participation, including contribution to discussions and attendance, is expected in all phases of the Course.  Students are responsible for completing pre-departure assignments including readings and discussion participation, attendance and active participation during on-site visits, guest lectures and activities, and post-return assignments.  Questions about course content should be directed to Professor Lindsay White or Dr. Lorette Oden .